Heartland Living Magazine Dec 2018-Jan 2019 by Heartland LIVING

December 2018 | January 2019

Your Lifestyle Community Magazine

YOUR ER Highlands Regional Medical Center is now powered by HCA Healthcare, a nationwide network of healthcare facilities and personnel. This means Highlands Regional patients will benefit from industry leading best practices and state-ofthe-art care delivered by highly skilled physicians and staff.

ER OWby E

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Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Dr. Charles W. Bartels Board Certified Optometric Physician

(863) 763-3937 Call Now For An Appointment Walk-Ins Welcome We Accept and Bill Most Major Insurance, Medicaid, Medicare & BlueCross Blue Shield Healthy Kids l Comprehensive Eye Exams

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l Glasses Available Same or Next Day

Our On-Site Lab allows for Most Prescriptions to be finished in One Hour!

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Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from All of Us! Dentistry from Infancy to Adolescence

ll, DM

inde lissa K

Your child’s health is important and finding a positive relationship between kids and their dentist is a good way to build lifelong healthy habits. Melissa Kindell, DMD, makes every child who visits feel welcome and comfortable and is dedicated to educating and providing quality treatment to maintain your child's oral health.

Service with a Smile, for a Smile ¡ Preventative Care ¡ Restorative Dentistry ¡ In-Office Sedation ¡ Interceptive Orthodonic Treatment ¡ Extractions ¡ Emergency Dental Treatment ¡ New Patient Exams Dental care for special needs and medically compromised patients. Everglades Pediatric Dentistry, provides dental care for children in the Greater Lake Okeechobee area and Sebring area.

Okeechobee 863-357-7338

Sebring 863-382-0340

FAX: 863-357-7342

2029 Hwy 441 North Okeechobee, FL 34972

5606 US Hwy 27 Sebring, FL 33870

Heartland

Most insurances are accepted LIVING and emergencies are welcomed. December

www.evergladespedodent.com

2018 January 2019

letter fromTHE PUBLISHER Our Holiday Issue is all about gratitude, love, and sharing which

we all need in our lives everyday and especially this time of year. The word gratitude means “the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness”. Love means “an intense feeling of deep affection” and sharing means, “give a portion of (something) to another or others.” I feel our writers have captured all of these with the special families that have shared their personal stories with us. When we started brainstorming what we wanted our readers to get out of the magazine this issue, I knew it was important to bring the heart behind the story. I wasn’t interested in putting together stories to create unrealistic expectations and neither were my writers. Instead we wanted to create something for you and your families to enjoy, keep on your coffee table and share with friends visiting for the Holidays. So many readers share with me that they have kept every issue and what a compliment that is. I gained with this issue that even in the trials of life, if we have eyes to see what we are grateful for and trust our faith then we could find good things everywhere we look. I am so thankful for what has evolved over the seven years of this magazine, and I want to make it a point to never lose that gratitude. Our beautiful cover model Brittney Fann is absolutely gorgeous and I thank her for gracing our cover and sharing her story with us. I met Brittney a while ago but spending more time with her she is not only gorgeous as you can see, but has the most amazing giving heart on the inside. I know you will agree with me when you read about her faith and goal for every woman’s life she touches through Beauty Fit For A Queen. Thank you Brittney for sharing and Caroline Maxcy Fox for your amazing photography. Heartland LIVING is growing and we want to welcome Sarah Sandel as a feature writer and Charissa (Rissa) Greubel as a feature photographer. We feel gifted and honored to have these incredible talented women join our team. Sarah not only brought her talent as a writer to the magazine but along with her husband Cameron, she shares with us their personal life challenges and the joy their adopted children Cora and Levi have brought to their lives. Along with the Sandel’s, Rachel and Lance Roberts, and Brooke and Andrew McDermott share with us their story. This is such a heart felt story I’m going to hush and let you read A Brave Love. Thank you all for being apart of this issue and sharing a piece of your personal life. Thank you, Rissa for joining our team and your amazing photos you captured for It’s Tea Time at the Twisted Teapot in Winter Haven. Tara and Tim, you both did amazing with over the top design and decorations. Thank you all for another grateful year for Heartland LIVING. We couldn’t do what we do without all of the support from our advertisers and readers. Blessings to you and your Family, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Cindy Sebring Adams

CALL US TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY! WITH TWO CONVENIENT LOCATIONS:

863.658.3386

1735 US Hwy 27 S. | Sebring, Florida Dr. Ronald Owen DDS, Dr. Chris Forsee DMD &

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Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

The Twisted Teapot is dedicated to providing an unforgettable afternoon tea experience with quality food and exceptional service. Customers comes first; whether it's catering to a special need or delivering a truly unforgettable experience for a special occasion. Reservations are highly recommended.

863.299.5000 Open Tuesday - Saturday, 11am - 3pm

Heartland LIVING

www.TwistedTeapot.com

December 2018 January 2019

200 First Street South Winter Haven, FL 33880 9

heartland CONTENT

FEATURES 24

Beauty Fit For A Queen By Katy Fassler

A Brave Love By Sarah Sandel

Florida Southern College Spain Junior Journey By Hannah Tucker

Champion for Children By Katy Fassler

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

December 2018 | January 2019

Volume VII | Issue 6

inspired by the SOUTH 96 It's Tea Time

By Jessica Pleger

108 Southern Chef By Layne Prescott

Brown Butter Pumpkin Spice Pecan Layer Cake

112 Holiday Cheer 82

Special Section 116 Cirque du Soleil CRYSTAL

Homemade Eggnog with Rum and Kahlua

16 Behind the Scenes 20 From Our Readers

December 2018 | January 2019

Heartland LIVING

Cover Brittney Fann

December 2018 January 2019

Photography by Caroline Maxcy Fox Your Lifestyle Community Magazine

Marketing Ideas Needs A Good Design!

Heartland

LIVING

Our Design Team Will Help You Stand Out!

December 2018 | January 2019 Volume VII | Issue 6

CEO | Publisher Cindy Sebring Adams Editorial Director Jessica Pleger Creative | Art Director Bridgette Waldau Writers Katy Fassler Jessica Pleger Sarah Sandel Hannah Tucker Contributing Writer Layne Prescott

Heartland

Photography Director Rafael Pacheco Cover | Feature Photographer Caroline Maxcy Fox

Publications & Marketing, Inc.

Photographers Matt Beard Charissa Greubel Cynthia Paxton Hannah Tucker

from concept to design

Branding Logo Design Magazines Catalogs Brochures Publications Flyers Post Cards Business Stationary

Published By Heartland Publications & Marketing, Inc. Contact: 412 Rest Haven Road, Zolfo Springs, FL 33890 863-781-0344 E-mail Cindy@Heartland-Living.com Become a fan on facebook. Visit us at www.HeartlandLivingMagazine.com

Ad Designs Graphic Design

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Heartland Living Magazine is published bi-monthly by Heartland Publications & Marketing, Inc. Copyright 2018, all rights reserved. Reproduction of contents in print or electronic transmission in whole or in part in any language or format must be by expressed written permission of the publisher.

Florida Magazine Association

Cindy Sebring Adams President | CEO

863-781-0344

Email: Cindy@heartlandpublication.com Email: Cindy@heartland-living.com

Winner of 16 FMA Charlie Awards 2014 - 2018

All articles, descriptions and suggestions in this magazine are merely expression of opinions from contributors and advertisers and do not constitute the opinion of the publisher, editor or staff of Heartland Living Magazine, and under no circumstances constitutes assurances or guarantees concerning the quality of any service or product. Heartland Living Magazine specifically disclaims any liability related to these expressions and opinions. Heartland Living Magazine is not responsible for any unsolicited submissions. The advertiser agrees to hold harmless and indemnify the publishers from all liability..

Need Help Filling Out Legal Forms? D0 You Have Legal Questions? Clearly, not everyone needs a lawyer to get a divorce or get several other types of relief in family law matters. Many of the forms you need to file are on-line or available at the Clerk of the Court’s offices for a small fee.

Dissolution of Marriage Petitions, Modification Petitions, Parenting Plans, Step-parent Adoptions, Paternity actions and more all can be filled out using information supplied by you into the recommended Florida Supreme Court forms.

But, how do you know which forms apply to your case? How do you fill the forms out correctly? What do you do with the forms once they are filled out? What happens if you have questions? The Clerk of the Court cannot answer your questions nor can the judge when you appear before him or her.

But most importantly, an attorney recognized by Florida Super Lawyer magazine for his Family Law practice, Thomas Saunders, will sit with you and go over the materials prepared on your behalf. Unlike a paralegal service, during this consultation a lawyer will answer the legal questions you have about the process. Tom is also Board Certified as an expert in both Civil Trial law and Business Litigation by the Florida Bar. Tom is AV rated (the highest rating possible) and a former President of the Polk County Trial Lawyers’ Association. All of Tom’s qualifications can be seen on www.Saunders-Law.com.

You could go to a Paralegal Service to get help filling out the forms but in many cases you will still have questions about what to do next or how much to ask for in Child Support or Alimony (spousal support), etc. A Paralegal Service is not allowed to answer questions that require legal advice —no matter how simple the question or how desperately you need the answer. At Saunders Law Group, we can offer you a range of services to help you through this process all without the necessity of hiring a lawyer for the entire case. Perhaps you just need the forms filled out—our Nationally Certified and Florida Registered Paralegals can help you fill out the forms just like any other Paralegal Service.

You can hire Tom to handle your complete case or you can hire Tom for a specific conference to answer your limited questions. The charges for these question and answer sessions vary depending on the length of time spent in conference but at the end of the conference, you get easy to understand answers to your questions and leave the office knowing what to do next. No need for a long term engagement of the lawyer.

(863) 533-6200

480 South Broadway Avenue Bartow, Florida 33830 www.Saunders-law.com Email: tom@saunders-law.com

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

■ 34 years experience ■ Board Certified in Civil Trial since 1991 ■ Board Certified in Business Litigation since 1996 ■ AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell (highest rating possible) ■ Rated 10 out of 10 by AVVO (highest rating possible) ■ Listed by Super Lawyers for Family Law practice ■ Member American Board of Trial Advocates (membership by invitation only) ■ Past President of Polk County Trial Lawyers’ Association ■ Past Chairman of Polk County Bench/Bar Association ■ Past Member, Vice Chair and Chair of Florida Bar Civil Trial Certification Committee ■ Past Member, Vice Chair and Chair of the 10th Judicial Circuit Judicial Nomination Commission ■ Master level member of the Willson American Inn of Court, Polk County, Florida ■ Member, Million Dollar Advocates Forum

Thomas C. Saunders

OUR PRACTICE AREAS

Family Law; Personal Injury; Business Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Medical Malpractice

YOUR VOICE FOR JUSTICE

May the Blessings of Christmas be with you & your Family in the New Year! From all of us at

Heartland LIVING I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

behind the SCENES Behind the Scenes

Creative | Art Director

Photography Director

Writer

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

BRIDGETTE WALDAU has been a graphic and fine artist for over 30 years. She received her A.A. from the Ft. Lauderdale Institute of Art and a Bachelor of Fine Art degree from Stetson University. She moved to Okeechobee in 1994 where she opened her art studio. Bridgette has been creative director for several publications, working with Heartland Publications & Marketing as art director since 2011, winning eleven Florida Magazine Charlie Awards (20152018). She is Arts & Culture Alliance Director (13 years) for Okeechobee Main Street. Bridgette is married to James Waldau, a retired firefighter from the City of Hialeah. RAFAEL PACHECO I am a Pisces and was born on the island of Puerto Rico. My dog thinks I am crazy for locking the door so many times in 10 seconds and my cats think I am made of catnip. Everything I wear is black, gray or blue. If I put on something colorful I must have been in a hurry. Photography is how I have let my artistic visions come to life since the early 90’s. Patience, kindness, sharing, sacrifice, love and not to judge I saw my mother practice these and they stayed within me. We are collective energy and all from the same Source. I don’t see the world through my eyes. I see it through my soul.

LAYNE PRESCOTT Layne was born into a military family, has lived overseas but did most of her growing up in Arcadia. After meeting and marrying Mike Prescott, she moved to Wauchula in 1979 and now calls it her home. She and Mike raised their three children there and now are reaping the benefits of their labor with six sweet, beautiful and perfect grandchildren. Her cooking style is eclectic and best described as “Southern comfort cuisine”. Her greatest joy comes from three things: her faith, loving on her family, and getting in the kitchen and “whipping” up something good.

Editorial Director

Writer

JESSICA PLEGER is a wife, mother, editor, writer, and caterer. She attended the University of Central Florida where she received a Bachelor's Degree in Finance. Before working full-time at Heartland LIVING, Jessica was a paralegal for over 15 years. She is also the owner and operator of Pink Pineapple Catering. Jessica enjoys being outdoors, traveling, and participating in community events throughout the Heartland. A lifelong resident of Florida, Jessica was raised in Hardee County and now resides in Avon Park with her husband, Jonathan and daughter, Finley Grace.

KATY FASSLER has been telling stories since she was able to scribble her name in crayon on the wall. Hailing from Akron, Ohio, she moved to Sebring in 2006 to attend the Great Commission Bible Institute. Katy, an avid reader and book collector lives by Dr. Seuss’ advice, “Fill your house with stacks of books, in all the crannies and all the nooks.” Katy and her husband, Sean, live in Sebring with their two daughters, Adia and Emery.

SARAH SANDEL has been filling

Writer

notebooks with poems and essays since about the third grade and (gasp) even loved writing those term papers for her English Literature degree from University of North Florida. Sarah and her husband Cameron have been married for 11 years and do a lot of laughing, loving, and forgiving. They have two beautiful kiddos through the gift of adoption: a spunky 6 year old daughter and a chill nearly 2 year old son. Sarah loves strong verbs, iced coffee, and writes about life, faith, adoption, and motherhood

December 2018 | January 2019

Writer Photographer

Photographer

HANNAH TUCKER is currently a senior at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL. She is working towards a Bachelors in Advertising and Public Relations, as well as a minor in Integrated Marketing Communications. Hannah was born and raised in Sebring and enjoys attending college so close to home. Her biggest passion is to spread her faith through the creativity of the work she designs and writes. CYNTHIA PAXTON is a stay at home mom to two boys. She have spent the last 10 years capturing the precious moments of childhood for families across central Florida. A newborn and child photographer, Paxton loves being able to capture that small moment of time. She has also been a nurse for 15 years and love caring for others. She has lived in Wauchula for over 25 years and is honored to help share our small town community with others.

Photographer

CAROLINE MAXCY FOX was born and raised in Central FL. She decided to be an artist at the age of five. After achieving her BSA from Florida State University, she practiced in the field of design for six years and then received a Masters in Graphic Design from NC State University. She honed her artistic craft and developed a "way of seeing" that fuels her work. Caroline is a full time photographer and lives with her husband in the heart of Sebring, FL. Together they run the day-to-day life at The Great Commission Bible Institute as the Site Coordinators and Dorm Parents. Naturally, adventure abounds. CARISSA GREUBEL and her husband Matt are a Photo/Video tag team. She been doing photography for 7 yrs now, Matts been working on Videos since his high school years. They have three sweet little babies ages 2,8 & 10 and they live in Wauchula, FL. They are both Cross-fit obsessed gym junkies, football fanatics, Jesus-lovin, sweet tea sippin people! They look forward to meeting and working with new clients.

863-453-3333

1092 Locke Street Avon Park, FL 33825

Wishing your Family a safe Holiday Season! Tires - Wheels - Alignments Truck Accessories Tool Boxes - Fuel Tanks

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Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

From Our

Readers By Jessica Pleger Photography by Emily Plank There are some days as a mom and wife that most women would like to just escape to a happy place and leave all responsibilities behind, even for just an hour. Well, Sisters on the Fly (SOTF) are doing just that and have a simple set of rules; no men, no kids, be nice and have fun! Originating in the late 90s, a group of 8 friends traveled to the backcountry of Idaho to go fly fishing. Part of the group and organizers of the trip were real sisters Maurrie Sussman and Rebecca (Becky) Clarke, Founders of Sisters on the Fly.

Heartland LIVING

December 2018 January 2019

I would like to get a copy of this month’s magazine. I was the Sister on the Fly who owns the vintage camper that was featured. I live in Venice and would pay the postage to have the magazine sent to me. Nice story about the article. I was staying at Summer Bay Resort in Orlando and in conversation with the desk manager I showed him a picture of my camper. He said I have seen this camper somewhere. He had picked a copy of Heartland Living in his doctor’s office and had brought the magazine home with him. Thanks. -Vicki V. O'Nan

I just picked up an issue of Heartland Living and the 35th anniversary feature is outstanding!!! You captured our role in the community very well and showed the public the variety of performances that present every year. Thank you so very much! -Cynthia Garnen

South Florida State College Performing Arts

Celebrates 35 Years of Amazing Performances

By Katy Fassler Photos Courtesy of SFSC Arts

“The world is a complicated place and there’s a lot of division between people. The performing arts tend to unify people in a way nothing else does.” - David Rubenstein

Heartland LIVING

December 2018 January 2019

Heartland LIVING September |October Picked up the magazine today at Java, great articles and a stellar magazine. -Roberta Beattie heartland

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Heartland LIVING

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December 2018 January 2019

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Heartland LIVING ber Decem 2018 January 2019

112

Great article on Mary Poppins at Highlands Little Theatre - Michael Flowers

December 2018 January 2019

A Chorus Line

We wanted to take a minute this morning to tell you what an amazing magazine you published (February/March 2018). We always say how classy and beautiful the Heartland is, but I have to say this is by far one of our favorites! We maybe a little biased because we were featured in the Heartland. Because we ranch and farm ourselves what better edition to have been in the first time with Southern Grace. Again, thank you so much and we truly feel like we have a family friend. -Debbie Gills

Send us YOUR Thoughts

If you would like to share your thoughts, please leave a post on our Facebook page or email us at Cindy@Heartland-Living.com. Submissions may be edited for space.

May the reasons to celebrate happiness be as numerous as the stars in the sky. Wishing you a blessed and

Merry Christmas and a prosperous

Happy New Year

DAVID E. WILLEY, DMD, PL Aesthetic & Comprehensive General Dentistry Visit our website to learn more about our practice.

www.davidewilleydmd.com

WE TREAT You Like FAMILY!

863.658.3897 4741 Lakeview Drive, Sebring, FL 33870

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

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December 2018 January 2019

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Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

By Katy Fassler Photography by Caroline Maxcy Fox

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

In a world pushing outward beauty, unobtainable standards, and questionable morals, Brittney Fann is working to reach the young ladies of Highlands County with a different message: Your beauty comes from the Creator, Jesus, and is shown from the inside out. Â&#x201E;

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Fann is not a stranger to the world of pageantry and make up. She served the community as a makeup artist for 15 years before deciding to take a break prioritizing her family in 2015. “During that break I started getting a lot of makeup jobs,” says Fann. “I started asking God, ‘Are you wanting me to go back into makeup?’ I was turning jobs down left and right but it was always a passion of mine. I asked God to confirm clearly what he wanted me to do.” Fann had a moment of clarity, a calling, the confirmation during a sermon on Romans 12 calling believers to live a life giving everything to God and to use talents and skills to serve Jesus and help others. “It was in that moment I knew that what the Word was telling me was lining up with my circumstances.” Fann began praying, “’how do I use this makeup for you and your kingdom’. I wasn’t given this for me but for me to use for Jesus to love on others and bless them.”

Heartland LIVING

Â&#x201E; Brittney Fann

December 2018 January 2019

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Brittney Fann with husband Jimbo and their daughters, Brooke (8 yrs-old) and Macie Fann (10 yrs-old)

“For me, makeup was a way to touch someone’s life, to make them happy and open up an opportunity to build a relationship. I had this vision of a beauty ministry but had fears.” Fann continued to pray, read her Bible and speak with others. Fann landed in the Book of Esther in the Old Testament. It is the story of a woman, Esther, being prepared to meet her king through a yearlong beautification process and subsequently saves the Jewish people by stepping out in faith. Inspired by the true story of Esther, Beauty Fit for a Queen is the lifelong preparation of young ladies to prepare themselves to meet their king, Jesus, not with makeup but by the Holy Spirit. “God began paving the way and opening doors. I landed in a meeting with Kevin Roberts and the Champion for Children Foundation and shared what was on my heart. Roberts asked if I had thought about becoming a non-profit and offered to endorse me. I didn’t know anything about being a non-profit, but I knew I had said ‘God use me.’” In the last 3 years, Beauty Fit for a Queen has grown into many areas of ministry reaching women of all ages of the Highlands County area.

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

is a free dance program for girls 3 and up led by Kristen Onheiser and Deanna Sager. Ballet and Jazz are taught weekly with a devotional. There is also a Mommy and Me class.

a recent ministry, meeting weekly with Fann and Sager to pray with moms. “We spend an hour in prayer praying over our children and local schools.” The group meets on Thursdays at the Circle Theater.

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Heartland LIVING

Board of Directors of Beauty Fit for a Queen Front row (L-R): Yvonne Ruley Calhoun; Brittney Fann, vice-president and Amber Gwaltney, secretary Back row (L-R): Larissa Smith, president; Kristen Onheiser, treasurer; Brittany Queen and Tayna Taylor

December 2018 January 2019

a 10 week faith-based program for middle and high school girls. “It really equips our young girls and takes them through God’s word. It is a rite of passage that involves the church or organization and the parents and ends in a crowning ceremony by the father or father figure. We are able to teach that it isn’t all about the outward adornment but about inner beauty.” It is based on the book by Doreen Hanna, which enables girls to see the results of their choices, demonstrates the importance of high values, and challenges girls to see themselves as a true daughter of the King. Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

is an annual free event where Beauty Fit for a Queen volunteers to help young ladies prepare for their prom. “We start the day with worship, we have a devotional, which in the past has been focused on purity, and then we break in to teams for hair and makeup and end the event with a beautiful photoshoot by Caroline Maxcy Fox in the dress of their choice. It is incredible. We get the opportunity to pour love, God’s love into these girls.”

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

-Brittney Fann

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

is a program run by teen volunteers who fill beautiful bags with hand-written notes of encouragement and the gospel of Jesus. Included in the bags are cosmetics, soaps and other toiletries. These bags are then distributed to women in the community with the goal it will “bless their hearts”.

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Join us for a 3 1/2 hour exciting & informative agriculture tour!

See our ﬁeld and milling operations, Lake Okeechobee and our citrus operations.

The family of Miller’s Central Air wishes your family a joyous and loving Season!

Sample our fresh Florida OJ and our sweetest crop!

Book your tour today! #SouthFloridaAgTour #DiscoverHendryCounty

109 Central Avenue Clewiston, FL 33440 (863) 983-7979

Sales Service Installation Dryer Vent Cleaning Passionate About Customer Satisfaction

863-699-5455 Lake Placid

863-382-8488 Sebring

www.MillersCentralAir.com LIC. NO. CAC058675

24 Hour Emergency Service

Ways to Spend

an afternoon in

Highlands County • Visit the Highlands Hammock State Park • Tour the beautiful murals of Lake Placid • Enjoy the artwork of the Museum of Florida Art and Culture • Have a charming lunch at the historic Hotel Jacaranda

Take in a great Matinee show at SFSC Let’s Hang On

Alter Eagles

Tribute to Frankie Valli Tuesday, January 8 • 1:30 p.m.

Tribute to The Eagles Tuesday, February 19 • 1:30 p.m.

Simon and Garfunkel:

My Mother’s Italian,

Live in Central Park Revisited Tuesday, January 22 • 1:30 p.m.

My Father’s Jewish and I’m in Therapy!

Phil Dirt and The Dozers

University of Florida Choir

Audience Favorite Rock’n’roll Tuesday, February 5 • 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 5 • 1:30 p.m. Go Gators!

Tuesday, March 26 • 1:30 p.m.

Big savings when you subscribe to the entire series! Save up to 50% with a group of 12 or more! For the full line-up, video clips, and tickets visit:

sfscARTS.org

Avon Park & Lake Placid 600 W. College Drive • Avon Park, FL 33825

Save 15% using discount code ‘HEARTLAND’ at online checkout at sfscARTS.org

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

is a ministry offering free formal dresses to girls for any event. Dresses are donated by members and businesses of the community. Amy Schlosser, the Teen Program Director of the Blessed Dressed ministry, is a senior at Avon Park High School, and passionate about showing young girls their inner beauty. Dress giveaways are offered before homecoming and prom but are available any time. For the past 6 years, Amy has been competing in pageants. She has held many local and state titles including Jr Miss Avon Park 2015, Jr Miss Highlands County 2016, Jr. Teen Florida United States 2016, and 4th runner up to Jr. Teen United States 2016. This January she will be competing for the Miss Teen Florida USA title as our current Miss Avon Park Teen USA. Amy has been able to use pageants to reach girls and encourage them in the "true beauty" that they have in Christ. Amy thinks that the best advice for young girls is to truly believe and know your worth is Jesus Christ. "There are so many people who will try to tell you that beauty comes from other places, do not fall into this worldly view. Your Creator created you and loves you. Let Him give you purpose and value,â&#x20AC;? says Amy. Â&#x201E;

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

2018 Miss Avon Park Teen USA Amy Schlosser and Brittney Fann

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

This year has been an exciting year for Beauty Fit for a Queen and was awarded â&#x20AC;&#x153;Organization of the Yearâ&#x20AC;? by Highlands News Sun Women in Business. Fann humbly shares that this is a ministry completely orchestrated by the Lord and would not be able to operate without her many treasured volunteers. For more information on the many ministries of Beauty Fit for a Queen, how to help, or where to get involved, please visit www.BeautyFitforaQueen.org.

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Over 40 Years Experience!

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Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

2019

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Happy Holidays! Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

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863-357-0824 Fax: 863-357-0772

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Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

The Sandel Family

For the record, I wasn’t in a sterile doctor’s office or opening a box of colorful balloons when I found out we were expecting a girl. I was standing in bright sun on a public sidewalk, strangers passing me by. My husband was on the other end of the line and my heart was racing. Tears welled and I laughed, “A girl! What are we going to do with a girl?!” After we hung up, I dissolved into tears of happy disbelief: finally, finally, we were having a baby! A courageous couple were making a choice to place their child for adoption and they had chosen us as the parents for their baby.

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Liam McDermott

tales of adoption are varied and unique to each family. Adoption is a brave love. Yet adoption is also grief, upheaval, and heartache. The women making adoption plans for the children they give birth to are often overlooked in the fanfare of the newborn coming home to his or her forever family. Yes, there is deep joy when a child is adopted! But adoption is often birthed out of deep loss. There is a complexity here that must be navigated with thoughtfulness and compassion for not just the families bringing home a child, but for the children they are raising and for the birth families who chose adoption. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had the honor of connecting with several women profoundly affected by the brave love of adoption. By no means will these stories exhaust the dynamics, opinions, or nuance of adoption. We could not possibly hope to cover every complex journey here. Yet we hope the voices of these women will bring light to the process of domestic infant adoption in a way that honors the stories of all involved. Â&#x201E;

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Rachel and Lance Roberts

Lance and Rachel Roberts started the journey to adopting their first child. After several years of unsuccessful fertility treatments compounded with health concerns, the Roberts’ have a strong desire to bring a child into their home. “We have nieces and nephews that we love dearly,” Rachel shared, “And I’m a teacher - for years I’ve been loving students and getting to see them grow up. I know we would cherish a son or daughter through adoption. And I know Lance is going to be such a good dad!” Once the Roberts agreed that the biology of having a child wasn’t their ultimate goal, they started compiling paperwork for a home study and began the arduous process of fundraising. Rachel pointed out, “It can be hard to educate people on the step-by-step process of adopting and why the cost is so high and the wait for a child is so long, but we’re confident in this decision for our family.”

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Levi Sandel

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Cora Sandel and Liam McDermott

isn’t alone in this sentiment. The cost of adoption seems staggering: private, domestic infant adoptions through an agency or attorney can range from $20,000 to $50,000. When adoptive families are asked about the process, it can be difficult to explain and break down the cost of social work services, medical care, attorney and consulting fees, and post-adoption counseling. The wait for families hoping to adopt can range from a few months (or weeks!) to several years. For a family whose hope for a child has already been deferred by infertility, that stretch of time can seem agonizing. The United States legal system is designed to protect the welfare of children and while it isn’t perfect by any stretch, many families choose to move forward towards adoption with hope that they can be part of the solution.

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Any story of childbirth —any story of hope— requires more than just a glance at the paperwork. While there are mixed opinions on the handling of domestic adoption and orphan care, one thing is clear: Adoption isn’t merely a social and legal construct. Families hoping to adopt have different reasons for choosing that path. Expectant mothers and fathers make plans to place a child for adoption for deeply personal reasons. The contours of the stories surrounding adoption are unique to each case. Adoption is about real people making real choices. One birth mother, Audrey*, described what it was like to be facing an unexpected pregnancy and an uncertain future. The particular circumstances she and her boyfriend faced were painful, even frightening. When they chose to make an adoption plan, there was significant courage and heartache involved. Audrey and her daughter, now six years old, benefit from an open adoption, wherein they maintain a connection through texts and occasional visits. Though the shape of open adoptions can take many forms, many families choosing open adoption are finding the privilege and joy it is for adoptees and birth parents.

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

-Sarah Sandel

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Sarah Sandel

Hearing Services Designed f� Your Individual Care shared, “Most often, I find that people who are curious about open adoption respond well to this reminder: my child’s first parents made an adoption plan due to circumstances, not a lack of love. When this relationship is healthy on both sides the gift for my child is simple: more love.” We have found this to be true in our own home as well. My husband Cameron and I have two children through adoption. From the earliest days of discussing children, we’d considered adoption with naiveté, as though it would be a bonus. “We’ll have a few ‘homemade’ children, then some ‘specially chosen’,” we would say when asked. Until we faced infertility, adoption was a theoretical conversation piece.

“ Your Ear Care Connection”

Lampe & Kiefer Hearing Aid Center is the oldest established hearing aid office in Highlands County. Established 1968 Voted #1 Hearing Aid Office

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Three years into marriage, we bore the scars of multiple miscarriages and unexplained infertility. With the fourth miscarriage, we wondered if we were even supposed to have children at all. When the reproductive endocrinologist couldn’t give us clear answers, we faced the reality of our desires: we wanted to love a child. Suddenly the biology of the matter wasn’t so important. Our kids arrived in unique ways: a private match that we took to an agency brought our daughter home nearly seven years ago. Five years later, we matched with our son’s birthparents through an adoption attorney. The deep joy of loving our kids has assured us of our decision: these are the children of our heart, if not my womb, and the gift of adoption has made us richer. We have thoughtfully and intentionally walked into open adoptions with our children’s birth parents, which means we share pictures and texts of the kids, we video chat occasionally, and we’ve spent real time with them as well. Our hope is that our children develop a sense of wholeness and of being well-loved, as we nurture their understanding of adoption.

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

The McDermott Family

stepped towards adoption believing that our desire for loving and raising a child was bigger than conceiving or sustaining a pregnancy. The reality is that infertility is a factor for many families walking the road to adoption. For Andrew and Brooke McDermott, the heartbreak of infertility and infant loss has accompanied their journey to grow their family. Their longedawaited daughter Loreleigh was with them for a mere eleven hours, “before she gained her wings”, the family likes to say. Such grief is, of course, not exclusive to adoptive families, but is all too often a thread that connects us. There is a strength and hope born out of infertility and loss that binds the hearts of many adoptive families. “We feel so strongly about adoption,” Brooke told me, “because every child deserves to be loved by a family.” The McDermott’s son Liam, now almost five years old, joined the family through adoption just three weeks after their wedding, surprising them all! Having embraced the deep joy and privilege of loving that little boy, Brooke and Andrew felt confident in pursuing adoption a second time. “It’s hard to ask for help financially. Fundraising can be tricky and emotionally draining,” Brooke said, “But we look at Liam and we think ‘How did we get so lucky?’ and we know it will be worth it. We know we can wait on the baby we’re meant to have, no matter how long it takes.”

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Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

are choosing adoption, no matter how long it takes. We press on through infertility, through deferred hope and long waits, because we agree that children belong in families. We honor the beautiful women who choose to make adoption plans for the children they are carrying, seeing in them a well of courage and love. As one adoptive mom famously wrote, “A child born to another woman calls me ‘mommy’. The depth of that tragedy and the magnitude of that privilege are not lost on me.” Adoptive families welcome this complexity of tragedy and joy, seeing in adoption a story of redemption and hope. Families on all sides of the adoption equation are the beneficiaries of a singular choice: to love well, against all odds. Audrey*-name changed for privacy. Resources for the Adoption Story: www.bravelove.org, www.showhope.org, www.thearchibaldproject.com, www.kindredand.com, www.bethany.org/adoption/post-adoption-support, www.adoptionsupport.org/about-us, www.christianadoptionconsultants.com, www.faithfuladoptionconsultants.com, www.adoptflorida.org/roadtoadoption

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Heartland LIVING

a Brave Love.

December 2018 January 2019

Highlands Hammock State Park Presents

Florida Series Four!

An evening lecture series free and open to the public in the park Recreation Hall. “Meet and Greet” informal book sales and signings are from 6:00 – 7:00 PM. Park entry fees are waived after 6:00 PM.

It’s all happening at Highlands Hammock State Park! 5931 Hammock Road | Sebring, FL 33872

Alligators in Florida Culture

Presented By: Jeff Klinkenberg, Florida Author and Journalist January 15, 2019, 7:00 – 8:00 PM Few states have a relationship with an animal the way that Florida does with the alligator! Whether the alligator is a school mascot, a tourist attraction, or taking an unexpected amble across a golf course, these reptiles are ubiquitous to our state. As a keystone species, they play a vital role in the ecology of Florida’s wetlands. Florida author Jeff Klinkenberg will explore our fascination with alligators and their enduring presence in Florida culture. A journalist for the Tampa Bay Times for nearly 40 years, Klinkenberg traveled many miles off the beaten path, writing extensively about the people and places who define the ‘Real Florida.’ After hearing his program, you’ll agree that there can be no Florida without alligators. Hey, keep your hands inside the canoe!

Blue Revolution: A Water Ethic for Florida

Presented By: Cynthia Barnett, Florida Author and Journalist February 5, 2019, 7:00 – 8:00 PM Florida is bordered by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico on all three sides. Idyllic beaches line the seemingly endless coastline. Rivers and streams flow for ten thousand miles through the peninsula. Nearly eight thousand lakes and a thousand more freshwater springs—the largest concentration of artesian springs in the world are found within the interior. Florida’s economy and idyllic lifestyle are built on a foundation of pure and plentiful water. Yet, for the first time in state history, the latest generation of Floridians has not inherited waters as clean and abundant as their parents. In her uplifting program, journalist Cynthia Barnett shows audiences how one of the most water-rich states in the nation could come to face water scarcity and water quality woes—and how it doesn’t have to be this way.

Short Takes: A Grab Bag of Old Florida Stories

Presented By: Caren Neile, Ph.D., Professor of Storytelling Studies, Florida Atlantic University March 7, 2019, 7:00 – 8:00 PM Settle in for a spellbinding evening with Dr. Caren Neile when she pulls some fascinating characters out of her ‘Grab Bag’ of old Florida stories. We’ll hear yarns about the legendary Barefoot Mailman who walked and traveled by boat between Palm Beach and Miami in the 1880s, lore surrounding American resort architect Addison Mizner, whose Mediterranean and Spanish Colonial Revival style villas left an indelible stamp on south Florida in the 1920s, and tales of the notorious Ashley Gang, outlaws who engaged in bank robbery, bootlegging, and piracy during the 1910s and 1920s and eluded capture by operating from hideouts scattered throughout the Florida Everglades. Florida history is brimming with fascinating characters and memorable events. Enjoy lively interpretations of some better-known Florida tales, as well as others you might not yet have encountered.

The Civilian Conservation Corps in Florida: State Parks and More!

Presented By: David Schmidt, Curator, Civilian Conservation Corps Museum, Highlands Hammock State Park March 19, 2019, 7:00 – 8:00 PM The Civilian Conservation Corps, the first of the New Deal building programs launched by newly elected president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, was one of his most popular and successful programs and one in which he was personally involved. Young men that had been drifting down highways and riding the rails during the Depression years went to work building parks and planting trees. During the presence of the CCC in Florida, from 1933 until 1942, there were over 70 camps around the state with just under 50,000 ‘CCC boys’ working on projects. Roosevelt scholar David Schmidt will present an overview of the CCC in Florida and the projects, from the Keys to the Panhandle, that were accomplished during this historic period.

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

For more information, call 863-386-6094 or visit www.floridastateparks.org/park/Highlands-Hammock Programs are sponsored by the Florida Humanities Council with funds from the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, Highlands Hammock State Park, and the Friends of Highlands Hammock State Park, Inc.

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Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Story and photography by Hannah Tucker Getting the opportunity to travel across the world was an experience that I never thought I would have as a college student. My name is Hannah Tucker and I am currently a senior at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL. Through my college, I was given the chance to travel to Spain for FREE and yes, I said that four letter word! Florida Southern College strives to make study abroad available to every student that attends classes on campus for at least two years. Through each studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tuition there is a select amount of money set aside for a trip that they will be offered to take their junior year. These trips all over the world are a part of the Florida Southern Junior Journey program. The trips range in price but are made available to students at a lower rate. Â&#x201E;

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

City of Granada

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Court of the Lions Alhambra

Cathedral of the Incarnation in Granada

hoosing to go on a junior journey trip was one of the best decisions I have made in my college career. College is a time to learn more about yourself and the world that we all live in, so getting to dive right in and actually experience all of this while being a college student, was truly amazing. I couldn’t have asked for a better group to travel across the world with. Each member of our team was an absolute joy to be around. This was one of my biggest concerns, because I signed up to go on this trip alone. I knew no one at the beginning of the trip, but I can honestly say that I have made some pretty amazing friends that I would have never met had I not gone to Spain. In our group of 25 students and two professors, we traveled to five locations in Spain and saw loads and loads of historical sites. One of the most amazing things about Spain is the history itself. At one point in the trip we were crossing a bridge that was older than America. In that area, the bridge was called the “new” bridge

Alhambra in Granada

We landed in Madrid early Sunday morning after a long flight that began Saturday night, and began embarking on the trip of a lifetime. We took a five-hour drive to the area of Granada, which would become our temporary home for the next few days. We had the opportunity to live with a host family for the week, as a way to dive more into the Spanish culture. My host family was a mom, dad and two little boys. One of the boys was fluent in English, so it helped the language barrier when we had a few difficulties in the translation.

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Bullring, Ronda

Ronda Street

Arab Baths, Ronda

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Ronda

Ronda ,on the way to the Arab Baths

hat same day we were able to go out and see Granada, our home for the week. One of the sites that we saw was the Granada Cathedral of Incarnation. This cathedral had so much detail in the architecture and the story that was created on the entrance was absolutely amazing. One detail I found to be so neat was that in one section by the door displayed an image in the architecture of Peter, who is in the Gospel of Matthew in the Bible. In the Gospel, Peter is given the keys to heaven. The detailing in the architecture depicts Peter holding the keys to this door, which represents you entering into heaven.

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Monday morning was our first full day of touring Granada. We got to travel to the Alhambra, a palace and fortress complex. The Alhambra is one of the most beautiful sites in Granada which is filled with so much history. Granada was built in a valley and the Alhambra, located on top of the mountains, would act as a defense for Granada located below. Besides used for defense, the Alhambra also housed many palaces and kings. With each new king that moved in, there was a new addition built to the structure. The architecture inside made everyone absolutely speechless and the views from every angle were stunning.

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Our next city we visited was Ronda, which is home to the Plaza de Toros (Bullring). We were able to go into the bullring and take a tour of the whole facility. From seeing the horse stables, the show barns, and physically walking through the whole bullring where performances were held, I was able to see how small I actually am. The bullring is so much larger than you would ever think. Pictures can never show how small of a person you become when you are standing in the middle of a world-famous bullring. One of my favorite pieces of history that we learned about in Ronda was about was the Arab baths. Long ago in school I learned about the way people took baths, but to actually sit inside of one and close your eyes and imagine what it could be like, was an experience that I will never forget.

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The Cathedral Tower, Malaga Malaga City

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

alaga was by far my favorite city to visit. Located right on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea, it made me feel so much closer to home, seeing the ocean and boats traveling back and forth. Growing up going to the beach and going on fishing trips with family, I was beginning to miss a little of my roots while being on the other side of the world. Malaga is definitely the place that everyone needs to go to when visiting Spain. The environment is beautiful and is full of energetic and inviting locals.

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There wasn’t a lot of history to be seen in Malaga, because of the major massacre that took place, and much was destroyed. Even though this terrible event happened, I feel like Malaga was so rich in a feeling of happiness. Although I didn’t learn loads of historical facts, I discovered how this one place could make anyone feel at home. The funniest part that happened was that a guy, walking past us while we were laying on the beach, asked us if we were locals and if we could point him in the direction of someplace where he was heading. The fact that he thought these five girls from Florida were locals was shocking, but that’s what Malaga does to you. It makes you a feel a part of it and you never want to leave. The poplular monument of Malaga is its famous cathedral. Construction began on the cathedral in 1528, concluding in 1782, although it was still not completely finished. This cathedral has only one tower, while the second tower remains in construction. This was because Spain was asked to send America money so that America could fight in the war against the British, which in turn would be what gave us our independence. Once America won the war and gained independence, they told Spain they would return the money, so Spain could finish the second tower. Spain declined the offer and said that they wanted to keep it how it was. This cathedral represents the culture of Malaga. From just being there only one day, you can tell that Malaga is a place that has let their history shape how they are today.

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Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Cordoba Courtyard

Cordoba

Cathedral Tower in Cordoba

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Above photos: Mosque and Cathedral, Cordoba

lthough we were told that there was not a rich history in Malaga, I feel like the history there was so rich and fascinating. Between the cathedral, the Picasso museum and the Roman Theatre, their history is equivalent to a hidden gem. You have to search for it, but when you find it and look deeper into it’s meaning, it is something truly beautiful. Cordoba is home to the beautiful Moslem Mosque which dates back to the eight century and consecrated as a Christian cathedral in 1236. Being able to see this mosque with my own eyes was absolutely breathtaking. The blending of two worlds and their two cultures is absolutely exquisite. Right in the center of the mosque stands the Christian cathedral, which building began in 1523 during the reign of Charles V.

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I wish I could have just sat in one of the pews and admired the sites all day. There was a sense of grace that was inside the cathedral like I have never felt. When we go to church at home, there is a feeling of security and you know you are “home,” but when we walked past some of the artwork. I felt a connection with my faith like nothing I have ever experienced before. I felt a presence of peace that was so captivating. I caught myself with my jaw dropped so many times walking around. Seville was our last tour day and by far the rainiest day that we would have. Due to the rain, we had to adjust our schedule for the visits, yet we were still able to see a lot and learn so much about the history. One cool note was that we were actually standing in a location of where Star Wars 3 was filmed, the Maria Luisa Park. Walking to the Maria Luisa Park and getting to see this amazing space of incredibly diverse architecture, made the fact that rain was pouring on us not seem important at all.

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Looking out of Giralda Tower in Seville

Maria Luisa Park in Seville

Organ in the Cathedral of Seville

y favorite part of this day was going to the top of the Giralda Cathedral Tower. The Giralda Tower is the only tower that is built as a ramp, because the princess used it as a way to have her horse take her to the top. I mean, that is a genius idea! Walking this ramp however was a huge feat in itself, so I think we all wished that we had a horse taking us to the top. The steepness of the ramp was much more than I anticipated or was ready for. It was 33 flights to the top at a slant, which is not something most people would understand until they do it. With views from the top and the bells going off up there, I felt like I was Rapunzel in her tower (too bad my hair wasn’t long enough for a prince to whisk me away at the bottom). That alone made walking up that ramp so worth it. Inside of the cathedral was the tomb of Christopher Columbus. We had spent all week learning about how important Columbus was to the history in all the places we visited and his connection with the Catholic Monarchs, Isabella and Fernando. To to be able to see the tomb of one of the most prized people in Spanish history was unbelievably spectacular. It was as if it wasn’t real at all. I think I am still processing the fact that I was just a few inches away from Christopher Columbus. Maria Luisa Park in Seville

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

On top of the Giralda Tower in Seville (Right): Tomb of Christopher Columbus

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

aking the journey back home was definitely too quick. I would have loved to have stayed another week to take in more of the amazing architecture and views that Spain has to offer. There is something so engaging about how two cultures can combine and create something so moving. Everywhere you go in Spain, there was always a blending of Christian and Arabic cultures. Seeing these two cultures blend was so inspiring and beautiful. Florida Southern College is such an amazing school to offer this experience to all their students. I remember sitting in orientation and they started talking about Junior Journey and how every student would be able to travel abroad, I looked over to my parents and thought â&#x20AC;&#x153;I definitely want to travel somewhere, but there is no way that I could pay thousands of dollars to go.â&#x20AC;? Well, I am here to tell you that you can most definitely go to another part of the world as a college student. Florida Southern truly makes this program open to everyone and there are so many trips that are offered for FREE. I feel that taking a study abroad trip is not only super enjoyable, but it is incredibly eye opening to discover who you are as a person. Being so far away from family or friends means you have to take that giant leap of faith on your own and see where it points you. I am so grateful to be attending an amazing college that gives opportunities like this to all of their students. I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to book my next flight and travel the world.

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

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Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

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Foundation of Highlands County By Katy Fassler Photography by Caroline Maxcy Fox

-Mother Teresa

Since its inception in the early 1990’s, The Champion for Children Foundation has made a lasting impact on the children and families of Highlands County. Realizing the great need in Highlands County, Kevin Roberts envisioned a resource for struggling families where the community came together to help. “The community owns the foundation. They’re stakeholders. They’re shareholders. They invest their dollars, it’s considered a charitable donation, but it’s investment in the lives of children, youth, and families of this community.”

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Camille Shaffer

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Carissa Marine, CEO, explains, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the mission of the Champion for Children Foundation is to provide abuse and neglect prevention programs and early intervention services to children and families here in Highlands County. Addressing real needs, and providing preventative services since 1994, the Champion for Children Foundation currently has thirteen community initiatives. Blessed by strong community support, along with the United Way of Central Florida and Heartland for Children, the Champion for Children Foundation is able to assist families facing various emergencies, trauma, and health needs; as well as enable youth to participate in multiple positive enrichment activities such as art, music, theatre, sports, and water safety programs.â&#x20AC;? Â&#x201E;

Carissa Marine

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

(L-R): Kevin Roberts, Camille & Michael Shaffer and Carissa Marine

(L-R): Carissa Marine, Luis R. Fresquez, LtCol (ret) USMC, 2018 Hometown Hero , Kevin Roberts and Cecilia Fresquez

Champion for Children Foundation is responsible for community initiatives including the Child Advocacy Center located near Sebring High School, The Circle Theater, the Garden of Joy, Lindsey’s Wish, the Ila and Kinsley Cox Living Memorial Fund, Safehouse (a short-term domestic violence center) and many more. All initiatives aim to assist local children in need and families in crisis.

Heartland LIVING

Carissa Marine, Leesa Skipper (Accepted the "Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award" in loving memory of her husband John R. Skipper Jr.) and Kevin Roberts

This past September, the Champion for Children Foundation hosted its 19th annual Judge Clifton M. Kelly Gala. Each year, individuals from the community are nominated for the Champion for Children Award. “Nominations for the Champion for Children Award are accepted from throughout the community for those who reside in Highlands County, demonstrate a deep desire to help children, have taken action to address a problem facing our children or youth, and provided at least five years of service directly affecting the well-being of children,” says Marine. “A local Screening Committee then reviews the service and impact of each nominee, narrowing down to five incredible child advocates to be honored at the Awards Gala. Finally, a separate Selection Committee reviews and evaluates the five Finalists based on their addressing a broad problem affecting a large number of children or youth, demonstration of a long-term commitment to finding solutions to the problem, personal volunteer service over and above the expectations of his/her career or profession, and the continuation of their advocacy or service by enlisting others to join in solving the problem producing a ripple effect that enhances the wellbeing of children in our community.”

CHAMPION

FOR CHILDREN FOUNDATION OF HIGHLAN DS COU N TY, INC .

Eighteen East ... a restaurant and bar!

• www.championforchildren.org •

Hope

Best Steaks Around American (Traditional) Sandwiches Steaks - Seafood Full Top Shelf Liquor Beer and Wine Entertainment “Call for Live Music”

Providing Assistance and Hope to our Highlands County Families since 1994. Please consider supporting a local family in need. All donations are tax deductible. Make contributions payable to Champion for Children Foundation. 419 East Center Ave., Sebring, FL 33870 (863) 382-2905 • Nonprofit 501(c)3: Federal ID #65-0444941 • Charitable Organization Florida Registration Number CH6601

We’re Just a BIG Time in a Small Town!

863.453.1818 Open Tuesday - Saturday 4 pm - 9 pm

18 East Main Street Avon Park, FL

www.beststeakaround.com

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

This year Camille Shaffer won this prestigious award. From the stage, Marine said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Camille Shaffer has been dancing since the age of 5, and became a dance instructor while in 10th grade. One of our very own Sebring High School graduates, Camille has now been advocating on behalf of children for 26 years. With experience serving as a behavioral specialist with autistic Above: Carissa and Lance Marine children, and coaching middle and high school cheer, she became the owner of Dance Unlimited at the young age of 21. Since that Top left photo (L-R):Eric & Amy Zwayer, time, she has opened her dance studio to hundreds of Highlands Kevin & Debbe Roberts, Hollie Roberts and Kati Pippin County children, where for many it has served as a second home.Â&#x201E;

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Finalists (L-R):Nicholas Brooks, Camille Shaffer, Patricia Carter, Eddie Cuencas and Andrea Fennell

Matthew Grubb

Finanical Advisor 611 US Hwy 27 South Sebring, FL 33870

+1 863 451-4037

matthew.grubb@morganstanley.com NMLS# 1682653 2017 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.CRC1596709

s e y e y r d Don’t let ou down! slow y

Brooke Fann and Macie Fann

Are you suffering from burning, gritty, painful, blurry or tired eyes? You may have dry eye disease. The physicians and staff at Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida can help you manage your symptoms and provide a variety of treatments to make you more comfortable. Continue enjoying the activities you love!

Schedule an eye exam appointment today

800-282-EYES (3937) | eyesfl.com

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Board of Directors (L-R):, Pat Leidel, Nick Schommer, Jill Jernigan, Allison Juliano, Pete Zeegers, Laketra Hills, Carissa Marine, Kevin Roberts, Joy Salinder, Meredith Keiber, Mark Cox, Beth Johnson, Nancy Hensley and Jason Biance

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Abi Smith Kati Pippin, Anna Richard, Brittney Fann and Carissa Marine

Above Inset: George Hensley and Nancy Hensley, Chairman Emeritus

Through the years, Camille has encouraged children suffering from drug use, divorce, abuse and teen pregnancy. Known for her “life talks” during dance breaks, Miss Camille says “In my lifetime, my greatest accomplishment is my ability to empower children to trust their own voice. To be strong, even if it means being alone.” As one dance student shared, “Being at the studio almost every day I felt it was a place of comfort and refuge where I could not only be myself, but I could forget about the chaos of everyday life.” Who has made the greatest impact on this dancer’s life? Her mom, Claris, who taught Camille to be strong and to “know who you are.” Camille has passed this on to her own students, “her kids” as she likes to refer to them. Her dancers say Miss Camille “taught me how to be tough. She taught me how to forgive. She taught me how to be a leader.” Congratulations, Camille! For more information on the Champion for Children Foundation, please visit www.ChampionForChildren.org

Jason Biance

December 8, 2018 10 am - 1 pm Kids can find their inner pastry chef and artist at Cookiefest where they can decorate holiday cookies with Chef Mac Gentleman, write letters to Santa and participate in holiday art and craft projects.

FREE

TO ATTEND!

Highlands Art League’s Visual Arts Center

863-385-5312 1971 Lakeview Dr, Sebring FL 33870

www.HighlandsArt League.org

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

-Camille Shaffer

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Eva Bates, Ashdon Dennison, Tristen Cathey and Leona Fountain

Locally Owned Restaurant and Bar

Steaks Seafood - Pasta We serve Choice Chairmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Reserve Certified Premium Steaks!

(863) 314-9459 6813 US 27 South Sebring, Florida

In the Tiki !

Live Music! Wednesday night from 5-8pm Sunday Afternoons from 3-6pm Inside Stage - Live Music Friday & Saturday nights.

Thursday: Trivia Night! Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Check out our Facebook page for weekly information

Hours: Monday - Thursday 11-9 pm Friday - Saturday 11-2 am Sunday - 12-8 pm

Call now for your Holiday Reservations!

19 Years of Good Business!

863-314-9099 Welcome Northerners

We are a one stop shop for all your lighting and home improvement needs. y Fans • Lamp Repair Carr •• Ceiling o s Mirrors • Light Charms for l s A b We D Bul • Table & Floor • Fixtures & Lamps LE • Lamps • Ceiling • Medallions • Lamp Shades • Accessories • Accent Furniture

• Bulbs • Ballasts • Fluorescent • Fixtures • Security Lighting • Light Fixtures

First Class Fashion, Formal & Sportswear for Women & Men! Sizes from 0-4x! Consignment byHome Appointment Also featuring Decor and & Occasional Furniture Formal Bridal Wear Available

ShopUs Withine! Onl

Voted Best of Highlands 2018

Consignment by Appointment

659 S. Commerce Avenue Downtown Sebring

www.TheBulbBin.com

kathydoherty6593180@gmail.com

283 US 27 NORTH VILLAGE FOUNTAIN PLAZA SEBRING, FL 33870

Waldau

Private studio teaching you how to paint step-by-step in a relaxed and fun setting. It's the perfect place to get together and enjoy time painting with friends while sipping your favorite beverage. Small class size promises personalized instruction and a lot of fun! Treat yourself to time away from the stress of the outside world and take a painting home with you!

Okeechobee’s Original Paint & Sip Studio

Give the gift of Art Gift Certiﬁcates Available

All classes taught by professional artist Bridgette Waldau.

www.bridgette-art.com 863-467-7300

The Little Yellow Cottage on the Corner

111 NE 2nd Street - Suite A

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

By Jessica Pleger Photography by Charissa Greubel

As a little girl playing tea party with her sister Kathy, Canada native Tara Messieh has always enjoyed a good cup of tea, in a beautiful China teacup. Now, she is the proud collector of over 450 tea cups which she proudly shares with patrons that grace her whimsical establishment in Winter Haven, The Twisted Teapot Tea Room. The daughter of an Irish born mother and English father, her blood runs deep with history and charm. After moving to the states with her husband and number 1 fan, Sam, back in 1988, she longed for a good cup of tea and not your typical southern iced tea, she was accustomed to freshly brewed long leaf hot tea. Â&#x201E;

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

I was not familiar with such tea until my first visit to her beautiful tea room. Tara imports all the tea she offers from Sri Lanka, Japan, India and China, to name a few. She has handpicked all teas that are packaged and served to ensure you receive the best quality products. There are a variety of teas as well such as white, black, chi, green and rooibos. White tea comes in many styles and is usually comes from minimally processed leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Black tea has started the oxidation process, so it is typically stronger than the other teas. Chai is made by brewing black tea with herbs and spices, typically cardamom. Green tea is your better-known caffeine free version that is said to offer health benefits. Rooibos is not actually a tea but derived from the red bush in Southern Africa where its leaves are used to make an herbal tea that

Â&#x201E;

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is becoming popular worldwide. With Coconut Vanilla being Tara’s personal favorite, there is a flavor available that is sure to fit your taste. In addition to the delicious tea offered, there is an amazing menu full of specialties made in house. A popular item for both presentation and taste is The Swan Tea which is served on a beautiful 3-tier China platter and layered with dainty tea sandwiches, pastries, a beautiful pate a choux swan filled with Devonshire crème, a cup of soup and finished with a pot of tea of your choosing. If you want something on a smaller scale, they offer a variety of sandwiches, salads and soup. They even offer special pastry chef designs and selections for occasion and parties, that’s a real treat. This tea room isn’t just about the food and drink though, it’s an experience and Tara hope is that it’s a magical one. This beautiful 1920’s farmhouse has been renovated into a peaceful place where you can gather with friends and family. Each room has been precisely adorned with pieces of Tara’s collection of vintage and modern tea sets, original antique chandeliers and an interesting piece of history around every corner. With not much magic left in the world, what she enjoys the most is the magical look on their face when they experience what she has created at The Twisted Teapot.

Join the adventure

today!

TOUR TODAY AND STAY FOR LUNCH! • Full time activities manager with scheduled events 7 days a week • Off site trips planned weekly • Licensed nursed available 24 hours a day • Transportation provided to scheduled appointments and social outings

203 SE 2nd Street Okeechobee, Fl 34974

December 2018 January 2019

863.532.4672

www.GrandOaksOkeechobee.com

Heartland LIVING

AL#11944

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The vision of little girls, sitting with their mothers, sisters or friends to enjoy a nice cup of tea in her Vintage china cups brings back cherished memories of her childhood.

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In her humble nature, Tara can’t say enough about her team crediting her family, friend, staff and customers alike for this labor of love she has created. Most days you will find her bustling around and lending a helping hand or sharing an interesting fact but mostly she stays behind the scenes making sure your experience is nothing short of magical. Speaking of magical, that’s exactly what happens at The Twisted Teapot during the holidays but especially Christmas. Tim Bryant with Tim Bryant Designs has designed the tea room itself and each year he transforms the entire place into winter wonderland unlike you’ve ever seen before. Once Tara has a vision for the upcoming season, Tim goes to work to make her vision come to light and let’s just say the presentation is always spectacular.

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To round out your experience at this beautiful Winter Haven staple, there is also an onsite gift shop offering specialized products for yourself and your home. Some of my favorites are the Beatrice Potter items for my daughter and the American Small Batch Perfume from Library of Flowers. Visiting The Twisted Teapot is more than just a quick lunch, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a place to come and enjoy a nice peaceful lunch with your loved ones, browse around the gift shop and courtyard then leave with magic in your heart and a sparkle in your eye. For more information, visit their website TwistedTeapot.com and remember, reservations are highly suggested.

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Be Your Own Kindof

Beautiful

For the Holidays!

& All of your

skin care needs

Dr. Rogers and his highly qualified team of Nurse Practitioners and medical staff look forward to keeping your skin healthy for years to come!

Gift Certificates Available Two Locations: 727 US Hwy 27 S SEBRING (863) 385-7183 400 Avenue K SE - Suite 3 WINTER HAVEN (863) 293-SKIN

Heartland Dr. Michael J. Rogers, MD, Board Certified Dermatologist LIVING Dr. Alexander W. Kennon, M.D Board Certified Dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon December 2018 January Dr. Brooke Rogers, DNP | Barbara Ross, ARNP 2019

www.LakesideDermatology.com

105

Opening Spring 2019!

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not Just a Brand ... A Way of Lifeâ&#x20AC;?

Tru by Hilton Sebring 1775 US Hwy 27 S Sebring, FL 33870

ALL THE COMFORTS OF A MODERN HOME

Fully Remodeled Hotel! Come see our new look and enjoy your stay in comfort and style!

Extended Stay Available

Suites with Lake Views | Complimentary Buffet Breakfast High Speed Wireless Internet Centrally Located to All Major Arteries | Pet Friendly

The new Tru by Hilton property, located in Sebring, is the ideal location in Central Florida to relax. Anglers, golfers, race fans and outdoor lovers will all enjoy the scenic ares. Sebring is the hub of outdoor entertainment in mild year-round temperatures.

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www.Marriott.com/sefri

863-314-9100

3221 Tubbs Rd. & US 27 South | Sebring, Florida 33870 Proudly operated by ZMC Hotels, under license from Marriott International

Located close to the Florida Hospital and Highlands Hospitals, you will find comfort and convenience at the Tru by Hilton.

863-471-0000

www.TruByHilton.Com/Sebring

Proudly operated by ZMC Hotels, under license from Hilton Worldwide

“You create the Event,.. we’ll create the Menu”

e l p p a e n i P Pink

Sweet & Savory Catering Appetizers, Desserts and Everything in Between

Personal & Private Chefs Fully Prepared Meals Dietary Specific Meals Baby & Bridal Showers Weddings | Special Events Business Meeting | Holiday Parties Full Service Catering | We Deliver

(407) 637-4756 info@pinkpineapplecatering.com

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Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

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By Layne Prescott Photography by Cynthia Paxton

BROWN BUTTER PUMPKIN SPICE PECAN LAYER CAKE CAKE

(makes 3 9” layers) Brown Butter 12 Tbs (1½ sticks)-place in nonstick skillet on medium low heat. Swirl around pan for approximately 4 minutes until butter is a nutty brown. Turn off and allow to cool without congealing. 2 boxes spice cake mix 1 cup brown sugar 2 small cans pumpkin ½ cup oil 2/3 cup buttermilk 2 T. cinnamon 1 t. ground ginger ½ t. ground cloves 1 t. salt 5 eggs Preheat oven to 350. Combine dry ingredients in bowl (cake mix, brown sugar and spices). Combine pumpkin, oil and eggs in separate bowl. Combine dry and wet ingredients. Simply stir together (do not use mixer). Add brown butter and fold in. Divide into 3 prepared 9 inch pans. (line bottom with parchment paper). Bake until toothpick comes out clean. Start checking at 28 minutes. Continue to bake in five minute increments until done.

TOPPING

2 T. butter (in skillet) 1½ cup pecans ½ cup pine nuts 2 T. brown sugar ½ t. salt 2 T. crystallized ginger Roast pecans and pine nuts in butter until lightly browned (2-4 minutes). Add brown sugar and salt. Stir until sugar dissolves and completely coats nuts. Stir in chopped crystallized ginger. Remove from heat.

FROSTING

2 sticks butter (softened) 2 8 oz. pkgs. cream cheese softened ½ cup brown sugar 1 T. Vanilla 48-ounce confectioner’s sugar (1 and ¾ bag 32 ounce)

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Happy Holidays! Hair | Nails Skin care | Hair Removal and More!

863-314-6545

Full Service Salon& Spa

110

7417 US Hwy 27 North Sebring, FL 33870

Amanda Armentrout

Kay DeJesus

Shelly Ezell

Amisti Johnson

Jeanette Jordan

Leslie Morrison

Maria Ortiz

Diane Stahl

Felicia Strouse

Staci Tataris

Bekah Todd

Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

Gift Certificates Available

Morgan’s Furniture “Your Comfort Is Our Business”

Family Owned & Operated Since 1983

863.467.2072

707 S.W. Park Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972

863-402-2112 330 US 27 N Sebring, Florida

Something for everyone from knives and scopes to purses and jewelry. Blue label dealer for First Responders and Military. Offering Concealed Weapon Classes in their Private Range

www.boomboomsguns.com

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Homemade Eggnog WITH

Homemade eggnog with rum and Kahlua tastes so different, and way better, from store bought eggnog. It’s light, silky and not too sweet with wonderful Christmas spices, vanilla and a generous helping of rum and Kahlua to get you in the Christmas spirit. Make this homemade eggnog your new family tradition! I won’t say that this is an easy recipe. The individual parts of it are easy, but there’s sure a lot of mixing ingredients separately and then finally mixing the three parts together in the end. That said, it’s sure worth the effort! This homemade eggnog is light and fluffy and not too sweet. It’s lightly spiced and really good. Homemade is always better, make this eggnog your new family tradition. Enjoy! And let us know how you like it if you give this homemade eggnog with rum and Kahlua a try. We would love to hear from you!

AUTHOR: COOKS WITH COCKTAILS

Prep Time 20 minutes Total Time 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS

6 eggs separated into whites and yolks 2/3 cup sugar 2 ½ cups half and half cream 1 cup milk 1 ¼ cup whipping cream 1 cup rum 1 cup Kahlua 1 tsp freshly grated nutmeg 1 vanilla bean 1 tsp cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS

Add the egg whites to a mixer. Beat the egg whites until frothy, gradually add in 1/3 cup of the sugar and beat till stiff peaks form. In another bowl beat whipping cream till stiff peaks form. In yet another bowl beat the egg yolks, add the remaining sugar and beat some more. Add the milk, light cream, rum and Kahlua. Mix well but gently. Slice the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape the sticky seeds into the mixture. Add the cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir again. Pour all the ingredients into one big bowl or the bowl you’re going to serve the eggnog. Gently fold the egg whites and whipping cream into the eggnog and mix thoroughly but very gently. A whisk helps. Chill and sprinkle with nutmeg or cinnamon when you serve it.

RECIPE NOTES

We rimmed the glasses with cinnamon and coarse sugar. It tastes delish when you are drinking the eggnog.

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Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

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Locally Owned and Operated

A Unique & Friendly Neighborhood Restaurant & Tavern Best Gatortail, Wings & Burgers in town! Pool Tables | Dart Lanes 8 TVs to watch all your favorite games!

We offer a full service bar with Beer and Liquor. Seasonal Sangria for the ladies! Happy Hour Monday - Thursday 3 - 6pm Live Music on Wednesday and Sunday Evenings

Stover Cup Annual Dart Tournament & Toy Drive Sunday, December 2nd Silent & Live Auction begins promptly at 1:00PM

Outdoor Dining Area! Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

2751 US 27 South - Avon Park, FL 33825

114

Serving Highlands County for over 35 years

www.WildTurkeyTavern.com

WELCOME to the family

SINCE 1968, HCA HAS PROVIDED COMPASSIONATE, HIGH-QUALITY CARE TO THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. We are honored to welcome the trusted providers that care for your family into our Specialists+ family. Our physicians and staff look forward to being you partner in care.

Our primary and specialty care offices are conveniently located near Highlands Regional Medical Center: Family Medicine 2341 US Hwy 27 South 863.471.3500

Gastroenterology 3435 S. Highlands Ave. 863.385.8777

Internal Medicine 3700 Emergency Ln. 863.386.4302

Orthopedics 3427 S. Highlands Ave. 863.314.9308

Urology 2373 US Hwy 27 South 863.382.2576

Donald Ware, DO

Francesco Ferretti, MD

Robert Midence, MD James Ruch, PA-C

Tahir Chaudhri, MD

Kwabena Pobi, MD

Schedule an appointment online at

HIGHLANDSMEDICALGROUP.COM

WAUCHULA â&#x20AC;¢ 863.773.4000 gwadsworthins.com

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Photography by Matt Beard Cirque du Soleil returns to the Tampa area with Cirque du Soleil’s CRYSTAL. An international cast representing 11 nationalities will perform swinging pole and chair balancing acts, tap dance on skates, breakdance on the ice, fly over skateboard ramps in a hockey sequence and do aerial dances with silks. It’s an ambitious concept that meant finding performers willing to look outside their comfort zones. Skaters learned to juggle. Circus artists learned to skate. You will watch world-class ice skaters and acrobats explore their new frozen playground with fluidity with never-before-seen acrobatics. Cirque du Soleil’s CRYSTAL fuses circus arts and the world of ice skating in a stunning new production that will take the audience on a journey into a surreal world where figure skating blends with acrobatics and aerial feats. Directed by Shana Carroll and Sebastien Soldevila, Crystal, our misfit heroine, takes you on an exhilarating tale of self-discovery as she dives into a world of her own imagination. Feel the adrenaline as she soars through this surreal world to become what she was always destined to be: confident, liberated, and empowered. CRYSTAL invites you to suspend reality and glide into a world that springs to colorful life with astounding visual projections and a soundtrack that seamlessly blends popular music with the signature sound of Cirque du Soleil.

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Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

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STORYLINE AND THEME

Crystal is a creative young woman who feels misunderstood and out of sync with herself. To escape her reality, she ventures out on a frozen pond and falls through the ice into an upside world. In this underwater world of her imagination she sees a reflection of herself. Her reflection guides her through this new world and wakes her up to her own creativity. As Crystal continues her journey she turns her quirks into creativity with the stroke of her pen. With this newfound power, she is able to find her true self and journey back up to reality. The show CRYSTAL is about looking at things from fresh angles, peeking through the veneer of everyday life, reframing one’s daily reality to see what one might have missed. Sometimes the only way to appreciate things is to look at them sideways. Discovering one’s individuality and uniqueness requires venturing out on thin ice. CRYSTAL will perform it’s first ever on ice production at the Amalie Arena in Tampa Wednesday, December 19 through 23 for 7 shows. CRYSTAL is suitable for all ages. Tickets for CRYSTAL are available by visiting www.cirquedusoleil.com/crystal or calling 1-877-9CIRQUE (1-877-924-7783).

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Heartland LIVING December 2018 January 2019

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George A. Hall Devon P. Donaldson GeoDev Pizza, Inc.

863-386-1177

935 Sebring Square - Sebring, FL

Mark Palmer Electric

& Air Conditioning/Heating Sales Service A/C Electric Refrigeration Same Day Service All Brands

FREE ESTIMATE - 24 HOUR SERVICE Service What We Sell

Residential & Commercial

SATURD2A9Yth December 5% OFF For Veterans

SEASON TICKET PACKAGES AVAILABLE

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For All Tickets & Information Call or go to Website!

863-382-2525

Family Owned & Operated since 1965! People’s Choice Award Recipient.

Gift Certificates are available!

356 W. Center Ave - Sebring, FL 33870

License AC #EC13007135 EL # ER130113672

Se Habla Español

Sebring 863-402-0000 Avon Park 863-453-4444 Hardee 863-773-4447

www.markpalmerelectric.com

GOT ? N I PA

Curamin Is Your ANSWER!

Our Passion is Your Health!

Now Offering Several Kinds of CBD

With CLINICALLY STUDIED BCM-95®

All ingredients established in human studies for safety and effectiveness. Does not interfere with stomach, liver or kidney function. †Occasional muscle pain due to exercise & overuse. **Member of the EuroPharma Scientific Advisory Board. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

*†

NATURAL PAIN RELIEF

Highlands County Oldest & Largest Health Food Store

20% Everyday Discounts

Wheat Free/Gluten Free • Probiotics • Natural & Organic Food Vitamins • Omega Oils Herbs • Essential Oils • Aroma Therapy Paleo Foods • Raw Foods • Ionized Alkaline Water

301 US 27 N. Sebring, FL 33870

On All Garden of Life & New Chapter Supplements

863-385-8995

Now Accepting EBT Open: Mon - Fri 9-6 & Saturday 9-5

Come Celebrate the Holidays in Historic Downtown Sebring! Christmas Parade - December 7th Carousel of Lights - December 1st – 28th Shop Downtown Sebring for all of your holiday shopping needs and be sure to use your Buy Downtown Sebring cards!

Ask about CRA’s new grant programs! Those interested in starting/locating a business downtown in the new year go to Downtown Sebring’s website or call 863.471.5104 for details.

For more information on events and merchant specials visit:

www.DowntownSebring.org

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There are

Good reasons to Advertise in Heartland LIVING DeSoto County Glades County Hardee County Hendry County Highlands County Okeechobee County Polk County Advertise in the most widely distributed and read magazine in the Heartland! Your new clients are only a short drive away.

Heartland LIVING Let us help you get more for your advertising cost. You are reading this ad... everyone in seven counties has the same opportunity to read it too.

Call or email us if you want to join us and share your business with all 7 Counties in the Heartland for one low price!

863-781-0344

Cindy@Heartland-Living.com

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www.HeartlandLivingMagazine.com

ALL-NEW PROGRAM WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA

“A Must-see!”

— Broadway World

5,000 Years of Civilization Reborn

Gifts

From Heaven

“Shen Yun is extraordinary – everyone should come see it.”

- Celeste Holm, Academy Award-Winning Actress

“I probably have reviewed over 3,000 to 4,000 shows since 1942, that still cannot compare to what I saw tonight. I will give this production 5 Stars, that’s the top! The best word to use was ‘mind blowing’!” - Richard Connema, critic for Talkin’ Broadway

An ancient legend tells of divine beings who came down from the heavens to bestow a glorious civilization upon humankind.

In ancient times, China was known as the Land of the Divine. People believed that their civilization was a sacred gift from the heavens. Each dynasty brought with it the unique culture, customs, and dress of different divine realms. Five millennia of history and culture formed a great civilization, and it was full of wisdom - people lived in harmony with nature and the

universe, and saw a connection among all things. They treasured virtue, loyalty and integrity, and treated each other with goodness and reverence. Compassion and happiness permeated the Earth. It was a world of sages and immortals, emperors and heroes, magic and miracles - until it was lost...

We now invite you to witness this ancient legend come to life... St. Petersburg FEB 20-24 The Mahaffey Theater

Lakeland FEB 26

RP Funding Center

Orlando MAR 13-17 Dr. Phillips Center

Tickets: ShenYun.com/FL Phone: 888.974.3698