Starting next month, visitors to downtown Sebring will see a dedicated daytime law enforcement presence, funded by the Community Redevelopment Agency. Beginning December 9th, Sebring Police officers and Highlands County deputies will patrol the downtown area Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Officials say the officers will serve as both a visible safety presence and friendly ambassadors—answering questions, addressing loitering concerns, and helping keep things calm when students head downtown after school.
A plate of pasta is turning into a lifeline for 48-year-old Jennifer French of Sebring next month. On Friday, December 12th, Local Lodge 282 in Lake Placid will host “Dining for Donors” from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., raising funds in honor of Jennifer French, a survivor of stage 3 Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma who is now also battling larynx cancer, MS, COPD, and kidney disease. For just ten dollars, supporters can enjoy a pasta marinara meal — available for dine-in, pickup, or delivery to Lake Placid and Sebring — with proceeds going to the nonprofit Help Hope Live to help cover her essential caregiving and medical-related needs not covered by insurance.
Local families are invited to a festive bilingual Spanish-English Christmas celebration at the Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts at South Florida State College on Sunday, December 7th at 3 p.m. The event features live performances by Orquesta Caribeño Tropicale, Mexico Lindo Orlando Folkloric Ballet, and Mariachi Nuevo Guadalajara, plus talented local students. Narrators will share the legend of the poinsettia, followed by Latin Christmas music and a community dance party after intermission. Tickets are $5–$10 and can be purchased at SFSCarts.org or by calling 863-784-7178.
Holiday Christmas cheer is kicking off soon in Highlands County. The Avon Park Christmas Parade is set for Monday, December 1st, from 3 p.m. to 8:57 p.m. in downtown Avon Park and is a cherished local tradition right after Thanksgiving. Sebring’s Christmas Parade will light up downtown on Friday, December 5th, at 7 p.m., with this year’s theme “Candy Cane Lane,” presented by MIDFLORIDA Credit Union. Lake Placid’s parade will take the spotlight on Saturday, December 13th, at 7 p.m., with the “Gingerbread Lane” theme.