THE SEBRING HILLS ASSOCIATION IS HOSTING A NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER AND BINGO EVENT! TICKETS ARE $40 PER PERSON AND INCLUDE DINNER, SNACKS, AN INTERMISSION WITH PRIZES AND LEFTOVERS, AND A BINGO PACK. EVERYONE IS INVITED, BUT TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED AT THE CLUBHOUSE BY DECEMBER 16, 2025, AS A MINIMUM NUMBER OF SALES IS REQUIRED. DON’T MISS OUT ON A FUN EVENING OF FOOD, GAMES, AND CELEBRATION TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR! 

39TH ANNUAL CIRCLE OF LIGHTS IN SEBRING’S CIRCLE PARK IS BACK FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON! VISITORS CAN ENJOY DAZZLING LIGHTS ON TREES, SIDEWALKS, AND FESTIVE DISPLAYS—INCLUDING THE NEW GRINCH HUT—AS WELL AS ANIMATED PUPPET SHOWS AND FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN. THE LIGHTS AND FESTIVITIES WILL REMAIN ON DISPLAY NIGHTLY THROUGH CHRISTMAS EVE, WITH SANTA VISITING FROM 6 TO 9 P.M. EACH EVENING. 

THE SUGAR EXPRESS 2025 SANTA HOLIDAY TRAIN RIDES ARE RUNNING NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 21ST ON SELECT DATES. DEPARTURES FROM CLEWISTON AND SEBRING. ENJOY TWINKLING LIGHTS, FESTIVE DECORATIONS, AND THE SOUNDS OF CLASSIC CAROLS AS YOU SETTLE INTO A HISTORIC PASSENGER CAR AGLOW WITH HOLIDAY CHEER.  MIDWAY THROUGH THE TRIP, SANTA CLAUS HIMSELF CLIMBS ABOARD, GREETING EVERY CHILD WITH WARM HOLIDAY WISHES, COOKIES, AND A COMMEMORATIVE GIFT TO TAKE HOME. GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! 

KAY JEWELERS IN SEBRING IS HOSTING A SPECIAL FUNDRAISER FOR ST. JUDE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. THEY ARE SELLING TEDDY BEARS FOR $16.99 EACH, WHICH WILL BE DONATED TO THE LOCAL WOMEN’S SHELTER SO KIDS AND THEIR MOMS CAN HAVE GIFTS THIS CHRISTMAS. BEARS CAN ALSO BE PURCHASED BY THE CASE (12 OR 14) FOR BUSINESSES, CHURCHES, OR COMMUNITY GROUPS WHO WANT TO GIVE BACK. STOP BY KAY JEWELERS TO SUPPORT A MEANINGFUL CAUSE AND HELP MAKE THE SEASON BRIGHTER FOR FAMILIES IN NEED. 

SEBRING MIDDLE SCHOOL WILL HOST A WALK-A-THON ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2025, FROM 8:30 AM TO 1:00 PM ON SCHOOL GROUNDS. AS PART OF THE EVENT, NORTH PINE STREET WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN EAST CENTER AVENUE AND LEMON AVENUE DURING THIS TIME. NO OFFICIAL DETOURS WILL BE IN PLACE, BUT EAST CENTER AVENUE AND LEMON AVENUE WILL REMAIN OPEN FOR TRAFFIC ACCESS. PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY AND WATCH FOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE AREA. 

THE FLORIDA FLYWHEELERS’ CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE WILL BE DECEMBER 19TH THROUGH 20TH. ENJOY A DRIVE-THROUGH HOLIDAY VILLAGE FEATURING VINTAGE MACHINERY, DECORATED BUILDINGS, AND GLOWING DISPLAYS. DONATIONS BENEFIT LOCAL CHARITIES. 

THERE WILL BE A CHRISTMAS FOR JESUS TOY DRIVE DECEMBER 19TH, FROM 12:00PM TO 3: 00PM.  FAMILIES CAN ENJOY THE HIGHLANDS COUNTY SHERIFF'S K-9'S, THE AVON PARK FIRE DEPARTMENT AND SANTA. LOCATED 1003 PINE STREET IN AVON PARK. 

LAKE PLACID WESTERN WEAR IN LAKE PLACID IS COLLECTING GIFTS FOR LOCAL VETERANS IN NEED — SIMPLY TAKE A TAG, BUY A GIFT, AND RETURN BOTH BY DECEMBER 20TH. DURING STORE HOURS TUESDAY–FRIDAY 9:00AM TO 5:00PM OR SATURDAY 9:00AM TO 3:00PM. LET’S HONOR THOSE WHO SERVED BY MAKING SURE THEY FEEL REMEMBERED, APPRECIATED, AND SUPPORTED THIS SEASON. 

THE AVON PARK MOOSE LODGE 2494 WILL HOST A $10 ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BREAKFAST FROM 8:00AM TO 11:00AM, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21ST AT 1318 W. BELL STREET IN AVON PARK. ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TOWARDS THE MOOSE LEGION FUND. 

THE AUTOMOBILE RACING CLUB OF FLORIDA – SEBRING HALL OF FAME WILL HOST THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST SEBRING RACE ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31ST, 2025, FROM 1:00 PM TO 6:00 PM. TO ACCOMMODATE THE EVENT, SEVERAL STATE AND LOCAL ROADS, INCLUDING PORTIONS OF RIDGEWOOD DRIVE, COMMERCE AVENUE, CENTER AVENUE, AND CIRCLE PARK DRIVE, WILL BE CLOSED STARTING AT 9:00 AM AND REOPENED BY 7:00 PM. NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND DETOURS ON SR 17 WILL BE IN PLACE TO HELP DRIVERS NAVIGATE AROUND THE EVENT AREA. 

GOLFERS, GET READY FOR BIG PRIZES AT THE SFSC FOUNDATION MILLION-DOLLAR HOLE-IN-ONE SHOOTOUT AND $10,000 PUTT CHALLENGE FROM JANUARY 15TH–17TH AT SUN ’N LAKE GOLF CLUB. PLAYERS CAN PRACTICE ALL WEEKEND AT THE DRIVING RANGE, WITH THE TOP 12 CLOSEST-TO-THE-PIN SHOOTERS RETURNING SATURDAY NIGHT FOR A CHANCE AT A MILLION-DOLLAR PRIZE. ONE LUCKY FINALIST WILL ALSO HAVE A SHOT AT A $10,000 SINGLE-PUTT CHALLENGE. BAGS OF BALLS ARE JUST $10, AND ALL PROCEEDS SUPPORT SFSC ATHLETICS—DON’T MISS THIS EXCITING WEEKEND! 

BEACH HOUSE BOOKS AND MORE, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH EMERALDDRAGUN STUDIOS, INVITES YOU TO “FOR THE LOVE OF BOOKS”, A VALENTINE’S DAY MULTI-AUTHOR BOOK SIGNING EVENT ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH FROM 8:00 AM TO 4:00 PM. ENJOY IN-STORE SPECIALS, FREE RAFFLES, AND MEET MULTIPLE AUTHORS OUTDOORS FROM 10 AM TO 2 PM IN THE PARKING AREA. AUTHORS INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING CAN RESERVE A VENDOR SPACE FOR $45 (BRING YOUR OWN TABLE, TENT, AND CHAIR). STOP BY 3210 PHYSICIANS WAY, SEBRING TO CELEBRATE BOOKS, MEET LOCAL AUTHORS, AND ENJOY A DAY OF LITERARY FUN! 

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (AA) IS HERE TO HELP THOSE IN HIGHLANDS, POLK, AND HARDEE COUNTIES ON THEIR JOURNEY TO RECOVERY. MEETINGS AND SUPPORT ARE AVAILABLE FOR ANYONE SEEKING HELP WITH ALCOHOL USE. FOR ASSISTANCE OR MORE INFORMATION, CALL THE 24-HOUR HOTLINE AT 863-687-9275. AA IS COMMITTED TO HELPING MEMBERS BUILD A SOBER, HEALTHY, AND SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY. 

THE LAKE PLACID FARMERS MARKET IS EVERY SATURDAY FROM 8:00AM TO 1:30 PM. ENJOY FRESH LOCAL FARMERS BRINGING CONVENTIONAL AND ORGANIC VEGETABLES AND FRUITS AND LOCAL RANCHERS BRINGING FLORIDA BEEF, CHICKEN AND PORK. COME BY FOR A DELICIOUS BREAKFAST OR LUNCH AND SHOP LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES AND VENDORS. LOCATED AT THE JOURNAL PLAZA IN DOWNTOWN LAKE PLACID AT 231 N. MAIN AVE. 

ENJOY TASTE OF HIGHLANDS, WEDNESDAY EVENINGS FROM 5:30PM TO 8:30 PM. IT FEATURES LOCAL CHEFS, BAKERS, CATERERS AND FOOD VENDORS SHARING THEIR PASSIONS. MAKE IT A DATE NIGHT, HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS OR BRING THE FAMILY. THERE IS LIVE MUSIC, WINE PAIRINGS, AND LOCAL SHOPS ARE OPEN LATER FOR SHOPPING. LOCATED AT THE JOURNAL PLAZA IN DOWNTOWN LAKE PLACID AT 231 N. MAIN AVE.   

THERE WILL BE A NEW BEGINNER AND UPPER BEGINNER LINE DANCE CLASSES AT THE HIGHLANDS COUNTY FAMILY YMCA EACH MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, AND FRIDAY FROM 10:30AM-11:30AM YEAR-ROUND. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL DEE AT 863-257-6543 OR THE YMCA AT 863-382-9622.  

CHAIR YOGA AND LINE DANCE CLASSES WILL BE OFFERED AT THE SEBRING RECREATION CENTER. CHAIR YOGA IS ON MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS FROM 10:00AM-11:00AM AND LINE DANCE CLASSES ARE ON MONDAYS FROM 11:30AM-12:30PM. COME AND CHECK IT OUT. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL MARY AT 863-273-4495. LOCATED AT 333 POMEGRANATE AVENUE IN DOWTOWN SEBRING.   

LAKE PLACID ELKS LODGE #2661 HOSTS BINGO EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT FROM 6PM-9PM AT 200 CR 621 IN LAKE PLACID. ALL PROCEEDS WILL BE GOING TO THE ELKS CHILDREN'S THERAPY SERVICE AND THE ELKS YOUTH CAMP FOR FLORIDA KIDS.   

HANDS FOR THE HOMELESS HOSTS THE FEEDING TAMPA BAY FOOD BANK IN AVON PARK EVERY FIRST AND THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH IN AVON PARK. FOOD DISTRIBUTION BEGINS AT 10AM AT THE UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AT 107 JIM ROGERS AVENUE AND GOES TILL NOON OR THE FOOD RUNS OUT.   

PLAY BINGO WITH THE SEBRING HILLS ASSOCIATION EVERY THURSDAY FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER THE GAMES BEGIN AT 6PM AND THE DOORS OPEN AT 4:30PM FOR CONCESSIONS AND SNACKS. CARDS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT 5:00PM. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT THE CLUBHOUSE LOCATED AT 200 LARK AVENUE IN SEBRING.   

PLAY BINGO FOR CHARITY AT THE SEBRING ELKS LODGE EVERY MONDAY NIGHT! DOORS OPEN AT 4:45PM, EARLY BIRDS START AT 6:00PM. PROCEEDS GO TO CHARITY AND A LOW, $6 MINIMUM TO PLAY.