It is comprehensive and addresses a difficult subject. Several comments are included from familiar Polk and Winter Haven voices.

You can read the entire article here.

A number of Hall of Fame members were expected at the festivities including: Bobby Allison, Donnie Allison, Doug Sanders, Charlie Owens, Don Garlits, Fran Curci, Jimmy Carnes, Roger Strickland, Hubert Green, Pat Borders, Catie Condon and Ruth Alexander.

“We are so excited to be able to share this grand opening with the Hall of Fame members, the people who make this new building what it is,” said Florida Sports Hall of Fame Chairman, Rick Dantzler.

The Florida Sports Hall of Fame began in 1961 and returns to its roots so to speak as it was once housed in the Snively Mansion at Cypress Gardens. It’s new location is at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex, 2701 Lake Myrtle Park Rd, Auburndale, FL 33823.

Please note that the new Florida Sports Hall of Fame officially opens Tuesday, June 29.

Hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on event weekends.

If you’re a golfer you’ll find something new and entertaining at this Friday’s Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament. Golf Entertainer and celebrity impersonator, Brad Denton will be on hand prior to the shotgun start. In addition to demonstrating skill with a 6′ club and other trick shots.  He’ll also take on the persona of such favorites as Gomer Pyle, Jack Nicholson, Forrest Gump and Elvis — What! Not Bogie?!!!

We still have room for several corporate teams, more hole sponsors (can you ever have too many) and if you haven’t sent a door prize there’s still time!  Tournament is Friday featuring lunch from Fred’s Southern Kitchen at 11:30 and Shotgun start at 1 p.m. Join us for  great entertainment,  a great lunch and great golf.

Read more about Mr Denton here.  To register your team contact Jennifer here.

More than a year in the planning, the cycling events are sanctioned as a Florida Points Series Event,  a Land Armstrong Junior Olympic Race Series Event and a US Cycling Federation events. 

You can find a complete race schedule for both the Alturas Road Race and Downtown Criterion here.

Join your friends on Saturday and Sunday for what is sure to become a premier cycling competition. This event is the latest addition to the Chain of Lakes Festival events.

You never can tell who you might play golf with at the Chamber tournament. Former Buccaneer Derrick Brooks (left) joined  Terrance Barber, Alex Santiago, III and Darryl Talley at the March 27 event.

Satellite view of proposed master planning DRI

City Commissioners, staff, Chamber and Main Street representatives heard a preliminary overview of how redevelopment of the current Chain of Lakes Stadium/Southwest Complex property is likely to proceed. The City actually plans to trigger a “Development of Regional Impact” study (DRI) on a major portion (approximately 200 acres) of the community’s southwest quadrant bounded on the north by Avenue O, south by the Lake Lulu/Shipp canal, east by Park Lake/First Street South and west by Lake Shipp. Local developer Tony Binge presented the conceptual scenerio involving commercial, residential and enhanced public access to the Chain of Lakes.  City staff underscored that the plan will provide for all amenities currently found on the Chain of Lakes property including a new facility for Theatre Winter Haven, a new aquatic center and other recreational amenities. Public access to Lake Lulu and the east shore of Lake Shipp would be greatly enhanced.

The master plan being contemplated will produce land use guidelines including more inter-city in fill development of a very high quality as well as an increased emphasis on Chain of Lakes access and appreciation, connectivity to walking trails and downtown.

The information was shared during the City’s annual planning retreat where those present outlined a vision for the city both five and ten years in the future. The areas of emphasis included Economic Development, Community Neighborhoods, Lakes, Leisure, Growth and Development and City Services. The City continues to use the results of the “Our Future By Design” visioning document as a significant benchmark for planning purposes. The document was developed in 1999-2000 by a broad cross section of Winter Haven residents (approximately 200 participated throughout the process).

No, we’re not speaking of corporal punishment … but the best way to win the Second Annual Chain of Lakes Challenge Canoe & Kayak Races is to paddle your boat better than anyone else in the competition.

Bring your canoe or kayak to the Lake Summit Boat Ramp Park this Saturday, April 19. Registration begins at 7:15 a.m. and the races start at 7:45 a.m. There are four divisions:

Professional Kayak (under 26″ wide)

Recreational Tandem or Solo Kayak (more than 26″ wide)

Professional Canoe (single bladed paddles)

G-2 canoe or kayak encouraging two generations to participate together (i.e. parent/child or grandparent/grandchild)

The first three categories will depart Lake Summit and travel along the shoreline of Lake Eloise clockwise and into Little Lake Eloise back into Lake Eloise continuing in a clockwise direction to the Eloise/Lulu canal. Paddlers will travel directly across Lake Lulu to the Lulu Shipp canal and back across Lulu into Eloise and on to Lake Summit and the Boat Launch Park finish line. (Approximately 7.7 miles.

The G-2 race will depart Lake Summit shortly after the above divisions and travel through the Cypress Gardens ski show circle, on around the tire breakwaters and back to Lake Summit Boat Launch Park.

Entrants must bring their own canoe or kayak. All crafts must be manually paddled. All participants must wear flotation throughout the race. All participants must finish or report out of the race at a check point to account for whereabouts. Checkpoints will be located at Little Lake Eloise and Lulu/Shipp Canal (east end).

First Place winners in each division get Cypress Gardens Passes and $50 cash awards. Second Place finishers receive $25 and Cypress Gardens Passes. Registration forms available at Andy Thornal Company and the Winter Haven Chamber Lobby. $20 registration fee per boat. All entrants receive Challenge T-Shirts.

The Chain of Lakes Challenge is sponsored by Andy Thornal Company, The News Chief and The Ledger. It is the final event in the 2008 Chain of Lakes Festival. The Chain of Lakes Challenge is organized by the Winter Haven Chamber Foundation and the City of Winter Haven Department of Natural Resources. Course Checkpoints courtesy of Marine Supply – The Boating Center.

Pictured at left, Don Nettlow noses between the finish line buoys to win the inaugural Chain of Lakes Challenge Professional Kayak division in 2007.

In celebration of the reopening of Splash Island Water Park and Cypress Gardens’ first-ever Ski & Surf Weekend, the park will host a Corporate Beach Volleyball Tournament on Saturday, March 29. Cypress Gardens is looking for eight teams of four players who will compete for the title of Cypress Garden Beach Volleyball Champions. The winning team will also designate a charity of their choice to receive a portion of the money raised from the event. An entry fee of $100 per team will provide the four participants admission to the park for the day as well as entry into the tournament. Fun prizes will also be awarded to the “Masters of Sun and Sand.” To receive information on the tournament and an entry form, please contact Jennifer Mansfield by emailing jmansfield@cypressgardens.com.

The tournament will be held on the brand new beach volleyball court located in Splash Island and will begin at 11 a.m. Cheering fans from participating company’s are encouraged to come out and cheer on their team. Call 863-324-2111 ext. 3 for group ticket information.

Ski & Surf Weekend will also feature the All American Ski Tournament taking place in the Ski Show Circle, ride alongs sponsored by Huston Motors and Correct Craft, a Sunday tribute to Banana George Blair, Sammy Kershaw in concert Saturday, March 29 at 3 p.m. and the Beach Boys in concert Sunday, March 30 at 3 p.m.

2007 marks the first time the annual Summer Games Olympic-style Sports Festival will be held in Polk County. The hub of activity will be the Lakeland Center however Auburndale and Winter Haven venues will also see action.

Haven area competitions include:

Sunshine State Games Fast Pitch Softball is a qualifier for national tournaments. It will be played at the Auburndale Softball Complex and the Diamondplex in Winter Haven the weekend of June 15-17.

Canoe and Kayak Competition: Roe Park, Lake Shipp on June 16 and 17.

The Winter Haven Stingrays will host the Swimming competition at the Rowdy Gaines Aquatic Center Olympic-size pool June 15 – 17. Hundreds of swimmers will compete over three days at the pool named after the Winter Haven Olympic Swimming Champion.

The Sunshine State Games competitions are free and spectators are encouraged to come out and see Florida’s amateur sports stars. Polk County is hosting the competition through the cooperative efforts of the Florida Sports Foundation and Polk County Sports Marketing.

Complete listing of the competitions here:

The Rowdy Gaines pool will host the swimming competition June 15-17.