Your Lifestyle Community Magazine

December 2015 |January 2016LIVING

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Heartland LIVING

December2015

January2016

Youll be glad to know that Highlands Regional Medical Center provides a wide range of breast health services

right here in Sebring, from mammography to surgery to reconstruction. We provide care that is tailored to your

unique needs, and a Breast Health Navigator to help you along the way.

To learn more or find a physician, call 863-385-6101, or visit HighlandsRegional.com.

3600 South Highlands Ave., Sebring

Rediscover Highlands Regional Medical Center.

The place you call home is also home to comprehensive breast health services.

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2015January2016

www.GilbertChevrolet.com (863) 763-31543550 U.S. Highway 441 South

Okeechobee, FL 34974

Over500NEW and Pre-OwnedVehicles to Choose From!

Serving the Heartland Areafor over 90 Years!

Christmas came earlyfor Santa!

Merry Christmas!

PU

BL

ISH

ER

Letter From

THE PUBLISHER

My favorite time of year is here! To say that I love the holidays is a bit of an understatement; yes Im including Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years because I get to spend all of them with my family and friends that make it so special. The hustle and bustle of the season, holiday entertaining, shopping for the perfect gift, time spent with friends and family, I love it all!

December is also a time to reflect on the past year and reminisce about traditions of the holidays. Growing up, my parents always made Christmas special and still continue to do so. I have a large family of seven brothers and sisters;

my parents have seventeen grandchildren and two great grandchildren. We are blessed beyond words that we get to share all the holidays throughout the year as a family and Im looking forward to our traditional Christmas together.

This year I broke a tradition and put my Christmas tree up before Thanksgiving. But wait, only because I needed it for a photo shoot. I was searching for a tree and having a hard time finding someone selling them this early. It brought back a family memory that I thought might be my only answer to getting one. Every year my Dad would load us all up either in the truck or the nine-passenger station wagon to embark on my Moms quest for the perfect Christmas tree. I remember all of us walking in the woods to find and cut the perfect tree year after year. How I treasure those memories but admit I was happy that a local business sold me a tree as soon as the truck arrived.

Senior Photographer Rafael Pacheco took the amazing photos of our feature story Christmas in the South. I couldnt pass up the opportunity while I had his amazing talent to also take some photos of my granddaughter Finley Grace. I had no idea she would end up gracing the cover but Rafael thought she was perfect for our holiday issue.

We pray for families of all kinds to be able to gather together; happiness means most when it is shared. The holidays can be a time where people of all faiths celebrate shared happiness; the thoughtfulness of loved ones is a jewel of unmatched splendor. We pray for children all over the world to have the chance for joy and expectation to ring in their hearts.

Reflecting on this past year and the many changes in my lifeI realize how precious our time on this earth is. So my thought for this time of year is to remind all of us, there is little in our lives more valuable than family and friends. We all have busy lives, but we must take the time to let those special people know we are thinking of them.

Thank you to all my advertisers and readers for another successful year for Heartland LIVING. To all our friends who have enriched our lives with varied traditions and cultures Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Seasons Greetings and a prosperous and successful Happy New Year!

God Bless,

Cindy Sebring Adams

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5Heartland LIVING December

2015January2016

Dentistry from Infancy to Adolescence

863-357-7338 FAX: 863-357-7342

Your childs health is important and finding a positive relationshipbetween kids and their dentist is a good way to build lifelong healthy habits.

Melissa Kindell, DMD, makes every child who visits feel welcome ancomfortable and is dedicated to educating and providing quality treatment to maintain your child's oral health.

Everglades Pediatric Dentistry, provides dental carefor children in the Greater Lake Okeechobee

area and surrounding counties.

Service with a Smile, for a Smile

2029 Hwy 441 NorthOkeechobee, FL 34972

Preventative Care Restorative Dentistry In-Office Sedation Interceptive Orthodonic Treatment Extractions Emergency Dental Treatment New Patient Exams

Most insurances are accepted andemergencies are welcome.

www.evergladespedodent.com

Dental care for special needs andmedically compromised patients.

Sebring Location - Coming In 2016! 5606 US Hwy 27,

Sebring, FL 33870

Okeechobee Location

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Heartland LIVING

December2015

January2016

CEREC - Permanent Crowns in One Hour Galileo Xray/CT Machine - 3D X-rays for Implant Perfection Orthodontics Sedation Dentistry Root Canals Lifetime Guaranteed Crowns Partials/Dentures Oral Surgery Cleaning and Prevention Cosmetic Dentistry

Inlays and Onlays Veneers for Chipped or Discolored Front Teeth Replacing Old Amalgam Fillings

Creating Beautiful Smiles863-382-90901735 US Hwy 27 South

Sebring, FL 33870

Great Smiles to Last a Lifetime!

Full Ceramic Restorationdone in ONE Oce Visit!

No impressions, no temporaries, no metal!

State of the Art Technology Dentistry

Central Floridas Premier Dental Center

www.dentalcareofmidorida.com

5223 Sun 'n Lake Blvd. | Sebring, FL 33872

www.sunlakegolfclub.comwww.islandviewrestaurant.com

The

For reserations call 863-382-1191

Sunset Dinners starting at $12.00includes a glass of Draft Beer, House wine or Soda*

Prime Rib Specials Every Friday night

along with our special Friday Night Menus. *Free tea is available to parties of 16 or more.

*Sunset Dining is available Monday Thursdayand Saturday from 3:30 -7:00 pm

ideal setting for your Holiday plans!

7Heartland LIVING December

2015January2016

CEREC - Permanent Crowns in One Hour Galileo Xray/CT Machine - 3D X-rays for Implant Perfection Orthodontics Sedation Dentistry Root Canals Lifetime Guaranteed Crowns Partials/Dentures Oral Surgery Cleaning and Prevention Cosmetic Dentistry

Inlays and Onlays Veneers for Chipped or Discolored Front Teeth Replacing Old Amalgam Fillings

Creating Beautiful Smiles863-382-90901735 US Hwy 27 South

Sebring, FL 33870

Great Smiles to Last a Lifetime!

Full Ceramic Restorationdone in ONE Oce Visit!

No impressions, no temporaries, no metal!

State of the Art Technology Dentistry

Central Floridas Premier Dental Center

www.dentalcareofmidorida.com

5223 Sun 'n Lake Blvd. | Sebring, FL 33872

www.sunlakegolfclub.comwww.islandviewrestaurant.com

The

For reserations call 863-382-1191

Sunset Dinners starting at $12.00includes a glass of Draft Beer, House wine or Soda*

Prime Rib Specials Every Friday night

along with our special Friday Night Menus. *Free tea is available to parties of 16 or more.

*Sunset Dining is available Monday Thursdayand Saturday from 3:30 -7:00 pm

ideal setting for your Holiday plans!

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Heartland LIVING

December2015

January2016

FEATURESChristmas in the SouthBy Audra Clemons

St. Augustine Nights of LightsBy Jessica Pleger

Eight Days of HanukkahBy Audra Clemons

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CONTENTS

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9Heartland LIVING December

2015January2016

Heartland LIVING

ColumnsShowcasing The Arts History of the Christmas Card

Healthy LivingTips for a Healthy Holiday Season

Woman2WomanJane Thomas Waters

Agriculture in the HeartlandMeet the One & Only Ona White Angus Herd

Southern ChefRecipes by Layne Prescott Your Lifestyle Community Magazine

December 2015 |January 2016LIVING

Heartland Scene & Community Guide

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CoverFinley Grace Pleger

Photo by

Rafael Pacheco

Story on page 18

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Behind the ScenesDining Guide

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The Palms of Sebring 55th Anniversary By Jessica Pleger

21st Annual Florida Hospital Foundation Gala By Christen Johnson

South Florida State College 50th Anniversary By Pam Glinski

Celebrating the New Year By Jessica Pleger

Special Section

December 2015 | January 2016

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DeSoto CountyJimSpace Community Playground

Hardee CountyHardee Athletics Foundation Induction CeremonyFall Festival

Highlands County 49th Annual Fine Arts & Crafts FestivalCornerstone Christian Academy Outdoor Classroom at MoTAMason Smoak 5K and Fall Festival

Okeechobee CountyAdam Bryant Minimal RegattaFreedom Ranch Craft Fair in the WoodsCity of Okeechobee Centennial Heritage Day Festival

Polk CountyStepping Out for EducationUnited Way Celebration

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Heartland LIVING

December2015

January2016