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It’s Friday, Sebring! Let’s finish this week strong.

In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Conservation win for Buckhorn Ranch, Florida’s first K9 air transport, and the 12-hour endurance race + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Sebring protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Preserving Florida’s rural heritage: The state approved a conservation easement for the 1,300-acre Buckhorn Ranch near Wauchula, a move praised by Florida Conservation Group to keep Hardee County land in agriculture and protect waterways — read the full story.

Inside a groundbreaking K9 lifeline: Florida’s first medical transport for injured K9s is flying with Tampa General Aeromed, sparked by a Highlands County incident that needed a 50 minute drive. Training is expanding across Florida — see how the program works.

Where unhurried days still thrive: Ten slow-paced Florida towns are highlighted for easier living as you age, and Sebring makes the list, praised for fishing, birding, and relaxed outdoor time that locals already love — see which towns made it.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Witness 12-hour endurance racing at Sebring
• Enjoy coffee, music, and Dot Reiser
• Sip and craft cork creations
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home

💎 Local business spotlight

Local stitcher’s haven: Crafty Quilters is where Sebring’s makers refuel with bolts of fabric, handy tools, and kits galore, plus a March calendar of bite-size classes to get you unstuck. It’s a spark for new projects, or the nudge to finally finish that one you swore you’d do by New Year’s.

Backyard, but better: Bevis Construction Dock Division builds decks that actually hold up, with bolted framing, screwed-down boards, and local know-how from 20+ years in Highlands County. Eyeing the water? They also craft docks and seawalls that complete your shoreline setup.

Seafood night solved: Highlands Seafood is a small, family-run market in Sebring with a rotating case of fish, crabs, clams, oysters, and mussels, plus frozen and freshwater picks for your freezer. Suddenly, “what’s for dinner?” becomes something to look forward to.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 We got your back

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Thinning hair? Don’t treat the wrong thing: When my ponytail started thinning, I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, sprays, etc.) and not one of them lasted. Turns out, most products target the strand, not the follicle… and that’s the whole problem. Once follicles go dormant, they need targeted help to come back. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn about my favorites here →

Six figures you can’t spend: Most homeowners over 50 have spent years dutifully paying their mortgage, assuming the only time it’ll pay off is when they sell. I thought the same thing until I discovered you can tap into the equity you’ve earned whenever you want (without leaving your home). Overdue for a new roof? Want to build your dream bathroom? There are two ways to turn equity into usable cash →

📆 Around town this weekend

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🌴 Changes in Latitudes @ SFSC Performing Arts (Avon Park) | Friday (3/13) at 7:00 PM – If you’ve been craving a quick escape without leaving 27, Changes in Latitudes returns to the SFSC Performing Arts Center with a proper Jimmy Buffett lovefest. Think Margaritaville singalongs, breezy steel drums, and a roomful of Parrotheads pretending Sebring is Key West.

🎭 Brigade @ Circle Theatre | Friday (3/13) at 7:00 PM – Nothing beats loud guitars in the old Circle Theatre, especially when Brigade comes to shake downtown Sebring awake. Think crisp riffs, comfy seats, and a crowd that actually listens, not livestreams. Ticket details are coming, so stretch those necks, hydrate, and claim your babysitter early.

🌱 Plant Sale @ Avon Park Public Library | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Avon Park Founders Garden Club is sprouting a plant sale stocked with native beauties, hardy perennials, and the kind of advice your tomatoes actually need. Expect neighborly chatter, fair prices, and cash boxes, not barcodes. Bring a tote, leave with dirt under your nails.

🎨 Painting Workshop @ Florida Wildflower Studios (Frostproof) | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Trade palm trees for peaks at an all-day painting workshop with Jenny Grenke at Wildflower Studios in Frostproof, working from her Canadian Rockies photos, no hiking boots required. Supplies included, all skill levels welcome, bring lunch. Members $40, nonmembers $50, call to save a spot.

💰 Quarter Auction @ Caladium Arts & Crafts Co-Operative (Lake Placid) | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – If your spare change has been training for the big leagues, put it to work at the Caladium Arts and Crafts Co-operative’s Spring Quarter Auction. Tickets are $10, cash or check because we’re charmingly old school, with limited seating, lively bidding, and refreshments for sale.

☘ St Patty’s Day Lunch @ First United Methodist Church of Avon Park | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – If your idea of St. Patty’s cheer is shepherd’s pie, dessert, and a guilt-free reason to browse, this Saturday lunch delivers. Irish dishes, drink, carry-out if you must, cash only. Bring a friend, poke around Second Blessings, the boutique, Christmas Village, and the Dollar Store.

🥕 The Country Market @ The Farmers Pantry (Avon Park) | Sunday (3/15) at 9:00 AM – Nothing beats a market run where the tomatoes actually taste like tomatoes. Head to the working farm at The Farmers Pantry to shop straight from local farmers, growers, and producers, meet the folks who raised your dinner, and leave with dirt-on-the-carrots bragging rights.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/13 Country Grass @ Mister Chris’ Coffee Depot (Frostproof) – 6:00 PM
• 3/13 Sticks with Stones Cigar Bar @ Sticks With Stones – 6:00 PM
• 3/13 Changes in Latitudes @ SFSC Performing Arts (Avon Park) – 7:00 PM
• 3/13 Brigade @ Circle Theatre – 7:00 PM
• 3/14 Sean O’Connell @ Mister Chris’ Coffee Gallery & Depot (Frostproof) – 10:00 AM
• 3/14 Malachi Jaggers @ Secret Gardens Winery & Farm, Inc. – 1:00 PM
• 3/14 Freedom Station Park Gospel Series @ Freedom Station Park (Frostproof) – 6:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Sebring report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 82°F – Low: 65°F – Precip: 35%

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Northeast wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. East northeast wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

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Tomorrow – High: 84°F – Low: 64°F – Precip: 78%

A chance of rain showers between 8am and 11am, then showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. East wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 5am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. East southeast wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

This house is wild

Custom lakefront on Lake Keys, this 2,907 sq ft home comes with no HOA and a 120×28 driveway for RVs and boats. Hardwood floors, volume and coffered ceilings, and a fireplace anchor open living. A gourmet kitchen shines. Covered patios, outdoor kitchen hookups, a lakeside deck, and a 2-car garage support indoor-outdoor living. A private well with filtration adds utility.

Take a peek inside →

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