Hello Stepp’n Out Club Members,
Join us for a delightful journey to Lake Placid, Avon Park & Sebring on a one -of-a-kind
tour that you will be sure to remember. Our first stop will be the Lake Placid Chamber
of Commerce where we will learn about the 42 beautiful murals that adorn the buildings
in this lovely town. Learn the history of these magnificent murals and see if you
can spot the hidden objects in each one. Next, we will head to the historic Hotel Jacaranda
for a beautiful lunch. Continuing our journey, we will make a stop at the Peter
Powell Roberts Museum of Art & Cultural Center and Avon Park Historical Train Depot
Museum. Finally, we will make a stop in downtown Sebring for a soda or ice cream
at the Sebring Soda Shop and have some time to antique shop. You won’t want to miss
this wonderful tour!
Date: October 24th,2024
Time: Meet at Clubhouse at 7:00am, return to Clubhouse around 4:30pm
Cost: $99.00 Per Person (Club Members save $10.00 PP only $89.00 PP)
Tour Includes:
R/T Transportation
Mural Tour & Booklet
Lunch, Tax & Gratuity
Peter Powell Art Museum & Avon Park Train Depot
Soda or Ice Cream at Soda Shop
Driver Gratuity
If you wish to attend sign up on the HUB. Registration and payment due no later than September 20th,2024
Make Check Payable to: Small World Tours
Drop off checks to 508 San Sebastian Ct. or Turn in at the September 18th Stepp’n Out Club Meeting
Wall murals
There are 51 large murals on the sides of buildings in Lake Placid's "uptown" area. These have become a tourist attraction. The Welcome Center sells a booklet with a map of the murals that provides specifics about the history that each one depicts, as well as information about the artist(s).
The murals were planned in 1992 by Harriet and Bob Porter[30] and were painted in subsequent years by various artists, most depicting the history of the area. Some feature the trompe-l'œil technique.
The Old Lake Placid Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Depot, now the Historical Society Depot Museum of the Lake Placid Historical Society, is a historic Atlantic Coast Line Railroad depot in Lake Placid, Florida. It is located at 12 East Park Street and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
THE RESTAURANT AT THE HOTEL JACARANDA
During its winter season, enjoy the elegant, casual dining experience of The Hotel Jacaranda’s Palm Room and Citrus Room. Lunch and dinner are served Tuesday through Friday and on Sunday the Jac rolls out its Grand Buffet.
The all-you-can-eat buffet features Southern-fried chicken and other regional cuisine along with daily favorites, a salad bar, and a dessert bar. Guests are frequently invited to sample specialty dishes created by South Florida State College’s culinary arts students.
The History of the Hotel Jacaranda
Nestled in a quiet corner of Florida’s Heartland, The Hotel Jacaranda is the picture of Southern repose. Built in the 1920s and listed on the National Historic Register, Avon Park’s “gracious lady” boasts high ceilings and quiet hallways. In years gone by, the Jacaranda played hostess to the likes of Babe Ruth and Clark Gable.
As a true example of living history, The Hotel Jacaranda is one of the oldest continuously operating hotels in Highlands County. When the Hotel Jacaranda opened in 1926, it took its name from a 150-year-old jacaranda tree that had been removed to make way for the hotel. Among its first guests were members of the St. Louis Cardinals, who came to Avon Park for spring training from 1927 to 1929. Photos of its famous guests, from Babe Ruth to Hollywood celebrities George Burns and Gracie Allen, adorn its hallways. During World War II, the grand hotel played a hand in the war effort by housing hundreds of servicemen who had come to the area to train as military pilots.
In 1988, the South Florida State College Foundation, Inc., purchased the Hotel Jacaranda with an eye toward preserving its historic character. As part of that ongoing effort, the Foundation has undertaken a major restorative project that is returning a street-level business mall to its original design. Through a partnership with South Florida State College, culinary students perfect their talents by training in the Hotel Jacaranda’s modern kitchen.
Barry Allan
President - Stepp'n out
cell# 847-867-7337
Emails: allanbarry111@comcast.net