From upper Imperial Polk to lower Highlands, folks gathered at Lake Placid on New Year's Day to rejoice with Lake Placid citizens in the celebration of another anniversary of progress.  It was a great day and everybody enjoyed it.
     There was something of interest for all.  The golfers had theirs first.  Beginning at ten in the morning was the nine-hole qualifying round.  In the afternoon 18 holes were played.  Fifty or more golfers enjoyed the games.  Harold R. Fossum, golf pro at Highland Lakes Country Club, with a low of 78, won the honors of the day, and Andy Deucher, pro at Pine Crest Lakes, came in with a close third.
     In the afternoon the band concert by the Highlands County School Band, under the able direction of Prof. P. J. Gustat, furnished music.  The band had a prominent position, between the clubhouse and Lake June, and added much to an enjoyable day, receiving their mete of applause.  Following the concert refreshments were served to the band members over one hundred strong.
     O.F. Gardner was chairman of the "open house" celebration.  Mr. Gardner praised Capt. Thomas Webb for his devotion to the improvement and beautification of the grounds, since its opening on January 1, 1929.  He also spoke of the imparting skill and enthusiasm of the Woman's Club members for their attention to this and all other great gatherings. 
     Mayor Andrews spoke at length regarding the improvements made in 1930, and of the hopes of the citizens through the years, leading at last to the present year as the most prosperous one in Lake Placid's history.
     Dr.  Steele, a regular winter visitor, took his hearers back over a period of 30 years and spoke of the difficulties encountered in pioneer days.  He first bought property in Lake Placid 31 years ago because he found no evidences of killing frosts or cold in 1895, so many other places being ruined in that year.  He spoke of making the trip to Arcadia by mules and carts over sand trails, concluding with a prayer of dedication of the town to high purposes.
     Grosvenor Dawe, representing Dr. Melvil Dewey, founder and president of the club, reviewed the work of the Associated Boards of Trade from 1915, crediting the boards with opening up the country with highways and railways.  He explained the present revival as tending to re-unite the interests of all the Ridge from Davenport to Lake Placid.  The program of the boards from August, 1930, to March, 1931, was described as a mental demonstration, based upon the idea that "as a man thinketh in his heart so is he."  He concluded by tying up the thought of each community's development as contributing to the Highlands and thus to the state, and thus to the South and to the nation, using the slogan which was made the battle cry of the Southern Congress in 1908, "a greater nation through a greater South."  Mr. Dawe asked his auditors to live with larger interests than their daily problem of meat, drink and raiment.
     Under the direction of C.H. Rhyne, the Lake Placid community band of 20 members gave a fine program.  After the sports program luncheon was served to several hundred people.  A motorcade was formed and visitation was made to other various places that have been constructed during the year.
     The sumptuous feed provided was ample for the throng and there was plenty to spare.
     There were 188 pounds of hamburger and 25 dozen mixed sandwiches.  The women of the own had baked and served 150 homemade pies "like mother used to make" and with the Woman's Club preparing the hamburger sandwiches there was no humbug about them.
     The mixed sandwiches were put up by the Parent-Teacher Association and about a score of the members of the two organizations rallied to the aid of the presidents, Mrs. R.E. Huey and Mrs. C.H.Rhyne, chairman of the Woman's Club entertainment committee, to aid in "putting on" the big feed.