SPRING FESTIVAL
Many communities offer a "signature" event each year and Lehigh is no exception. The emphasis of the Lehigh Acres Spring Festival is on broad based participation guaranteed to bring out the best from the newest to the oldest residents.
While the schedule varies from year to year, it has always included a "main street" parade and a carnival midway with food, games and rides. A sampling of what you might enjoy includes baking, canning, gardening competitions, bubble gum blowing contest, pet and tug of war contests and a traditional beauty pageant.
A high point of the Spring Festival is a five-mile run sponsored by Lehigh Regional Medical Center, which attracts entrants from across Southwest Florida. The Grand Parade following the run leads bands, fire engines, floats, kids, veterans and "Pioneer Family" representatives through downtown Lehigh Acres to the stage area in Veteran's Park located on South Homestead Road. Trophies and other awards are presented at the end of the parade. The weeklong event features different themes of entertainment each night.
Lehigh Acres is a residential community, built on a base of families who enjoy the climate, the cost of living and the general atmosphere. All are welcomed as visitors or new neighbors. Whatever your questions, we will try to respond promptly and accurately. You can reach the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce by mail at P. O. Box 757, Lehigh Acres, FL 33970-0757 or by phone at 239-369-3322. Visit us on the web at www.lehighchamber.com. You may also come by our office located at 4109 Lee Boulevard ¼ mile east of Gunnery Road.

EDUCATION
Three elementary, two middle schools and one high school serve students within the community. Students are also able to pick a school of choice within Lee County on an "as available basis." A charter school is in the planning stages for Lehigh Acres as is a fourth elementary school.
The Lee County School Board is responsible for the public school system. Entering students must present a birth certificate, physical fitness report and proof of current immunizations. For students transferring into this system a transfer document from the previous school is necessary. Winter residents may enroll their children by either paying $50 or showing proof of Florida domicile. Winter students entering kindergarten or first grade for the first time must present a birth certificate, health form and immunization proof from a Florida physician.
Residents who wish to begin or continue working toward a college degree may attend classes at Edison Community College and/or the University of South Florida, Barry University and International College. Florida Gulf Coast University just 10 miles south of Lehigh Acres is Florida's newest four-year university.

CHILD CARE & DAY
CARE NURSERIES
Several centers and churches throughout Lehigh Acres provide care and education for infants and other youngsters. They include the following:
Bell Boulevard Child Care, Faith Lutheran Learning Village (accredited), Harvest Temple Children's Academy, Child Care of SW Florida and Lehigh Child Care Center.
Please check with these facilities for ages and programs available.

RECREATION
Lee County Parks and Recreation offers a wide variety of programs and facilities for the citizens and visitors of Lee County. The main facility in Lehigh Acres is located at 1400 West 5th Street and has a pool as well as five baseball diamonds, tennis courts, summer camps and other opportunities for the whole family, including grills, picnic tables, playground equipment, and food concessions. There are new baseball facilities at Veteran's Park as well. High School students may sign up to volunteer at the park by calling Eve Sisson at 239-461-7440. Businesses may sponsor programs and events. For information about sponsorship, contact Jeanne Hopkins at 239-461-7440. In addition, there is a Community Center located at 1299 Homestead Road open Monday through Saturday. Call 369- 1521 for more details.

HEALTH CARE
Lehigh Acres is fortunate to have a full-service hospital in the center of its community. Lehigh Regional Medical Center has just undergone a $4 million overhaul that includes new services, new equipment and a complete renovation of the hospital facilities. The hospital has a 24-hour Emergency Department staffed with board certified physicians who can handle emergencies from heart attacks and strokes to broken ankles and stitches.
In addition, Lehigh Regional Medical Center offers a full line of Radiology Services including CT scans, MRI, bone density testing, mammograms, nuclear medicine studies, ultrasound and more.
Other services at the hospital include the surgical services, same day surgery, acute care and intensive care units, Stork's Landing Birthing Suites, pediatrics, physical therapy and a full line of laboratory services.
Lehigh Regional Medical Center is an 88-bed hospital that is fully accredited by JCAHO - the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations. Physicians on staff offer dozens of specialties such as orthopedic surgery, pulmonology, rheumatology, podiatry, cardiology, pediatrics, family care and many others.
For more information on Lehigh Regional Medical Center, call 239-369-2101. The community also offers Al-Anon, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Weight Watchers, Take Off Pounds Sensibly, Widowed Persons Service and other self help groups for those who seek support for themselves and family members.
Cross Key Manor and Sterling House, nursing and assisted living facilities have superior ratings from the State of Florida, offering three levels of care from daily living assistance to skilled nursing care with emergency medical services and specialized care.
Ambulance service is provided throughout the community by the Lehigh Acres Fire Control & Rescue District (phone 911). Paramedics staff each mobile unit with direct telecommunications links to the hospital.

LIBRARY
The East County Regional Library offers more than 126,000 volumes plus audio and videocassettes in a 45,000 square foot area located on Gunnery Road adjacent to Lehigh Senior High School. Additional resources include 40 computers for public use and 10 in the youth bay, audio equipment, photocopying and a meeting room - available to members. There are in-season cultural programs for adults and a summer reading program for children.