News Photos 2011

L to R) Carol Barnett, Barney Barnett, Bishop Whitaker, Eileen Wills, Diane Stahl, Riley Standifer, Bellamy Standifer, Avery Standifer, Gene Zimmerman, Shawn Fordham, Rebecca Fordham Carol and Barney Barnett are members of First UMC Lakeland. Barney is the grandson of the Rev. Dr. Ira Barnett, for whom the lodge is named. Dr. Barnett was instrumental in building the camp back in the 1940s. He was the top official of the Florida Conference. Our bishop was located in Atlanta at the time. Dr. Barnett found the site, raised the funds and hired Warren W. Willis to be the first director. Eileen Wills and Diane Stahl are daughters of Warren W. Willis, as is Dr. Waite Willis, who also attended and participated in the ceremony.