The heritage of Lake Placid earliest settlers is being celebrated this week with Pioneer Week activities hosted by the Lake Placid Historical Society. There is no better time to remember the sacrifices and hardships faced by those who turned the Florida wilderness into the community we enjoy today.

The week of observance opened Saturday when the Pioneer Man and Woman of the Year were recognized in ceremonies at the Historical Society’s Depot Museum. This year’s honorees are Wayne Thompson and Grace M. Williams.