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January
Happy
New Year!
WE HOPE THAT THE NEW YEAR WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH GOOD HEALTH, PEACE, PROSPERITY & HAPPINESS! WHETHER YOU ARE A CURRENT PATIENT OR SEARCHING FOR A NEW PROVIDER, LET US HELP YOU STAY HEALTHY DURING 2024. WE LOOK FORWARD TO TREATING YOU WELL THIS YEAR AT BOND CLINIC!
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Letter From the Editor
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Happy New Year! As we reflect on the past year, the Haven team is incredibly thankful for our readers and advertisers. Your support in picking us up each month means the world. Sincerely, thank you. Now, let’s look forward!
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We’re positively buzzing to kick off the new year with you! Our January issue is all about bees, baby. This month, we discussed apiculture (the technical term for beekeeping) with commercial beekeepers at Bee Serious and Deeringer Honey Farm. We even got to get into the whole beekeeper getup! Such a fashion statement. Winter Haven Mayor Brad Dantzler also makes an appearance with his three-hive apiary. Thanks for the ‘Mayor’s Select’ honey! We also talked with Morgan Volpe about mental health for first responders. Winter Haven is rolling out a comprehensive mental health program for police and firefighters. As Volpe notes, mental health is just as important as physical health. She and her team are taking a holistic wellness approach to this much-needed program. While others are setting health goals for the new year, we’re diving into donuts at Baking Donuts Plus. Owner Andy and his wife Rany go above and beyond to bake fresh donuts each day and hope to expand their adorable little shop one day. Thank you, as always, to contributing writer Shannon Carnevale for insights into the world of white pelicans. You peli-can’t miss this interesting read! Thank you also to the Winter Haven Public Library for a delightful curation of book recs. Can’t wait to read them! I hope 2024 treats you well. You deserve it! See you around town.
Se habla español
Amy Sexson Editor/Partner Haven & LKLD Magazines Destroyer Media & Marketing Winter Haven Farmers Market CentralFloridaTiX.com Email me: amy@destroyermedia.com
(863) 676-6021
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Economic Summit January 25, 2024 Polk State College Presented by:
Member FDIC
Join the Winter Haven Chamber Foundation on January 25th from 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. at Polk State College Winter Haven for our Annual Economic Summit, presented by Bank of Central Florida. Benjamin Freidman, Economic Development Specialist at Duke Energy Corporation, will be giving us a state and local economic forecast. Doors open at 8:00 a.m. Program begins at 8:30 a.m. Scan the QR code below to buy your tickets.
M A G A Z I N E S JANUARY 2024 // VOLUME 8 // ISSUE 04
CONTENTS LETTER FROM THE EDITOR............... 9 LOCAL NEWS...........................................13 TOP 10..........................................................15 THE BUZZ ABOUT BEEKEEPING... 20 MENTAL HEALTH...................................26 BAKING DONUTS PLUS.....................33 COCKTAIL.................................................37
CHECK ME OUT ;).................................39 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS........40 CALENDAR...............................................43 SOLD HOMES..........................................53 HOROSCOPES.........................................61 #KINDACHILL...........................................65
2023 : Winter Haven Small Business of the Year
2023: Best Writing: Humor // Best Photo Illustration // Best Digital: Social Media // Best Digital: Podcast 2022: Best Digital: Podcast // Best Photography: Feature Image 2021 : Best Writing: Humor // Best Digital: Social Media // Best Special Theme Issue // Best Writing 2020: Best Writing: Humor // Best Digital: Social Media 2019: Best Writing: Feature // Best Advertisement: For a Client // Best Photography: Cover 2018: Best Design: Cover // Best Redesign 2017: Best Digital: Social Media
Publisher // Chris Sexson chris@destroyermedia.com
Ad Director // Christine Campbell christine@destroyermedia.com
Editor & Creative Director // Amy Sexson amy@destroyermedia.com
Managing Editor & Writer // Tara Crutchfield tara@destroyermedia.com
Art & Production Manager // Steven Maynard steven@destroyermedia.com
Graphic Designer // Ella Doyle ella@destroyermedia.com
Media Specialist // Nate Schaller nate@destroyermedia.com
Event Coordinator // Lyndsey Venrick lyndsey@destroyermedia.com
Account Representative // Jessica Parker jessica@destroyermedia.com
Account Representative // Nicole Nikdel nicole@destroyermedia.com
Contributing Writer Shannon Carnevale
For advertising information please contact: christine@destroyermedia.com
Mailing Address: PO Box 1607, Winter Haven, Florida 33881 | 863-202-9172 HAVEN is published twelve times a year by Destroyer Media & Marketing. Haven distributes 15,000 copies a month with 8,400 mailed to homes and 6,500 copies available at select locations throughout east Polk County. 11
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Your new home at Lake Howard Heights is waiting for you, and our family can’t wait to meet you. For a limited time, we’ll cover your moving costs! Imagine how grand life will be: • Sweeping views of Lake Howard • Hassle-free apartments • Social clubs and wellness programs • Independent and assisted living services Come and meet our Team while enjoying a complimentary lunch.
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ALF# 5494
LOCAL NEWS
YOUNGEST GRAD
NEW HOTEL
DEIDRE SKAGGS
BUSINESS RENT TAX
Abigail Mena, 14, will be Polk State College’s youngest graduate of the 129 Commencement classes. A graduate of Florida Virtual School, Mena was just 12 years old when she first enrolled at Polk State in 2021. “I’ve always taken classes online,” she said. “My mom heard about dual enrollment, which was an opportunity for me to take college classes. I started skipping grades because I was working at my own pace.” Mena will receive her Associate in Arts degree. Congratulations!
The Staybridge Suites in Downtown Winter Haven is the first hotel built downtown in 100 years and will be the first time a new hotel opened downtown for business since WWII. The hotel is located at 305 5th St NW, next to the Historic Gram Parsons Derry Down. It features 108 spacious, suitestyle rooms, a fitness center, meeting space, pool, complimentary breakfast, and more. It’s within walking distance of the shops and restaurants in Downtown. They are now accepting reservations, call (863) 229-5145.
Congratulations to Polk County Public Schools’ Deidre Skaggs, who was recently honored by the Florida School Counselor Association (FSCA). Skaggs received the FSCA’s School Counselor Advocate: District Leader award, which recognizes individuals who have had “outstanding impact in the school counseling field.” Skaggs is a senior coordinator with Polk County Public Schools who supports school counseling at the K-5 level. She has been with the district for 35 years.
The sales tax rate levied on Florida businesses renting or leasing commercial property, also known as the business rent tax (BRT), was reduced from 5.5 to 4.5 percent on December 1, 2023. The positive impact on Florida’s economy will be even more pronounced with the further reduction in 2024 and, ultimately, the complete repeal of the business rent tax. The burden of this tax places local businesses at a competitive disadvantage, as the tax is exclusive to Florida.
SEA LIFE FLORIDA RESORT
KIDDIE CHRISTMAS
PAY INCREASES
18 ACES TO CONQUER CANCER
Discover the amazing wonders of the underwater world at SEA LIFE Florida Resort, an all-new aquarium opening this Fall 2024 at LEGOLAND Florida Resort. Here, at this family-friendly aquarium, guests will marvel at a diverse range of marine life, interact with captivating exhibits, and embark on a voyage of oceanic exploration, ending in the ultimate final seascape—The Theme Park Under the Sea!
Each year, Polk County Public Schools’ Information Systems and Technology (IST) division coordinates Kiddie Christmas. IST division employees hold fundraisers throughout the year to purchase gifts for students at a selected school. This year’s Kiddie Christmas benefited approximately 60 prekindergarten students attending Garner Academy in Winter Haven. Each student received toys, clothes as well as a new bicycle and helmet. Their families were given a holiday ham. Donations raised for this year’s event totaled more than $8,000. In addition, Kiddie Christmas also received generous support from three commercial donors: Ernie Morris Enterprises, R.F. Lusa & Sons Sheet Metal, Inc. and Publix.
Polk County Public Schools (PCPS) and the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2227 union reached a tentative agreement on Dec. 14 for the 2023-2024 salary and benefits package totaling an increase of $4 million. The tentative agreement directs $1.5 million specifically for salary increases, and an additional $2.5 million toward health insurance. PCPS absorbed all health insurance increases into its budget, offering yet another year of $0 health insurance premiums for all employees. AFSCME will hold its contract ratification vote on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024. Upon ratification, the new contract will then be presented at the next Polk County School Board work session and then submitted for approval at a School Board meeting.
The Mahalak Auto Group will host their 18 Aces to Conquer Cancer 11th annual golf outing to raise funds for pancreatic cancer research and patient aid. The event will take place on January 8, 2024 at The Country Club of Winter Haven. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute for Pancreatic Cancer Research. The event offers a chance to win a Jeep lease for every hole-in-one made. The course will be set up so that every hole is a par three and play will be four-person best ball scramble. There will be $31 million dollars’ worth of vehicles to give away. 18AcestoConquerCancer.com
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POLK TOP 10 WINTER HAVEN FARMERS MARKET Every Saturday from 9 am – 1 pm in the parking lot across from Grove Roots Brewery. Shop 40+ carefully curated vendors offering produce, seafood, meat, locally made pasta, baked goods, juice, flowers, readyto-eat food, and handmade items. winterhavenfarmersmarket.com
ALL SHOOK UP Jan. 18 – Feb. 18 at Theatre Winter Haven. Inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley. It’s 1955, and into a square little town in a square little state rides a guitar-playing young man who changes everything. theatrewinterhaven.com
AWE WALK
LECTURE SERIES: MUSIC NEAR & FAR
On Mondays beginning Jan. 8 at Bok Tower Gardens from 9 – 10 am. Take a walk through the Gardens and Pine Ridge Nature Preserve that will inspire wonder and awe. During this guided experience, you will have exercises to practice mindfulness. Registration required. boktowergardens.org
Jan. 9, 5:30 pm, Chris Kahl will take you on a historical journey through Florida. Jan. 16, 5:30 pm, Musician Sean Gaskell provides an educational concert featuring songs on the kora, a 21-stringed West African harp. Winter Haven Public Library, register in advance. mywinterhaven.com
JAZZ ON THE TERRACE: JAZZFIRE!
A TRIBUTE TO PINK FLOYD
Jan. 19, 5 pm at Bok Tower Gardens. Experience the music of Cole Porter with JAZZFIRE! featuring Victoria de Lissovoy. Please bring your chairs and blankets, seating is limited. The Blue Palmetto Cafe will be open with a full menu. boktowergardens.org
Jan. 20, 7:30 pm at the Historic Ritz Theatre. Hear “The Dark Side of the Moon” in its entirety, played in sync with The Wizard of Oz (1939). Classic Rock Legacy takes the greatest albums and recreates them live on stage using the best musicians and technicians. centralfloridatix.com
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MADAM RADAR
MARY GAUTHIER
Jan. 13, 8 pm at the Historic Ritz Theatre. Madam Radar is an Americana rock band with two full length albums, “The Texas KGB” (2016) and “Welcome Home” (2017). Special Guest, John Lee Wyatt, will open for them. centralfloridatix.com
Jan. 18 at Gram Parsons Derry Down. Live music in a historic venue with Mary Gauthier and special guest Jaimee Harris. Listen to her newest album, “Dark Enough to See the Stars.” Doors at 6 pm, show at 7 pm. Purchase tickets in advance. gpderrydown.com
NORMAN ROCKWELL AND N.C. WYETH
TAYLOR SWIFT TRIBUTE
Jan. 27 – May 26 at the Polk Museum of Art. This large-scale, two-gallery exhibition features nearly 40 original paintings by the two artists including the full, spectacular array of Saturday Evening Post covers. polkmuseumofart.org
Jan. 27, 6 pm at Balmoral Bar & Grill. This will be a night filled with excitement as a LIVE band takes the stage to perform all your favorite Taylor Swift hits. From “Love Story” to the empowering anthems like “Shake It Off.” centralfloridatix.com
RITZ THEATRE PRESENTS
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RITZ THEATRE PRESENTS
|
RITZ THEATRE PRESENTS
E R O M & S W O H S E LIV HARRIET
MADAM RADAR WITH GUEST JOHN LEE WYATT
RITZ THEATRE 263 W Central Ave, Winter Haven 863.937.1414 ritzwinterhaven.com
1/11 1/13
CLASSIC ROCK LEGACY PINK FLOYD TRIBUTE
HARRIET - FILM MADAM RADAR - LIVE PERFORMANCE WITH SPECIAL GUEST JOHN LEE WYATT
1/18 ARSENIC & OLD LACE - FILM 1/20 CLASSIC ROCK LEGACY PINK FLOYD TRIBUTE
LIVE PERFORMANCE PLAYED IN SYNC WITH WIZARD OF OZ
1/25 DIAL M FOR MURDER - FILM
FOR TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION VISIT havenmagazines.com
DIAL M FOR MURDER
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ORLANDO TOP 10 CHEEZ-IT CITRUS BOWL Jan. 1 at 1 pm at Camping World Stadium. The Iowa Hawkeyes will play the Tennessee Volunteers. Gavin DeGraw will headline the halftime show. The Cheez-It Citrus Bowl began as the Tangerine Bowl in 1947. cheezitcitrusbowl.com
MLK DAY OF SERVICE Jan. 15, shifts available to work from 9 am – 5 pm at the Orange County Convention Center. The Orlando Mayor’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission in collaboration with U.S. Hunger and the Orange County MLK Initiative, plan to package one million healthy meals. Family-friendly. orlando.gov
MARATHON WEEKEND Jan. 3 – 7 at Disney World. The weekend features four different races, two challenges and Disney magic around every corner. Virtual races available. Disney will make an independent donation to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in honor of the Marathon. rundisney.com
IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING Jan. 15, 9:30 pm at the Enzian Theater. A dark and comical look at King Crimson at 50 years. Find out whether it is worth sacrificing everything with extraordinary demands placed on you for a single moment of transcendence. enzian.org
A BRONX TALE DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING CANDLELIGHT VIGIL & MARCH
HENRY IV, PART 1: JOAN OF ARC
Jan. 7, 6 pm at Orlando City Hall. At the event, participants will be greeted with a brief presentation followed by a march to the First United Methodist Church for the Interfaith Multicultural Celebration. orlando.gov
Jan. 7, at the Dr. Phillips Center. Bronx-born and raised Chazz Palminteri wrote A Bronx Tale in 1988. The powerful one-man stage play depicts his bruising childhood. Palminteri plays 18 characters and brings them all to life in this autobiographical play. drphillipscenter.org
BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO
FOREST BATHING
THE LORD OF THE RINGS
Jan. 19 – Feb. 17 at the Winter Park Playhouse. This nostalgic musical comedy celebrates the music of Neil Sedaka. Set in a Catskills resort in 1960, follow two friends from Brooklyn in search of good times & romance. winterparkplayhouse.org
Jan. 21, 11 am – 1 pm at Mead Botanical Garden in Winter Park. Experience the forest through your senses. Time in nature uplifts the mood, boosts the immune system, and relieves stress. You will be guided through the afternoon. meadgarden.org
Jan. 26 – 28 at the Dr. Phillips Center. The Composer Howard Shore’s score to The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring will be played live by the Bach Festival Choir, Orchestra and Bach Festival Youth Choir. drphillipscenter.org
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Jan. 10 – 21. Orlando Shakes’ actors will perform the play with less than 40 hours of rehearsal, no designers, and no director – just like the acting companies of Shakespeare’s time. Written by William Shakespeare. orlandoshakes.org
TAMPA TOP 10 RELIAQUEST BOWL
ART ON THE HOUSE
Jan. 1, noon at Raymond James Stadium. Featuring teams from the SEC and Big Ten Conference or ACC (if a Big Ten team goes to the Orange Bowl). This year it’s the University of Wisconsin Badgers vs. Louisiana State University Tigers. reliaquestbowl.com
SCI-FI SPECTACULAR
SING-ALONG FROZEN
ALABAMA STORY
Every Thursday from 4 – 8 pm at the Tampa Museum of Art. Walk up to the Welcome Desk and tell the Visitor Experience and Engagement Representatives the admission price you choose to pay for your visit to the museum. Any donation amount is welcome. tampamuseum.org
Jan. 7, 3 pm at the Tampa Theatre. Run through your vocal exercises, dress as your favorite princess, reindeer or snowman, and come belt one out with a thousand of your closest friends at Sing-Along Frozen. tampatheatre.org
Jan. 11 – 21 at the Straz Center. A show inspired by true events in 1959 Montgomery, Alabama. The story centers on a state librarian for adding a children’s book depicting a black and white rabbit’s marriage to the library. strazcenter.org
Jan. 13 at the Mahaffey Theater. Boldly go with The Florida Orchestra on a trip to distant galaxies. Featuring stellar hits from science fiction movies and television, including Avatar, Star Wars, Star Trek, The Mandalorian, Interstellar and more. themahaffey.com
RV SUPERSHOW
HOTBED HOTEL
CHILDREN’S GASPARILLA
DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM
GASPARILLA PIRATE FEST
Jan. 17 – 21 at the Florida State Fairgrounds. See every major RV manufacturer as well as hundreds of accessory booths exhibitors. Florida’s finest campgrounds and resorts will have booth exhibits to show attendees the best camping opportunities. floridastatefair.com
Jan. 19 – Feb. 3, a Carrollwood Players Production. Terri and Brian Cody are hoping to sell their “One Star Hotel” in the Florida Keys, to the only man who has expressed any interest in buying it, a Mr. Sam Lewis from New York. carrollwoodplayers.org
Jan. 20, noon – 7:30 pm. A full day of activities including a bike rodeo, preschooler stroll, parade, air show and fireworks. Purchase tickets online. gasparillapiratefest.com
Jan. 23 at the Straz Center. Founder Arthur Mitchell believed ballet should belong to everyone, and the company’s forward-thinking repertoire ranges from the classics to innovative contemporary works. strazcenter.org
Jan. 27. The day begins with the Gasparilla Invasion, the Parade of Pirates from 2 – 5:30 pm, and live music until 8 pm. The Pirate Fest is free to attend, but you can purchase seats for the parade. gasparillapiratefest.com
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the buzz about
BEEKEEPING WORDS Tara Crutchfield
PHOTOGRAPH Amy Sexson
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DEERINGER honey farm In addition to a population of wild bees, the state of Florida is host to some 650-700,000 commercial bee colonies with another 10-15,000 hobby hives. Polk County is home to around 11,000 commercial colonies with several multigenerational apiculture (the technical term for beekeeping) families. One such Winter Haven family is the Deeringers.
Honey Farm, in 2013. Ashlyn worked in the Visitor Services department of Visit Central Florida for ten years before joining Jason in his apiculture endeavors. Jason eventually bought his own truck and loader, and his beekeeping business grew to outpace the removal. The couple now has nearly 2,000 colonies, offering services from commercial pollination and honey production to retailing bees. The Deeringers are in the process of purchasing Ashlyn’s father’s business as he looks to retire. “We’ll have a home base in Davenport once we finish this acquisition,” Ashlyn said.
Ashlyn Deeringer’s grandfather Wesley Parmerter got into beekeeping after World War II. “During World War II, there was a lot of rationing, so people kept bees in their backyard for sweetener because a lot of sugar was going overseas to the military,” explained Ashlyn’s husband, Jason Deeringer. Her grandfather went on to become a migratory beekeeper and state bee inspector traveling between New York and Florida. Her father followed in his footsteps, beekeeping since the 70s, and her brother did it for some 15 years.
We stood in a Dundee field on a windy December morning as Jason lit a smoker and talked about his favorite subject – bees. “Bees are pheromone based, smell based. They have an alarm smell,” he said. “If you open a hive without smoking them, the alarm spreads to everybody, and everybody gets angry. If you smoke them first, the alarm spreads very slowly and minimally.”
Ashlyn and Jason’s love story is a sweet honeybee happenstance. They knew each other in high school, after which Jason entered the military and Ashlyn went to college. Following his service, in 2009, Jason got into the bee removal service, working with a company that specializes in removing stinging insects. He also at the time, received a few hives as a gift. Those few hives turned into 100 by the time he reconnected with Ashlyn. The pair laughed as they recalled Ashlyn’s dad thinking Jason might be a beekeeping spy looking to do some apiary espionage. He started two businesses, Bee Serious and Deeringer
Beekeeping offers quite a few avenues for revenue. In addition to selling queens and wholesaling honey by the drum, the Deeringers sell wax. Wholesale honey can go for around $2.50-2.75 per pound, with wax, a natural byproduct of what they do, going for around $5 a pound.
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having failures and successes, you know what’s working, what’s not. It’s those years of experience that can get you to that point of reading the colony,” Ashlyn said.
One of their more lucrative streams of revenue comes from commercial pollination. Farmers will pay to have honeybees pollinate their crops, from strawberries and blueberries to melons and cucumbers. “We can drop bees off, and those bees will increase crop production by 20 percent,” said Jason. The Deeringers ship bees as far as California to pollinate almonds and down the eastern seaboard for blueberries and cranberries.
Deeringer Honey Farm produces about five crops a year. “Our honey yields in Florida are pretty interesting,” Jason said. “An average colony can make between 50 and 90 pounds of honey per crop depending on the year, depending on the weather, and a lot of different variables.”
As bees are thermoregulators, shipping them can be quite timely and tedious. There are roughly 50-90,000 bees per colony and an average of 400 colonies on a semi. “It’s high risk but also high reward,” Jason noted.
Northern states, the midwest, and Canada, can produce hundreds of pounds of honey per colony. “It’s harder here to make honey than in other parts of the country,” Jason said. “[But] we have more crops that produce honey than in other parts of the United States.” Wherein the midwest produces mainly clover honey, central Florida has a variety from orange blossom and palmetto to Brazilian pepper, gallberry, and Tupelo.
“In central Florida, agriculture is disappearing fairly quickly. Our forage, what we produce honey crops on, is disappearing faster than the industry can create new things for new revenue,” he said, calling migratory commercial pollination “our saving grace.”
“The beekeeping end is very rewarding. You can see your work, you can see the effort that you put into the colonies – the treatments, the feeding, the maintaining properly – in the honey you produce,” said Jason. “It can go from one box to several boxes of honey in just 10, 15, 20 days. It’s cool to see. The problem with honey production is it’s so variable. [...] It’s kind of like gambling. You get addicted to the chase of that $100K honey crop.”
“If we didn’t have these commercial pollination contracts, we really couldn’t exist as an industry for much longer in central Florida specifically because of development. We’re losing so much of our forage – our orange blossom, palmetto, scrubland – to development.” Another threat to apiculture is the introduction of pests and diseases, such as the Asian mite. These pests mean beekeepers like the Deeringers must continually monitor and treat the hives to keep the threshold low and the colony thriving. According to Jason, if the mite count gets too high, they can transmit viruses that kill off the bees. “It’s made a better industry in the sense that we are beekeepers and not just bee setters,” he said. “But it’s a pain when we have to treat a colony three times in a row, and we have 2,000 colonies.”
That variability is precisely why the Deeringers have diversified their business. They’ve recently ramped up their direct-to-consumer honey production and look to do retail in the future. Folks can purchase local honey at their honorsystem-based honey stand at 632 Ave. T SE, Winter Haven. “Don’t be afraid to buy honey from a big box retailer,” Jason concluded. “Just check the source of origin. At least buy from a company that uses U.S. honey.”
Through years of experience, the Deeringers have gained a sense for hive health. “You can read all the books, but until you’re doing it for years and
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THE MAYOR’S apiculture addiction
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Not all beekeepers are shipping hundreds of thousands of bees across the country for commercial pollination. Some do it for the love of apiculture. When he isn’t conducting his mayoral duties or serving as the managing director and senior vice president of investments for Raymond James, one might catch Winter Haven Mayor Brad Dantzler tending to the three beehives on his property. About seven years ago, Dantzler attended a wedding in Atlanta. A friend took him out to tour his hives in full beekeeping regalia. “I just fell in love with it,” the mayor said. “There are a lot of ways to get started, but the simplest way is to buy what’s called a ‘nuc,’” Dantzler said. The term “nuc” is short for “nucleus colony.” It’s a small hive, including a colony of bees. According to Dantzler, each hive has about 60-80K bees. He currently has three hives. It used to be four, but one of his hives’ absconded,’ which means the entire hive, including the queen, left. “Once your hives get very healthy and big like mine are, I can take a couple of frames out and put them in a separate box and encourage them to make another queen and start a hive,” he said. That’s known as ‘splitting the hive.’ The mayor has two colonies of European bees, and a third he suspects are Russian. He notes that they are more aggressive but produce the best honey. “The queen sets the whole mood of the hive. If the queen is nice and docile, then the bees don’t bother you at all. But if the queen is mean, the bees will be mean because [almost 99%] of the bees are female.” Dantzler completes a hive inspection every other week in which he uses hive tools to ‘crack the hive’ and pulls out each of the 11 frames per box. He’s looking to keep out pests and check on the hive’s overall well-being. If the hive is healthy, he leaves it undisturbed. “My theory is to not disturb them as much as possible unless they’re having a problem.” The bottom box of the hive is where the bees live. As they mature, beekeepers add boxes on top of them called honey supers. Twice a year, when the supers are full, Dantzler harvests his honey crop, known as ‘stealing the honey.’ Each hive box will produce some 50 pounds of honey. “My Russian bees, I call them my rockstars. They produce like crazy.” His friend and Theatre Winter Haven Producing Director Dan Chesnicka often helps him harvest the honey, which takes about 4 to 5 hours. “You want to leave them honey to make it through the winter because there are not nearly as many flowers,” he said. “When they don’t have pollen to eat, they start eating their own honey. That’s why they store it up.” Honey differs from hive to hive based on which plants the bees pollinate. Dark palmetto honey is the mayor’s favorite, but he may get orange blossom, clover, Brazilian pepper, or ragweed throughout the year. “It’s kind of like wine,” he said of the variety in honey. Dantlzer labels his honey ‘Mayor’s Select,’ gives it away, and makes his own honey candy. With his puppy Dash in tow, Mayor Dantzler showed us around his yard. He pointed out purple porter weed and azaleas, shrimp plants and gardenias, fire bush and white plumbago, pipevine, and beauty berries. “Everything is geared for my bees and butterflies.” “Every little apiary takes on its own personality,” Dantlzer said. His is adorned with little signs and knick-knacks, including a bee fairy. He finds the work to be cathartic. “Sometimes, when I’ve had a rough day, I’ll come and just sit on that bench and hang out here with them.” Mayor Dantzler recommends the Ridge Beekeepers Association as a resource for those interested in apiculture. “The bee community is very supportive of each other,” he said. According to the beekeeper club, “Our members have a wealth of knowledge about beekeeping. Members include hobbyists, sideline and commercial beekeepers, honey producers, and queen producers. We have members from Polk County and the surrounding counties such as Lake, Highlands, and Hardee.” The Ridge Beekeepers Association meets on the third Monday of the month at 7 pm, followed by a field/workday the next Saturday. Check their website, www.ridgebeekeepers.com, each month for the meeting location. 25
WORDS Tara Crutchfield
PHOTOGRAPH Amy Sexson
WHPS Rolls Out Holistic Mental Health Program Winter Haven Public Safety is unrolling a comprehensive and holistic mental health program in the new year. The City of Winter Haven Mental Health Coordinator, Morgan Volpe, and Lieutenant Garett Boyd spearhead this flagship program. We spoke with Volpe about the program’s inception and what they aim to accomplish.
First responders regularly witness traumatizing situations. In addition to psychological first aid and secondary traumatic stress training, the peer support system utilizes the University of Central Florida’s REACT program for first responders. REACT (Recognize. Evaluate. Advocate. Coordinate. Track.) “provides all participants with mastery experiences, designed to give them challenges at which they can succeed, bolstering confidence in their ability to provide effective support to their peers,” according to UCF. “Through this program, participants learn how to recognize “stress injuries” and evaluate the mental health of their peers, offer peer-level support, and effectively coordinate necessary follow-up in the event professional intervention is warranted.”
Volpe, who recently finished her master’s degree in clinical mental health from Stetson University, has been in her role since April. Hers is a new position for the City. Along with Lieutenant Boyd, Volpe is working to revamp the department’s peer support system and unfurl a comprehensive mental health program for all Public Safety personnel, sworn and civilian. They can utilize an app that will link anyone in dire crisis to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 988, mindfulness activities, and many others.
“It’s going to take time, but I’m hopeful that having that peer support will enable them to start to open up and eventually feel more comfortable with the entire program,” said Volpe.
According to Volpe, there’s a unique stigma associated with talking about mental health in law enforcement. “A lot of them have that inherent thought of, ‘If I say I’m not doing okay mentally, my job is jeopardized. Because if my superior doesn’t trust me with a gun on my hip, how is the community going to trust me?’” she said. “We’re trying to get down to the core fundamentals of that thought process and reduce that stigma as much as possible.”
Hand in hand with peer support will be the mental health program rolling out this month. The program will ensure mental health is regarded with the same importance as physical health. “Those two coincide,” Volpe said. “Mental health and physical health are both health.”
She continued, “There’s also a culture of self-reliance and toughness. Many times officers may feel pressure to handle stress and trauma independently, without seeking help. [...] Having someone in their corner that understands exactly what they’re going through is really beneficial.” About 20 first responders are currently enlisted in the program for peer support.
The goal is to approach first responder mental health holistically – to talk about a problem before it becomes critical. The program guarantees confidentiality except in certain circumstances, such as cases where a judge summons Volpe, there’s an indication of child or elder abuse, or if the first responder is having suicidal or homicidal ideations. “And if I do have to say something, it’s through the proper chain of command, and no one else will - CONTINUED ON PAGE 29 -
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ever know.” Volpe also notes that in the event that confidentiality had to be broken, the information that she has to share would be extremely specific to the issue at hand in an effort to uphold as much confidentiality as ethically and legally possible in difficult situations like these.
the community. “The information I gather helps with the overall goal for community mental health and provides a way for us to specifically target areas of the community that may need more assistance due to intersectionality and a laundry list of other potential factors,” she said. “I track gender, gender assigned at birth, age, race, and many other items. Our crime analyst prepares hot spot maps for me on a monthly basis, which allows me to geographically depict where we can implement high resources in the future.”
The program will be counseling-focused with the biological, psychological, and social factors of the individual in mind. This will encompass the entirety of their life, from educational background to family dynamics and support networks. This gives Volpe a mental health baseline. The mental health coordinator will help officers and firefighters work through issues like anxiety and depression while being able to refer out to a licensed professional as necessary. Preferably one with the cultural competency of first responders.
“I am aiming at training officers and firefighters more in-depth,” said Volpe. This trauma-informed training will assist first responders during any interaction with the public, from a traffic stop to an arrest, Baker Act, fire, or medical emergency. “Mental health plays a big role in why and how people act.” Being trauma-informed will have officers and firefighters consider many aspects while upholding their duties, ensuring a comprehensive approach to crisis management and public safety is upheld. An assessment officers can make when Baker or Marchman Acting someone is MINDS, taking into consideration if the individual is on medication, has suicidal or homicidal ideations, is on narcotics, has any previous diagnoses, or is exhibiting selfinjurious behavior.
“These are human beings. They go through the exact same emotions, maybe even more so than your typical civilian, because they don’t necessarily have an outlet,” she said. “There aren’t a lot of individuals in this profession that are culturally competent to be able to serve the first responder population.” This is the gap Volpe hopes to fill in her new position. The last thing most law enforcement officers and firefighters want to do is talk to someone who sees civilians about anxiety or depression. While the experiences of civilians are valid, “It’s a different type of trauma,” Volpe said.
The mental health coordinator noted exceptional leadership at the City, calling out City Manager T. Michael Stavres, Deputy City Manager MJ Carnevale, Assistant City Manager – Public Safety Charlie Bird, Police Chief David Brannan, and Fire Chief Sonny Emery. “They care,” she said. “They are very humanistic. They have a lot of empathy. They have a lot of emotional intelligence, which is needed and speaks volumes about why this program is even here.”
Compounded stress is one of the most significant issues she sees in first responders. “Without that outlet to get rid of the pressure, the stress, all of the baggage that goes along with seeing all this trauma – it compounds,” she said. “I always equate it to your junk closet,” Volpe explained. You can only put so much stuff into a junk closet and close the door. Eventually, if you don’t organize or purge it, you won’t be able to close the door. “It’s the same thing with compounded stress.”
“I’m excited to spearhead mental health. To reduce the stigma and be a frontrunner in talking about it and not making it so taboo,” Volpe said. “I’m excited to see where mental health, and specifically first responders, transform to because it’s such new territory.”
While working off stress with a run is great, first responders require a healthy mechanism to discuss their stress and trauma. “Having that neurotransmitter enhancement is extremely beneficial, but narrative therapy is crucial for any healing.”
Volpe noted that her goal is to bring on more clinicians to the department. “I would love to see this program grow and flourish. Maybe not even solely focused on mental health but for wellness – wraparound wellness.”
In addition to creating a mental health program for first responders, Volpe keeps track of statistics for Baker and Marchman Acted individuals in
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WORDS Tara Crutchfield
n o u D t g s n P i l k u a
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PHOTOGRAPH Amy Sexson
In an unassuming strip mall off Highway 17 in Winter Haven is a magical little donut shop with a frosting pink sign beckoning passersby to indulge in fresh donuts. It’s the kind of place where they know their regulars’ names, which says a lot because of how many patrons they have. Once you’ve tried a warm donut from Baking Donuts Plus, you can’t just go back to the other guys.
donuts, sandwiches, coffee, bubble tea, bubble coffee, and more – at prices you can’t beat. I’m talking a donut, breakfast sandwich, and coffee for under five bucks. They’re open from 5 am to 6 pm Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays. Started in November 2017 by Andy Seng and his wife Rany, Baking Donuts Plus is a favorite at the Haven office. Instead of birthday cake, we go for an assortment of fresh, fluffy donuts – it makes the special day so much sweeter.
Whether you’re a blueberry babe or a breakfast croissant coinsurer, this Winter Haven bake shop has just what you’re craving – homemade, fresh daily
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They offer a wide selection of baked goods from familiar faves like Boston cream, glazed, and jelly-filled donuts to cinnamon rolls, Oreo-topped, and Fruit Loop donuts.
Seng hopes to expand Baking Donuts Plus by opening a shop in another town. Folks from as far as Orlando and Sebring have begged him to open near them, but the idea is still half-baked at the moment. “It takes time,” he said of expanding.
“This is what I like to do, and I’m thankful to all the customers that helped me come this far and look forward to expanding,” said Seng. “The mission was to bake the best that I could and make all the customers like [my donuts] and hopefully everything can be a success.”
Sprinkle some happiness on your day at Baking Donuts Plus. There’s a ‘hole’ lot to love! Baking Donuts Plus 913 6th St NW, Winter Haven bakingdonutsplus.business.site
All of the menu items are family recipes made with love. And, if you don’t see something you like, Baking Donuts Plus can hook you up. Think of a crazy topping, and they can do it. From the best-selling bacon donut to Fruity Pebbles topped vanilla donuts, “Whatever the customer wants on their donut, we’ll make it for them,” Seng said. Some opt for an office pickme-up in the drive-thru or pull up a chair in their modest digs among the saccharine aroma of freshly baked goodies. Another patron favorite is the croissant sandwich. Baking Donuts Plus has a full menu of breakfast sammies like sausage, egg, and cheese, the bacon, egg, and cheese, and even tuna for lunch. “A lot of people will come here and try it and go, ‘Oh wow!’” the owner said of their breakfast croissant. To ensure the freshest donuts, Andy and Rany get to the shop at midnight each night to begin baking for the next day. “It’s a lot of hard work, not easy work,” Seng said. “We make it with love. We put our heart into it.”
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kiwi go again 4 slices kiwi, peeled 1 1/2 tablespoons simple syrup 1/2 cup lemonade 1/4 cup lime juice A kiwi slice or lime slice for garnish Muddle the kiwi and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add ice, lemonade, and lime juice. Shake well. Strain into a highball glass filled with fresh ice & garnish. Enjoy dry January!
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Prioritize your Vision Health this new year!
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Check Me Out ;) HONEY: RECIPES FROM A BEEKEEPER’S KITCHEN By Amy Newsome
WORDS Jane Martin, City Librarian Winter Haven Public Library 325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven
THE BEES By Laline Paull An engrossing journey through the life of Flora 717, a bee with the courage to challenge her hive’s rigid social order. This book is not just electrifying and fast-paced; it also offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of bees. You’ll finish it feeling like you’ve been on an incredible adventure and left eager to know more about these buzzing creatures. Plus, it delivers a powerful message about the consequences when politics and religion merge. It’s a compelling read that leaves a lasting impact.
What a delectable journey into the culinary world of beekeeping. Authored with expertise and passion, the book blends the art of beekeeping with mouthwatering recipes. From savory to sweet, each dish showcases the versatility of honey as a key ingredient. The book not only provides a delightful culinary experience but also offers insights into the fascinating realm of beekeeping. A must-read for food enthusiasts and bee lovers alike, “Honey” is a flavorful exploration of the symbiotic relationship between bees and the kitchen.
WHAT A BEE KNOWS By Stephen Buchmann
THE KEEPER OF LOST THINGS By Ruth Hogan
A captivating exploration of the intricate world of bees. Buchmann, an expert in the field, combines scientific expertise with engaging storytelling, offering a fascinating glimpse into the life of these essential pollinators. The book weaves biology, ecology, and the author’s personal experiences, providing a rich and accessible narrative. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or curious about the secret life of bees, this informative and beautifully written book is a bee-lover’s delight.
Though not solely about bees, Ruth Hogan’s enchanting novel beautifully intertwines the tale of Freddie, a beekeeper, with other unexpected narratives. This brilliantly crafted story, filled with wit, magic, and whimsy, explores themes of loss, love, and redemption. Its richly drawn characters, including even the lesser ones, add to its charm. Brimming with hope and humor, this contemporary fairy tale is a delightful read.
THE BEEKEEPER’S APPRENTICE By Laurie R. King
THE HISTORY OF BEES By Maja Lunde
“The Beekeeper’s Apprentice” is the first in a series that introduces us to Mary Russell, a young woman of extraordinary intellect, who becomes the apprentice of the legendary Sherlock Holmes. Mary is an incredibly sharp protagonist - albeit flawed- who will have you cheering for her on every turn of the page. Their pursuit of mysterious cases intertwines with beekeeping, creating a compelling reimagination of Sherlock Holmes.
This novel is a tapestry of three stories from different eras—past, present, and future—all linked by the common thread of bees. It’s a profound exploration of our relationship with these vital creatures and their impact on our world. As you turn the final pages, it leaves you with more than just a story—it prompts you to ponder what actions we can take for a more sustainable future.
THE BEEKEEPER’S DAUGHTER By Santa Montefiore
THE WEDDING BEES By Sarah-Kate Lynch
Santa Montefiore’s novel, set in England, offers a compelling narrative entwining forbidden love, family secrets, and enduring passion. The story, focusing on a beekeeper’s daughter and a young aristocrat, is marked by heartbreak and betrayal. Montefiore’s distinct style effortlessly paints vivid scenes, creating an atmosphere easily imagined. This tale of love, longing, and human resilience is an experience that will leave you captivated and wanting more.
In this heartwarming novel, Sugar Wallace, an urban beekeeper in New York City, discovers unexpected love amid her rooftop hives. This delightful tale explores love, friendships, and the power of community with witty and insightful prose. The beautifully written narrative, featuring enchanting characters and a satisfying ending, is a must-read if you are seeking a sweet and uplifting story.
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WORDS Shannon Carnevale Natural Resources and Conservation Extension Agent UF/IFAS Extension Polk County
PHOTOGRAPH UF/IFAS Photo by Eric Zamora
Gentle Giants of the Sky: American White Pelicans As our holiday seasons come to a close, Polk County residents and visitors are treated to a spectacular natural event: the arrival of American white pelicans. These majestic birds, easily distinguishable from their coastal cousin the brown pelican, are a remarkable sight as they gracefully navigate the skies above Polk County’s many lakes.
cormorants and anhinga often seen in their company. This silent demeanor adds to the serene beauty of the lakes they inhabit. IDENTIFICATION AND RESPECTFUL OBSERVATION American white pelicans are one of our largest water birds in North America. Their bodies are thick, with short square tails, large bills, and short legs. Mostly white, they have a distinctive yellow-orange bill and black flight feathers on the underside and tips of their wings, making them easily identifiable from afar or while in flight . When in flight, you’ll often see them in a “flying V” pattern, soaring in large circles looking for suitable areas to feed.
These large water birds, protected under the Migratory Bird Act, are here for a winter respite and do not breed during their stay in Florida. A SEASONAL SPECTACLE American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) are migratory, visiting Florida during the winter months. They are usually found along the coast but can also been seen around Florida’s inland lakes, rivers, and wetlands. In Polk County, you’ll see them soaring in the sky, at Circle B Bar Reserve, around the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes, and in lakes all around Lakeland, Lake Wales, and more.
Unlike the brown pelicans we’re all familiar with, who are known for their dramatic diving feeding technique, American white pelicans employ a more cooperative hunting strategy. Together in large groups, they herd fish into shallow areas of the lake where they will take turns rowdily dipping their large bills in to scoop up some fish. This makes for an impressive display of teamwork and grace.
The earliest American White Pelicans often arrive by late November or mid-December, with their presence peaking January through March, locally. This timing is easy to remember, like many of our friends and family who live up north in the summer, the white pelicans can be thought of as Florida’s other snowbirds!
You may notice a vertical plate or “horn” on the top of some of the pelicans’ bills. This is called a “breeding plate” and it is thought to be a visual indicator of a healthy male pelican, like how we think a larger rack of antlers signifies a better breeder in deer. While we’ll never fully understand some physical traits present during the breeding season in many species, one thing is clear: The plate is not a deformity, and the pelican is healthy; there is no need to be alarmed or to contact an animal rescue or Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission if you see one.
SILENT VISITORS IN OUR MIDST One of the most notable characteristics of these winter visitors is their almost complete silence, a stark contrast to the more vocal
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MIGRATION AND HABITAT
You can help both American white pelicans and our resident brown pelican by keeping a close eye on fishing tackle when you’re out fishing. Entanglement in fishing line and bill or pouch disfigurement from errant hooks and lures are some of the greatest threats facing pelicans and water birds of all species in Florida.
When American white pelicans leave Florida, they embark on a northward migration that leads them primarily to the northern Great Plains. Their summer breeding grounds are generally on isolated islands in freshwater lakes and on ephemeral islands in shallow wetlands.
Protection and restoration of area lakes and wetlands is important to both the American white pelican and our other water birds and wildlife. As I have mentioned in earlier articles, prioritizing our wetlands and lakes takes a village.
These pelicans typically breed in states such as North Dakota, South Dakota, Northern California, Nevada, Wyoming, Minnesota, and parts of Canada, favoring remote areas away from human disturbance. The habitat types ideal for their breeding include large, open landscapes like prairies and marshes next to lakes and rivers.
When enjoying recreational activities like boating, be mindful not to disturb these graceful and shy visitors. They scare easily and you may prevent their return to an area lake if they are disturbed often. By protecting our lakes and respecting wildlife, we ensure that future generations will also enjoy the stunning spectacle of the American White Pelicans in Florida.
If you’re planning a summer vacation in the northern Great Plains, particularly in areas like the Dakotas or Minnesota, you might be fortunate enough to see these majestic birds in their natural breeding habitat. Here, they engage in their unique life cycle amidst the vast and scenic backdrop of America’s heartland. Keep in mind though, these are shy birds and will often abandon their nests if disturbed.
For more information on American white pelicans consider listening to the podcast episode, “American White Pelicans, Florida’s Other Snowbird” here: https://link.chtbl.com/white_pelican And, if you enjoy the episode, share it with a friend.
GRAB SOME BINOCULARS
As a reminder, you can always find me on social media with the handle @PolkNR on Twitter/X and Instagram or you can email me with any questions at scarnevale@ufl.edu. UF/IFAS Extension is an Equal Opportunity Institution.
This January, take the time to visit local natural areas or waterways to see the American White Pelicans. They will start heading north in March and have often completely left us by the end of April. But remember, nature doesn’t always abide by our rules! The pelicans may leave early or stay late – so enjoy them when you see them.
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PRESENTED BY:
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George O ’Neill, Jr. On behalf of the Winter Haven Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees, we would like to express our gratitude to the 2023 Gala sponsors. Your continued leadership and investment in this important community initiative is of great value to Winter Haven Hospital and the patients we serve.
Proceeds raised from the 2023 Gala will be utilized locally to support the Foundation's American Psychological Association accredited Clinical Psychology Training Program.
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Special Thanks David Schall Auctioneer, Letz Dance On It, Over the Top Rental Linens, A Chair Affair, Inc., Cindy Alexander, Vicki Arrington, Bay Stage Live, Beth Dial, Dunkin' Donuts, Good Food Catering – Chef Kevin Lacassin, International Diamond Center | Lakeland, Lynn Oakley, Obsessive Geek – Clyde Bielss, Terrie Lobb Catering, Carylene Walker
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JANUARY 2024 STORYTIME WITH ACE THE BOOKWORM! Jan 2, 2024, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Florida Air Museum 4175 Medulla Road, Lakeland Tuesdays 10 am. They bring stories to life and create amazing, interactive learning experiences. All are welcome. Content is for ages 2-5. Story Time is FREE. Access to the Florida Air Museum is an additional charge. aceedu.org TRIVIA TUESDAYS Jan 2, 2024, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Grove Roots Brewing Company 302 3rd Street SW, Winter Haven Every Tuesday at 6:30pm. Play trivia hosted by Triviosity. More info on FB @TriviosityLive AFTER HOURS AT THE MUSEUM Jan 4, 2024, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Polk Museum Of Art 800 East Palmetto St, Lakeland During the evening, Dr. H. Alexander Rich, Executive Director and Chief Curator, will host a Curator Tour at 6 pm, providing in-depth art-historical and curatorial insight into one of our current exhibitions. polkmuseumofart.org TRIVIA THURSDAY Jan 4, 2024, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Barrel 239 239 3rd Street SW, Winter Haven Every Thursday at 7 pm. Play trivia with Triviosity. Themed nights on the 3rd Thursdays. Free to play. More info on FB @TriviosityLive FIRST FRIDAY: THREE KINGS CELEBRATION Jan 5, 2024, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Munn Park 210 East Main St, Lakeland Family-friendly & pet-friendly. Visitors every month enjoy a Classy Car Show, a Makers Market with crafters and artisans, and over 60 First Friday Exhibitors with goodies, giveaways, and special deals. downtownlkld. com/firstfriday IMPROV COMEDY SHOW Jan 5, 2024, 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Rec Room 202 N Massachusetts Ave, Lakeland Two show times 7:30 PM is the Family Friendly Show and 9:30 PM is the 21+ Show. They are a 6-year-old team with the best improvisers in all of Polk County. swancityimprov.com
LAKELAND DOWNTOWN FARMERS CURB MARKET Jan 6, 2024, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM N Kentucky Ave, Lakeland Every Saturday in downtown Lakeland. Shop local, handmade, homegrown, plants, artisan gifts, pastries, breads, specialty foods, and more! Enjoy live entertainment most Saturdays. downtownfarmerscurbmarket.org
ADD YOUR EVENT lay on a yoga mat in the middle of the room and be fully immersed in healing tones and singing bowls’ vibrational frequencies, which will be set up all around the room in a North, South, East, & West direction. Registration required. boktowergardens.org
AWE WALK Jan 8, 2024, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Bok Tower Gardens 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales Weekly walks start January 8 through January 29. Take a fresh look at nature and spend moments taking in amazing vistas. Join us for walks through the Gardens and Pine Ridge Nature Preserve that inspire wonder and awe. During this guided experience, we will pay attention to details along the way and will have exercises to practice mindfulness. Registration required. boktowergardens.org
WINTER HAVEN FARMERS MARKET Jan 6, 2024, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM 250 Magnolia Avenue, Winter Haven Shop local! Shop artisan food vendors, plants, food trucks, and more while supporting a healthy & connected community. We are across from Grove Roots on the NE corner of 3rd St. & Ave C SW in the old BB&T parking lot in downtown Winter Haven every Saturday. winterhavenfarmersmarket.com DAZED AND CONFUSED: AN AFTERNOON WITH JASON LONDON Jan 6, 2024, 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM Gem Theater 110 NW 1st Avenue, Mulberry Calling all film lovers! You will not want to miss a special screening of Dazed and Confused with actor, Jason London! After the screening, we will host a question and answer session and a meet and greet immediately following. centralfloridatix.com
BRANDING BLUEPRINT INTENSIVE FOR REALTORS (MASTERCLASS KICKOFF) Jan 6, 2024, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM The Lodge 332 Avenue B SW, Winter Haven This session is the first step in a transformative journey for realtors committed to elevating their brand and achieving personal and professional growth in 2024. Session 1: January 6-19. If you haven’t had your strategy call yet, please reach out to schedule one (calendly.com/ ignitethefireinsidewellness/30min_strategy_ session). This call is crucial to ensure that the masterclass aligns with your goals and expectations. General Inquiries: Lupita@ ignitethefireinside.com. centralfloridatix.com SURROUND SOUND: IMMERSIVE SOUND HEALING EXPERIENCE Jan 6, 2024, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Bok Tower Gardens 1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales Join mediation teacher & singing bowl specialist Anthony Profeta. Participants will
weekly sessions: Sundays January 7, 14, 21, 28 and February 4 & 11, 2024. 6:30-8:00 pm. $399 includes 6 small group sessions, course materials and email support between sessions. Course is limited to 6 students. winterhavenyoga.com
TRIVIA NIGHT Jan 8, 2024, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Cob & Pen 1221 Florida Avenue S, Lakeland Play trivia hosted by Triviosity every Monday. Free to play. More info on FB @TriviosityLive MUSICAL JOURNEY THROUGH FLORIDA Jan 9, 2024, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Winter Haven Public Library 325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven Lecture Series: A Musical Journey Through Florida. Chris Kahl will take you on a historical journey through the state, featuring performances of songs covering a wealth of historical events, characters, and folklore. Register online. mywinterhaven.com
JAZZ INTO THE NEW YEAR Jan 6, 2024, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Bok Tower Gardens 1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales No registration needed. Swing into 2024 with live jazz on The Terrace. boktowergardens. SOUND BATH WITH CRYSTAL SINGING org BOWLS Jan 9, 2024, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM FESTIVAL DEL AGUINALDO Bok Tower Gardens Jan 7, 2024, 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales Mosaic Park During this experience Meditation Teacher 2250 S Floral Avenue, Bartow & singing bowl specialist, Anthony Profeta Free to attend! A Latino Christmas will use Himalayan Singing bowls, Crystal celebration. Food, product vendors, Singing Bowls, tuning forks, and other children’s activities, giveaways, and much vibrational tools to de-stress, restore more but with a Latino feel! Event by Puerto balance, and bring well-being to your Rican/Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of body, mind, & soul. Registration required. Polk County. More info on FB @PRHCCPC boktowergardens.org UNLEASH YOUR MOST INSPIRING LIFE WITH YOGA LIFE COACHING 6 WEEK PROGRAM Jan 7, 2024, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Yoga Haven 1511 6th Street SE, Winter Haven Embark on a journey of self-discovery and purposeful living by seamlessly blending the wisdom of ancient Yoga philosophy with modern coaching techniques. Six 43
TRIVIA TUESDAYS Jan 9, 2024, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Grove Roots Brewing Company 302 3rd Street SW Winter Haven Every Tuesday at 6:30pm. Play trivia hosted by Triviosity. More info on FB @TriviosityLive
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PRIME TIME POLK 2024 HEALTH & WEALTH EXPO JANUARY 19TH 9am-3pm BALMORAL EVENT CENTER 116 KENNY BLVD, HAINES CITY • Showcase of local service providers & valuable resources • Helpful health & finance seminars • Health screenings • Raffle Prizes
For More Information: 863.220.7927
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PRESENTED BY:
JANUARY 2024 BACKPACKING 101: INTRODUCTION TO THE HOBBY OF BACKPACKING Jan 10, 2024, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM This short webinar will teach participants all about the basic skills required to go backpacking in Florida’s backcountry. Join UF/IFAS Extension Natural Resources and Conservation faculty, Shannon Carnevale, for an introductory webinar for backpacking skills. Register online at Eventbrite.com under UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Events
FLORIDA CARILLON FESTIVAL: KOEN VAN ASSCHE Jan 12, 2024, 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM Bok Tower Gardens 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales A carillon performance by Koen Van Assche for the Florida Carillon Festival, celebrating M.L.K. Day. boktowergardens.org
LAKELAND FOOD TRUCK RALLY Jan 11, 2024, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Munn Park, 210 East Main Street, Lakeland Second Thursday of every month. Family-friendly food truck rally with music! TRIVIA THURSDAY Jan 11, 2024, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Barrel 239, 239 3rd St. SW, Winter Haven Every Thursday at 7 pm. Play trivia with Triviosity. Themed nights on the 3rd Thursdays. Free to play. More info on FB @TriviosityLive GALLERY PERSPECTIVES Jan 12, 2024, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Polk Museum Of Art 800 E Palmetto St, Lakeland Join the museum every second Friday of the month for Gallery Perspectives! Each month, they invite special guests to discuss a current exhibition at the Museum, incorporating their own unique expertise and perspective. polkmuseumofart.org
REBA MCENTIRE TRIBUTE SHOW Jan 12, 2024, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Balmoral Event Center 116 Kenny Boulevard, Haines City Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the timeless music and captivating charisma of the legendary Reba McEntire! On January 12th, immerse yourself in the magic of Reba’s greatest hits as our talented tribute artist takes the stage at the magnificent Balmoral Event Center. centralfloridatix.com LAKELAND DOWNTOWN FARMERS CURB MARKET Jan 13, 2024, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM N Kentucky Avenue, Lakeland Every Saturday in downtown Lakeland. Shop local, handmade, homegrown, plants, artisan gifts, pastries, breads, specialty foods, and more! Enjoy live entertainment most Saturdays. downtownfarmerscurbmarket.org
TEACHER’S EARLY RELEASE DAYS SOUND BATH Jan 12, 2024, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Ignite the Fire Inside Wellness Studio 140 SE Plaza Road, Winter Haven RSVP as space is limited. centralfloridatix.com
WINTER HAVEN FARMERS MARKET Jan 13, 2024, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM 250 Magnolia Avenue, Winter Haven Shop local! Shop artisan food vendors, plants, food trucks, and more while supporting a healthy & connected community. We are across from Grove Roots on the NE corner of 3rd St. & Ave C SW in the old BB&T parking lot in downtown Winter Haven every Saturday.
ADD YOUR EVENT AGING AND BALANCE: HOW TO PREVENT FALLS AND IMPROVE YOUR WELLBEING Jan 13, 2024, 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM Yoga Haven 1511 6th Street SE Winter Haven Learn what can be done to prevent falls and improve your “wellbeing.” This special event will include discussion about: aging and balance; how to focus on stability, balance and interventions; and preserving the benefits of balance and stability of fitness for the long term. winterhavenyoga.com STARRY, STARRY NIGHT: AN EVENING OF STARGAZING, ART AND SCIENCE Jan 13, 2024, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Bok Tower Gardens 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales Explore the incredible night sky through telescope technology with local astronomers, hear inspiring space-themed presentations, encounter nocturnal animals, create space-themed art, and listen to a special “starry night” themed Carillion concert. boktowergardens.org
MONTHLY SACRED STILLNESS: MEDITATION + PRAYER Jan 14, 2024, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Ignite the Fire Inside Wellness Studio 140 SE Plaza Road, Winter Haven Join us for a special afternoon meditation, prayer & sound bath to wrap up the year in community. This monthly Sacred Stillness experience is held the 2nd Sunday of each month to provide a safe space to reflect, meditate, pray + encourage one another. centralfloridatix.com MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY Jan 15, 2024 TRIVIA NIGHT Jan 15, 2024, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Cob & Pen 1221 Florida Avenue S, Lakeland Every Monday at 7:30 pm. Play trivia hosted by Triviosity every Monday. Free to play. More info on FB @TriviosityLive
MADAM RADAR WITH SPECIAL GUEST JOHN LEE WYATT Jan 13, 2024, 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Historic Ritz Theatre 263 W Central Ave, Winter Haven Madam Radar is an Americana rock band that punches hard with their explosive harmonies, soaring guitar solos, and eclectic original tunes. centralfloridatix.com
LECTURE SERIES: MUSIC OF THE WEST AFRICAN KORA Jan 16, 2024, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Winter Haven Public Library 325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven Musician Sean Gaskell provides an educational concert featuring songs on the kora, a 21 stringed West African harp. Many songs featured on the kora preserve an 800 year history dating back tol the found of the Mande empire. Register online. mywinterhaven.com TRIVIA TUESDAYS Jan 16, 2024, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Grove Roots Brewing Company 302 3rd Street SW, Winter Haven Every Tuesday at 6:30pm. Play trivia hosted by Triviosity. More info on FB @TriviosityLive
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START 2024
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JANUARY 2024 NASHVILLE LIVE FEATURING DAVE & DAPHNE, DIRECT FROM NASHVILLE Jan 16, 2024, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM South Lake Wales Church of God 210 Presidents Dr, Lake Wales Dave Salyer has toured the world with Barbara Mandrell, performed for presidents at the White House and appeared on countless TV shows. Daphne Anderson, Toured with The Bill Gaither Group, The Florida Boys, The Cathedrals and many others. The Southern Gospel Music Association voted her their Female Vocalist of the Year. Concert attendees can purchase snacks and beverages at the show. Order tickets at the church website: www. slwcog.com or call Sandra DeVane, show coordinator at 813-779-2174.
MURDEROUS MILESTONES: ARSENIC & OLD LACE 80TH ANNIVERSARY SCREENING Jan 18, 2024, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM NEIGHBORHOOD STORY TIME Historic Ritz Theatre Jan 18, 2024, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM 263 W Central Avenue, Winter Haven Medulla Resource Center and Park In 2024, we will be celebrating the 80th 1049 Parker Rd, Lakeland anniversary of the timeless classic film, Neighborhood Story Time is a freee program “Arsenic and Old Lace.” Directed by Frank designed to promote family literacy and Capra and released in 1944, this dark engage young children (3-6 years old) comedy has captivated audiences for through interactive readings and hands on decades with its unique blend of humor and activities. For more information, call the suspense. Doors will open at 6 • Signature Medulla Resource Center at (863) 647-4035 cocktails, wine, beer, craft soda, candy and freshly popped popcorn will be waiting. See CAMELLIA TOUR WITH PATRICK LYNCH you at the movies! centralfloridatix.com Jan 18, 2024, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Bok Tower Gardens MARY GAUTHIER WITH SPECIAL 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales GUEST JAIMEE HARRIS Join the Plant Records Curator Patrick Jan 18, 2024, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Lynch for a walking tour of Bok Tower Gram Parsons Derry Down Gardens’ extensive camellia collection. 297 5th Street NW, Winter Haven boktowergardens.org Live music in a historic venue. Listen to her newest album, Dark Enough To See TRIVIA THURSDAY The Stars. Doors at 6 pm, show at 7 pm. Jan 18, 2024, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM gpderrydown.com Barrel 239, 239 3rd St. SW, Winter Haven Every Thursday at 7 pm. Play trivia with ALL SHOOK UP Triviosity. Themed nights on the 3rd Jan 18, 2024, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Thursdays. Free to play. More info on Theatre Winter Haven 210 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven FB @TriviosityLive Jan. 18 - Feb. 18. Inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley, It’s 1955, and into a square little town in a square little state rides a guitar-playing young man who changes everything and everyone he meets. theatrewinterhaven.com
SCAN TO ADD YOUR EVENT
MORE EVENTS ONLINE of group drumming with conversations to explore what connects us and is being used around the world with people of all ages and backgrounds. Registration required. boktowergardens.org
discover unique products and services. With a wide variety of vendors showcasing their offerings, you’ll find everything from handmade crafts to delicious food and much more!
A COLE PORTER MUSICAL COMEDY TOUR OF PARIS: A JAZZ DISCUSSION WITH CHARLES TROY Jan 19, 2024, 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM Bok Tower Gardens 1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales Paris was Cole Porter’s favorite city. Our tour of Paris will feature Porter’s songs about Paris, both celebrated and barely known, plus an insight into his life during his years there. Join Historian Charles Troy for an informative and entertaining talk about this incredible American composer. boktowergardens.org
WINTER HAVEN FARMERS MARKET Jan 20, 2024, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM 250 Magnolia Avenue, Winter Haven Shop local! Shop artisan food vendors, plants, food trucks, and more while supporting a healthy & connected community. We are across from Grove Roots on the NE corner of 3rd St. & Ave C SW in the old BB&T parking lot in downtown Winter Haven every Saturday. winterhavenfarmersmarket.com
JAZZ ON THE TERRACE: JAZZFIRE! Jan 19, 2024, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Bok Tower Gardens 1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales Experience the music of Cole Porter with JAZZFIRE! featuring Victoria de Lissovoy. Please bring your chairs and blankets as seating on The Terrace is limited. The Blue Palmetto Cafe will be open with full menu. boktowergardens.org
MIND, BODY, MOVEMENT: MAT PILATES Jan 20, 2024, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Bonnet Springs Park 400 Bonnet Springs Boulevard, Lakeland Led by Sculpted Swan Fitness.Mat Pilates at Allen & Company Family Lawn. bonnetspringspark.com
GOAL MASTERY: FROM DREAMING TO DOING MASTERCLASS Jan 20, 2024, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM The Lodge 332 Avenue B SW, Winter Haven THE FANTASTICKS Not just a masterclass; it’s a holistic journey Jan 19, 2024, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM towards realizing your dreams. Designed for Lakeland Community Theatre those who feel stuck or overwhelmed by their 121 S Lake Avenue, Lakeland aspirations, this masterclass offers a blend January 19, 20, 21 & 26, 27 & 28. of practical goal-setting techniques and “Try To Remember” a time when this romantic holistic tools to ensure a balanced approach charmer wasn’t enchanting audiences around to personal and professional growth. the world. The Fantasticks is the longestcentralfloridatix.com running musical in the world, for good reason. lakelandcommunitytheatre.com SWAN CITY JAZZ FESTIVAL Jan 20 & 21, 2024, 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM LAKELAND DOWNTOWN FARMERS Munn Park CURB MARKET 210 E Main Street, Lakeland Jan 20, 2024, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM Headliners Julian Vaughn and Lannie N Kentucky Avenue, Lakeland Battistini. This year, we’re featuring Every Saturday in downtown Lakeland. an impressive lineup of internationally Shop local, handmade, homegrown, recognized musicians and local high school plants, artisan gifts, pastries, breads, and college acts. swancityjazzfestival.com. specialty foods, and more! Enjoy live entertainment most Saturdays. DOCENT-LED TOUR downtownfarmerscurbmarket.org Jan 20, 2024, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Polk Museum Of Art DRUMBEAT AT BOK LAKELAND IS OUR BUSINESS VENDOR 800 E Palmetto St, Lakeland Jan 19, 2024, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM MARKET Free for everyone. Join us for a docent-led Bok Tower Gardens Jan 20, 2024, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM tour to get a fresh look into the Museum’s 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales COhatch Lakeland featured exhibition through an informative The education team has trained to use 211 East Main Street, Lakeland and engaging conversation with one of our DRUMBEAT, which is an acronym that stands The first indoor Lakeland Is Our Business passionate docents. polkmuseumofart.org for “Discovering Relationships Using Music, Vendor Market! Whether you’re a local Beliefs, Emotions, Attitudes, Thoughts”. This business owner or just love supporting local evidence-based protocol combines the power businesses, this market is the perfect place to - CONTINUED ON PAGE 49 47
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JANUARY 2024 CINÉMA ART HISTORIQUE: SURVIVING PICASSO (1996) Jan 20, 2024, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM Polk Museum Of Art 800 E Palmetto St, Lakeland This free-admission film series is designed to explore the connections between art history and cinema. After each screening, enjoy a Q&A and discussion with Dr. Alex Rich, Executive Director and Chief Curator, about how the evening’s film aligns with the histories and stories it strives to tell. Registration is required, and space is limited. polkmuseumofart.org
TRIVIA NIGHT Jan 22, 2024, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Cob & Pen 1221 Florida Avenue S, Lakeland Play trivia hosted by Triviosity every Monday. Free to play. More info on FB @TriviosityLive
LAKELAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS NIGHT AT THE OPERA: MADAMA BUTTERFLY Jan 20, 2024, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Branscomb Memorial Auditorium 1100 Johnson Ave, Lakeland Presented by the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra. At the turn of the 20th century in Japan, Lieutenant Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton of the U.S. Navy leases a house that comes with a geisha wife named CioCio-San, known as Madam Butterfly. Though he is advised against it, he marries the girl. Visit www.lkldsymphony.org or call 863688-3743 to purchase tickets.
TRIVIA TUESDAYS Jan 23, 2024, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Grove Roots Brewing Company 302 3rd Street SW, Winter Haven Every Tuesday at 6:30pm. Play trivia hosted by Triviosity. More info on FB @TriviosityLive
ALTER EAGLES Jan 23, 2024, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Theatre Winter Haven 210 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven Tribute Tuesday, 5pm and 8pm. Hear the music of the Eagles performed by Alter Eagles. theatrewinterhaven.com
WINTER GARDENING: EDIBLE GARDENS Jan 25, 2024, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Bok Tower Gardens 1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales Join Horticulture Manager Taylor Walker for a tour of the edible gardens to learn about the techniques, materials, and varieties that grow in our Fall gardens. boktowergardens.org TRIVIA THURSDAY Jan 25, 2024, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Barrel 239, 239 3rd St. SW, Winter Haven Every Thursday at 7 pm. Play trivia with Triviosity. Themed nights on the 3rd Thursdays. Free to play. More info on FB @TriviosityLive
CLASSIC ROCK LEGACY - A TRIBUTE TO PINK FLOYD Jan 20, 2024, 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Historic Ritz Theatre 263 W Central Avenue, Winter Haven Formed by Daniel Pepin, Keith Coville, Bill Dorfschmidt, Jessy Rose, and Josh Grimes, Classic Rock Legacy takes the greatest albums and recreates them live on stage using the best musicians and technicians. Classic Rock Legacy has found success in concentrating solely on the music. centralfloridatix.com
MURDEROUS MILESTONES: DIAL M FOR MURDER 70TH ANNIVERSARY SCREENING Jan 25, 2024, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Historic Ritz Theatre 263 West Central Avenue, Winter Haven
ADD YOUR EVENT In 2024, we will be celebrating the 70th anniversary of the classic thriller film, “Dial M for Murder.” Directed by Alfred Hitchcock and released in 1954, this gripping film has captivated audiences for decades with its intricate plot and suspenseful storytelling. Doors will open at 6. Signature cocktails, wine, beer, craft soda, candy and freshly popped popcorn will be waiting. See you at the movies! centralfloridatix.com
2024 SPIRIT CLASSIC GYMNASTICS MEET: MARDI GRAS MASQUERADE PARTY! Jan 26, 2024, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM AdventHealth Fieldhouse 210 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven You are invited to party with us at the 2024 Spirit Classic Gymnastics Meet: Mardi Gras Masquerade Party! centralfloridatix.com
ROCKWELL/WYETH: ICONS OF AMERICANA Jan 27, 2024, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Polk Museum Of Art 800 E Palmetto Street, Lakeland January 27 - May 26. This large-scale, twogallery exhibition features nearly 40 original paintings by the two artists, singular and beloved American icons who created their most familiar images full-size in paint before the scenes were scaled for print publication. In addition to the paintings, this exhibition will feature the full, spectacular array of Saturday Evening Post covers to which the artists contributed. polkmuseumofart.org C.S. LEWIS ON STAGE: FURTHER UP & FURTHER IN Jan 27, 2024, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM Branscomb Memorial Auditorium 1100 Johnson Avenue, Lakeland Award-winning actor Max McLean captures C.S. Lewis’ personality, eloquence and wit in an onstage experience venturing deep into the soul of one of the most influential thinkers of the past century. Using Lewis’ own words, this dazzling, multimedia, theatrical event explores: What convinced Lewis of the divinity of Christ; How his profound insights on prayer, heaven and the Second Coming of Christ influenced The Chronicles of Narnia. 90 minutes with no intermission. It is recommended for ages 13 and older, and children under age 4 are not admitted. flsouthern.edu/ffa
LAKELAND DOWNTOWN FARMERS CURB MARKET Jan 27, 2024, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM N Kentucky Avenue, Lakeland Every Saturday in downtown Lakeland. Shop local, handmade, homegrown, plants, artisan gifts, pastries, breads, specialty foods, and more! Enjoy live entertainment most Saturdays. downtownfarmerscurbmarket.org WINTER HAVEN FARMERS MARKET Jan 27, 2024, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM 250 Magnolia Avenue, Winter Haven Shop local! Shop artisan food vendors, plants, food trucks, and more while supporting a healthy & connected community. We are across from Grove Roots on the NE corner of 3rd St. & Ave C SW in the old BB&T parking lot in downtown Winter Haven every Saturday. winterhavenfarmersmarket.com
USA WATER SKI & WAKE SPORTS ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET Jan 27, 2024, 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM RP Funding Center 701 W Lime Street, Lakeland Join us for cocktails, dinner, awards and a raffle. Ticket must be purchased in advance, no tickets at the door. centralfloridatix.com - CONTINUED ON PAGE 51 -
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JANUARY 2024
MORE EVENTS ONLINE BEE GEES NOW Jan 28, 2024, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Lake Eva Event Center 799 Johns Avenue, Haines City Close your eyes & you will swear the real Gibb Brothers were performing! Open your eyes & experience the illusion that they’re standing in front of you! Experience an incredible technical, theatrical production before you that touches your senses & effects your emotions.
TAYLOR SWIFT TRIBUTE CONCERT WITH LIVE BAND Jan 27, 2024, 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Balmoral Bar & Grill 124 Kenny Boulevard, Haines City Calling all Swifties! Join us for a night filled with nostalgia and excitement as a LIVE band takes the stage to perform all your favorite Taylor Swift hits. centralfloridatix.com
AFTER SCHOOL ART Jan 29, 2024, 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Polk Museum Of Art 800 E Palmetto Street, Lakeland Doors open at 4:20 pm. Space is limited; be sure to arrive early to secure your spot. After School Art is designed for the parent and child to learn creative new skills together. Come join us for a new lesson each week using different medium and learn about the elements of art.polkmuseumofart.org
WEDDING EXPO Jan 28, 2024, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Balmoral Event Center 116 Kenny Boulevard, Haines City Discover a treasure trove of vendors, indulge in delectable food, and stand a chance to win exciting prizes. Say ‘I do’ to an unforgettable event planning experience! centralfloridatix.com
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TRIVIA NIGHT Jan 29, 2024, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Cob & Pen 1221 Florida Avenue S, Lakeland Play trivia hosted by Triviosity every Monday. Free to play. More info on FB @TriviosityLive TRIVIA TUESDAYS Jan 30, 2024, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Grove Roots Brewing Company 302 3rd Street SW, Winter Haven Every Tuesday at 6:30pm. Play trivia hosted by Triviosity. More info on FB @TriviosityLive JAZZ FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS 4: THE MUSIC OF THELONIOUS MONK Jan 30, 2024, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Anne McGregor Jenkins Recital Hall 1100 Johnson Avenue, Lakeland Director of Jazz Studies, Jeffrey Benatar, leads from the piano a local group of Jazz greats to highlight the music of composer, bandleader, and pianist Thelonious Monk. For more information, call 863-680-4296
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2423 MATTERHORN TRL................................DAVENPORT.........11/17/2023......$337,700 2112 DESERT ROSE DR.....................................DAVENPORT........ 11/13/2023.... $338,000 1383 MOUNTAIN FLOWER LN.........................DAVENPORT.........10/5/2023.....$338,200 1379 MOUNTAIN FLOWER LN.........................DAVENPORT......... 11/3/2023.... $343,400 2427 MATTERHORN TRL................................DAVENPORT....... 11/28/2023.... $344,900 2815 STUNNING AVE......................................DAVENPORT.........11/17/2023.....$345,200 1324 MOUNTAIN FLOWER LN.........................DAVENPORT......... 11/9/2023.... $345,400 2111 DESERT ROSE DR.....................................DAVENPORT........ 11/13/2023.... $346,200 - CONTINUED ON PAGE 55 -
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1941 VICTORIA ST...........................................DAVENPORT..........12/1/2023.....$346,700 1628 SWAN SWIM DR......................................DAVENPORT........ 11/15/2023.....$374,000 1303 CASCADE DR..........................................DAVENPORT......... 11/3/2023...... $347,100 1655 DELIGHTFUL DR.....................................DAVENPORT........ 11/27/2023......$374,100 1297 CASCADE DR..........................................DAVENPORT....... 11/20/2023..... $347,500 2415 MATTERHORN TRL.................................DAVENPORT......... 10/7/2023.....$375,000 2246 SUNSET WAY.........................................DAVENPORT........11/22/2023..... $347,600 1786 DELIGHTFUL DR.....................................DAVENPORT......... 11/9/2023.....$375,000 2419 MATTERHORN TRL................................DAVENPORT....... 11/28/2023.... $348,900 2254 SUNSET WAY..........................................DAVENPORT........ 10/6/2023.....$376,500 1371 MOUNTAIN FLOWER LN..........................DAVENPORT........ 10/6/2023.... $349,800 697 LONGBOAT DR........................................DAVENPORT......... 11/9/2023..... $376,700 1106 JAMES PAUL RD.......................................DAVENPORT........ 11/10/2023.... $350,000 1997 VICTORIA ST..........................................DAVENPORT........ 11/16/2023.... $379,400 2210 SUNSET WAY..........................................DAVENPORT........ 11/27/2023.....$352,200 2431 MATTERHORN TRL.................................DAVENPORT....... 11/29/2023.....$379,900 2435 MATTERHORN TRL................................DAVENPORT........ 11/27/2023.....$353,200 1086 BERRY LN...............................................DAVENPORT......... 11/8/2023....$380,000 1926 VICTORIA ST..........................................DAVENPORT........ 11/27/2023.....$353,900 2524 TULIP DR................................................DAVENPORT........ 10/6/2023.... $383,500 2430 OAKWOOD LN......................................DAVENPORT....... 10/31/2023.... $354,300 1205 CASCADES AVE......................................DAVENPORT....... 11/28/2023....$384,000 1761 DELIGHTFUL DR......................................DAVENPORT.........10/5/2023.... $360,000 612 DARING DR...............................................DAVENPORT........ 11/16/2023.... $384,800 2548 TULIP DR...............................................DAVENPORT....... 10/31/2023..... $361,000 1516 EUCALYPTUS WAY..................................DAVENPORT........ 10/9/2023.... $384,900 1977 VICTORIA ST...........................................DAVENPORT....... 10/31/2023.... $366,900 701 LONGBOAT DR.........................................DAVENPORT......... 11/9/2023.... $385,900 2214 SUNSET WAY..........................................DAVENPORT.........10/4/2023.....$367,000 1188 CASCADES AVE.......................................DAVENPORT....... 11/20/2023.... $386,000 1525 FLEUR DR................................................DAVENPORT........ 11/15/2023.... $368,900 1189 CASCADES AVE.......................................DAVENPORT....... 11/29/2023.... $386,000 2207 SUNSET WAY.........................................DAVENPORT........ 11/13/2023.... $369,900 730 LONGBOAT DR........................................DAVENPORT........ 10/6/2023..... $387,900 2025 NOBLE DR..............................................DAVENPORT...... 10/30/2023.... $370,000 2452 RIBBON FALL AVE..................................DAVENPORT....... 11/29/2023....$388,000 1636 SWAN SWIM DR......................................DAVENPORT........ 10/9/2023.... $370,000 203 BRAVE RD................................................DAVENPORT.........10/4/2023.... $389,400 352 HEROIC RD..............................................DAVENPORT.......... 11/1/2023.....$370,500 1190 CASCADE DR..........................................DAVENPORT...... 10/30/2023.... $389,500 1989 VICTORIA ST..........................................DAVENPORT....... 11/20/2023.....$370,900 1209 CASCADES AVE......................................DAVENPORT........ 11/27/2023.... $389,500 1615 EUCALYPTUS WAY..................................DAVENPORT........ 10/6/2023..... $371,000 2440 RIBBON FALL AVE..................................DAVENPORT...... 10/30/2023.... $390,000 1459 EUCALYPTUS WAY.................................DAVENPORT........ 11/13/2023..... $371,800 2239 LOVELY LN.............................................DAVENPORT....... 11/30/2023...... $391,100 1930 VICTORIA ST..........................................DAVENPORT........ 11/13/2023.....$374,000 - CONTINUED ON PAGE 57 -
Predictable Income FDIC - Insured Brokered Certificates of Deposit
1 year – 5.1%* 2 years - 4.65%* 3 years – 4.25%* Contact me today to learn about how brokered CDs and other carefully chosen investment alternatives help provide, supplement, enhance or diversify your income.
Brad Dantzler, AAMS®
Managing Director Senior Vice President, Investments 141 5th Street NW, Suite 100 || Winter Haven, FL 33881 863.298.9569 || 866.309.7515 brad.dantzler@raymondjames.com || www.braddantzler.com
*Minimum purchase may apply. Subject to availability. Rates expressed as annual percentage yield (APY) as of 12/14/23. APY may reflect a current market discount. About FDIC Insurance: Currently, the FDIC limits the insured amount (including principal and interest) for all deposits held in the same capacity to $250,000 per depositor, per insured depository institution and $250,000 for certain retirement accounts. Therefore, excess holdings may not be insured. About Liquidity: Funds may not be withdrawn until the maturity date or redemption date. However, the brokered CDs are negotiable, which means that, although not obligated to do so, Raymond James and other broker/dealers presently maintain an active secondary market at current interest rates. Market value will fluctuate and, if the CD is cashed out prior to maturity, the proceeds may be more or less than the original purchase price. Holding CDs until term assures the holder of par value redemption. CDs are redeemable at par upon death of beneficial holder. For detailed overview of these and other risks refer to the Certificate of Deposit Disclosure Statement at raymondjames.com/liquid.htm. Additional information is also available on the SEC Certificates of Deposit: Tips for Investors website at sec.gov/ answers/cds.htm. © 2023 Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC. 23-MFI Retail -0187 BS 6/23
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705 LONGBOAT DR........................................DAVENPORT......... 11/9/2023.....$392,300 2231 LOVELY LN..............................................DAVENPORT....... 11/30/2023.....$416,000 689 LONGBOAT DR........................................DAVENPORT......... 11/9/2023.... $394,900 137 DRAYTON AVE..........................................DAVENPORT........ 11/21/2023.... $420,000 1633 SWAN SWIM DR......................................DAVENPORT........ 11/16/2023.... $395,000 2596 TULIP DR................................................DAVENPORT......... 11/3/2023.... $420,500 2005 VICTORIA ST.........................................DAVENPORT........ 11/16/2023.... $395,900 1944 VICTORIA ST..........................................DAVENPORT....... 11/20/2023.... $424,500 359 HEROIC RD..............................................DAVENPORT.........11/17/2023.... $395,900 2532 TULIP DR................................................DAVENPORT.........11/17/2023.... $432,000 1321 CASCADE DR...........................................DAVENPORT....... 11/29/2023.... $396,900 1532 EUCALYPTUS WAY..................................DAVENPORT........ 11/27/2023..... $434,100 1976 VICTORIA ST..........................................DAVENPORT.......... 11/7/2023.... $398,000 1639 DELIGHTFUL DR.....................................DAVENPORT........ 11/16/2023.... $435,600 714 LONGBOAT DR.........................................DAVENPORT.........11/17/2023.... $398,200 1171 CASCADE DR............................................DAVENPORT........ 11/27/2023.... $435,900 718 LONGBOAT DR.........................................DAVENPORT.........11/17/2023.... $398,200 1637 SWAN SWIM DR......................................DAVENPORT......... 11/9/2023.... $436,000 1641 SWAN SWIM DR......................................DAVENPORT.........10/5/2023....$400,000 1914 VICTORIA ST...........................................DAVENPORT........ 11/27/2023..... $438,100 1703 TREE SHADE DR.....................................DAVENPORT......... 11/9/2023....$404,000 1582 DELIGHTFUL DR.....................................DAVENPORT....... 11/29/2023.....$439,700 1245 CASCADE DR..........................................DAVENPORT........ 11/13/2023....$404,200 1594 DELIGHTFUL DR.....................................DAVENPORT......... 11/3/2023.....$439,700 1427 EUCALYPTUS WAY.................................DAVENPORT.........11/17/2023.... $405,300 1918 VICTORIA ST...........................................DAVENPORT........ 11/13/2023.....$441,000 702 LONGBOAT DR........................................DAVENPORT....... 11/29/2023.... $405,300 2251 LOVELY LN..............................................DAVENPORT....... 11/30/2023.....$441,000 648 DARING DR.............................................DAVENPORT.........11/17/2023....$405,400 320 HEROIC RD..............................................DAVENPORT......... 11/8/2023.... $443,900 2508 TULIP DR...............................................DAVENPORT........ 10/6/2023.... $407,000 1643 DELIGHTFUL DR.....................................DAVENPORT....... 11/30/2023.... $449,600 425 CEDAR KEY ST.........................................DAVENPORT....... 10/31/2023.....$410,500 1175 CASCADE DR...........................................DAVENPORT....... 11/20/2023.... $449,900 1301 CASCADE DR..........................................DAVENPORT.........11/17/2023.....$410,800 2105 SHERBROOK AVE...................................DAVENPORT......... 11/8/2023....$450,000 722 LONGBOAT DR.........................................DAVENPORT.........11/17/2023.....$414,400 1403 EUCALYPTUS WAY.................................DAVENPORT...... 10/30/2023.... $454,500 1408 SUGARWOOD ST...................................DAVENPORT........ 11/14/2023.....$415,000 2034 DERWENT DR........................................DAVENPORT.........11/17/2023.... $454,700 2702 NUMA FALLS AVE...................................DAVENPORT........ 11/16/2023.....$415,000 1635 DELIGHTFUL DR.....................................DAVENPORT....... 11/28/2023.... $455,600 2706 NUMA FALLS AVE..................................DAVENPORT....... 11/30/2023.....$415,000 1667 DELIGHTFUL DR.....................................DAVENPORT....... 11/20/2023..... $457,900 1647 DELIGHTFUL DR.....................................DAVENPORT....... 10/31/2023.....$415,400 1463 EUCALYPTUS WAY.................................DAVENPORT........ 11/13/2023....$460,800 2536 TULIP DR................................................DAVENPORT........ 11/13/2023.....$416,000 - CONTINUED ON PAGE 58 -
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1419 EUCALYPTUS WAY..................................DAVENPORT......... 11/6/2023.....$467,000 281 HAMPTON LOOP......................................DAVENPORT........ 11/16/2023....$800,000 2210 LOVELY LN..............................................DAVENPORT....... 10/31/2023.... $468,700 275 HAMPTON LOOP.....................................DAVENPORT........ 11/16/2023......$831,700 363 HEROIC RD..............................................DAVENPORT........ 11/10/2023.... $470,300 503 HATTERAS RD.........................................DAVENPORT......... 11/6/2023.. $1,695,500 1902 VICTORIA ST..........................................DAVENPORT........ 11/13/2023..... $474,700 4000 HWY 17 92.............................................DAVENPORT......... 11/3/2023.$3,750,000 2054 DERWENT DR........................................DAVENPORT.........11/17/2023.... $492,400 604 DARING DR.............................................DAVENPORT.......... 11/7/2023.... $493,800 1407 EUCALYPTUS WAY.................................DAVENPORT........ 10/6/2023.... $494,900 336 PALOMA DR.............................................DAVENPORT.........10/5/2023.....$497,000
LAKE WALES 443 HENNEPIN LOOP..................................... LAKE WALES......... 11/8/2023.... $294,000
LAKELAND
2334 LANCASHIRE ST.....................................DAVENPORT......... 11/9/2023..... $500,100 1025 CRESTVIEW AVE........................................LAKELAND..........11/2/2023.......$52,500 2038 DERWENT DR........................................DAVENPORT.........11/17/2023.... $502,900 309 8TH ST........................................................LAKELAND..........11/2/2023.......$52,500 156 HAMPTON LOOP......................................DAVENPORT......... 11/3/2023.... $570,000 625 W 9TH ST....................................................LAKELAND..........11/2/2023.......$52,500 2265 DERWENT DR.........................................DAVENPORT........11/22/2023.....$583,200 701 VIRGINIA AVE..............................................LAKELAND..........11/2/2023.......$52,500 176 HAMPTON LOOP......................................DAVENPORT........ 11/16/2023....$640,000 904 S WABASH AVE...........................................LAKELAND....... 10/31/2023...... $112,500 1226 CASCADE DR..........................................DAVENPORT........ 11/13/2023.....$655,500 6850 BENTRIDGE DR........................................LAKELAND....... 11/29/2023.....$130,000 2139 DESERT ROSE DR....................................DAVENPORT........ 11/13/2023.....$655,500 6894 BENTRIDGE DR........................................LAKELAND.......... 11/7/2023...... $131,000 2143 DESERT ROSE DR...................................DAVENPORT........ 11/13/2023.....$655,500 2690 STATE PARK RD........................................LAKELAND......... 11/8/2023..... $175,000 2147 DESERT ROSE DR....................................DAVENPORT........ 11/13/2023.....$655,500 4184 SHADE TREE LN........................................LAKELAND........ 11/15/2023.....$235,000 2148 DESERT ROSE DR...................................DAVENPORT........ 11/13/2023.....$655,500 3642 PIONEER TRAILS DR.................................LAKELAND.........10/4/2023.... $240,000 2152 DESERT ROSE DR....................................DAVENPORT........ 11/13/2023.....$655,500 4181 SHADE TREE LN.........................................LAKELAND........ 11/10/2023.... $254,000 2156 DESERT ROSE DR....................................DAVENPORT........ 11/13/2023.....$655,500 1398 W HIGHLAND ST.......................................LAKELAND......... 11/6/2023..... $267,000 2168 DESERT ROSE DR...................................DAVENPORT........ 11/13/2023.....$655,500 3743 PEREGRINE WAY.......................................LAKELAND........ 11/13/2023..... $297,500 2235 ORCHID DR............................................DAVENPORT........ 11/13/2023.....$655,500 6600 GREAT BEAR DR.......................................LAKELAND....... 11/29/2023.... $320,600 2356 ORCHID DR............................................DAVENPORT........ 11/13/2023.....$655,500 6612 GREAT BEAR DR........................................LAKELAND....... 10/31/2023.....$324,300 2522 JACKS RD................................................DAVENPORT........ 11/15/2023.... $739,000 6617 GREAT BEAR DR........................................LAKELAND........11/22/2023.....$325,400
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6609 GREAT BEAR DR.......................................LAKELAND.........11/17/2023.... $326,000 2112 CARTGATE LN..................................... WINTER HAVEN....... 11/28/2023...... $317,700 6605 GREAT BEAR DR.......................................LAKELAND........ 11/16/2023....$340,000 3243 COSTELLO CIR.................................. WINTER HAVEN.......... 11/7/2023.....$320,200 6649 GREAT BEAR DR.......................................LAKELAND....... 10/31/2023.... $344,200 3027 LAUREL OAK LN................................ WINTER HAVEN........ 10/6/2023......$327,700 2325 TIMBERCREEK LOOP................................LAKELAND....... 11/28/2023.... $358,000 3003 FIN RD.............................................. WINTER HAVEN........ 11/15/2023.... $330,000 2043 ROSEWOOD CIR......................................LAKELAND.......... 11/1/2023.... $366,200 3247 COSTELLO CIR.................................. WINTER HAVEN........ 11/10/2023.... $330,400 2040 ROSEWOOD CIR......................................LAKELAND.......... 11/1/2023.... $383,900 3611 GIORGIO DR....................................... WINTER HAVEN..........11/4/2023......$332,100 6597 GREAT BEAR DR........................................LAKELAND......... 11/8/2023.... $386,000 1411 DA VINCI WAY..................................... WINTER HAVEN......... 11/8/2023..... $338,100 5431 KNIGHTS LANDING DR..............................LAKELAND........ 11/10/2023....$408,000 3023 LAUREL OAK LN................................ WINTER HAVEN........ 10/6/2023.....$339,500 5459 KNIGHTS LANDING DR.............................LAKELAND....... 11/26/2023......$411,000 2107 CARTGATE LN.................................... WINTER HAVEN........ 11/27/2023.....$339,900 5444 KNIGHTS LANDING DR............................LAKELAND..........11/2/2023.....$415,000 3320 COSTELLO CIR.................................. WINTER HAVEN......... 11/6/2023.... $358,900 3071 PANTHER DR.............................................LAKELAND........11/22/2023.... $429,000 1137 SANDPIPER LOOP............................... WINTER HAVEN...... 10/30/2023.....$363,500 6694 TREYMONT DR........................................LAKELAND........ 11/27/2023.... $468,300 1433 LEAMINGTON LN............................... WINTER HAVEN...... 10/30/2023...... $367,100 6775 TREYMONT DR.........................................LAKELAND........ 11/21/2023.... $498,200 737 REGGIE RD.......................................... WINTER HAVEN...... 10/30/2023...... $367,100 6678 TREYMONT DR.........................................LAKELAND....... 11/29/2023.....$523,900 1415 DA VINCI WAY.................................... WINTER HAVEN........11/22/2023.... $369,300 7013 BENTRIDGE DR..........................................LAKELAND........ 10/6/2023.... $565,000 115 REAM RD.............................................. WINTER HAVEN....... 10/31/2023.... $370,000 7005 BENTRIDGE DR.........................................LAKELAND....... 10/31/2023.... $695,000 1028 SANDPIPER LOOP............................. WINTER HAVEN...... 10/30/2023......$371,200 2315 OLD POLK CITY RD....................................LAKELAND........ 10/6/2023.... $700,000 120 REAM RD............................................. WINTER HAVEN........ 11/10/2023.....$375,000 1419 DA VINCI WAY.................................... WINTER HAVEN.........11/17/2023.....$382,500
WINTER HAVEN 2104 NW 26TH ST...................................... WINTER HAVEN....... 11/29/2023..... $175,000 6339 GROVE POINTE DR........................... WINTER HAVEN.........10/4/2023.....$190,000 439 FERNANDEZ ST................................... WINTER HAVEN........11/22/2023..... $241,000 3307 COSTELLO CIR.................................. WINTER HAVEN....... 11/30/2023.... $295,600 3311 COSTELLO CIR................................... WINTER HAVEN........ 11/15/2023..... $297,800 2104 CARTGATE LN................................... WINTER HAVEN....... 10/31/2023......$315,700
1106 MICHELANGELO LN........................... WINTER HAVEN......... 11/3/2023..... $398,100 4904 WILLOWBROOK CIR........................ WINTER HAVEN........ 10/9/2023.... $399,900 520 AVENUE B A B C................................. WINTER HAVEN......... 11/9/2023....$400,000 1125 MICHELANGELO LN........................... WINTER HAVEN........ 11/14/2023....$404,000 1110 MICHELANGELO LN............................ WINTER HAVEN........ 10/9/2023.....$414,400 517 SANCTUARY BLVD............................... WINTER HAVEN........ 10/6/2023......$731,500
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EVENT SCHEDULE Check-in: 11:30 a.m. Lunch: 12:00 p.m. Shooting: 1:00 p.m. Awards / Reception: 3:30 p.m.
SCAN TO EXPERIENCE SHOOTER SHOWDOWN
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We’re All Stardust ARIES
TAURUS
GEMINI
CANCER
March 21 - April 19
April 20 - May 20
May 21 - June 20
June 21 - July 22
Hey, energetic Aries! January fuels your fire with fresh energy. It’s a great time to set ambitious goals and charge ahead with determination. Trust your instincts, embrace challenges, and let the cosmic winds guide you towards new heights.
Cosmic earthlings, January invites stability and growth. Cultivate your dreams patiently and watch them bloom. Your cosmic garden is ready for a new season; tend to it with love and dedication, and you’ll reap abundant rewards.
Cosmic twins, your versatility shines in January. Express your creativity in various ways, and let your curiosity lead you on exciting journeys. Your adaptability is your strength; use it to navigate the cosmic dance of life.
Love and harmony surround you in January, Cancer. Nurture your relationships and let your compassionate heart guide you. Share your warmth generously, creating a cozy, loving atmosphere wherever you go. The universe echoes the love you give.
LEO
VIRGO
LIBRA
SCORPIO
July 23 - August 22
August 23 - September 22
September 23 - October 22
October 23 - November 21
Cosmic royalty, January illuminates your path. Let your inner star shine brightly, and lead with a perfect blend of strength and compassion. Spread your light, inspire others, and paint the world with the vibrant colors of your creativity.
Hey there, cosmic healers! January whispers of self-care and introspection. Take time for rejuvenation and self-reflection. Embrace the quiet moments, allowing the universe to replenish your spirit and guide you towards balance.
Cosmic balancers, unite! January is about finding equilibrium. Balance your scales by harmonizing work and play, self and others. Embrace your diplomatic nature and cultivate peace in your connections.
Deep and mysterious Scorpio, January brings transformation. Embrace change and let go of what no longer serves you. Rise anew, like the phoenix, and let your renewed spirit radiate intensity and resilience.
SAGITTARIUS
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
PISCES
November 22 - December 21
December 22 - January 19
January 20 - February 18
February 19 - March 20
Hey, adventurous archer! January calls for exploration and expansion. Follow your wanderlust and seek wisdom in uncharted territories. Let curiosity be your guide and embark on a cosmic journey of self-discovery.
January shines a cosmic spotlight on your ambitions, Capricorn. Channel your practical magic and climb the celestial mountains. Trust your earthly wisdom and know that the universe supports your journey toward manifesting your dreams.
Hey, cosmic innovator! January sparks your revolutionary spirit. Embrace your unique perspective, let creativity flow, and be the change you wish to see. Paint the world with your visionary hues and inspire others to follow your cosmic rhythm.
In January, dive into your dreamy depths, Pisces. Embrace intuition and artistic flow. Let your cosmic imagination roam freely and create masterpieces that speak to the soul. Your dreams are galaxies waiting to be explored.
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