LKLD April 2023

LKLD

Primary care providers give medical exams, help manage chronic conditions, track your medical history, & aid in reaching health and wellness goals. Our providers are accepting new patients and are ready to partner with you in your healthcare journey.

Our Providers

lavio Arana, MD

Cecilia Arango, MD

rmando Doval, MD

Cathy Farrell, MD

Michelle Hall, MD

obinson Koilpillai, MD

Sonali Lakhani, MD

Christopher Lopez, MD

Alexander Magno, MD

Jose Prieto, DO

Pamela Reyes, MD

Juan Rivera, MD-

Maria Rivera-Bonilla, MD

863-293-1191

Andrew Teffeau, DO

Eduardo Torres, MD

Jorge Torres, MD

Ryan Villarreal, MD

MASTERMINDED

Lifetime achievement recognition for: Artists

Arts/Cultural Champions Arts Educators

Hello!

This month we talked with Carter Henne from Sea & Shoreline, about the health of our lakes, rivers, and oceans in Florida. We also talked with Shannon Carnevale, an extension agent at the UF/IFAS Extension in Polk County. She gives us information about what we can do as residents of Polk County to keep our lakes clean and healthy. Earth Day is April 22, hopefully these stories will inspire you.

Daryl Ward, Executive Director of the Polk Arts & Culture Alliance is a contributing writer this month. The Polk Arts & Culture Hall of Fame is accepting nominations, he gives the details for you to nominate someone. The winners will be celebrated at a gala in October.

Keep tagging your posts with #lkldhaven and you might find it in the next issue of Haven. Check out our new horoscope page, our Top Ten lists, and the calendar and hopefully I’ll see you around town. Thanks for your support!

Arts/Cultural Organization of the Year Volunteer of the Year

Arts/Cultural Philanthropist of the Year

Arts Educator of the Year Rising Star

Amy Sexson Editor/Partner Haven & LKLD Magazines Winter Haven Farmers Market centralfloridaTix.com

Destroyer Media & Marketing

amy@destroyermedia.com

An annual rite of passage, Spring Bloom presented by AdventHealth is the most colorful time of the year as thousands of azaleas, camellias, and annuals signal a new season. The festival celebrates the majesty of Mother Nature, now through April 30.

CONCERT UNDER THE STARS SERIES

A partnership of the Lake Wales Arts Council and Bok Tower Gardens, enjoy amazing music, starlit nights, and the beautiful setting for a truly unique concert experience.

AN EVENING WITH THE STEELDRIVERS Friday, April 21

AN EVENING WITH TRAVELIN’ MCCOURYS Friday, April 28

Publisher // Chris Sexson chris@destroyermedia.com

Ad Director // Christine Campbell christine@destroyermedia.com

Editor & Photographer // Amy Sexson amy@destroyermedia.com

Managing Editor & Writer // Tara Crutchfield tara@destroyermedia.com

Art & Production Manager // Steven Maynard steven@destroyermedia.com

Account Representative // Jessica Parker jessica@destroyermedia.com

Graphic Designer // Ella Doyle ella@destroyermedia.com

Media Specialist // Nate Schaller nate@destroyermedia.com

Organizer of Destruction // Nicole Nikdel nicole@destroyermedia.com

Contributing Writers LkldNow.com

Daryl Ward

For advertising information please contact: christine@destroyermedia.com

REVIVING OLD SEARSTOWN

The old Searstown Shopping Center on Memorial Boulevard is scheduled for a revamp. Brian Delutz, one of the new owners of what’s now called Lakeland Town Center, and his partners bought the strip mall last year and said they plan a major expansion, including restaurants and an apartment building in the front and back parking lots. In addition, he and his partners want to keep and restore the once-popular plaza’s elaborate John Garth mosaics, which still adorn the entrance to what is now a Save-A-Lot grocery store. One of the mosaics, created in 1964, was uncovered earlier this year. Delutz removed some of the faux stone wall to discover the second mural is still there and undamaged after being covered, first by paint and then the stone panel. The mosaics, fondly remembered by longtime Lakeland residents, were commissioned by the late Publix founder George Jenkins, whose grandson, Gregory Fancelli, wants to preserve them.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RENOVATION

A partnership between Habitat for Humanity International and Lowe’s helped to renovate a local veteran’s decades old, manufactured home, The Ledger reported. The Lakeland chapter of the international nonprofit provided materials and muscle to help the homeowner, Sunil Persaud, with a complete renovation of the home.

Lakeland Habitat for Humanity CEO Claire Twomey said she became aware of Persaud’s need after he began making regular trips to the Habitat ReStore, the nonprofit’s retail outlet, which sells building supplies at discounted prices. When she learned that Persaud was undertaking the renovation of his newly acquired home, Twomey encouraged him to apply to a program that provides assistance to veterans through the Lowe’s retail chain. It is just the second time that Lakeland Habitat for Humanity has embarked on a renovation project rather than the construction of a new house, Twomey said.

PERSIAN FOOD ARRIVES IN LAKELAND

Farhad and Gianna Rahmani have brought Persian cuisine to Lakeland through a food truck that merges tastes from Farhad’s native Iran with flavors familiar to Americans. The home base for the food truck, Feasts of Persia, is at 3304 S. Florida Ave. in the Marathon gas station parking lot near Walmart and across from Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen. The Winter Haven residents –he is 54 and she is 40 – said they shifted their careers to food service based on friends suggesting Farhad make his cooking more widely available. Their signature dish is a kabob burger, a grilled burger made with a mixture of beef and lamb. Other popular meals include the shish kabob sandwich and the chicken wings kabob.

10 LAKELAND NONPROFITS RECEIVE $2,500 GRANTS

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Lakeland-based payroll and human resources company OMS Group (Outsource Management Solutions) gave away $25,000 to 10 local nonprofit groups nominated by the company’s employees. Each group received a $2,500 grant. Directors of all the organizations said grants in general help them meet their budget requirements. The recipients are: The Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County, Gospel, Inc., Idols Aside, The Lakeland Symphony Orchestra, Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine, Lighthouse Ministries, LkldNow.com, Noah’s Ark of Central Florida Inc., Parker Street Ministries, and VISTE (Volunteers in Service to the Elderly).

CLIMB ON BOARD FOR NEW BUS SERVICE

FlixBus service is planning to stop at Lakeland’s Gow B. Fields Park and Ride, located on U.S. 98 just south of I-4, for routes between Tampa, Orlando and Miami, according to Tom Phillips, executive director of the Citrus Connection. The FlixBus website shows current routes between Tampa, Orlando, and Miami that stop at International Drive, Kissimmee North, Fort Pierce, Fort St. Lucie, Port St. Lucie, West Palm Beach, Hollywood, Miami Golden Gables, Miami Beach, Downtown Miami, and Miami Intermodal Center. FlixBus began in 2013 as a German startup and now operates Europe’s largest long-distance bus network, with routes in Europe, the United States and South America. FlixBus also has a partnership with Greyhound buses, selling their tickets on its website. The fare tickets on the FlixBus website that include a stop at Lakeland Amtrak are operated by Greyhound.

SPECIAL EDUCATION EXPANSION

A long-awaited reorganization of Polk County Public Schools’ exceptional student education department is underway after at least a decade and a half of complaints that students were not receiving the legally mandated services they needed to learn. Tammy Cassels, the district’s new assistant superintendent for learning support, made several requests including immediate funding for 20 new ESE positions and five new behavior/mental health positions. The proposed new positions also include six speech therapists. The additions total $3.1 million for salaries and benefits. The added funding would be offset by money generated from thousands of new students expected in the new school year and, in part, by seeking Medicaid reimbursement for eligible services. The regional teams will include bilingual educators.

POLICE BODY CAMERAS ARE UP AND RUNNING

The Lakeland Police Department began issuing body-worn cameras to sworn officers in December. Patrol officers were the first to receive the cameras, according to Robin Tillett, the department’s spokesperson. As of February, the department had issued 176 of the 250 cameras ordered, Tillett said. The remaining groups to receive cameras are detectives and higher-ranking officers, including captains and above. When officers receive their cameras, they undergo two hours of training. City commissioners in February agreed to buy 15 more cameras to accommodate new recruits. Commissioners approved the purchase of the initial body cameras in December 2021. Mayor Bill Mutz said at the time that the cameras were the top request he heard from community members he spoke with about racial justice protests in Lakeland following the death of George Floyd during an encounter with police in Minneapolis in May 2020.

TRANSPORTATION BILL

Lakeland officials are hoping Gov. Ron DeSantis’ “Moving Florida Forward” bill arrives on his desk for a signature this year because it currently includes $197 million for a major highway project they have spent more than 15 years pursuing. The bill would fund a complete redesign of the State Road 33/ exit 38 interchange at Interstate 4, just west of Florida Polytechnic University. The funding, if approved, would speed up construction by at least four years. “This is the biggest road project we’ve had since the completion of the Polk Parkway in 1999 in terms of scope and cost,” said Chuck Barmby, the city of Lakeland’s Planning & Transportation manager.

THE YMCA IS SET FOR EXPANSION

The Lakeland Family YMCA is one step closer to a major expansion and a new name after the Lakeland Planning and Zoning Board approved a zoning change. The change will allow for the construction of a two-story 41,000-square-foot field house and a 4,000-square-foot addition to the childcare building, plus changes to parking and traffic flow. The plans are part of a $21 million capital improvement project that would dramatically expand the almost 60-year-old facility at 3620 Cleveland Heights Blvd. and nearly double the number of children it can serve. Once completed, the capacity of the YMCA’s summer camps will go from 400 to 800 and the addition of two new classrooms would increase the capacity of the facility’s before- and after-school childcare programming by approximately 50 seats. Phase one of the project could begin in September with the construction of a new 150-space parking lot. Groundbreaking for the field house and wellness complex would follow in March 2024.

POLK THEATER HOSTS “PATH OF THE PANTHER”

Florida conservationist and National Geographic photographer Carlton Ward Jr. brought his latest documentary “Path of the Panther” to the Polk Theater in March. Ward spent years pursuing panthers in Florida’s most forbidding landscapes to produce the 89-minute film, a National Geographic Documentary. Leonardo DiCaprio also served as an executive producer, The Ledger reported. Ward is a native Floridian and a great-grandson of Florida’s 25th governor, Doyle E. Carlton. Florida panthers, the only surviving species of large cats east of the Mississippi River, have rebounded from near extinction but still number only between 120 and 230, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Ward is an advocate for the Florida Wildlife Corridor, a ribbon of pristine land that runs through Lakeland’s Green Swamp and provides safeguards for water, along with habitat for native plants and animals, including the panther. “Path of the Panther” will be available on a streaming platform soon.

BANDIT MARKET

April 1, 11 am – 4 pm at the Ritz Theatre. Bandit is an alternative market with handmade & vintage items from the coolest vendors in Central Florida. Admission is free. Craft cocktails, ready to eat food, and live screen printing are part of the fun, too! More info on FB and IG @thebanditmarket

POLK TOP 10

GOSPEL INC. FUNDRAISER

April 6, 5:30 – 8:30 pm at Bonnet Springs Park. Includes a brief presentation by the executive director, cocktail hour, and dinner. Entertainment will be provided by Dan Signor. The presentation will be on the progress of Gospel Village as they prepare to break ground this year. gospelinc.org/springfundraiser

NATIVE & INVASIVE PLANTS

April 7, 10 am – noon. Join UF/ IFAS Extension Polk County for a class on native plants that grow well in central Florida yards and what invasive plants to watch for and remove at Loyce Harpe Park. Following the class, a guided van tour of Se7en Wetlands will be available to ten people. More info on FB @PolkExtension

BUENA MARKET

April 8, 5 – 9 pm. Hosted by Bonnet Springs Park. Buena Market brings you a night market with 50+ makers, artists, and vintage vendors on the Family Lawn of BSP. The Cafe and Rooftop Bar will be open late. Free admission & music by DJ T. Couture. More info on IG @buenamarket

ROB ICKES & TREY HENSLEY

April 15, 7:30 pm at Gram Parsons Derry Down. Take a 15-time IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Dobro Player of the Year and a Tennessee-born guitar prodigy called “Nashville’s hottest young player” by Acoustic Guitar magazine, and you have Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley. gpderrydown.com

SWAN BREWING 5TH ANNIVERSAY

April 20 – 23 at Swan Brewing’s Downtown location. Celebrate 5 amazing years of beer with Swan Brewing! They’ll have new beer releases, live music from your favorite artists, and the best food trucks in Central Florida! The party starts at noon each day.

POLK AT NITE

April 20, 5 – 8 pm at the Polk Museum of Art. Ticket includes chill beats by DJ Jenks, complimentary small bites from Sabu Ramen, craft cocktails from Cob & Pen (first drink free), and access to the current exhibits. Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere to mingle & explore the museum. centralfloridatix.com

THE SUPERSTAR SPORTS PARTY

April 22, 7 pm at Publix Field. Proceeds go to the Larry Libertore Youth Sports Scholarship program for underprivileged youth to participate in sports camps and leagues. Enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres, complimentary beer & wine, silent auction, live music by The Big Chill, and a cash bar. libfund.org

SWAN DERBY

April 28, 5:30 – 9 pm on the promenade on Lake Mirror. This is an annual ‘Derby Style’ event featuring swan boat races, live entertainment, food vendors, a derby hat contest and fireworks! This is a free community event for all ages to enjoy. Proceeds support Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine. lvim.net/swan-derby

TRAVELIN’ MCCOURYS

April 28 at 7 pm at Bok Tower Gardens. The McCoury brothersRonnie (mandolin) and Rob (banjo) – were born into the bluegrass tradition. They change the traditional bluegrass sound with innovative pathways into 21st century music. Registration required, purchase online. boktowergardens.org

ORLANDO TOP 10

ORLANDO BURGER WEEK

Through April 12 at participating restaurants. From gourmet blends to off-menu specialties and even beer pairings, each will prepare their unique take on the burger, with a popular vote declaring “Orlando’s Greatest Burger!” All burgers are $10 or under, 30 restaurants to choose from. orlandoburgerweek.com

RUNDISNEY

April 13 - 16. During the runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend, you’ll wind your way through Walt Disney World Resort on some familiar fan-favorite courses, including Expedition Everest 5K, Race for the Taste 10K, and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler, with some new twists and turns. rundisney.com

FLORIDA FILM FESTIVAL

April 14 - 23 at the Enzian Theater. This is an oscar-qualifying festival, premiering the best in current, independent, and international cinema. 160+ films, 24 World Premieres representing 37 countries, and film lovers can also mingle with filmmakers and celebrities. floridafilmfestival.com

FOREST BATHING

April 16 & 30 from 11 am - 1 pm. Forest Bathing is inspired by the Japanese practice of ‘shinrin yoku.’ Experience nature through your senses, listen and spend intentional time with the plants, the wind, the rocks, the water, and the birds of Mead Botanical Garden. Register online. meadgarden.org

CHICAGO

April 18 - 23 at Dr. Phillips Center. Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of this Tony Award-winning musical. A universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz, with one show-stopping song after another. See and hear all the razzle-dazzle of Broadway with non-stop dance performances. drphillipscenter.org

SPAZMATICS

April 20, 7 pm at Boxi Park in Lake Nona. Internationally renowned as “The Ultimate 80s New Wave Tribute,” the Spazmatics come Complete with skinny ties, Brill Creamed hair, and horn-rimmed glasses. They recapture all the best, of the worst for a very fun night with outstanding musicianship. boxiparklakenona.com

SOMETHING ROTTEN!

April 21 - May 21 at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden. Brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are stuck in the shadow of famed playwright William Shakespeare. Sick and tired of failure, the Bottom Brothers scramble to write the world’s first musical to outshine everyone else. gardentheatre.org

SCIENCE OF WINE

April 22, 8 - 11 pm at the Orlando Science Center. Uncork your inner sommelier and see presentations on multiple aspects of wine growing and wine tasting in addition to samples of more than 150 fine wines from the world’s most important wine regions. osc.org/visit/events/wine

WINTER PARK PAINT OUT

April 23 - 29 at the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens. Twenty-three professionallyacclaimed plein air artists will paint at the Polasek Museum and other locations throughout Winter Park and Orlando. Art lovers are invited to watch the artists at work and attend free painting demonstrations. winterparkpaintout.org

ORLANDO POTTERY FESTIVAL

April 29, 9 am - 5 pm at the Florida Army National Guard Armory. This is Central Florida’s largest spring celebration and market of ceramic art, featuring unique handmade items created by 50+ talented local artists. Shop from decorative and practical home pieces made by hand. orlandopotteryfestival.org

TAMPA TOP 10

ROCKIN ROLLER RINK

Through April 9 from 11 am - 10 pm at the St. Pete Pier. Grab your crew, tie those laces, and skate on the first ever outdoor roller rink. Enjoy musical theme nights, disco balls, lights effects, live bands, live DJs, glow nights, and so much more. All ages, skate rentals available, purchase tickets in advance. rockinrollerrinkstpete.com

POTTERY DATE NIGHT

Every Friday & Saturday at The Hive in St. Pete. The instructors will help you throw a piece on the wheel and get creative with a hand built piece as well. Each participant will keep two pieces to go into the fire. BYOB, no liquor. Come back in 10 days to glaze. Reserve in advance at thehivestpete.com

TASTE AT THE STRAZ

April 1, 7 pm on the Straz Center Riverwalk. This annual fundraiser gives you access to the Bay area’s best food, craft brews, cocktails, and more. With multiple stages of live music, TASTE is an evening of eating, drinking, and experiencing our region’s extraordinary culture. strazcenter.org

PIER 60 SUGAR SAND FESTIVAL

Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival is a 17-day sand sculpting festival.The showcase of the festival is The Sugar Sand Walk Exhibit. This ticketed exhibit can only be seen once a year. Stroll through a 21,000 square-foot tent filled with sand sculpted art crafted by world-class sculptors using Clearwater’s famous sugar sand. sugarsandfestival.com

MISS NELSON IS MISSING

April 13 - 16 at the Straz Center. The students of Room 207 are in for a surprise when Miss Nelson turns up missing and is replaced by Viola Swamp, a scary substitute teacher. See what happens to this group of spitball-throwing, uncontrollable children, based on the quirky children’s book. Strazcenter.org

WALK MS

April 15, the Site opens at 8 am, walk begins at 9:30 am at Al Lopez Park. Choose from a 1-mile or 3-mile route. Walk MS brings people together for a powerful purpose: to end MS forever. Feel the support and take steps to fuel breakthroughs, solutions, and a cure. Register in advance. ntlms.org/walkMS23

SPRING PLANT FESTIVAL

April 15 & 16 from 10 am - 3 pm at USF Botanical Gardens. There will be vendors selling plants and plant-related items. Vendors are commercial growers and local clubs from throughout the state and are expert growers available to field your questions. usf.edu/gardens

AIR PLANTS & ASTROLOGY

April 18 at Armature Works. In this workshop, you will create a personalized air plant terrarium while learning about your birth charts. They will guide you through the signs in your birth chart, to inspire your crystal choices for your glass globe terrarium that perfectly reflects you. Reserve in advance. armatureworks.com

STEVE MARTIN & MARTIN SHORT

April 28, 8 pm at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. The jokes come at you at a rapid-fire pace with little set-up and big punch lines as they mock Hollywood and lovingly (and relentlessly) roast each other. Add the Pre-Show Dining or the Pre-Show Party Package for an additional cost. rutheckerdhall.com

GASPARILLA MUSIC FESTIVAL

April 29 & 30 at Curtis Hixon Park. The GMF features 30 bands on the main stage and along the riverwalk plus drinks and amazing food from Tampa’s best restaurants. Proceeds from the festival benefit youth music education. VIP package available for additional charge. Purchase tickets in advance. gasparillamusic.com

there’s no place like

home...

when you are at The Estates

WORDS

We are surrounded by water, both fresh and salt. What happens when an aquatic ecosystem becomes unbalanced or worse? We sat over coffee with Sea & Shoreline President and Partner Carter Henne to discuss seagrass solutions, saving Crystal River, and how you can help keep Florida water bodies clean.

Winter Haven-born biologist Carter Henne lives in Polk County with his wife, Dr. Michelle Henne, and their two dogs. The avid angler and outdoorsman grew up on Lake Daisy. “It was interesting to see Lake Daisy go from a really undeveloped lake to a developed lake and the changes that went along with that,” he reflected. In high school, he co-founded the Winter Haven Competitive Bass Fishing Team – the first in the country. “It allowed me to get my competitive side out in a sport that I really loved,” Henne said.

Henne attended the University of South Florida, where he obtained a degree in Biology. The Polk County boy who ‘loved the water’ and getting his hands dirty was fixated on aquaculture. “I thought that by farming fish, you’d be able to save the world. You don’t see chickens or cows going extinct anytime soon,” he said. In college, he interned at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) and started farming redfish, sea trout, and blue crab for the state. “I loved it, but there wasn’t a clear career path to stay in the country and do aquaculture.” As he learned more about habitat restoration, he dove headfirst into working as the Chief Biologist and Project Manager with Seagrass Recovery, Inc. In 2014, he joined Sea & Shoreline Founder and Partner Jim Anderson in his efforts to restore rivers, lakes, lagoons, and estuaries and “pioneer innovative technologies that help to ensure the long-term success of restoration projects.” Henne serves as the lead biologist, partner, and president for Sea & Shoreline.

Since 2014, the Florida-based aquatic restoration firm has grown from six to 100 employees and counting. Henne attributes this to apt timing and a resounding need for their services. His primary responsibilities are restoration project acquisition and management and the ensured growth of Sea & Shoreline. Henne’s first success metric is hiring new people and “pouring love” into their team. “It means we’re doing something correctly, and we’re providing a benefit to the communities. We’re providing a service that people want, and we’re effectively doing it if they continue to rehire us, and we’re able to grow.”

The company’s mission is to restore aquatic ecosystems, with an emphasis on seagrass and the vital part it plays in cleaning the water, stabilizing sediment, sequestering harmful nutrients that cause algae, and providing food and habitat for fish and animals. Sea & Shoreline is the largest seagrass restoration company in the world and, until last year, the only commercial seagrass nursery. Sea & Shoreline has planted over one million seagrass plants in Florida waterways. In addition to their submerged aquatic vegetation/seagrass restoration, the company offers services including dredging, propeller scar restoration, oyster reefs, wetland plants, living shorelines, coral reefs, mitigation banks, wave attenuation devices, surveying and mapping, and vegetated retaining walls. Henne said, “You can’t feed yourself on biology alone. I tell everyone, ‘We do marine contracting to pay for our seagrass addiction.’”

Sea & Shoreline has grown outside of the Sunshine State into the Carolinas, Louisiana, and most recently, acquired licensing in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Their focus is to serve the southeast coastal and Caribbean for now. Sea & Shoreline have refined their restoration process, with Henne describing their projects as a sort of “cut, paste, repeat,” adding, “There are environmental issues surrounding water, water quality, development, and growth. How do you do that responsibly?”

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Tara Crutchfield

WHY IT’S NECESSARY

The cause is essential for animals, the environment, and humans. As Sea & Shoreline states, “All life depends on water to survive. When these ecosystems become unbalanced, they pose health risks to not only humans but also to plants and animals that rely on the water to live.” According to Henne, ninety percent of all commercially derived seafood depends on a seagrass meadow for some point in its lifecycle. “One acre of seagrass is worth roughly $50,000 a year back to ecosystem services, back to the state whether that’s commercial fishing, recreational fishing, habitat, sediment stabilization, [or] nutrient buffering.”

As for the human health concern unbalanced ecosystems pose, he invoked Florida’s largest lake. “Lake Okeechobee needs 26,000 acres of submerged aquatic vegetation to function as a wetland. After Hurricane Irma, it had less than 6,000 acres,” Henne said. “All those nutrients go from a plant to phytoplankton which is algae. Then you saw these phytoplankton blooms going east and west out of the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries.” The algae’s Microcystis toxin caused health concerns.

Red tide is another example. Though red tide is a naturally occurring phenomenon, Henne explained, “When those red tides kill fish, those dead fish wash into backend canals. They sink, they rot, and create anoxic conditions. [That] creates algal blooms, which further reduces seagrass. Then you lose those ecosystem services. [...] It’s the death by a thousand cuts. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We’re trying to get ahead of some of these environmental disasters, calamities, issues.”

Submerged plants, namely seagrass, are the tool Sea & Shoreline uses to address these issues, which also has a marked economic impact. During a relatively small project, about $50,000, Sea & Shoreline planted in a Martin County stormwater canal. “It had the same effects of water quality filtration as a $5M stormwater pond,” Henne said. The project was an added benefit to those communities to be able to filter their water economically. “It’s my job to be able to A: Identify the benefits. And B: articulate them,” he said.

Sea & Shoreline has worked to temper its habitat restoration methods. Seagrass mitigation projects of the past were going for about a million dollars an acre. “It was cost-prohibitive to use on restoration. But we’ve been working on refining the process, and we’re sub $50,000 an acre right now. […] If you think about seagrass being worth somewhere between $20,000 to $50,000 of ecosystem services back to the state every year, you’ve got a one to threeyear return on investment.”

Seagrass is a veritable Swiss army knife for aquatic habitat restoration. In one function, it acts as a nursery for fish, Henne explained. “Seawater is about 32 parts per thousand (ppt) salinity. Freshwater is zero ppt. Juvenile fish need to stay around 9-15 ppt salinity. That’s why these rivers and the upper parts of these bays are so important because it’s the nursery ground for all these juvenile fish. One acre of seagrass supports 40,000 fish and 50 million small invertebrates. It protects them, and it provides food for them.”

Seagrasses also filter out water quality. Henne used the example of going inside after a barefoot walk along the beach. If you walk across the tile floor, your feet will remain sandy. But, if you walk across the carpet, it will scrape that sand from your feet. “That’s what seagrasses are doing,” Henne said. “They’re sequestering all the suspended particles out of the water column, and then they’re stabilizing the seabed.”

It’s hard to see the trajectory of a waterbody going from an algae-dominated system to a plant-dominated system. “I can’t tell you when it does it or what the exact acreage is – but when you see the flip, it’s apparent,” Henne said. “That day when you can see the switch go to the positive side is incredibly fulfilling.”

THE CRYSTAL RIVER PROJECT

Though Sea & Shoreline provides a niche service, the company touches many components of the Florida lifestyle. Clients approach the organization seeking various solutions to environmental issues. The Angler Action Foundation, for example, is planting to increase fisheries. In Martin County, the aim was to sequester sediments and clarify water before it goes into the Indian River Lagoon, and in Crystal River, they worked to beat algal blooms.

Henne called Crystal River a center point for merging issues – endangered species management, invasive species management, algal blooms, water quality, and “how do we deal with coastal communities and how they interact with what’s natural and what’s not natural?”

A waterbody exists in two stable states, Henne explained – either a plantdominated or algae-dominated system. Crystal River was a plant-dominated system until the climatic impact of the 1993 “no-name storm,” which sent a saltwater plume, killing all the hydrilla in its system and switching it to an algae-dominated system. “It couldn’t recover because now there were dense algal blooms, there was muck on the bottom, and any plant that was there, the manatee would come by and rip it out,” Henne said. Seagrasses are manatee’s primary food source. “It’s not the manatee’s fault,” he added. Whenever a sea cow came by to eat, they would pull the plant up from the soft bed. If the ground were harder, the manatee would eat the leaves, leaving the plant for its leaves to grow back.

“Save Crystal River was formed as a response to government oversight,” Henne said. “It was a small, tight-knit community of locals. U.S. Fish and Wildlife started taking over and cutting off access to different parts of the bay, and the residents that grew up there didn’t like that.” Save Crystal River is a non-profit, grassroots organization on a mission to address the damage done by human and environmental factors that had made the river inhospitable for sea life and recreation alike. The community banded together to raise funding for land acquisition and restoration. Save Crystal River raised funding in Tallahassee for a demonstration project which included a vacuuming out of all the algal bloom, the macroalgae on the bottom, and the muck. Sea & Shoreline reduced it to a hard mineralized substrate and planted native eelgrass. “It was tough going in the beginning. The problem is scale,” Henne said. The project showed success, so Save Crystal River returned to Tallahassee and raised more funding.

“They got everyone in line behind a cohesive mission,” said Henne. “That’s critical for any large-scale transformational change in a water body.” Six years later, the project is ongoing. Sea & Shoreline restored over 80 acres which have rippled into over 200 acres of naturally recruited native, dense submerged plants throughout the system. “Now the manatees have something to eat. The water clarity went from about 2-3 feet in visibility. Now it’s upwards of 20-30 feet,” Henne said.

Crystal River is Sea & Shoreline’s second largest project, beaten out in scale only by their current Caloosahatchee project, which will be over 100 acres of directly planted submerged vegetation.

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Photo by Amy Sexson

Photo Provided by Sea & Shoreline

Perhaps more important than the restoration itself will be ongoing efforts to protect that work. Crystal River is a hot spot for people moving to Florida from out of state. Unaware of the river’s condition years earlier and the exhaustive work to restore it, new residents are calling to remove the seagrasses.

“Ongoing education is critical to maintaining Florida in some semblance of balance,” Henne said. “We’ve effectively turned back the hands of time from predevelopment era to developed, and now they’ve done all the septic to sewer conversions, all the fertilizer ordinances, all the things we talk about. […] Now they’re on a good track for sustainability.”

With its abundance of rolling seagrass meadows, Henne said of the Crystal River Project, “It’s the poster child for manatee health now.”

CONSERVATION COMMON GROUND

In a state divided on a great many issues – protecting our natural spaces has proven uncontentious. Polk County saw that with last year’s rally behind and passage of the Environmental Lands Acquisition and Management Referendum, thanks in no small part to Polk Forever, a nonpartisan political committee of volunteers.

Communities, both red and blue, are opting to tax themselves in the name of conservation. In a November 17, 2022, article titled “Florida’s Green Wave,” Conservation Florida President and CEO Traci Deen wrote, “Voters in Polk, Brevard, Indian River, Alachua, Pasco, and Nassau counties turned out during a surprise November hurricane to cast a vote for wild Florida. These counties join Collier, Volusia, and Manatee in passing recent measures that support natural resource protection.”

Henne noted, “It’s apolitical because we now have to sleep in the bed we’ve made.” Altruism and duty to the environment aside, the issue has become a common ground because it makes economic sense. According to the Indian River Lagoon Basin Management Action Plan, “the return on investment from achieving water quality and seagrass restoration goals is 33 to 1,” for that project. Investments in improved water quality and seagrass beds mean considerable economic benefits for the region.

In 2016, Brevard County voted to impose a ½ cent sales tax providing almost $500M for wastewater infrastructure projects and aquatic restoration over ten years. Part of that sales tax goes to the Save Our Indian River Lagoon Program, which is “designed to address excess nitrogen and phosphorus

pollution to the Indian River Lagoon through various projects to reduce pollution inputs, remove legacy loads of pollution, and restore natural filtration systems,” according to www.brevardfl.gov. It is estimated that this program will bring in up to $542M in revenue over ten years.

Natural spaces, specifically coastal communities, are embedded in Florida’s economy and lifestyle. “Tourism is a main driver of the economy, and if people aren’t coming to the state because of bad water quality – it becomes a return on investment [issue]. […] Everyone understands that an investment in the environment, an investment in education, an investment in good law enforcement is just good for communities all around,” Henne said.

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

Wondering what you can do to keep Florida water bodies clean? Sea & Shoreline shared a few easy ways you can help reduce polluted runoff from homes:

Properly dispose of hazardous household items by checking with your county waste management service to find out what hazardous materials they accept.

• Reduce or eliminate the use of fertilizers and chemical herbicides and pesticides.

• Make sure to check your septic system annually.

• Make a rain garden in a low-lying area planted with native species that can handle wet soil to help reduce flooding and erosion and filter runoff.

• Always remember to clean up after your pet.

To learn more about Florida’s ecosystems, Carter Henne recommends the “Naturally Florida” podcast hosted by Shannon Carnevale and Lara Milligan. And for those curious about marine science – the “So You Want to Be a Marine Biologist?” podcast. You don’t have to be a biologist to slow the issues that Sea & Shoreline work to ameliorate. Small changes make the most significant difference. Education, policy, and leading by example are key. “There are no silver bullets in this,” Henne said. “It’s a game of net sums.”

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Shannon Carnevale

A love for nature and science landed Natural Resources and Conservation Extension Agent II, M.S., Shannon Carnevale, her dream job. Now she spends her days researching, planning programs, hosting a podcast, and sharing that love with others. We chatted with Carnevale about her career, the “Naturally Florida” podcast, civic engagement, and small changes citizens can make to foster Florida’s wild spaces.

Shannon Carnevale and her husband, City of Winter Haven Public Works Director M.J. Carnevale, hail from West Palm Beach. “M.J. and I both, because we were in Scouts, grew up camping and hiking and being outdoors,” said Carnevale. Her parents were Scout leaders, and her dad encouraged her to join a co-ed group in the program called Venture Crew. The Crew would travel across the country for summer camps and backpacking trips on high-adventures like white water kayaking, rock climbing, and hiking. Carnevale even did an eight-day hike over 100 miles through the Sangre De Cristo Mountains. “I grew up loving the outdoors, and I knew I didn’t want a traditional desk job,” she said.

Shannon and M.J. became high school sweethearts and attended college together at the University of Florida. She initially studied Environmental Engineering in college, hoping to work in ecosystem management. After finding the field different from what she’d expected, she looked into forestry. Shannon was interested in how M.J., who’d switched to forestry, talked about the coursework and potential career paths after graduating. After talking to the academic advisor at what was formerly called the School of Forestry, Carnevale transferred her major.

A seminar series in her senior year inspired Carnevale to go after her current job. Every other week in the class, a professional would speak to the students about what field they had gone into with their forestry degree. The term’ forestry’ might evoke images of a park ranger, but the field is much broader than that, including production forestry, habitat management, environmental lands, and beyond.

Her professor spoke one week about the 30 percent of his job as an extension agent. He told the class, “All the research we do in school is only as good as we can communicate it with the people who need to use it.” His extension job entailed reading scientific journal articles, going to training, and perpetually learning. He would then relay that information to professionals managing land. “I just fell in love with it,” Carnevale said. “You’re telling me I can be a student (sort of) but get paid like an adult, and I still get to go outside and meet with land managers?” She was all in.

In 2010, she began interviewing and was hired for her dream job as the Polk County Natural Resources and Conservation Extension Agent II, M.S., for US/ IFAS. Her interview at the Bartow extension office was her first-time visiting Polk County, which she and M.J. now call home.

NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION

“The Natural Resources and Conservation program in Polk County is committed to improving the current state of our local ecosystems through natural resources educational programs,” according to their website. “By sharing science-based information to improve upon current management and land use practices, the Natural Resources and Conservation Extension Program will improve the function of our natural systems.”

Carnevale’s job is different all the time. In an academic role, employed by both UF and Polk County, Carnevale is responsible for touching on Florida’s ecosystems in Polk and reporting back to the university. That academic reporting is what she’s working on this time of year – looking at engagement rates, surveys, and what people are learning from her podcast, “Naturally Florida.”

Carnevale also plans engaging nature-focused in-person programming. She has several upcoming trainings, including Introduction to Backpacking and Camping (in-person and webinar), Leave No Trace webinars, a new multi-week water course for the public (in-person only) called Florida Waters Stewardship Program, and webinars about wildlife and wildlife safety for families over summer break.

The extension program is a taxpayer-funded operation. “We’re not out to make a profit, which is different than a lot of places. We can be flexible. We can bring in experts, and we try to charge as little as possible.” Carnevale partners with businesses and parks around the county for events and programs held at the Bartow extension office, Circle B Bar Reserve, Bonnet Springs Park, and beyond. The Natural Resources and Conservation Extension Agent discussed an upcoming in-person event at Circle B Bar Reserve called the Heartland CISMA Invasive Species Workshop. Targeted toward anyone who works outside with plants – biologists, land managers, technicians – the April 12 program is a combination of classroom workshops and in-the-field training.

Throughout the morning, speakers from across the state will give presentations, including an updated treatment plan for invasive plant species and an update on invasive mosquito species from Polk County BoCC Entomologist Jackson Mosley. After lunch, they will split into groups, with one group learning how to calibrate spray equipment on the lawn adjacent to the classroom and the other learning to identify plant species in the ‘Garden of Evil,’ a patio brought in by FWC with 125 different plants. The groups will switch after an hour to give everyone the opportunity to participate in both breakout sessions.

Carnevale holds events for the general public as well. Several times a year, she guides a two-hour nature night hike. “We ask [participants] what do you want to see? What do you want to hear? What are you afraid of after dark? All

we’re trying to do is get people comfortable being in a natural area after dark. One of the big barriers to people going out on their own and doing outdoor recreation like camping is because they’re scared of it.”

Immersive outdoor events like Carnevale’s night hikes are an ideal way to show people how to become more comfortable in our natural spaces. The extension agent remembers a kayak trip she took with the City a few years ago – specifically, one terrified little girl. She said, “By the end of the one-anda-half-hour tour, not only was she so excited and wanted to go kayaking that weekend, but she was jumping around in the water trying to catch fish with her hands. A dragonfly landed on her, and it wasn’t the end of the world. That’s a win.”

THE “NATURALLY FLORIDA” PODCAST

The “Naturally Florida” podcast hosted by Shannon Carnevale and Lara Milligan has a target audience of professionals who otherwise can’t or won’t come to an extension program workshop. Carnevale described the audience as busy people who are likely working, caring for children, or both – and are looking to learn a little bit about the natural world around them. One of the reasons they started the podcast was to “bottle up” all the fun facts they had to share. All about “Florida’s natural areas and the wild things that live here,” the podcast is brought to listeners by UF/IFAS Extension’s Natural Resources programs in Polk and Pinellas Counties. “One of our main objectives for our program is to increase science literacy related to our natural ecosystems,” Carnevale said. She and Milligan, both extension agents, touch on a broad swath of topics on the podcast. This includes individual species profiles (like the native Green Anole) and concepts like prescribed fire and the natural role of fire in our ecosystems, urban heat islands, and lake health.

“It’s an introduction level to all of these different topics. My goal is that someone listens to it who otherwise wouldn’t come to an environmental

program and is like, ‘Hm, that’s kind of cool. I want to go into the show notes and find those resources they shared. Maybe I want to go to an extension program. Maybe I just want to go on a nature hike at my park,’” Carnevale said. “Anything where we can try to help get people who maybe weren’t raised with a culture of hiking and camping outside to enjoy that natural area. [...] If people don’t have a connection to those areas, nobody values them, and if we don’t value them, we don’t try to protect them.”

SMALL CHANGES

“Small changes by every citizen can contribute to a brighter tomorrow for our natural environment,” reads an excerpt from the UF/IFAS Natural Resources and Conservation Extension Program webpage. What are some of these ‘small changes?’ “For Polk County residents, the easiest thing people can do is control their stormwater,” said Carnevale. “Stormwater is all the water that hits your home, driveway, or sidewalk and then runs into the street. If you can keep that water on your property and let it soak into the ground, you will help everything in Winter Haven. You’ll help our lakes and our drinking water.”

She described our lakes as ‘sinkhole lakes,’ putting it simply, “They fill from the bottom. They seep up and from the sides.” Rain falls, and stormwater pipes dump water into them, but “water is filtered by the soil and the soil microbes that live in the soil. It helps reduce the over-nutrification of our water. (Think fertilizers, dog waste, cat waste, pollution from cars, brake dust, that sort of thing.) Having your water on your lawn, it can soak in, and it will be clean by the time it gets to our lakes.”

For example, Carnevale noted that it only takes water that falls in downtown Winter Haven less than a minute to get to Lake Howard, “and everything it touches, it takes with it.” The City of Winter Haven implemented rain gardens downtown to trap that water. The water goes into the rain garden and has a chance to collect and seep. “If we get a really big gully washer, and we get a

ton of rain in a short timeframe, it will do what we call ‘pop off.’ It’ll overflow the rain garden and then go into a drain. It gives it that little percolation area first.”

Carnevale encourages citizens to turn their gutters away from the driveway and into their lawn. This tip applies countywide. Your yard may be a good candidate for a rain garden if you have sandy soil. If you have any questions about whether or not a rain garden would work in your yard, you can call the extension office for assistance.

“If you happen to live lakefront, having emergent plants (plants that grow up out of the water) at least for part of your lakefront, that will help with erosion control and water quality,” she added. “That emergent vegetation’s root zone is where a lot of the nutrient cycling happens, which improves water quality and clarity over time. So not killing all the plants on your lakefront is a big thing.”

Those living in an apartment complex or condo can work with their property manager to see if a Florida-Friendly Landscape can be planted around the complex. “Florida-Friendly Landscapes use less fertilizer, fewer pesticides, less water, and they also tend to highlight species that are good for our local area,” Carnevale explained.

GET INVOLVED

“If people care about green space, whatever form it may be – agriculture, parks, all these things – they need to get involved.” The community can make many ‘small changes’ to care for our natural spaces, but Carnevale emphasized civic engagement. “Get involved with your City government. Join those committees, show up at visioning meetings, participate in surveys they put out,” she said. “They want to know what the residents want as far as urban forests are concerned, park land, natural areas, and development.”

To get the most from your engagement, get involved early. “With natural resources, people don’t care until they’re gone, and when they’re gone, it’s really hard to get them back,” Carnevale said.

You can engage with US/IFAS by listening to the “Naturally Florida” podcast, attending workshops and webinars, and subscribing to the “Your Polk Yard” newsletter. The newsletter is composed by Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for the UF/IFAS Extension of Polk County, Anne Yasalonis, with contributions from other extension agents, like Carnevale. It covers everything from vegetable gardening, flower gardening, lawn care, wildlife you may see in residential areas, really anything to do with your yard. Find this email newsletter on their website (sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/polk). And if you have a stubborn plant problem, try the Plant Clinic (863-519-1057 or polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu).

You can call, email, walk in, or video call with the plant clinic to troubleshoot plant problems; soil pH testing; insect, disease, and plant identification; Florida-Friendly Landscaping recommendations; and vegetable and fruit tree growing assistance.

With more classes than we can count, the Extension Program hosts small farms programming, 4-H youth development, nutrition and budgeting, and more. “We have so much to offer,” Carnevale said. Those interested in Extension can visit the Extension Program Facebook page for various events or visit the website to read up on blog posts.

Natural Resources and Conservation

UF/IFAS Extension Polk County 863-519-1051

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scarnevale@ufl.edu

sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/polk

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Daryl Ward, PhD Executive Director Polk Arts & Cultural Alliance

Democracy and Arts & Culture

When communities come together to celebrate what makes those communities unique or special, memorable things usually happen. This October at Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland, just such an evening will take place – the 2023 Polk Arts & Culture Hall of Fame Gala presented by CORE Wealth Advisors. The event will feature live music, great food, and local artwork, but the highlight of the night will be the time spent honoring and celebrating the arts and cultural icons of Polk County by inducting the 2023 Class into the Polk Arts & Culture Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame was created in 2014 – its first inductee was visual artist, Richard Powers – with the goal of recognizing Polk County individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts and cultural community in Polk County or who have enhanced Polk’s national or international reputation as a county with a strong and sustained commitment toward the development of cultural excellence. Physically located within the Art & Culture exhibit on the second floor of the Polk County History Center in Bartow, the exhibit gives recognition to Polk’s arts & cultural individuals who have raised awareness of or made significant contributions that have enriched Polk’s arts and cultural community. Currently there are eight members in the Polk Arts & Culture Hall of Fame, with the most recent being Meri Mass who was inducted last year as a Champion of the Arts for her work serving as the Executive Director of the Polk Arts Alliance. You can see all the members by visiting the polkarst.org website.

This year’s event will also see the return of the annual arts and culture awards that had previously been used to recognize local individuals and organizations for their contributions to the arts and cultural community during the preceding year. These awards are specifically designed to honor the current work being done in our communities while the Hall of Fame designation is a lifetime achievement honor. Jennifer D’hollander, the current president of the Polk Arts & Cultural Alliance Board of Directors, is especially excited about the opportunity to pay tribute to those who are making Polk County a thriving arts and cultural destination. “It is so important to recognize outstanding individuals who have been paramount to the development of the arts and cultural field in Polk County and beyond. We are proud to be accepting nominations

for both the Hall of Fame and the annual awards and look forward to announcing new inductees and award-winners this fall.”

If the Hall of Fame and the Polk Arts & Culture Awards are to be truly representative of the entirety of Polk County, then the voices of Polk Countians must be heard. This is where the democracy part comes in. Starting on April 1, the Polk Arts & Cultural Alliance is asking for community input into both the Hall of Fame Class of 2023 and Polk Arts & Cultural Annual Award honorees.

The nomination process, which starts on April 1, closes on April 20 after which the Polk Arts & Cultural Alliance will gather the nominations and then select the award winners. Nominees for the Polk Arts & Culture Hall of Fame can be nominated in one of three categories:

ARTIST:

Artists of all disciplines are eligible: theatre, visual arts, performing arts, music, etc.

ARTS & CULTURAL CHAMPION:

Non-artist individuals who through philanthropy, advocacy, leadership, or all three - have championed the arts/cultural opportunities in Polk County.

ARTS & CULTURAL EDUCATOR:

Individuals whose primary lifelong contribution to arts/culture has been in the realm of arts/cultural education.

If you are interested in nominating someone for the Hall of Fame, please consider the life-long community impact of the nominee’s work, contributions, leadership, etc. to arts/cultural initiatives in Polk County. Additionally, previous residents of Polk County (for a minimum of five years) who have gone on to make significant contributions to arts and culture on the national or international level are also eligible for nomination.

Community members may also nominate individuals or organizations for the Polk Arts & Culture Awards in the following categories:

ARTS/CULTURAL ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR:

Honors an arts/cultural organization for their work in their respective communities AND recognizes outreach efforts that promote Polk as an art and/or cultural destination. Awardees could include nonprofit organizations, creative industry organizations, or local municipalities that meet the expectations of this award.

ARTS/CULTURAL PHILANTHROPIST OF THE YEAR:

This award is presented to an organization or individual whose philanthropic support of arts and cultural programming has advanced the status of Polk County as an arts/cultural destination.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR:

Honors an arts/cultural volunteer for their work within a specific organization – especially recognizes work that reaches beyond the specific organization for which they served to assist multiple arts and/or cultural organizations.

ARTS/CULTURAL EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR:

This award recognizes a local arts or cultural educator for their work with students. Awardees may be public/private school teachers, higher-ed teachers, or private art teachers.

RISING STAR AWARD:

Honors an individual who works to advance the arts/cultural community – specifically honors those who seek to expand Polk’s reputation as an arts/cultural destination. Awardees may be volunteers or paid staff of local arts and cultural organizations.

With both recognition programs, it is important to make sure that award recipients represent all regions of our county. This means considering individuals and organizations from a variety of geographic sections of Polk. From Frostproof to Davenport and from Lake Wales to Mulberry, Polk is fortunate to have such vibrant arts and cultural communities throughout the county. Additionally, attention must be given to racial and ethnic factors when considering whom to recognize with these honors. Just like with the geographic diversity of our county, the arts, and cultural work being done by people of color is integral to Polk’s desire to be a “destination for arts and culture.”

All the information regarding nominating an individual or organization can be found on the Polk Arts & Cultural Alliance’s website, polkarts.org.

I’m confident that the citizens of Polk County will provide us with numerous individuals worthy of recognition for their arts and cultural achievements. In fact, we’re so confident of this that we’re keeping the nominations on file for three years – no need to nominate the same individual/organization next year as we’ll already have their info. I also believe that we will see the best of Polk’s arts and culture on display at the Polk Arts & Culture Hall of Fame Gala. It’s my hope that the evening will be both a recognition of fantastic work and a celebration of why Polk is such a hub for arts and culture. More information will come in the following months about the gala itself, but in the meanwhile, please consider nominating someone – we want to hear from you!

Lakeland Book Crawl 2023

Grab your reading glasses and get ready to book-shop until you drop. It’s time for the 2nd Annual Lakeland Book Crawl! Presented by the Lakeland Booksellers, this weeklong event – featuring sales, surprises, and bookish bonding – runs from April 24 to April 29, 2023. The Booksellers were so encouraged by the community response to the inaugural Book Crawl, they decided to make it an annual event. Like last year, the Book Crawl takes place leading up to National Independent Bookstore Day on the last Saturday in April.

“The Lakeland Book Crawl is a weeklong celebration for the book-loving community here in Lakeland,” said one Lakeland Bookseller, Pressed Books & Coffee owner, Christina Needham. “Each day of the week, we will feature a different local bookstore, each with their own daily deals and giveaways, all while highlighting literacy, small business, and our customers.”

Here’s what eager readers can expect each day in this “six-day tour de force of books, books, and more books!”

Day one kicks off at Bookend Used Books on Monday, April 24, from 10:30 am – 5:30 pm. 30% off *excluding classics.

Tuesday – Inklings Book Shoppe from 9:30 am - 7:00 pm. Indie author signing, FREE kids book with any purchase, and 10% off all.

Wednesday – Pressed Books & Coffee from 8 am - 6 pm. Free coffee with book purchase.

Thursday – Crash Bookshop from 10:30 am - 6:30 pm. 10% off new books.

Friday – The Unbound Bookery from 10 am - 6 pm. 20% off all books. Little Bus Books from 10 am – 7 pm, 50% of proceeds of Spanish titles for No Covers – Free Mobile Bookshop.

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"76% of workers report being frequently tired at

Lakeland Book Crawl bookmarks will be available for purchase at each of the six locations. One hundred percent of the Book Crawl bookmark proceeds go to the Children’s Home Society of Lakeland “to help promote the literacy and care of orphans and children in foster care.”

Keeping with the local love, the Book Crawl hosts collaborated with Lakelandbased commercial artist and illustrator Josh “Bump” Galletta to create their adorable bookworm mascot. Local artist Tate Krupa of the pop-cultureinspired handmade gift shop Red Swan designed this year’s bookmark.

According to the Lakeland Book Crawl website, “The goal of this annual crawling is to bring booksellers, book lovers, and the greater Lakeland community together for a bookish good time. We are a kooky collaboration bringing awareness to the community about local independent bookstores.”

Pressed Coffee and Books owner Christina Needham noted how much the booksellers enjoy collaborating on the event throughout the year. “We think the more people we can reach to promote books and the importance of books in our community, to use them as a way to connect people, as a way to educate, as a place where people want to come and spend time – we find that brings great value to our city,” she said. “Even though the event does promote our stores, we also want it to be a celebration and appreciation to our customers who faithfully support us all year.”

Needham sees the annual Book Crawl as a testament to the community’s commitment to its city. “I think it goes to show how much people in Lakeland love local business and enjoy working together for the greater cause of the city.”

Don’t forget to tag your bookish posts with #lakelandbookcrawl and scan the QR code when you visit a participating bookshop to enter for a chance to win a gift card from all six stores. Visit www.lakelandbookcrawl.com for more information.

Unfiltered Lakeland

When Geanie Folder walked into 801 E. Main, inspiration struck her like lightning. “I knew I could do something with the building,” she said. “I looked at probably 11 or 12 buildings in Lakeland, and I just know. I know when I walk in if I’m going to be able to make it happen.”

Folder quit her job in 2016 and started a vintage market, the Beatnik Exchange, the following year. She opened Unfiltered Bartow in 2019 and adapted her business to ride out the pandemic. She launched Unfiltered Lakeland on February 25, 2023, in partnership with Wesley and Ashley Barnett and her son, Tray Towles.

CHAMPAGNE AND GRAVY

With their Lakeland location opening, it was a good time to rebrand and take the concept back to its roots – especially in Bartow – the way she’d first envisioned it. That vision means less emphasis on food and more on retail and art, crochet, and sewing classes. Unfortunately, the Unfiltered Punta Gorda store closed post-Hurricane Ian at the end of last year. “That was heartbreaking,” Folder said. “It just wasn’t meant to be down there.”

In Bartow, Folder and company are curating a first-floor shopping experience with boho-style goods, vintage fashion, new merchandise, and the build-you-

own-brim hat bar, Champagne and Gravy. Hidden Gem Consignment out of North Lakeland is opening another location on the second floor there as well.

The custom hat bar is Folder’s baby and has opened its third location inside her marketplace and coffee shop, Unfiltered Lakeland. Folder described Champagne and Gravy as her “newest love.” She added, “It belongs to me solely, and I get to be creative. Other than designing the spaces, I’ve lost that whole creative part of me. I vowed going into this year I would try to niche out something for just me.”

Inspired by her friend who owns the vintage shop, Echoes of Retro in Orlando, Folder started working with hats. Out of respect, she asked her friend permission to go forward with her own brimmed hat concept. “By all means,” her friend said. The pair took a trip to Texas to tour the Lone Star hat bar scene, and when they returned, Folder said, “I’m doing this!”

She came up with the name Champagne and Gravy, which her friend now also uses. “I’ve expanded that brand to include anything that I love, that I would keep in my home,” Folder said. “While the hat bar is the focus, there is clothing, bath stuff, lots of fun things, and more fun things coming for that brand.”

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THE SPACE

In addition to Champagne and Gravy inside Unfiltered Lakeland, the property hosts three other micro storefronts: East of These, My Crazy Plant Life, and The Vintage Warehouse. Folder noted the location’s retail popularity. They have a waiting list of almost 20 stores that would snatch up a micro storefront immediately if space were available (and more space may be on the way).

The Unfiltered marketplace is entirely her own. Sage walls contrast funky plush couches, mauve loveseats, knick-knacks strewn here and there in a way that just works, and a large mural encouraging patrons to “Live Life Unfiltered.” An antique Packard organ draws the eye as you enter, a remnant of the building’s former life as the Poor Porker. “I saw them build this, and I was saddened by the whole thing. I know what it’s like to lose a dream,” Folder said. “I vowed to pay homage to them, pay homage to Lakeland.” To Lakeland’s delight, she kept the beignet cart – and all of the Poor Porker staff.

“These stores need to be the least commercialized as possible – every last detail,” Folder said of the Unfiltered concept. From the onset, she asked herself,’ Would I put that in my home?’ and ‘What kind of coffee cup would I serve if I had company over?’ “It was always built on people being able to be who they were,” she said. This individuality is the brand’s pulse. And though Folder is confident in her art and style, she was nervous about opening. “It was crazy,” she said. “I worried if we were going to be good enough for Lakeland –would Lakeland embrace us? […] There’s always that fear when you open, ‘Is anyone coming?’ and ‘Can we hold our own [here].’”

To her relief, the community rallied around her business with a steady line of daily patrons. “So far, it’s been phenomenal,” she said. “I would be remiss if I didn’t say how many people come to bat for you, how many people stand up for you, how many people show you grace, how many people show you leeway. If you just reach out – how many people are willing to mentor and help you.”

Folder said, “We house artists, we are a marketplace, and we are an experience. A coffee shop is just a portion of what we do.” Food and coffee may not be at the heart of the business, but they certainly weren’t an afterthought. Unfiltered Lakeland serves tea and various coffee drinks using Lakeland’s Ethos Roasters. Uncle Nick’s Bagels grace the menu, along with baked goods and beignets — traditional and “The Poor Porker” topped with maple syrup and bacon — along with soups, salads, and specials like the Waffled Grilled Cheese and Waffled Monte Cristo.

A social media post mentioned plans to expand portions of the business in the future. Folder divulged ideas for quirky portable air-conditioned ‘houses’ in the courtyard during summertime. Unfiltered Lakeland is also looking to add more retail space in some capacity. Folder said they are in the process of obtaining their beer and wine license too. With that will come live music and woodfired pizza in the courtyard.

Folder plans to bring the Beatnik Exchange to Lakeland at least quarterly (maybe even monthly). She started the bohemian vintage market in the middle of a field in Brooksville. The free-spirited event, gathering an eclectic union of artisans, was later hosted at Music Ranch and SUN’ n FUN but stopped for a time. Folder is excited to bring it back to platform artists and makers.

ALL ABOUT THE STORY

The Unfiltered brand is one of collaboration. That collaboration is rooted deep within founder Geanie Folder. “It’s all about the story,” she said. And, pushing through the discomfort of having the spotlight on her, she was ready to share hers.

“I grew up homeless,” Folder began. She was the oldest of five siblings who lived with their dad, sometimes in a car or squatting in houses. “It sounds bad, but it was all I knew. I view the early part of my childhood as this beautiful, adventurous life, and that kind of set the pace for what I would do into adulthood.”

Art is another central part of the Unfiltered brand. It’s an essential foundation in Folder’s life. There was a period in her childhood when she and her siblings were sent back to live with their mother and stepfather. “We lived in this old house, and there was a closet on the second story. He [her stepfather] would lock me in there for weeks,” Folder said. “My brother would shove me pencils under the door. By the time my dad came and got us again, I had taken a pencil and two crayons and completely muraled the entire closet. For me, it saved me. [...] The art portion of this comes from knowing beyond a shadow

of a doubt how art is good for us and how art can save our lives. That’s why I never veer far from that.”

She eventually adopted her brothers and sisters at age 16 and spent her whole childhood making a home for them. “It was always important to me that they felt loved, they had a place to go, they felt safe. Whatever shabby furniture we managed to get, we made it comfortable, and we made these places feel like home,” Folder said.

When the last sibling left home, she knew, “I wanted to be able to provide a space that felt the same for people who wanted to come or needed to come or needed a space. That’s the bones of why we’re here. [...] I only know how to live that way. I don’t know what else to do to serve my community and serve others other than what I’m doing.”

Unfiltered Lakeland

801 E Main St., Lakeland

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Green Tea Sangria

1 bottle white wine

4 cups water

6 green tea bags

1/3 cup honey

3 lemons, sliced 20-25 mint leaves

Instructions:

In a large pot or kettle bring 4 cups of water to a boil. After boiling, take off heat and add in 6 green tea bags. Let steep for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and stir in 1/3 cup of honey. (Let cool for 30 min-1 hour before mixing sangria.) When the tea is slightly cooled add it to your pitcher along with 1 bottle of white wine, lemon slices, and fresh mint leaves. Refrigerate for 2-4 hours before serving. Drink responsibly, 21+.

Recipe from Brewing Happiness

GRAB YOUR BIKE AND ROLL WITH

Slow Roll & Ski Show

Check Me Out ;)

HELLO BEAUTIFUL

By Ann Napolitano

Awarded a college basketball scholarship away from his childhood home silenced by tragedy, a young man befriends a spirited young woman who welcomes him into her loving, loud, chaotic household, in the new novel by the author of “Dear Edward.”

BIRNAM WOOD

By Eleanor Catton

The founder of a guerilla gardening group that plants crops on roadsides, parks and neglected yards fights an enigmatic billionaire over a parcel of land in the new novel from the Booker Prizewinning author of “The Luminaries.”

THE GARDEN OF SMALL BEGINNINGS

By Abbi Waxman

After her husband’s fatal car accident, Lillian recruits her daughters and supportive sister to help her do research for a boutique vegetable guide at the Los Angeles Botanical Garden, where an instructor and quirky gardeners help her grieve and heal.

Compiled by the staff of the Lakeland Public Library 100 Lake Morton Dr, Lakeland

THE LAST TALE OF THE FLOWER BRIDE

By Roshani Chokshi

Breaking the promise he made to his beautiful wife, to never pry into her past, when they arrive at her childhood home, a crumbling manor shrouded in mystery, a scholar of myths must choose between reality and fantasy, even if doing so threatens to destroy their marriage--or their lives.

Larry R. Jackson Branch 1700 N Florida Ave, Lakeland lakelandgov.net

LIFE IN FIVE SENSES

By Gretchen Rubin

Drawing on cutting-edge science, philosophy, literature and her own efforts to practice what she learns, the #1 New York Times best-selling author of “The Happiness Project” offers profound insights and practical suggestions for heightening our senses and using our powers of perception to live richer lives.

YOU COULD MAKE THIS PLACE BEAUTIFUL: A MEMOIR

By Maggie Smith

The award-winning poet explores the disintegration of her marriage and her renewed commitment to herself, interweaving snapshots of a life with meditations on secrets, anger, forgiveness and narrative itself and revealing how, in the aftermath of loss, we can discover our power and make something beautiful.

FLOWERHEART

By Catherine Bakewell

A stunning fantasy romance follows Clara, a girl with powerful and violent magic, as she seeks help with a difficult spell from former best friend Xavier, who names a terrible price for helping Clara save her father, even as Clara uncovers the root of a terrible darkness that’s taken hold in the queendom.

LITTLE BLUE TRUCK’S SPRINGTIME

By Alice Schertle

Beep! Beep! Little Blue Truck is out for a ride with his good friend Toad. The sun is shining, and the flowers are blooming—it’s a beautiful spring day! Who will they see along the way?

FANCY NANCY: SPRING FASHION FLING

By Jane O’Connor

What better way to celebrate spring than with a fashion show hosted by Fancy Nancy and her friends! Join them as they create magnificent costumes for their dolls to wear at the Spring Fling Fashion Show.

SPRING STINKS

By Ryan T. Higgins

When Ruth the Rabbit finds out that Bruce hates the smell of spring, she sets out to prove to him that spring is actually full of wonderful scents.

SHOP SMALL WITH COCKTAILS

Shop from the coolest alternative handmade and vintage vendors while sipping a fancy drink.

Masterminded by:

Sponsored by: Karen Bryan

APRIL CALENDAR 2023

AEROSPACE EXPO

When: Apr. 01 & 02, 2023

Where: Sun ‘n Fun, 4175 Medulla Rd., Lakeland flysnf.org

This is the 49th year for the Expo. Guests can expect airshows, military demos, workshops, kids’ activities and more. Find the daily schedules online.

THE FLORIDA RUN

When: Apr. 01, 2023 | 6:30 a.m.

Where: Colt Creek State Park 16000 Sr-471, Lakeland thefloridarun.com

This run offers towering pine trees, flat terrain, wide trails, lakes and wildlife. Three distances: Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K. Professionally chip-timed. Register in advance.

CARILLON CLASSIC 5K

When: Apr. 01, 2023 | 7-9 a.m.

Where: Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales boktowergardens.org

One of Florida’s most challenging 5K course with the Singing Tower’s musical encouragement as the bells ring out during the race. A kid’s fun run will occur post-race.

SUN ‘N RUN 5K

When: Apr. 01, 2023 | 7 a.m.

Where: Lakeland Linder Regional Airport 3900 Don Emerson Dr Ste 210 Lakeland flysnf.org

The race will begin on the Terminal Ramp as the start line is flanked by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels Demo Team. During the run you will be able to witness the launching of over twenty (20) hot air balloons as the course winds its way down the runway.

LAKELAND DOWNTOWN FARMERS CURB MARKET

When: Apr. 01, 2023 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where: Downtown Lakeland downtownlkld.com/farmerscurbmarket

Local, handmade, produce, plants, artisan gifts, pastries, breads, specialty foods, and more! Enjoy live entertainment most Saturdays. Every Saturday in downtown Lakeland.

WINTER HAVEN FARMERS MARKET

When: Apr. 01, 2023 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Where: NE corner of Third St. & Ave. C SW, Winter Haven hwinterhavenfarmersmarket.com

The Market features a variety of farmers, unusual food trucks, artisan food vendors, plants, and a sprinkling of curated makers. Enjoy a strong selection of “ready-to-eat” foods and freshly picked produce. Live music + tables and chairs to sit and relax

at.Located across from Grove Roots in the parking lot of the BB&T Bank building on the NE corner of Third St. and Ave C SW in downtown Winter Haven every Saturday.

44TH ANNUAL PROAM TENNIS TOURNAMENT

When: Apr. 01 & 02, 2023 .

Where: Lakeland Country Club, 929 Lake Hollingsworth Dr, Lakeland jlgl.org

The classic ProAm Tennis Tournament kicks off its 44th year by pairing amateur and professional tennis players against one another for a truly unique tennis tournament experience. This year, the event will be held at the Lakeland Country Club.

FAMILY NATURE WALK

When: Apr. 01, 2023 | 10 a.m.

Where: Bonnet Springs Park

400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland bonnetspringspark.com

BSP Staff and Volunteers will lead a one-mile stroll along our accessible boardwalk and help visitors explore the plants and animals that call Bonnet Springs Park their home. Must have the ability to follow instructions independently or with the aid of a companion.

BARTOW FORD EASTER EGG HUNT

When: Apr. 01, 2023 | 10 a.m.

Where: Bartow Ford, 2800 US-98, Bartow The Easter Egg Hunt starts at 10:15am and ends when the last egg is found. They will have inflatables, rock climbing wall and a quad trampoline for activities.There will also be multiple food vendors available on site for attendees to purchase. This is a FREE community event.

CHAIN OF LAKES EGGFEST

When: Apr. 01, 2023 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: 2400 Havendale Blvd. NW, 2400 Havendale Blvd. NW, Winter Haven chainoflakeseggfest.com

Hosted by Mannix Pools & Grills. Enjoy live cooking demos, live music, amazing food all cooked on the Big Green Egg, vendor specials, a chance to win a Big Green Egg, while supporting two great local organizations. Buy tickets online.

SCHOLASTIC ART AND WRITING AWARDS

When: Apr. 01 - 23, 2023

Where: Polk Museum of Art 800 E Palmetto St., Lakeland polkmuseumofart.org

Presented by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, the Scholastic Awards initiative invites students grades 7-12 (ages 13 and up) to submit their original works produced across all media to have a chance to have their work recognized in the nation’s longest running and most prestigious scholarship and recognition program. March 25 - April 23.

BANDIT

MARKET

When: Apr. 01, 2023 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: Ritz Theatre 263 W Central Ave, Winter Haven Bandit Market is back for our spring market! This is an alternative handmade and vintage market -

expect to find the coolest markers and artists while shopping from vendors in central Florida. Shop and sip with a craft cocktail or mocktail, and food by Bandidas. Admission is free. More info on FB and IG @thebanditmarket

MEET THE EASTER BUNNY

When: Apr. 01 & 02, 2023 | 12-3 p.m.

Where: Lakeside Village

1479 Town Center Drive, Lakeland Appointments are not required. This is a free event. The Easter Bunny will be located - at the Breezeway on Building D next to Sunglass Hut.Bring your own cameras. To allow as many people to see the Easter Bunny as possible, each appointment is limited to around 1 minute. Pets are welcome too!

DOCENT-LED TOUR (FOR ALL AGES)

When: Apr. 01, 2023 | 1-2 p.m.

Where: Polk Museum of Art

800 E Palmetto St., Lakeland polkmuseumofart.org

Free for everyone. Join us for a docent-led tour to get a fresh look into the Museum’s featured exhibition through an informative and engaging conversation with one of our passionate docents. Learn the stories behind the work and dive into the world of art with ease as we bring people and art together. Registration is required.

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

When: Apr. 01 - 09, 2023

Where: Theatre Winter Haven, 210 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven theatrewinterhaven.com

The meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names “Audrey II” after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&Bsinging carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it, blood. 863-294-7469

ORPHANS

When: Apr. 01 & 02, 2023

Where: Haines City Theatre 303 Ledwith Ave., Haines City hainescitytheatre.com

Two grown orphan brothers live in an old, dilapidated house in North Philadelphia — deserted in childhood by an unfaithful father and by the death of their mother. 863-421-1893

CATHERINE MALONEY! BEST OF THE BAY!

When: Apr. 01, 2023 | 8 p.m.

Where: Laugh Out Lounge Comedy Club 19 3rd St. NW, Winter Haven winterhavenlol.com

Catherine Maloney as seen on Sling TV and Comedy

Time TV. Don’t miss this laugh out loud comedienne with her snarky New York style humor!

KEEL FARMS AFTER DARK

When: Apr. 01, 2023 | 8-11 p.m.

Where: Keel & Curley Winery 5210 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City keelfarms.com/plan-your-visit

Come out for Keel Farms After Dark and enjoy $5 drinks, a live DJ, and delicious food specials! This event takes place every weekend from 8:00 - 11:00

pm on Friday & Saturday. Reserve a table online to guarantee your spot! Promotion excludes any guest taps and carafes.

THE PLOT, LIKE GRAVY, THICKENS

When: Apr. 01 & 02, 2023

Where: Gem Theater, 104 NW 1st Ave, Mulberry centralfloridatix.com

This is The Missing Piece Theatre Company’s debut production, “The Plot, Like Gravy, Thickens” written by Billy Wayne St. John and directed by April Golombek.

LLVP ART SHOWCASE

When: Apr. 02, 2023 | 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Where: Long Live Vintage 333 Ave C SW, Winter Haven centralfloridatix.com

Long Live Vintage is hosting their second 15-Artist Art Showcase Event. $5 gets you in to support and view the work of 15 local Artists. All artwork will be available for purchase. Tickets available at the door. Also featuring three poetry reading performances. Beer and wine available for 21+.

FLORIDA TROPICS SC VS ST. LOUIS AMBUSH

When: Apr. 02, 2023 | 3:05 p.m.

Where: RP Funding Center 701 Lime Street, Lakeland fltropics.com

Major Arena Soccer League.

SAGE-ING

When: Apr. 03, 2023 | 10 a.m.

Where: Winter Haven Public Library 325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven mywinterhaven.com

A discussion group to support elder leaders and explore ideas for personal fulfillment. This group meets every Monday at 10am. (863) 291-5880

- CONTINUED ON PAGE 44 -

LIVE TRIVIA

When: Apr. 03, 2023 | 7:30 p.m.

Where: Cob & Pen

1221 S. Florida Ave, Lakeland

Live trivia hosted by Triviosity at Cob & Pen every Monday.

BUSY BEES SPORTS EXPLORERS

When: Apr. 04, 2023 | 10-11 a.m.

Where: Medulla Resource Center

1049 Parker Rd., Lakeland

RSVP to Cherry Alston at cherryalston@polk-county. net to attend. A free program for kids to learn about engaging in activities and sports, each month features a different weekly sport. Sessions are for children aged 6 and younger with attending adult.

STORY TIME

When: Apr. 04, 2023 | 10 a.m.

Where: Florida Air Museum

4175 Medulla Rd., Lakeland

Everyone is welcome, though the content is targeted towards younger aviators, ages 2-5.

LITTLE SPROUTS STORY TIME

When: Apr. 04, 2023 | 10:30 a.m.

Where: Winter Haven Public Library

325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven mywinterhaven.com

Children enjoy stories, songs, finger plays and puppet shows that develop early literacy skills and promote interaction between parents and children. Ages 5 and under.

CAMEO WRITERS

When: Apr. 04, 2023 | 2-4 p.m.

Where: Winter Haven Public Library

325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven mywinterhaven.com/library

Cameo Writers welcomes writers of varying ability, genre, and experience. Receive knowledgeable, appreciative support and encouragement. Questions please contact Beverly Lerner at bevlerner@aol.com.

KNIT & CROCHET NIGHT

When: Apr. 04, 2023 | 5-9 p.m.

Where: Union Taproom

245 West Central Ave, Winter Haven Bring your Knit or Crochet project and join us for Hoppy Hour at Union Taproom.

SOUND BATH WITH CRYSTAL SINGING

BOWLS

When: Apr. 04, 2023 | 5:30 p.m.

Where: Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales boktowergardens.org

During the session, Himalayan & Crystal Singing Bowls, tuning forks, and other vibrational tools are used to de-stress, restore balance, and bring wellbeing to your body, mind & soul. Register in advance.

BARTOW IDOL TRYOUT

When: Apr. 04, 2023 | 6-8:30 p.m.

Where: Front Page Brewing Co. 190 S Florida Ave., Bartow Tryouts will be held April 4, 11, and 18.It is $15 to audition for the contest. You must be 18 years or

older to enter. They are looking for 10 contestants that will perform at Main Street Bartow, Florida Fest April 21st. They have songs available or you can bring your own music as long as it’s on a zip drive in a compatible format.

TRIVIA TUESDAYS

When: Apr. 04, 2023 | 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: Grove Roots Brewing Co.

302 3rd St. SW, Winter Haven

Every Tuesday in the Packing House, hosted by Triviosity Live Events. All trivia will be General Knowledge. Prizes are awarded to the Top 3 Teams and the First-Place team each week gets to claim the Trophy of Awesome.

NOVELS AFTER NOON

When: Apr. 05, 2023 | 3-4 p.m.

Where: Bartow Public Library

2150 S Broadway Ave, Bartow cityofbartow.net

The book they are discussing this month is “Blackout Book Club” by Amy Lynn Green.

WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY

When: Apr. 05, 2023 | 5-7 p.m.

Where: Obscure Wine Company

276 W Central Ave, Winter Haven obscurewine.com

$20 unlimited featured wines from different producers every week. A social & networking hotspot for professionals wining down.

THE SPIRIT OF SPRING

When: Apr. 05, 2023 | 7:30 p.m.

Where: Branscomb Auditorium

1085 Johnson Ave., Lakeland flsouthern.edu/ffa

Hear the Florida Southern College Symphony Band to celebrate the spirit that keeps us moving musically forward. Box Office 863-680-4296 or purchase online.

OPEN MIC NIGHT!

When: Apr. 05, 2023 | 8-10 p.m.

Where: Laugh Out Lounge Comedy Club 19 3rd St. NW, Winter Haven winterhavenlol.com

Come see new and established comedians work on new material and home their craft! As always this show is free to attend . Doors open and sign ups begin at 7pm. Show starts at 8pm every Wednesday.

THE MARKET

When: Apr. 06, 2023 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where: Central Florida’s Visitor Information Center, 101 Adventure Ct., Davenport

A variety of vendors are signed on to participate offering fresh local produce, arts and crafts, jewelry, home goods and more. The market offers local vendors the opportunity to share their produce and wares with Polk County residents and visitors alike, while also serving to familiarize attendees with the amenities and services available at the center.

FEEL GOOD CHAIR YOGA

When: Apr. 06, 2023 | 9:15 a.m.

Where: Winter Haven Public Library 325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven

mywinterhaven.com/library

Designed for seniors, people with physical challenges, and anyone wanting a slower paced exercise program. All are welcome. Every Thursday. 863-291-5880

SPRING TREE WALK & TALK

When: Apr. 06, 2023 | 10 a.m.

Where: Mackay Gardens and Lakeside Preserve 945 Mackay Blvd, Lake Alfred

Join us for a discussion on the benefits of trees, seasonal Florida-Friendly trees for your yard, and enjoy a walking tour of trees at Mackay Gardens. More info on FB @PolkExtension.

PEOPLE AND PLANTS

When: Apr. 06, 2023 | 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Where: Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales boktowergardens.org

For thousands of years Florida plants have been used for food, medicine, shelter and more. Join Horticulture Manager Taylor Walker on a tour exploring the native plants growing in the Florida Ecosystem gardens. Registration required. 863-7341222

HAPPY SEAT MEDITATION

When: Apr. 06, 2023 | 10:30 a.m.

Where: Winter Haven Public Library 325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven mywinterhaven.com

Participants will be comfortably seated and guided through 3 or 4 meditations. Calm your mind. No experience necessary, space is limited. 863-2915880

MAP STUDENT-LED TOUR

When: Apr. 06, 2023 | 1 p.m.

Where: Polk Museum of Art

800 E Palmetto St., Lakeland polkmuseumofart.org

Join us for a Museum Ambassador Program (MAP) student-led tour to get a fresh look into the Museum’s featured exhibition through an informative and engaging conversation with one of the passionate student docents. Registration is required. 863-6887743

ACCESS ART: SPECIAL NEEDS

When: Apr. 06, 2023 | 2-3:30 p.m.

Where: Polk Museum of Art

800 E Palmetto St., Lakeland polkmuseumofart.org

This program invites individuals with special needs and varying exceptionalities to engage in viewing and discussing artwork that is exhibited. The program is designed to create social engagement and encourage creativity and self expression. Registration preferred but not required. For registration or questions, please text Tinia Clark at 863-224-8557 or register online. Please included guardian or caretaker in total attendee number.

JELLYBEAN JUBILEE

When: Apr. 06, 2023 | 3:30-6:30 p.m.

Where: Simpson Park

1725 Martin L King Jr Ave, Lakeland Kids will enjoy Arts & Crafts; Face Painting; Bounce Houses; and the egg hunt! Call 863.834.2577 or email SimpsonPark@lakelandgov.net for more info.

AFTER HOURS AT THE MUSEUM

When: Apr. 06, 2023 | 4-8 p.m.

Where: Polk Museum of Art

800 E Palmetto St., Lakeland polkmuseumofart.org

The Polk Museum of Art will stay open until 8 p.m. for After Hours on the first Thursday of each month. 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.

GOSPEL INC. SPRING FUNDRAISER

When: Apr. 06, 2023 | 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: Bonnet Springs Park

400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland gospelinc.org/springfundraiser

A cocktail hour will be provided from 5:30-6:30 with dinner catered by Millenia to follow. The program will be from 7:00 to 7:30, which will include a brief presentation by the executive director as well as a preview to the first of a docuseries to be featured at the Polk Theatre this coming fall. Entertainment will be provided by Dan Signor. Purchase tickets online.

PUNCHLINES AND PARODIES!

When: Apr. 06, 2023 | 7:30 p.m.

Where: Laugh Out Lounge Comedy Club

19 3rd St. NW, Winter Haven winterhavenlol.com

Don’t miss this night of Lyrical Laughter as these comedian/musicians perform their best comedic sonnets, parodies, and originals.

BINGO WITH MOMMA & FRIENDS

When: Apr. 06, 2023 | 8-10 p.m.

Where: Quinteassence Kava Bar

839 N Massachusetts Ave, Lakeland rosedynastyfoundationinc.org

All ages are welcome to attend! $15 to play with proceeds going to a different local charity each week!

NATIVE AND INVASIVE PLANTS: WHAT TO PLANT AND WHAT TO PULL

When: Apr. 07, 2023 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Where: Loyce E. Harpe Park

500 W Carter Rd, Mulberry

Join UF/IFAS Extension Polk County and Lakeland

Water Utilities for a class on native plants that grow well in central Florida yards and what invasive plants to watch for and remove. The class will be held in the picnic shelter at Loyce Harpe Park (covered and shaded).Following the class, a guided van tour of Se7en Wetlands will be available to ten people. More info on FB @PolkExtension

EASTER BUNNY BRUNCH

When: Apr. 07, 2023 | 10 a.m.

Where: Kelly Recreation Complex

404 Imperial Blvd, Lakeland Spots are limited, so call to get your little bunnies on

the list. Play games, make crafts, photo ops with the Easter Bunny, and brunch. Call to reserve your spot today! Free. 863.834.3284 ext 2.

KEN LUDWIG’S MOON OVER BUFFALO

When: Apr. 07 - 16, 2023

Where: Loca Lee Buckner Theatre

111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland flsouthern.edu/ffa

April 7 - 8 and April 13-15 at 7:30 pm. April 9 and 16 at 2:30 pm. Charlotte and George Hay are on tour in Buffalo in 1953 with a repertory consisting of Cyrano de Bergerac (the “revised, one nostril version”) and Noel Coward’s Private Lives. On the brink of a disastrous split-up, they receive word that they might just have one last shot at stardom. Box Office 863680-3089.

DOUGIE ALMEIDA FROM JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE

When: Apr. 07 & 08, 2023 | 8 p.m.

Where: Laugh Out Lounge Comedy Club 19 3rd St. NW, Winter Haven winterhavenlol.com

Don’t miss Dougie Almeida as seen on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Dougie is a comedy pro, and is guaranteed to have you laughing from beginning to end!

LLVP MIC NIGHT

When: Apr. 07, 2023 | 8 p.m.

Where: Long Live Vintage 333 Ave C SW, Winter Haven

Calling all comics, poets, musicians, speakers, artist, performers, storytellers and more! Food truck always available. Beer, wine, and Delta-8 available for purchase ages 21+. Support an awesome show every Friday night at 8pm. Sign up begins at 7pm. Thank you Winter Haven!

LAKELAND DOWNTOWN FARMERS CURB

MARKET

When: Apr. 08, 2023 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where: Downtown Lakeland

Local, handmade, produce, plants, artisan gifts, pastries, breads, specialty foods, and more! Enjoy live entertainment most Saturdays. Every Saturday in downtown Lakeland.

WINTER HAVEN FARMERS MARKET

When: Apr. 08, 2023 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Where: NE corner of Third St. & Ave. C SW, Winter Haven winterhavenfarmersmarket.com

The Market features a variety of farmers, unusual food trucks, artisan food vendors, plants, and a sprinkling of curated makers. Enjoy a strong selection of “ready-to-eat” foods and freshly picked produce. Live music + tables and chairs to sit and relax at. Located across from Grove Roots in the parking lot of the BB&T Bank building on the NE corner of Third St. and Ave C SW in downtown Winter Haven every Saturday.

EASTER EGG HUNT

When: Apr. 08, 2023 | 9-11 a.m.

Where: Lewis Mathews Sports Complex 400 Palm Street, Davenport mydavenport.org

The City of Davenport invites you and your family out to the annual Easter Egg Hunt. There will be age-

based hunts along with giveaways. The event is free! Age groups:0 - 3 years old, 4 - 6 years old, 7 - 9 years old, 10 - 13 years old.

EASTER EGG HUNT

When: Apr. 08, 2023 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Where: Central Florida’s Visitor Information Center, 101 Adventure Ct., Davenport

Visit Central Florida’s Welcome Center will host this free event featuring kid-friendly activities, giveaways and egg hunts beginning at the top of each hour (children will be separated into three age groups for each of the three sessions). There will be chances to win special prizes during each hunt and vendors will be on hand with local goods and treats for sale. For more information, call (863) 420-2586.

NATURE NARRATOR

When: Apr. 08, 2023 | 10 a.m.

Where: Bonnet Springs Park 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland bonnetspringspark.com

Join us for an outdoor story time at Bonnet Springs Park on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Nature Narrator will begin with a narrated story at 10am followed by a related activity or craft. This activity is great for ages 4-8 but is open to all ages.

EGG-A-PALOOZA

When: Apr. 08, 2023 | 10 a.m.

Where: Poinciana Community Park

5900 Allegheny Road, Kissimmee

This free community event will feature music, food trucks, games, and photos with the Easter Bunny. Egg hunts will begin promptly at the following times.

10:30 am - 2-3 year olds; 10:45 am - 4-5 year olds;

11 am - 6-9 year olds, 11:15 am - 10-12 year olds. Bring your bag or basket to collect candy and prizes! For more information, please call (863) 534-6911.

EASTER BUNNY WOODLAND DANCE

When: Apr. 08, 2023 | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Where: Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales boktowergardens.org

Join us in Hammock Hollow for a Woodland Dance on Sabal Stage with the Easter Bunny. Come dressed as a rabbit or another woodland creature and join our Easter Bunny Parade. Free for members/$17 for non-members (Includes Admission). No Registration required.

863-734-1222

CRYSTAL BOWL SOUND BATH

When: Apr. 08, 2023 | 12-1 p.m.

Where: Inside Out Yoga

219 5th St. SW, Winter Haven ioyogastudio.com

Join Cosmic Sound Healer, Buffy La Roux as she facilitates a high vibratory journey of Sound through time and space. During this deeply meditative and transformative experience, Buffy guides us inward through a sound bath of deeply shifting vocal toning, singing, frequencies and quartz crystal singing bowls. Register in advance. 863-224-2311

AUTHOR BOOK SIGNING -- JONI M. FISHER

When: Apr. 08, 2023 | 3-4 p.m.

Where: Winter Haven Public Library

325 Avenue NW, Winter Haven jonimfisher.com/events

Award-winning local author Joni M. Fisher’s fourth book in the suspenseful Compass Crimes series debuts May 8, 2023. Local readers can buy a signed copy of the final book--”East of Evil,” and meet the author. For more information visit jonimfisher.com.

BUENA MARKET

When: Apr. 08, 2023 | 5-9 p.m.

Where: Bonnet Springs Park

400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland

Hosted by Bonnet Springs Park. Buena Market brings you 50+ makers, artists, and vintage vendors on the Family Lawn of BSP. The Cafe and Rooftop bar will be open late. Free admission & music by DJ T. Couture. More info on IG @buenamarket

EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE

When: Apr. 09, 2023 | 7-8 a.m.

Where: Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales boktowergardens.org

Gardens’ Carillonneur Geert D’hollander will begin the celebration at 6:30 am with a selection of seasonal compositions performed on the 60-bell Singing Tower carillon. The sunrise worship service will begin at 7 am. The Entrance Gate, Visitor Center, and The Shop at Bok will open at 6:00 am. Donations are encouraged.Attendees are encouraged to bring personal wheelchairs or mobility carts. Dogs are also not permitted at the service but are welcome to enter the Gardens after 8 am. 863734-1222

EASTER BRUNCH

When: Apr. 09, 2023 | 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where: Balmoral Event Center 116 Kenny Blvd, Haines City centralfloridatix.com

Enjoy a delicious buffet, live music, and games for the family in the garden. Purchase tickets online.

SAGE-ING

When: Apr. 10, 2023 | 10 a.m.

Where: Winter Haven Public Library 325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven mywinterhaven.com

Finding joy in the second half of life. A discussion group to support elder leaders and explore ideas for personal fulfillment. (863) 291-5880

- CONTINUED ON PAGE 46 -

LIVE TRIVIA

When: Apr. 10, 2023 | 7:30 p.m.

Where: Cob & Pen

1221 S. Florida Ave,, Lakeland

Live trivia hosted by Triviosity at Cob & Pen every Monday.

STORY TIME

When: Apr. 11, 2023 | 10 a.m.

Where: Florida Air Museum

4175 Medulla Rd., Lakeland

Everyone is welcome, though the content is targeted towards younger aviators, ages 2-5.

BUSY BEES SPORTS EXPLORERS

When: Apr. 11, 2023 | 10-11 a.m.

Where: Medulla Resource Center

1049 Parker Rd., Lakeland

RSVP to Cherry Alston at cherryalston@polk-county. net to attend. A free program for kids to learn about engaging in activities and sports, each month features a different weekly sport. Follow the FB page for updates on session dates, times, and any schedule changes.

@PolkCoFLParksAndRec

LITTLE SPROUTS STORY TIME

When: Apr. 11, 2023 | 10:30 a.m.

Where: Winter Haven Public Library

325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven mywinterhaven.com

Children enjoy stories, songs, finger plays and puppet shows that develop early literacy skills and promote interaction between parents and children. Ages 5 and under. 863-291-5880

KNIT & CROCHET NIGHT

When: Apr. 11, 2023 | 5-9 p.m.

Where: Union Taproom

245 West Central Ave, Winter Haven

Bring your Knit or Crochet project and join us for Hoppy Hour at Union Taproom.

TRIVIA TUESDAYS

When: Apr. 11, 2023 | 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: Grove Roots Brewing Co.

302 3rd St. SW, Winter Haven

All trivia will be General Knowledge. Prizes are awarded to the Top 3 Teams and the First-Place team each week gets to claim the Trophy of Awesome! Teams may range between 1-8 players.

MORNING BOOK CLUB

When: Apr. 12, 2023 | 10-11 a.m.

Where: Winter Haven Public Library

325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven

April book: “My Brilliant Friend” by Elena Ferrante. The Morning Book Club meets on the second Wednesday of every month.

THE FUNGI OF LAKE WALES RIDGE

When: Apr. 12, 2023 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Where: Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales boktowergardens.org

In this talk, Dr. AAron David will discuss the Archbold Plant Ecology Program’s research on fungi, including

recent macrofungi collection efforts, conservation of the endangered Florida perfprate lichen, and the biodiversity of soil fungi that underlies the scrub’s varied habitats. Free for members/$17 for nonmembers (Includes Admission), registration required. 863-734-1222

WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY

When: Apr. 12, 2023 | 5-7 p.m.

Where: Obscure Wine Company

276 W Central Ave, Winter Haven obscurewine.com

$20 unlimited featured wines from different producers every week. A social & networking hotspot for professionals wining down.

OPEN MIC NIGHT!

When: Apr. 12, 2023 | 8-10 p.m.

Where: Laugh Out Lounge Comedy Club

19 3rd St. NW, Winter Haven winterhavenlol.com

Come see new and established comedians work on new material and home their craft! As always this show is free to attend with $2 off all adult beverages. Doors open and sign ups begin at 7pm. Show starts at 8pm.

THE MARKET

When: Apr. 13, 2023 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where: Central Florida’s Visitor Information Center, 101 Adventure Ct., Davenport

A variety of vendors are signed on to participate offering fresh local produce, arts and crafts, jewelry, home goods and more.The market offers local vendors the opportunity to share their produce and wares with Polk County residents and visitors alike, while also serving to familiarize attendees with the amenities and services available at the center.

FEEL GOOD CHAIR YOGA

When: Apr. 13, 2023 | 9:15 a.m.

Where: Winter Haven Public Library

325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven mywinterhaven.com/library

Designed for seniors, people with physical challenges, and anyone wanting a slower paced exercise program. Practiced in a chair, this yoga will focus on strength, stretching and flexibility. All are welcome. 863-291-5880

HAPPY SEAT MEDITATION

When: Apr. 13, 2023 | 10:30 a.m.

Where: Winter Haven Public Library

325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven mywinterhaven.com

Participants will be comfortably seated and guided through 3 or 4 meditations. Calm your mind. No experience necessary, space is limited. 863-2915880

WINTER HAVEN WRITERS

When: Apr. 13, 2023 | 12:30-2:30 p.m.

Where: Winter Haven Public Library

325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven

The Winter Haven Writers meet every second and fourth Thursday. Interested writers can email ellenedits4u@gmail.com or call 863-456-9831 for

more info. This group shares work, writing ideas, and they encourage fellow writers. (only 2nd Thursday in Nov. & Dec.)

THE GALLERY CONCERT SERIES

When: Apr. 13, 2023 | 6-7 p.m.

Where: Polk Museum of Art 800 E Palmetto St., Lakeland polkmuseumofart.org

The Gallery Concert Series is a special set of ensemble performances, live in the galleries and inspired by the current exhibition. Purchase your ticket online.

LAKELAND FOOD TRUCK RALLY

When: Apr. 13, 2023 | 6-9 p.m.

Where: Munn Park, Lakeland lakelandgov.net

2nd Thursday of Every Month! Pet-friendly & familyfriendly.

ABSAR AND FRIENDS WITH ABSAR SIDDIQUI

When: Apr. 13, 2023 | 7:30 p.m.

Where: Laugh Out Lounge Comedy Club 19 3rd St. NW, Winter Haven winterhavenlol.com

Laugh Out Lounge welcomes Absar Siddiqui and his hilarious friends for one-night-only. Absar is one of the funniest comedians on the circuit today, and you can see him live!

BINGO WITH MOMMA & FRIENDS

When: Apr. 13, 2023 | 8-10 p.m.

Where: Quinteassence Kava Bar 839 N Massachusetts Ave, Lakeland rosedynastyfoundationinc.org

Get your Bingo on every Thursday with Momma Ashley Rose and the Rose Dynasty Foundation Inc.! All ages are welcome to attend! $15 to play with the proceeds going to a different local charity each week!

MUSICAL HAMMERS

When: Apr. 14, 2023 | 1:30-3 p.m.

Where: Winter Haven Public Library 325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven Musical Hammers is a Polk County Hammered Dulcimer Band formed in 2010 to provide hammered dulcimer enthusiasts an opportunity to play together. Their repertoire is ever changing, including Appalachian fiddle tunes & Reels, Old-time Waltzes, Hymns, Celtic jigs & hornpipes, Patriotic marches, and Holiday tunes.

BELLY DANCE FITNESS

WITH KELLY

When: Apr. 14, 2023 | 6-7:30 p.m.

Where: Inside Out Yoga 219 5th St. SW, Winter Haven ioyogastudio.com

This inclusive class is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Belly dance is gentle on the joints while also providing a whole body workout. Hip scarves will be provided for use during class. 863-224-2311

FRIDAY NIGHT SHUFFLE

When: Apr. 14, 2023 | 6-8 p.m.

Where: Winter Haven Suffleboard Courts

209 Avenue F NW, Winter Haven centralfloridatix.com

Haven Magazine has partnered with the Shuffleboard Club of Winter Haven to bring shffleboard on the 2nd Friday of every month. We’ll provide all the necessary equipment, instruction, retro vibes and light refreshments for purchase. Shuffleboard is a fun sport for everyone- no athletic skills needed! Suggested for ages 10 and up.Tickets are available for purchase online.

OUT OF THE BOX IMPROV

When: Apr. 14, 2023 | 7-9 p.m.

Where: Ritz Theatre

263 W Central Ave, Winter Haven centralfloridatix.com

A cast of talented young actors create ‘slice of life’ theatre based on the audience’s script scenarios.

BINGO: THE WINNING MUSICAL

When: Apr. 14 - 30, 2023

Where: Lake Wales Little Theatre

411 N 3rd St., Lake Wales lwlt.org

Bingo is about a group of die-hard bingo players who stop at nothing to miss their weekly game. In between the number calling, strange rituals and fierce competitions, love blossoms and long-lost friends reunite. Audiences will be laughing in the aisles when they aren’t playing games of bingo along with the cast! 863-676-1266

THE SWEET DELILAH SWIM CLUB

When: Apr. 14 - 23, 2023

Where: Lakeland Community Theatre

121 S Lake Avenue, Lakeland lakelandcommunitytheatre.com

Five Southern women, whose friendships began many years ago on their college swim team, set aside a long weekend every August to recharge those relationships. Free from husbands, kids, and jobs,

they meet at the same beach cottage, the “Sweet Delilah” on North Carolina’s Outer Banks to catch up, laugh, and meddle in each other’s lives. This is the story of these five unforgettable women — a hilarious and touching comedy about friendships that last forever. 863-603-7529

LLVP

MIC NIGHT

When: Apr. 14, 2023 | 8 p.m.

Where: Long Live Vintage 333 Ave C SW, Winter Haven

Calling all comics, poets, musicians, speakers, artist, performers, storytellers and more!Food truck always available. Beer, wine, and Delta-8 available for purchase ages 21+. Support an awesome show every Friday night at 8pm. Sign up begins at 7pm. Thank you Winter Haven!

A. ALI FLORES

When: Apr. 14, 2023 | 8 p.m.

Where: Laugh Out Lounge Comedy Club 19 3rd St. NW, Winter Haven winterhavenlol.com

Laugh Out Lounge welcomes Central Florida’s own, A. Ali Flores from TNT’s “Good Behavior.” Ali is one of the funniest comedians on the circuit and has performed at countless comedy clubs across the country and around the globe!

HOLE-N-WON GOLF BALL DROP

When: Apr. 15, 2023

Where: Lake Myrtle 2701 Lake Myrtle Road, Auburndale MOWpolk.org.

The Rotary Club of Auburndale will sponsor a novel Hole-N-Won Golf Ball Drop featuring a cash prize of $2,500 for the winner, to raise funds for a new food transport van for Meals on Wheels of Polk County. ,People of all ages can become involved in the event by pre-purchasing or “adopting” golf balls that will be dropped from an Auburndale Fire Department ladder truck parked next to a regulation sized golf ball hole. Tickets can be purchased any weekday at Meals on Wheels headquarters at 620 Sixth Street NW in Winter Haven, at AuburndaleRotary.com. (Online ticket sales end on April 12). Information is also available by calling MOW at 863-299-1616 or visiting the website at MOWpolk.org.

LAKELAND DOWNTOWN FARMERS CURB MARKET

When: Apr. 15, 2023 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where: Downtown Lakeland downtownlkld.com/farmerscurbmarket

Local, handmade, produce, plants, artisan gifts, pastries, breads, specialty foods, and more! Enjoy live entertainment most Saturdays. Every Saturday in downtown Lakeland.

WINTER HAVEN FARMERS MARKET

When: Apr. 15, 2023 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Where: NE corner of Third St. & Ave. C SW, Winter Haven winterhavenfarmersmarket.com

The Market features a variety of farmers, unusual food trucks, artisan food vendors, plants, and a sprinkling of curated makers. Enjoy a strong selection

of “ready-to-eat” foods and freshly picked produce. Live music + tables and chairs to sit and relax at.Located across from Grove Roots in the parking lot of the BB&T Bank building on the NE corner of Third St. and Ave C SW in downtown Winter Haven every Saturday.

YOGA IN THE GARDENS

When: Apr. 15, 2023 | 9-10 a.m.

Where: Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales boktowergardens.org

This inclusive class includes gentle yoga movements that move our spine in all directions, breathing techniques, and extended relaxation infused with a sprinkling of yoga philosophy. All levels are welcome. Beginners are encouraged to attend. Registration required.$10 members / $17 non-members, registration required.

863-734-1222

DISCOVERY BAGS

When: Apr. 15, 2023 | 10 a.m.

Where: Bonnet Springs Park 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland bonnetspringspark.com

Stop by the GiveWell Community Foundation Nature Center from 10am-2pm to check out a Discovery Bag. Each Discovery Bag is filled with a unique set of books, activity cards, hands-on activities, and extras for all ages!

PAWS TO READ

When: Apr. 15, 2023 | 10-11 a.m.

Where: Bartow Public Library 2150 S Broadway Ave, Bartow cityofbartow.net

Spend a few minutes reading aloud to Siren, Kane, or Kolo and receive a friendly lick and a free book! For beginning readers and dog lovers of all ages.

AUBURNDALE CITYFEST

When: Apr. 15, 2023 | 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Where: Lake Myrtle Sports Park 905 Lake Myrtle Park Rd, Auburndale auburndalefl.com

Join the City of Auburndale for a spectacular day filled with fun activities for the whole family! Start off the the day with Touch-a-Truck, enjoy food and games, catch a ski show at the new watersport lake, and dance to live music through the afternoon and evening. Free admission.There will be 4 musical acts for this year’s event, including B.Haven and Sister Hazel!

DOCENT-LED TOUR (FOR ALL AGES)

When: Apr. 15, 2023 | 11 a.m.

Where: Polk Museum of Art

800 E Palmetto St., Lakeland polkmuseumofart.org

Free for everyone. Join us for a docent-led tour to get a fresh look into the Museum’s featured exhibition through an informative and engaging conversation with one of our passionate docents. Learn the stories behind the work and dive into the world of art with ease as we bring people and art together. Registration is required.

ONCE UPON A CUENTO

When: Apr. 15, 2023 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Where: Bartow Public Library

2150 S Broadway Ave, Bartow cityofbartow.net

Stories in Spanish and English for all ages!

LIP SYNC BATTLE FOR THE LOVE OF KIDS

When: Apr. 15, 2023 | 6-8:30 p.m.

Where: Polk Theatre

139 S Florida Avenue, Lakeland elcpolk.org

The Lip Sync Battle for the Love of Kids Show is a free event presented by Publix Supermarkets Charities, City of Haines City and GEICO Philanthropic Foundation. It will feature various local organizations who will be competing with musical lip sync performances. The winning team will be determined by a panel of judges and the audience. Also, first 400 attendees will receive a free gift. Find more info about the event on Facebook @ELCPolk

professional musicians with many years of playing experience.

ROB ICKES AND TREY HENSLEY SHOW

When: Apr. 15, 2023 | 7:30 p.m.

Where: Gram Parsons Derry Down

297 5th St. NW, Winter Haven gpderrydown.com

Known for their white-hot picking and world class musicianship, as well as their soulful stone country vocals, the GRAMMY® nominated duo cleverly and uniquely melds bluegrass, country, blues, rock, jamgrass, and string band music of all kinds to create a signature blend of music that defies restrictions of genre. NPR has called Ickes and Hensley “two musical phenoms”; Vintage Guitar raved they’re an “acoustic firestorm” who “are changing the rules”; Acoustic Guitar describes their sound as “steel-string bluegrass with all the intensity of rock ‘n’ roll” and No Depression observed they’re “two of the finest musicians playing today.”

FROZEN TEA PARTY

When: Apr. 16, 2023 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Where: Enchanted Fairytale Hollow

214 Trader’s Alley, Lakeland

Meet and Greet for every royal guest, Interactive Story Time and a Sing and Dance Along is sure to have you letting it go for the first time in forever! This is event is RSVP only. Every child and adult attending are required to purchase tickets in advance. More info on Facebook @EnchantedFairytaleHollow.

DIVAS OF THE 70S AND 80S DANCE PARTY

When: Apr. 15, 2023 | 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Where: Balmoral Event Center

116 Kenny Blvd, Haines City centralfloridatix.com

Divas of the 70s and 80s live performance is an unrivaled celebration of music’s top female artists from the 70s and the 80s. Their power-packed performance of leading female artists includes Donna Summer, Whitney Houston, Cyndi Lauper, Chaka Kahn, Stevie Nicks, Madonna, Diana Ross and so many more.

SAGE-ING

When: Apr. 17, 2023 | 10 a.m.

Where: Winter Haven Public Library

325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven mywinterhaven.com

A discussion group to support elder leaders and explore ideas for personal fulfillment. This group meets every Monday at 10am. (863) 291-5880

LIVE TRIVIA

When: Apr. 17, 2023 | 7:30 p.m.

Where: Cob & Pen 1221 S. Florida Ave, Lakeland

Live trivia hosted by Triviosity at Cob & Pen every Monday.

BUSY BEES SPORTS EXPLORERS

When: Apr. 18, 2023 | 10-11 a.m.

SMOKIN’ THE BOSTON/RENEGADE STYX TRIBUTE

When: Apr. 15, 2023 | 7 p.m.

Where: Ritz Theatre

263 W Central Ave, Winter Haven centralfloridatix.com

Watch as Smokin’ transforms into Renegade, as they authentically recreate the music of Styx. This South Florida pro-level band is made up of members that have toured with national acts, played in some of the biggest tribute bands, and are consummate

Where: Medulla Resource Center 1049 Parker Rd., Lakeland RSVP to Cherry Alston at cherryalston@polk-county. net to attend. A free program for kids to learn about engaging in activities and sports, each month features a different weekly sport. Follow the FB page for updates on session dates, times, and any schedule changes @PolkCoFLParksAndRec.

STORY TIME

When: Apr. 18, 2023 | 10 a.m.

Where: Florida Air Museum 4175 Medulla Rd., Lakeland

Everyone is welcome, though the content is targeted towards younger aviators, ages 2-5.

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LITTLE SPROUTS STORY TIME

When: Apr. 18, 2023 | 10:30 a.m.

Where: Winter Haven Public Library

325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven mywinterhaven.com

Children enjoy stories, songs, finger plays and puppet shows that develop early literacy skills and promote interaction between parents and children. Ages 5 and under.

TASTY TUESDAY

When: Apr. 18, 2023 | 4:30-9 p.m.

Where: Downtown Lakeland downtownlkld.com/news/tasty-tuesdays

Purchase your ticket package from LDDA either online or in person at our office at 117 N. Kentucky Ave (M-F, 10am-5pm - til 7pm night of the event). This is a self guided, tasting event. Go in your own order and at your own pace. You can use more than one ticket at any location if you choose.

TRIBUTE TO CROSBY, STILLS, NASH AND YOUNG

When: Apr. 18, 2023 | 5 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Where: Theatre Winter Haven

210 Cypress Gardens Blvd.

Winter Haven theatrewinterhaven.com

A Tribute Tuesday Concert featuring the music of the Crobsy, Stills, Nash and Young with Classic Tribute Inc. Choose from two showtimes, 5 pm or 8pm. 863-294-7469

KNIT & CROCHET NIGHT

When: Apr. 18, 2023 | 5-9 p.m.

Where: Union Taproom

245 West Central Ave, Winter Haven

Bring your Knit or Crochet project and join us for Hoppy Hour at Union Taproom.

TRIVIA TUESDAYS

When: Apr. 18, 2023 | 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: Grove Roots Brewing Co.

302 3rd St. SW, Winter Haven

Every Tuesday in the Packing House, hosted by Triviosity Live Events. All trivia will be General Knowledge. Prizes are awarded to the Top 3 Teams and the First-Place team each week gets to claim the Trophy of Awesome!Teams may range between 1-8 players.

WINE

DOWN WEDNESDAY

When: Apr. 19, 2023 | 5-7 p.m.

Where: Obscure Wine Company

276 W Central Ave, Winter Haven obscurewine.com

$20 unlimited featured wines from different producers every week. A social & networking hotspot for professionals wining down.

FSC GRADUATE NURSING VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSION

When: Apr. 19, 2023 | 5:30 p.m. flsouthern.edu/msn

Learn more about the track options for the Master of Science in Nursing as well as Post-Master’s certificate opportunities. Hear from the MSN program director to get your questions answered and get ready for your next steps in advancing your education and career! Register online.

CAMPING 101: AN INTRODUCTION TO CAMPING IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS

When: Apr. 19, 2023 | 5:30 p.m.

Where: UF/IFAS Extension 1702 S Highway, Bartow

We’re talking about frontcountry camping, which is camping in designated campgrounds or campsites that you can drive to. This class is all about teaching you the basics to plan and enjoy a safe and cozy camping trip in a frontcountry campsite.This event is designed for Youth and Adults at least 16 years of age and older but youth under 18 must attend with a parent or guardian. Info to register on FB @ PolkExtension

FSC DOCTOR OF NURSING (DNP) PRACTICE VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSION

When: Apr. 19, 2023 | 6:30 p.m. flsouthern.edu/dnp

Learn more about the Doctor of Nursing Practice program and what sets FSC apart from other programs you may be considering. Hear from your future program director and your admission counselor to go over the course plan, get next steps for admission and hear more about our support process throughout your DNP project. Register online.

OPEN MIC NIGHT!

When: Apr. 19, 2023 | 8-10 p.m.

Where: Laugh Out Lounge Comedy Club

19 3rd St. NW, Winter Haven winterhavenlol.com

Come see new and established comedians work on new material and home their craft! As always this show is free to attend with $2 off all adult beverages! Doors open and sign ups begin at 7pm. Show starts at 8pm.

THE MARKET

When: Apr. 20, 2023 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where: Central Florida’s Visitor Information Center, 101 Adventure Ct., Davenport

A variety of vendors are signed on to participate offering fresh local produce, arts and crafts, jewelry, home goods and more.The market offers local vendors the opportunity to share their produce and wares with Polk County residents and visitors alike, while also serving to familiarize attendees with the amenities and services available at the center.

FEEL GOOD CHAIR YOGA

When: Apr. 20, 2023 | 9:15 a.m.

Where: Winter Haven Public Library

325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven mywinterhaven.com/library

Designed for seniors, people with physical challenges, and anyone wanting a slower paced exercise program. Practiced in a chair, this yoga will focus on strength, stretching and flexibility. All are welcome. 863-291-5880

NEIGHBORHOOD STORY TIME

When: Apr. 20, 2023 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Where: Medulla Resource Center 1049 Parker Rd., Lakeland

For kids 6 and younger with accompanying adult. Entry is free with limited capacity. To attend, please RSVP by e-mail to Cherry Alston at cherryalston@ polk-county.net.

HAPPY SEAT MEDITATION

When: Apr. 20, 2023 | 10:30 a.m.

Where: Winter Haven Public Library 325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven mywinterhaven.com

Participants will be comfortably seated and guided through 3 or 4 meditations. Calm your mind. No experience necessary, space is limited. 863-2915880

NO STEM LEFT BEHIND (VIRTUAL)

When: Apr. 20, 2023 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Join UF/IFAS Extension for a conversation about how to get the most out of your backyard garden. We will discuss planting and caring for common Florida vegetables and fruits, their nutritional benefits, and recipes that’ll knock your stalks off! More info on FB @PolkExtension.

FSC INDUSTRIAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSION

When: Apr. 20, 2023 | 12 p.m. flsouthern.edu/io

Learn more about the field that combines psychology, business and computer science and how a Master’s degree in this field can open doors in your career. Hear from your program director and get your questions answered about this exciting degree option. Register online.

SWAN BREWING 5TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY WEEKEND

When: Apr. 20 - 23 2023 | 12 p.m.

Where: Swan Brewing, 115 W Pine St., Lakeland Come celebrate 5 amazing years of beer with Swan Brewing! New beer releases, live music from your favorite artists, and the best food trucks in Central Florida!

MIDNIGHT AT THE MASQUERADE MURDER MYSTERY DINNER SHOW

When: Apr. 20, 2023 | 6-9 p.m.

Where: Balmoral Event Center 116 Kenny Blvd, Haines City centralfloridatix.com

It’s up to you to determine which partygoer is guilty, bring this crime to justice, and save the party! Attend the Billionaires’ Club Annual Masquerade Ball and help get this soiree back on track by trading clues with your guests, gathering information, and solving the crime before the masked menace gets away! Evening wear, ball gowns, Venetian masks, suits, and tuxes are what to wear to this high-class night of masks and murder. Experience this exciting show while enjoying a delicious dinner from Balmoral’s Executive Chef!

NOVELS AT NIGHT

When: Apr. 20, 2023 | 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Where: Bartow Public Library 2150 S Broadway Ave, Bartow cityofbartow.net

April’s Theme: A book that became a movie. This evening book club meets both in-person and online, for those of us who love to read but work most of the day. How to Join: Pick a book inspired by the monthly theme, then bring your book to the club and tell us all about it!

BINGO WITH MOMMA & FRIENDS

When: Apr. 20, 2023 | 8-10 p.m.

Where: Quinteassence Kava Bar 839 N Massachusetts Ave, Lakeland rosedynastyfoundationinc.org/

Get your Bingo on every Thursday with Momma Ashley Rose and the Rose Dynasty Foundation Inc.! All ages are welcome to attend! $15 to play with the proceeds going to a different local charity each week!

POLK AT NITE

When: Apr. 20, 2023 | 5-8 p.m.

Where: Polk Museum of Art 800 E Palmetto St., Lakeland centralfloridatix.com

Join us for a dope evening of art, food and drinks at the Polk Museum of Art! What’s included: chill beats by DJ Jenks, complimentary small bites from Sabu Ramen, complimentary craft cocktail from Cob & Pen (cash bar available after free drink redemption). Interested in becoming a Polk Museum member? Combine your general admission with a membership to enjoy the museum all year long! Check out all ticket options before purchasing.

ROCKIN’ ON THE CHAIN BENEFITING AUTISM SPECIAL NEEDS

When: Apr. 21 - 23, 2023

Where: Tanners Lakeside 1006 S Lake Howard Dr. Winter Haven

There will be over 20 live bands, 2 stages, great food, live auctions, raffles and a fun time for the entire family. Proceeds will go towards a new sensory room or garden for special needs people in the Winter Haven Community.

Visit the Facebook page for band schedule @ Rockinonthechainbenefitingautismspecialneeds

UAW MID FLORIDA RETIREE COUNCIL

When: Apr. 21, 2023 | 10 a.m.

Where: Knights of Columbus Hall

3308 Ave W NW, Winter Haven

In attendance will be vendors from Blue Cross and United Healthcare. If you have any problems with some claims, you can bring the paperwork to the meeting and speak with the healthcare representatives. We encourage members to come early for some coffee and donuts and to socialize with fellow members. The UAW Mid Florida Retiree Council’s drop-in center in Winter Haven is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The office is located in the Hope Plaza strip mall. Please call (863) 293-5556 or drop by with any problems you have with your benefits. All UAW retired members are welcome. Please bring all pertinent paperwork in order to resolve any problems. Please pass this info along to any UAW retired members you know who may not get this publication.

ARISTOCATS KIDS - THE PENGUIN PROJECT

When: Apr. 21, 2023 | 6 p.m.

Where: Theatre Winter Haven

210 Cypress Gardens Blvd. Winter Haven theatrewinterhaven.com

Performed in the Norman & Linda Small Second Stage. In the heart of Paris, a kind and eccentric millionairess wills her entire estate to Duchess, her high-society cat, and her three little kittens. Laughs and adventure ensue as the greedy, bumbling butler pulls off the ultimate catnap caper. Now it’s up to the rough-and-tumble alley cat, Thomas O’Malley, and his band of swingin’ jazz cats to save the day. The Penguin Project provides a supportive environment for children with disabilities to explore their creative talents. 863-294-7469

THE ROYAL TREATMENT WITH MULAN

When: Apr. 21, 2023 | 6-8 p.m.

Where: Enchanted Fairytale Hollow

214 Trader’s Alley, Lakeland

Every guest gets a truly royal makeover including dress up, sparkles in their royal tresses, finely polished fingernails and magnificent makeup. Then, Mulan will arrive once everyone is ready and host a sing and dance along, and will Meet and Greet with every royal guest and pose for royal portraits. This is event is RSVP only. Every child attending is required to purchase tickets in advance. More info on Facebook

@EnchantedFairytaleHollow

BAD ART NIGHT

When: Apr. 21, 2023 | 6-8 p.m.

Where: Mary Norma Campbell Resource Center

2226 Karen St., Lake Wales

Aspiring and terrible artists alike are invited to create their own disaster-piece level artwork from scratch! Prizes in multiple categories will be awarded based on the most creatively awful original works. Art supplies and snacks will be provided. Awards will be given out for the most creative and terrible projects presented by the end of the night.Come out, make friends, and mess something up. This event is intended for tweens 8-15 years old. For more information, please call (863) 679-4335.

CONCERT UNDER THE STARS: THE

STEELDRIVERS

When: Apr. 21, 2023 | 7 p.m.

Where: Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales boktowergardens.org

Direct from Nashville, Grammy Award-winners, The SteelDrivers are one of modern bluegrass biggest musical talents. Purchase tickets in advance. 863734-1222

MARK EVANS “SOUTHERN NOT STUPID”

When: Apr. 21, 2023 | 8 p.m.

Where: Laugh Out Lounge Comedy Club

19 3rd St. NW, Winter Haven winterhavenlol.com

Laugh Out Lounge proudly presents Mark Evans “Southern Not Stupid!” Mark has taken his show on the road across the country and was a popular Carnival Cruise Lines comedian!

LLVP MIC NIGHT

When: Apr. 21, 2023 | 8 p.m.

Where: Long Live Vintage 333 Ave C SW, Winter Haven

Calling all comics, poets, musicians, speakers, artist, performers, storytellers and more!Food truck always available. Beer, wine, and Delta-8 available for purchase ages 21+. Support an awesome show every Friday night at 8pm. Sign up begins at 7pm. Thank you Winter Haven!

LAKELAND DOWNTOWN FARMERS CURB

MARKET

When: Apr. 22, 2023 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where: Downtown Lakeland downtownlkld.com/farmerscurbmarket

Local, handmade, produce, plants, artisan gifts, pastries, breads, specialty foods, and more! Enjoy live entertainment most Saturdays. Every Saturday in downtown Lakeland.

WINTER HAVEN FARMERS MARKET

When: Apr. 22, 2023 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Where: NE corner of Third St. & Ave. C SW, Winter Haven winterhavenfarmersmarket.com

The Market features a variety of farmers, unusual food trucks, artisan food vendors, plants, and a sprinkling of curated makers. Enjoy a strong selection of “ready-to-eat” foods and freshly picked produce. Live music + tables and chairs to sit and relax at. Located across from Grove Roots in the parking lot of the BB&T Bank building on the NE corner of Third St. and Ave C SW in downtown Winter Haven every Saturday.

STEM IN THE PARK

When: Apr. 22, 2023 | 10 a.m.

Where: Bonnet Springs Park

400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland bonnetspringspark.com/?

Come visit Bonnet Springs Park on the 4th Saturday of each month to explore topics in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math! This activity is great for ages 5-10 but is open to all ages! Participation will be limited to 30 young learners at a time in 15-minute increments.

SOUND BATH AND FLOW YOGA

When: Apr. 22, 2023 | 10-11:30 a.m.

Where: Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales boktowergardens.org

In this one-of-a-kind event, students enjoy yoga and sound meditation within the beauty of Bok Tower Gardens. Healing and soothing singing bowls will be played throughout this all-levels yoga class. From beginner to experienced, all are welcome. This 1hr class ends with a beautiful guided 30-minute extended savasana sound meditation, leaving students feeling spacious, peaceful, refreshed, and relaxed.$30 members/ $35 non-members, registration required.

863-734-1222

2ND ANNUAL CENTRAL FLORIDA FOOD FOREST FESTIVAL

When: Apr. 22, 2023 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: Scars Farm, 777 Alturas Rd., Bartow $10 per car to park.- Full Vendor Market, Local Produce & Meats, Honey, Crafts- Food Trucks, Desserts, Live DJ, Bartender- Freeze Drying Products & Info- Kids Area & Activities- Walking Tours of:Farm Animal Interactions and more.

AN AFTERNOON OF MINDFULNESS WITH ANTHONY PROFETA

When: Apr. 22, 2023 | 1-4 p.m.

Where: Inside Out Yoga

219 5th St. SW, Winter Haven ioyogastudio.com

This class is for anyone looking to learn about Mindfulness Meditation Techniques or for any Yoga/ Meditation teachers who are looking to know more about mindfulness practices and how they can be incorporated into your classes. 863-224-2311

scholarship is in memory of Larry Libertore, longtime Polk County resident, businessman, political leader, community advocate and Gator Great. Enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres, complimentary beer & wine, silent auction, live Music by The Big Chill, and a cash bar.

SAGE-ING

When: Apr. 24, 2023 | 10 a.m.

Where: Winter Haven Public Library

325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven mywinterhaven.com

Finding joy in the second half of life. A discussion group to support elder leaders and explore ideas for personal fulfillment. This group meets every Monday at 10am. (863) 291-5880

MONEY MONDAYS AT FLORIDA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

When: Apr. 24, 2023 | 12-5 p.m.

Where: Florida Children’s Museum

600 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland

Enjoy money-smart programming and free admission from noon to 5 pm. Admission is free for all guests during Money Mondays. Advanced registration is not required.Please anticipate heavier than normal admission.

LIVE TRIVIA

When: Apr. 24, 2023 | 7:30 p.m.

Where: Cob & Pen

1221 S. Florida Ave,, Lakeland

Live trivia hosted by Triviosity at Cob & Pen every Monday.

BUSY BEES SPORTS EXPLORERS

When: Apr. 25, 2023 | 10-11 a.m.

Where: Medulla Resource Center

1049 Parker Rd., Lakeland

RSVP to Cherry Alston at cherryalston@polk-county. net to attend. A free program for kids to learn about engaging in activities and sports, each month features a different weekly sport. Sessions are for children aged 6 and younger with attending adult. Follow the FB page for updates or schedule changes. @PolkCoFLParksAndRec

STORY TIME

When: Apr. 25, 2023 | 10 a.m.

Where: Florida Air Museum

GARTH BROOKS TRIBUTE

When: Apr. 22, 2023 | 7 p.m.

Where: Ritz Theatre 263 W Central Ave, Winter Haven centralfloridatix.com

Experience the Energy of the 90s Garth Brooks LIVE concert. Please note General Admission seating is first come first serve.

SUPERSTAR SPORTS PARTY

When: Apr. 22, 2023 | 7-10 p.m.

Where: Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland libfund.org

Proceeds go to the Larry Libertore Youth Sports Scholarship program for underprivileged youth to participate in sports camps and leagues. This

4175 Medulla Rd., Lakeland

Everyone is welcome, though the content is targeted towards younger aviators, ages 2-5.

LITTLE SPROUTS STORY TIME

When: Apr. 25, 2023 | 10:30 a.m.

Where: Winter Haven Public Library 325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven mywinterhaven.com

Children enjoy stories, songs, finger plays and puppet shows that develop early literacy skills and promote interaction between parents and children. Ages 5 and under. 863-291-5880

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KNIT & CROCHET NIGHT

When: Apr. 25, 2023 | 5-9 p.m.

Where: Union Taproom

245 West Central Ave, Winter Haven

Bring your Knit or Crochet project and join us for Hoppy Hour at Union Taproom.

DEMOCRATIC WOMEN’S CLUB OF EAST POLK/RIDGE

When: Apr. 25, 2023 | 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Where: The R-Place Eatery Restaurant 35523 Hwy 27, Haines City

All Democratic women are welcome to join the club, where we discuss shared political views and volunteer for activities that help elect fellow Democrats. Contact: Anne Huffman, Club President (863-2423230) and annehuffman01@gmail.com

TRIVIA TUESDAYS

When: Apr. 25, 2023 | 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: Grove Roots Brewing Co.

302 3rd St. SW, Winter Haven

All trivia will be General Knowledge. Prizes are awarded to the Top 3 Teams and the First-Place team each week gets to claim the Trophy of Awesome! Teams may range between 1-8 players.

WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY

When: Apr. 26, 2023 | 5-7 p.m.

Where: Obscure Wine Company

276 W Central Ave, Winter Haven obscurewine.com

$20 unlimited featured wines from different producers every week. A social & networking hotspot for professionals wining down.

OPEN MIC NIGHT!

When: Apr. 26, 2023 | 8-10 p.m.

Where: Laugh Out Lounge Comedy Club

19 3rd St. NW, Winter Haven winterhavenlol.com

Come see new and established comedians work on new material and home their craft! As always this show is FREE to attend with $2 off all adult beverages! Doors open and sign ups begin at 7pm. Show starts at 8pm.

THE MARKET

When: Apr. 27, 2023 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where: Central Florida’s Visitor Information Center, 101 Adventure Ct., Davenport

A variety of vendors are signed on to participate offering fresh local produce, arts and crafts, jewelry, home goods and more.The market offers local vendors the opportunity to share their produce and wares with Polk County residents and visitors alike, while also serving to familiarize attendees with the amenities and services available at the center.

challenges, and anyone wanting a slower paced exercise program. Practiced in a chair, this yoga will focus on strength, stretching and flexibility. All are welcome. 863-291-5880

HAPPY SEAT MEDITATION

When: Apr. 27, 2023 | 10:30 a.m.

Where: Winter Haven Public Library

325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven mywinterhaven.com

Participants will be comfortably seated and guided through 3 or 4 meditations. Share your experiences after each meditation. Calm your mind. No experience necessary, space is limited. 863-2915880

WINTER HAVEN WRITERS

When: Apr. 27, 2023 | 12:30-2:30 p.m.

Where: Winter Haven Public Library

325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven

The Winter Haven Writers meet at the Winter Haven library in the large conference room. Interested writers can email ellenedits4u@gmail.com or call 863-456-9831 for more info. This group shares work, writing ideas, and they encourage fellow writers. (only 2nd Thursday in Nov. & Dec.)

BINGO WITH MOMMA & FRIENDS

When: Apr. 27, 2023 | 8-10 p.m.

Where: Quinteassence Kava Bar

839 N Massachusetts Ave, Lakeland rosedynastyfoundationinc.org/

Get your Bingo on every Thursday with Momma Ashley Rose and the Rose Dynasty Foundation Inc.! All ages are welcome to attend! $15 to play with the proceeds going to a different local charity each week!

GRILLS GONE WILD & CAR SHOW

When: Apr. 28, 2023 | 5-9 p.m.

Where: Tom Fellows Community Center 207 North Blvd. West, Davenport mydavenport.org

Bring the Family out to the annual Grills Gone Wild Event, enjoy vendors, entertainment and the best BBQ in the south!

SWAN DERBY

When: Apr. 28, 2023 | 5:30-9 p.m.

Where: Frances Langford Promenade at Lake Mirror, Lakeland

lvim.net/swan-derby

Swan Derby is an annual ‘Derby Style’ event, , featuring swan boat races, live entertainment, food vendors, a derby hat contest and fireworks! Free community event for all ages to enjoy.The true essence of the Derby is the reward of knowing the proceeds will support Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine. The Derby features ten beautifully handcrafted swan paddle boats in a thrilling race to the finish line.

CONCERT UNDER THE STARS: TRAVELIN’ MCCOURYS

When: Apr. 28, 2023 | 7 p.m.

Where: Bok Tower Gardens 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales boktowergardens.org

The McCoury brothers- Ronnie (mandolin) and Rob (banjo) — were born into the bluegrass tradition. Talk about a source abundant and pure: their father, Del, is among the most influential and successful musicians in the history of the genre. Years on the road with Dad in the Del McCoury Band honed their knife-edge chops, and encouraged the duo to imagine how traditional bluegrass could cut innovative pathways into 21st century music. Purchase tickets in advance. 863-734-1222

LLVP MIC NIGHT

When: Apr. 28, 2023 | 8 p.m.

Where: Long Live Vintage

333 Ave C SW, Winter Haven

Calling all comics, poets, musicians, speakers, artist, performers, storytellers and more!Food truck always available. Beer, wine, and Delta-8 available for purchase ages 21+. Support an awesome show every Friday night at 8pm. Sign up begins at 7pm. Thank you Winter Haven!

MICHAEL WINSLOW FROM POLICE ACADEMY

When: Apr. 28, 2023 | 8 p.m.

Where: Laugh Out Lounge Comedy Club 19 3rd St. NW, Winter Haven winterhavenlol.com

Laugh Out Lounge is proud to welcome back Michael Winslow from the hit movie franchise “Police Academy”!

LAKELAND DOWNTOWN FARMERS CURB MARKET

When: Apr. 29, 2023 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where: Downtown Lakeland downtownlkld.com/farmerscurbmarket

Local, handmade, produce, plants, artisan gifts, pastries, breads, specialty foods, and more! Enjoy live entertainment most Saturdays. Every Saturday in downtown Lakeland.

WINTER HAVEN FARMERS MARKET

When: Apr. 29, 2023 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Where: NE corner of Third St. & Ave. C SW, Winter Haven winterhavenfarmersmarket.com

DISCOVERY BAGS

When: Apr. 29, 2023 | 10 a.m.

Where: Bonnet Springs Park 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland bonnetspringspark.com

Discover new adventures at Bonnet Springs Park every 3rd and 5th Saturday of the month with our Discovery Bags! Stop by the GiveWell Community Foundation Nature Center from 10am-2pm to check out a Discovery Bag from a BSP representative. Each Discovery Bag is filled with a unique set of books, activity cards, hands-on activities, and extras for all ages.

GRILLS GONE WILD & CAR SHOW

When: Apr. 29, 2023 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: Tom Fellows Community Center

207 North Blvd. West, Davenport mydavenport.org

Bring the Family out to the annual Grills Gone Wild Event, enjoy vendors, entertainment and the best BBQ in the south!

ENCHANTED UNICORN FESTIVAL

When: Apr. 29, 2023 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Where: Enchanted Fairytale Hollow

214 Trader’s Alley, Lakeland

Guests will get a chance to explore stations with all sorts of unicorn themed fun and activities! Meet and Greet with all the unicorns, Unicorn Rides, makeovers, photo ops, Wishes and Horn Activating Ceremonies, Unicorn themed crafts, games and treats, and even a Unicorn Show! This is event is RSVP only. Every child and adult attending are required to purchase tickets in advance. More info on Facebook @EnchantedFairytaleHollow.

BELLY DANCE FITNESS WITH KELLY

When: Apr. 29, 2023 | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Where: Inside Out Yoga

219 5th St. SW, Winter Haven ioyogastudio.com

This inclusive class is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Belly dance is gentle on the joints while also providing a whole body workout. Hip scarves will be provided for use during class. Kelly teaches fun, effective classes and will leave you laughing as you shimmy out the door!

863-224-2311

FEEL GOOD CHAIR YOGA

When: Apr. 27, 2023 | 9:15 a.m.

Where: Winter Haven Public Library

325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven mywinterhaven.com/library

Designed for seniors, people with physical

The Market features a variety of farmers, unusual food trucks, artisan food vendors, plants, and a sprinkling of curated makers. Enjoy a strong selection of “ready-to-eat” foods and freshly picked produce. Live music + tables and chairs to sit and relax at.Located across from Grove Roots in the parking lot of the BB&T Bank building on the NE corner of Third St. and Ave C SW in downtown Winter Haven every Saturday.

We’re All Stardust

ARIES

This is a month of adventure and exploration for you, Aries. You’re feeling restless and eager to try new things, so don’t be afraid to take risks and step outside of your comfort zone. Trust your instincts and let your heart lead the way, don’t overthink it.

TAURUS

This month, focus on nurturing your relationships with loved ones. Take the time to express your appreciation and gratitude for those who bring joy and love into your life. Remember that love is the most powerful force in the universe, so tell them.

GEMINI

April is a month of creativity and self-expression for you. Let your imagination run wild and don’t be afraid to experiment with new ideas and perspectives. Trust in your gifts and talents, and don’t be afraid to share them with the world. Give someone a gift of your art.

CANCER

This is a month of healing and self-care for you. Take the time to nourish your body, mind, and soul, and prioritize your own well-being above all else. Remember that you can’t pour from an empty cup, so make sure to fill your own cup first. Spend a few hours doing something nice for yourself.

LEO

April is a month of abundance and prosperity for you. Trust in your own abilities and stay focused on your goals, and you’ll see the fruits of your labor manifesting in your life. Remember to give back and share your blessings with others. Say yes to new opportunities this month.

VIRGO

This month, focus on letting go of what no longer serves you. Release any negative thoughts, emotions, or habits that are holding you back, and make room for new growth and positivity in your life. Remember that change is inevitable, it’s time to switch paths.

LIBRA

This is a month of balance and harmony for you. Focus on finding a sense of equilibrium in all areas of your life and remember to prioritize your own needs as well as the needs of others. Remember that true balance comes from within. Try not to spend all your time at work.

SCORPIO

This is a month of transformation and rebirth for you, Scorpio. Embrace the changes that are happening in your life, and trust that they are leading you towards a brighter future. Remember that sometimes the greatest growth comes from the greatest challenges. This is a very exciting month for you.

SAGITTARIUS

April is a month of soul-searching. Follow your heart and chase your dreams, and don’t be afraid to take risks and try new things. Remember that the journey is just as important as the destination, soak it all in.

CAPRICORN

This is a month of grounding and stability for you. Focus on creating a solid foundation in all areas of your life and take the time to reconnect with your roots and your sense of purpose. Remember that you are capable of achieving great things with patience.

AQUARIUS

This is a month of innovation and creativity for you. Embrace your unique perspective and use your creative energy to bring positive change to the world around you. Remember that the power of ideas is limitless.

PISCES

This is a month of self-discovery and spiritual growth for you. Take the time to connect with your innermost self and explore your deepest passions. There’s something you’ve been wanting to begin, now is the time. Do it.

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Small City Rising!

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Six/Ten has plans to build additional townhomes and apartments in vibrant downtown Winter Haven.

Interested? Intrigued?

Register your interest at ideas@sixtenllc.com