LKLD August 2023

EVERY 2ND FRIDAY 6-8PM

SHUFFLEBOARD UNDER THE STARS

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY

Lakeland Shuffleboard Club located in Lake Parker Park

SNACKS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE

*CLOSED TOE SHOES REQUIRED

This month, we had the pleasure of meeting Brandon and Tristan along with their coach at the Winter Haven Boxing Gym. Read all about them and where they’re headed in the cover story. Thank you to Coach Marco Fazzini for all your time and for promoting and encouraging these young men.

We were very excited to make a trip to Sarasota for the Florida Magazine Association’s Charlie Awards Gala. As a magazine, we walked away with five awards, and I couldn’t be more proud of our team. Our podcast, Haven for Your Ears won an award. If you haven’t listened to it yet, please do! It’s a companion podcast to our magazine and it gives you a glimpse into what goes on behind the scenes. You can find it wherever you normally get your podcasts. Nate Schaller is the producer/editor and keeps Tara and me on track. Tara Crutchfield won for writing, again! Her story from our April Fool’s edition in 2022 called, “Chewz Wisely” won. Steven Maynard and myself won best photo illustration for the July 2022 cover featuring Gram Parsons Derry Down. Steven also won for the best ad produced for a client, congrats! Finally, I won for social media. We had a fun night celebrating, and now it’s back to work.

On that note, we have a very busy August ahead of us. For the last two months, we have been collecting your votes for the Best Of LKLD awards and now it’s time to count them. We are literally in our conference room, for two full days, organizing, counting and figuring out the winners so we can list them in the September edition. It’s our biggest issue of the year, as we celebrate the small businesses and entrepreneurs that make our county great.

Have a great August, I hope to see you around town.

Amy Sexson Editor/Partner Haven & LKLD Magazines Destroyer Media & Marketing

Winter Haven Farmers Market

CentralFloridaTix.com

Email me: amy@destroyermedia.com

ON THE COVER: Brandon Moore, photographed by Nate Schaller.

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 & Photographer // Nate Schaller nate@destroyermedia.com

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

Event Coordinator // Lyndsey Venrick

Small City Rising!

WALKABLE, BIKEABLE, EATABLE, DRINKABLE

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

Interested? Intrigued? Register your interest at ideas@sixtenllc.com

SORRY CHARLIE –CANNING COMPANY PULLS OUT

A Spain-based fish-canning company that had planned to spend $21 million to convert a newly constructed building off Chestnut Road into its U.S. base has had a change of heart after seeing the realities of construction costs. The City Commission in November approved giving Frinsa a $400,000 incentive to help mitigate its impact fees, but LEDC senior vice president Katie Worthington Decker said they had not yet received the funds. The plant near Kathleen High School would have employed up to 115 people, with an average salary of $54,206. Frinsa officials said they had planned to open in October or November of this year. “Unfortunately, the inflationary cost shifts during their evaluation period made it an unaffordable alternative, which we totally understand,” Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz said.

POLK’S HOUSING MARKET “OVERVALUED”

A new report from CoreLogic ranks Lakeland-Winter Haven as the nation’s second most likely metropolitan area to experience a home price decline in the next 12 months, NewsChannel 8 reported. The report took into account factors including unemployment, income growth and delayed mortgage payments. “We also look at home price appreciation up until this point which in your area has been 70% since the onset of the pandemic. So that’s almost twice as much that we saw nationally,” said Selma Hepp, chief economist at CoreLogic, a California-based residential property data and solutions company.

“I definitely disagree,” said Chris McLaughlin, who owns KW McLaughlin Group, a Keller Williams realty team. “There will not be a steep decline next year.” McLaughlin says demand remains higher than supply in Lakeland’s growing community and homes are more affordable than surrounding areas.

LAKELAND ELECTRIC’S BASE RATE COULD INCREASE

Lakeland Electric’s residential customers may see a slight increase starting Oct. 1 if the City Commission backs a proposal to raise the base rate by 3.5% instead of the already approved 2.25%. The plan would add about $2.73 a month to the average bill, compared with $1.76 under the increase that was passed about six months ago. Gina Jacobi, Lakeland Electric’s assistant general manager for fiscal operations, said the average residential customer consuming 1,200 kilowatt hours per month paid $144 in April. The new rate would bring their bill up to about $147, which would still be among the lowest in the state. The proposal will have a second reading and be voted on Aug.

7. Mayor Bill Mutz said members of the public can speak for up to 5 minutes at the second reading.

YOUTH COUNCIL FORMING

City Commissioners are continuing to build a dam to stop the flood of young people leaving, with the latest effort coming in the form of a City Youth Council. Commissioners unanimously approved the formation of a 15-member Youth Council to “inject fresh ideas and the perspectives of youth in the community into local decision-making.” City staff are drafting an application that will be sent to public and private high schools in August. No essays will be required, but students will be asked to answer a few questions including why they want to join. City commissioners can nominate two people each, preferably one senior and one underclassman, with applications due by August 25. Members will be named in September.

PROPOSED ½-CENT SALES TAX

County Commissioner George Lindsey is currently on a tour of Polk County’s 17 municipalities, asking each one to throw their backing behind a half-cent sales tax initiative that he is spearheading to fix, maintain and build new roadways, along with adding some public transportation services, in one of the fastest growing counties in the United States. If placed on the ballot and approved by voters, the tax would go into effect January 2025 and be placed on consumer goods for 20 years. It would raise an estimated $2.076 billion for the county, with its municipalities splitting 28% of that. Lakeland would reap an estimated $219.6 million — the most of any of the cities in Polk County — with Winter Haven following at $92.3 million.

A PIECE OF MCINTOSH 3 DEMOLISHED

Unit 2 of Lakeland Electric’s decommissioned McIntosh power plant came tumbling down July 5. Unlike previous demolitions that involved explosives, Unit 2 was “pulled over with cables into a cleared space on the property.” McIntosh 3, the utility’s last coal-fired plant, was shut down in 2021 after repairs at the site became too costly and Lakeland Electric sought to rid its coal reserves. The city engaged Total Wrecking & Environmental to demolish McIntosh units 1, 2 and 3 and then sell parts and scrap metal. The city of Lakeland expects to net $1.2 million from its share of the sales.

RAIN DAMAGES BRICK ROAD

Lakeland’s red brick roads and crosswalks are a part of its charm, but recent heavy rains have dislodged them in several spots, creating hazards for motorists. In the most startling case, several hundred bricks washed out of Easton Drive and onto the southbound lane of Cleveland Heights Boulevard on June 2. Public Works Director Heath Frederick said that was a rare occurrence due to an “extremely heavy rain event.” He said the road was fixed the day after the incident was reported, with the repair costing the city $5,464. Brick roads are generally popular with Lakelanders and they have many advantages, according to Frederick: They help with speed control; They have a historical look; And they help with stormwater drainage because they are more porous than asphalt.

AVIATION-THEMED PLAYGROUND

The Florida Air Museum is working to bring an aviation-themed playground to southwest Lakeland before Sun ‘n Fun Expo 2024 in April. The museum has raised more than half of its goal of $500,000 for the project. The idea for the playground came about after witnessing so many children enjoying the museum’s weekly storytime sessions, which began in August 2022, said Eric Crump, the executive director of the Aerospace Center for Excellence, which includes the Florida Air Museum. “Seeing all those young kiddos on campus every week and how much they loved our Kid’s Discovery Zone in the museum made it obvious that there would be interest in expanded opportunities,” Crump said.

FOUR LPD OFFICERS CLEARED

Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigators have cleared four Lakeland Police, Sgt. Mark Eby, Detective Dillon Cornn, and Officers Anton Jefferson and Jason McCain of any wrongdoing during the December arrest of Antwan Glover, 36, which was videotaped by Glover’s stepdaughter. State Attorney Brian Haas wrote in a letter to Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor that his office will take no further action regarding the improper use of force complaint made by Glover. Haas pointed to Glover’s record of 10 arrests as an adult. He wrote, “Glover refused the lawful command of the officers, made the decision to actively fight them and aggressively and violently prevented the officers from securing a satchel that was strapped to his body. The officers, with good reason, suspected the satchel contained a deadly weapon.”

FORMER MISS LAKELAND SUCCUMBS TO ALS

Laura Frances Pinner’s battle with ALS came to an end July 7. Her two-year journey with the disease was chronicled by The Ledger. She was 53 years old, and her family said she filled all her days to overflowing, pursuing a career in acting and singing. She made appearances in the films “Waterboy,” Wedding Crashers,” “First Daughter,” and the HBO/Tom Hanks miniseries “From the Earth to the Moon,” about the Apollo moon missions. After living in the LA area, she returned home to Lakeland in 2006. She modeled locally and served on the board of Girls, Inc., chaperoning two students to First Lady Michelle Obama’s annual luncheon. Laura held tightly to her faith in Jesus and her belief in His greatest commandment — that we should love one another, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or politics. At least 800 people attended her celebration of life service at First United Methodist Church, where she once sang in the choir.

JON CORNEAL

Every Friday from noon – 2:30 pm at Hillcrest Coffee you can watch and listen to the Legendary Jon Corneal and his Compadres play live. Hillcrest offers indoor listening room seating, with additional outdoor seating on the wraparound porch. No cover charge, but feel free to tip the musicians. Stream it live on Facebook @hillcrestcoffee.

POLK TOP 10

LIVING WITH NATURE

Aug. 4, 4 – 7 pm at The Nectary in Lakeland. Join Little Bus Books and The Nectary for an evening with the architectural designer, HGTV host, & author John Gidding as they celebrate his debut book “At Home with Nature.” Two ticket options, purchase online. livingwithnature.eventbrite.com

FLYING TIGERS

The Lakeland Flying Tigers play at home 12 times in August at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. They play the Dunedin Blue Jays and the Clearwater Threshers. Check the schedule online for tickets and promotional nights. Most games begin at 6:30 pm. milb.com/ lakeland

BACKPACKING 101

Aug. 16, 5:30 pm. This is a webinar on backpacking skills by the UF/ IFAS Extension Natural Resources and Conservation faculty, Shannon Carnevale. Participants will learn about the basic skills required to go backpacking in Florida’s backcountry. More info on FB @facebook.com/PolkExtension

FINE ART AT THE MAGNOLIA

Aug. 19 from 10 am – 5 pm and Aug. 20 from 10 am – 4 pm at the Magnolia Building in Lakeland. This is an Invitational Fine Art Show & Scholarship featuring 19 fine artists and craftsmen. Browse the show in the comfort of the indoors. Meet and support the artists. thebohrergallery.com

REYNIER LLANES

Featuring the work of Cuban-born Reynier Llanes, this exhibition showcases why Llanes is a fastrising art world star. Recent works by the artist, whose memories of Cuba intertwine with his mystical, audience-engaging visions of the present and future. Aug. 19, 2023Jan. 14, 2024. polkmuseumofart.org

POLK EMERGING LEADERS

Aug. 24, 6 pm at the Bartow Civic Center. The Polk Emerging Leaders Awards annually recognizes five young professionals from across Polk County making significant contributions to our community. Hosted by three young professional groups of the Winter Haven, Bartow, and Lakeland Chambers. winterhavenchamber.com

PINTS FOR PITS

Aug. 24. On the fourth Thursday of every month from 7 – 9 pm at The Yard on Mass. A portion of the sales are donated to the Polk County Bully Project (PCBP). There will be a retail table available with shirts, cups, and many other items, all proceeds go to the PCBP. More info on FB @TheYardOnMass.

STEM IN THE PARK

Aug. 26, 10 am – noon at Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland, on the fourth Saturday of the month. Kids can explore topics in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Each month will feature a new and engaging activity fit for a wide range of learners. bonnetspringspark.com

THE MOON AND BEYOND

Aug. 26, 4:30 – 5:30 pm at Bok Tower Gardens. Sharife Gacel, NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador, presents an interactive presentation about the Moon, gives updates on the Artemis missions, and what lies beyond. Night sky viewing through a telescope if weather permits. Registration required. boktowergardens.org

ORLANDO TOP 10

THURSDAY NIGHT HANG

JUVENTUS VS REAL MADRID

Aug. 2 at Camping World Stadium. The match between these two iconic global clubs is part of the Soccer Champions Tour and is hosted by the Florida Cup. The new Camping World Stadium offers an enhanced fan experience. fcseries.com/orlando

Every Thursday at the Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts in Winter Park. Hear a free concert set, followed by a jazz jam session. Musicians can bring instruments and sit in. A guitar amp, bass amp, drums, and piano are available for use. bluebambooartcenter.com

HONKY TONK LAUNDRY

Aug. 4 – 27 at The Winter Park Playhouse. When Lana Mae Hopkins, owner of the Wishy Washy Washateria, hires Katie to help out, they soon find themselves up to their elbows in soap, suds and cheatin’ hearts. winterparkplayhouse.org

SKETCHING IN THE GALLERY

Aug. 5, noon – 2 pm at the Orlando Museum of Art. Drawing and sketching supplies will be available for artists of all ages. This is a dropin program, no pre-registration required. Free with paid gallery admission. omart.org

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

Aug. 10, 8 pm. This film is a part of the Enzian “Popcorn Flicks in the Park” series, in Central Park, Winter Park. The movie is free and open to the public. The film will be presented with open captions, rated PG13. Bring a blanket or chair. enzian.org

GUITAR FESTIVAL

Aug. 11 – 26 at the Timucua Arts Foundation. The International Guitar Festival is back with an eclectic array of talent, from classical virtuosos to steel-string maestros, from guitaristcomposers to jazz ensembles. Tickets online. timucua.com

MICKEY’S NOT SO SCARY HALLOWEEN

Aug. 11 – Nov. 1 at Magic Kingdom. The park gets Halloween music, special effects, and kids of all ages can dress up in their favorite Halloween costume to trick-or-treat around the happiest place on Earth. Must purchase ticket in advance. disneyworld.disney.go.com

SUNSET AT THE ZOO

Aug. 25, 5 – 8 pm. Join the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens for sunset as they proudly celebrate Native American & Alaska Native culture and heritage. Guests will enjoy food trucks, live entertainment, and more. centralfloridazoo.org

SUMMER SIDEWALK SALE

Aug. 26, stroll and shop the sale racks along the brick-lined streets in historic downtown Winter Garden. Step inside the stores for additional sales, promotions, and raffles. The sale is along W Plant St. from Woodland St. to Central Ave. cwgdn.com

SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE LIVE IN CONCERT

Aug. 30, 7:30 pm at the Dr. Phillips Center. Watch a screening of the Academy Award®-winning animated film along with live musicians and turntables featuring a DJ scratcher live on stage for the HipHop based score. drphillipscenter.org

TAMPA TOP 10

SURREALIST GAME NIGHT

Aug. 3, 6 – 7 pm at The Dali Museum. Bring your friends and create exquisite art, participate in a whimsical chain reaction and play surreal question and answer. No winners or losers, just surrealists! Gallery access not included. Purchase tickets in advance. thedali.org

TWELFTH NIGHT

Aug. 4 – 13 by the Carrollwood Players. Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” is a comedy of deception, separation, mistaken identity, pranks, love and reuniting. The play centers on twins Viola and Sebastian, who are separated in a shipwreck. carrollwoodplayers.org

DISCOVER YOUR ZEN

Aug. 5, 9 – 10 am at MOSI in Tampa. Unlock your zen with breath and movement in the outdoor Science Park. They will guide you through a flow-style yoga class and finish with a soothing mini sound bath. Ages 3+ registration required. mosi.org/yoga

ADULT POTTERY CAMP

Aug. 11 – 13, 10 am – 4 pm at the Morean Workshop Space in St. Pete. Refine and build on your throwing skills from the first step of centering to finishing your pottery by trimming, texturing and glazing. Housing available. Register in advance. moreanworkshopspace.org

BUCCANEERS

Aug. 11, 7 pm at Raymond James Stadium. Watch the first home preseason game as the Buccaneers take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bucs also play the Baltimore Ravens on Aug. 26 at 7 pm before the season begins at home on Sept. 17. buccaneers.com

BOLTS BREW FEST

Aug. 11, 8 pm at Amalie Arena hosted by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Becoming one of Tampa Bay’s biggest beer events with a wide selection of craft beers from local and national breweries. VIP tickets allow additional time and a locker room tour. amaliearena.com

TWILIGHT – LOS ANGELES, 1992

Aug. 16 – 27 at the Straz Center. The acquittal of police officers accused of beating Rodney King set off five days of rioting in LA. Playwright Anna Deavere Smith’s one-woman play recounts that time from 27 different perspectives. strazcenter.org

BEYONCE

Aug. 16 at Raymond James Stadium. The Beyonce Renaissance World Tour has Queen Bey back in Tampa for her first solo tour in seven years. Expect to hear songs from her entire career and her newest album, “Renaissance.” raymondjamesstadium.com

MONSTER JAM

Aug. 19, 1 pm & 7 pm at Amalie Arena. Watch giant monster trucks weighing over 10,000 lbs, standing over 12 feet tall and 12 feet wide, designed for maximum destruction. Watch nail-biting stunts that will keep you on the edge of your seat. amaliearena.com

SALSA

Aug. 19, 9 pm – 2 am at The Factory St. Pete. Class will be at 9:15pm led by Jae Phillips Dance Studio. Music will start at 10 pm, $15 entrance fee. Plenty of parking and an amazing dance floor. More info on FB @danceflowstudiostampa.

Creating Champions

Marco Fazzini’s office is littered with stories and posters of his boxers’ successes. “I like to fix the cars to race them. I don’t just like to fix them,” he said. He looked around and added, “A lot of hard work.” Winter Haven Boxing has a winning tradition. With a coach like Marco Fazzini, and fighters like Brandon Moore and Tristan Gallichan, that tradition looks to continue. Coach Fazzini will indeed have more to add to his office wall.

Fazzini, who owns the gym, has been immersed in the sport his whole life. The Frostproof native comes from a boxing family. “My grandfather was a prizefighter. We always had a gym in our house,” he said. In 1992, Fazzini’s dad brought him to Jack Leonard, who started the Winter Haven gym in 1984. “This is actually the original ring that a lot of people learned in,” Fazzini said. Leonard first boxed as an amateur at age 14 and turned professional as a welterweight. His legacy is honored with his cornerman’s jacket and photo on the wall. “He had a lot of world champions and a lot of quality fighters.”

From there, Fazzini worked with Tony Morgan, who notoriously trained Andre Berto. Fazzini described Morgan as a mentor when he took over the gym in 2012. “They were big shoes to fill – I’m not going to lie. We do have a winning tradition here.”

Fazzini has worked tirelessly, keeping up that tradition with a competitive roster of 12 amateurs and seven professional boxers. “It’s a serious place. If someone wants their kid to compete, this is usually where they’ll take them. People will shy away from this gym because they know they’re going to have to work a lot.”

Two local Boxing pros who have put in the work, Brandon Moore and Tristan Gallichan, came to Fazzini with zero experience. “They are both products of Polk County. I started them from scratch,” Fazzini said.

The pair have done their part to bring in big wins for the boxing gym, nabbing national titles on the amateur level and sweeping up gold medals at the Eastern Qualifiers and multiple Sugar Bert tournaments. “I feel really proud,” Coach Fazzini said of his fighters. “I try not to get too excited because with the highs come the lows, and in boxing, those two feelings come a lot.”

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TRISTAN GALLICHAN

Tristan Gallichan, competing in the junior welterweight division, stands 5’8” and weighs in at 140 lbs. The 27-year-old got into boxing at age 18 and turned pro in June. He thought back to his first amateur fight at 20 years old. “Twenty fights later, I’m fighting one of the best guys in the state. Thirty fights later, I’m fighting the top tenth guy in the world. It’s been a long, crazy journey,” he said.

Gallichan, who works as a sushi chef when he isn’t in the ring, says he endeavors to grow daily. He’s won numerous state, national, and Sugar Bert titles and was a semifinalist in the Golden Gloves two years ago. “I wouldn’t be anywhere without my coach,” Gallichan said. “I started out as a nobody, and now I’m a somebody.” When he first came to Winter Haven Boxing, he lacked motivation and discipline. Coach Fazzini changed all that. “He is a hard ass, but it’s with love. It’s tough love. […] If we listen to him, we know we’re going to go far in life. He’s taught me more than just boxing. He’s taught me how to be a man, how to carry myself, how to take care of other people. […] Thank God I have a coach that takes me seriously, takes the sport seriously, and takes the gym seriously. As long as I’m with him, I can’t go wrong.”

The Winter Haven Boxing champ has advice for anyone looking to get into the sport. “Stay focused, stay in the gym, stay dedicated. Find yourself a good coach, find yourself good friends that are part of the gym, and keep grinding,” he said. “Because at the end of the day, you never know how far you can take yourself with this sport.”

Gallichan’s goals are to see how far he can take his career and to be a positive influence in the community, especially to the kids in the gym. “The kids motivate me and make me want to stay in the gym,” he said. “As long as the kids look at me as the best in their eyes – I’m good, I’m chillin’.”

Reflecting on his boxing journey, Gallichan said his biggest accomplishment has been making his parents proud.

BRANDON MOORE

“Brandon is on his way to probably be one of the best heavyweights in the world,” Fazzini said of Moore. The professional heavyweight from Lakeland towers at 6’6” and weighs in at 238 lbs. He played basketball at Southeastern University, where he was named Freshman of the Year, made All-Conference, and got into the Final Four. After graduating with his accounting and finance degree, Moore traveled the world as a flight attendant.

Putting his accounting background to good use, Moore crunched the numbers on what sports one could play and make it to the top the fastest. Six years ago, after getting off work, he made his way to Winter Haven Boxing. “Coach told me he didn’t believe I wanted to really box,” Moore remembers. “I came to the gym, and I never left.”

Growing up in Polk County, Moore said, “Sometimes I didn’t have the right guidance. […] When I came to the gym, I really was a little boy.” He was 24, just getting out of college, and trying to figure out what he wanted to do with his life. “The gym really honed it in for me.”

Coach Fazzini encouraged Moore to buy his first home and even helped him build his backyard fence. That led to Moore finishing the fence and starting his own fencing and lawn companies. “Me starting those businesses made me realize how to treat boxing – as a business. You have to take all those little things seriously,” he said.

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The journey to pro has been arduous, but having played college basketball, Moore was used to training hard. “I knew what I was getting into when I started,” he said. He committed himself to training 300 out of the 365 days a year. “Hard work pays off,” he said. “Playing basketball, those values and that hard work, it shows you that if you apply that work to other things, it’ll be the same. If I would have put my mind to something else with the same amount of tenacity, I think I would have been as good at that as well.”

Moore has gone on to the Olympic qualifiers and won a national championship, with some of his title belts on display at the gym. He’s also won several Florida Golden Gloves titles and placed in the final eight at the Golden Gloves National Championship. In 2021, Moore won the WBC Silver Title in Mexico. “This is what really broke him into the rankings,” Fazzini said.

Moore’s biggest fan? His six-year-old daughter, Marley. “I really take pride in my daughter,” he said. Marley has been going to the gym with him since she was a baby. “I want her to know what hard work looks like.” Moore showed off a video of his daughter erupting in cheers from the crowd for her dad. “I only want her to see me in the capacity of winning.”

While his daughter and kids at the gym look up to Moore, the professional boxer admires his coach. “He saved me when I had nothing. […] He showed me how to be a man, how to be serious. He saved my life,” Moore said of Fazzini.

“When I first started boxing, I wanted to put myself into a position where I could speak to people,” Moore said. “I’m good at it, and I know I can motivate. I want to show the community that you can be from here and still be a positive influence.” Moore’s long-term goals don’t end with boxing. “Boxing is a step to put me in the right direction. I’m a big Polk County product,” he said. “You never know, I could become the mayor.”

Winter Haven Boxing Gym

2510 Avenue G NW, Winter Haven (863) 207-7460

Facebook @Winter Haven Boxing Instagram @winterhavenboxing1

Coach Marco Fazzini

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An Emerald Green Daydream

This Winter Haven home, nestled on a scenic canal on the Chain of Lakes, was once owned by Andy Thornal. Built in 1938, the house saw several additions throughout the years, including that of a ballroom by Thornal. The home hadn’t been touched in the last decade and needed some tender, loving care. The current homeowners put in that TLC, updating the upper floor and some of the main living areas, refinishing the wood floors, painting the walls and the exterior.

For the spacious kitchen and laundry room, they enlisted the help of Nicole Roe with R. Nickson Interiors. Roe, who founded the Central Florida-based firm, has ten years of experience in the design field, including a degree in construction. She offers a full scope of renovation and interior design. “They knew they needed an expert to come in and help them rework and make the kitchen an elevated experience that the house deserved,” said Roe.

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Tara Crutchfield PHOTOGRAPH

Micheal Holden, Holden to Holden Media

For a home with lavish features like a ballroom, “You need a kitchen that can entertain and host dozens of people comfortably. That was one of our main goals.” Putting the fun in functionality, Roe was able to strike the perfect balance between style and substance in the space. She designed it for socializing and accommodating the homeowners’ and their guests’ needs. This included dedicated areas for cocktails and beverages, food prep, and ample seating.

“We wanted the kitchen to be timeless,” Roe said. “The goal wasn’t to be a trendsetter. It was to design a kitchen that stood at the same level as the house. Something that when people walked in, they expected it to be there, but it still took their breath away.”

The homeowners were inspired by natural materials, makers, and handcrafted details. “They wanted everything to have a story, and they were willing to pay the elevated price for that,” said the designer. Even the retailers they used were selected with intention, like Rejuvenation, from whom they sourced lighting, plumbing, and hardware. The Portland, Oregon-based company began as a small architectural salvage shop and boasts over 40 years of craftsmanship and ten locations across the country. The thinking was the same when it came

to the cabinets. Roe teamed up with A Ward Design in Winter Haven for fully customized locally handcrafted cabinetry, complete with brass grates in the upper cabinets. Of Eric Ward, owner of A Ward Design, Roe said, “He allows me to be as creative as I want, but he has that eighth-of-an-inch detail where he knows how to make it function.”

The designer also worked with Scott Taylor and Taylor Building Elements for the project. “He is a luxury contractor in Polk County who specializes in the projects that need that expert eye and attention to detail,” said Roe. “And when you have an older home that’s had additions and could have a lot of question marks when you go through – you need someone willing to go the extra mile, but who also has the expertise and knowledge to do it right.”

Roe said, “The first day I walked in, I realized they weren’t fully settled in the home.” There was the occasional moving box here and there. “But what they had everywhere already were plants.” In addition to the botanical daydream inside, every window lent views of lush greenery, which Roe wanted to pull through and continue in the kitchen with her color palette. Roe and the homeowners decided on an opulent green – Isle of Pine by Sherwin-Williams. “We really leaned into the greens, various shades. But the brass was what

pulled it together – brass lighting, brass plumbing, and brass hardware, as well as brass screens in the upper cabinets,” she said.

“We repeated materials so it wasn’t overwhelming,” said Roe. “We continued the wooden floors that had been refinished through the kitchen.” Joe Volpe Custom Floors did the flooring and color-matched them with the ceiling beams to tie the look together. The countertops are black leathered quartzite complimented by a hand-poured backsplash by Fireclay Tile out of California.

“Thirty years from now, if I go to that house, I would love for that kitchen to still be shining,” Roe said.

The laundry room wasn’t in Roe’s original scope of work for the project, but as the kitchen came along, the homeowners wanted to continue. “The clients love wallpaper, so between them and myself, we looked at dozens, and dozens, and dozens of papers, until we settled on the one that we used,” said Roe of the Milton and King paper. The client felt pink was an apt shade for the laundry room, with Roe calling it “a sunny space” and the color Smokey Salmon by Sherwin-Williams “calming and flattering.” She noted, “When that light comes in, it’s such a nice glow.”

Roe wanted to play off the kitchen but ensure the laundry room remained a separate space, so she pivoted from the brass and went with black for the details and hardware. Like the kitchen, the laundry room needed to be a working space. Roe designed a drop zone with a bench, drawers, cabinets and a sink zone with two drying racks and a hanging bar. They even lifted the front load washer and dryer to allow space for laundry baskets beneath.

The homeowners allowed Roe to continue her vision into the living room, which has a direct line of sight from the kitchen through the dining room. Again, Roe tapped Fireclay for a custom tile fireplace in deep emerald with soft seafoam green along the side. “It’s kind of that business in the front, party in the back mentality,” she joked. They again played off that emerald with a velvet sectional. “We continued those shades, so it told a story from the laundry room all the way through to the fireplace.”

Rnicksoninteriors.com

Facebook @rnicksoninteriors

Instagram @rnicksoninteriors

WORDS

Tara Crutchfield PHOTOGRAPH Amy Sexson

WACO Kitchen

Diners at WACO Kitchen overlook the Lakeland Linder International Airport runway as planes taxi in and take off. A comfortable space to enjoy an exceptional meal, the restaurant offers plush low-back booths and light spilling in through sprawling second-story panoramic windows. What it provides in views, the restaurant matches, if not surpasses, with its menu.

WACO Kitchen was started in Battle Creek, Michigan, in January 2021, by aviation enthusiast Dieter Morszeck as a restaurant extension of WACO Aircraft. The aircraft company is the world’s only FAA & EASA-Certified manufacturer of sport biplanes produced today based on the original type certificates from the 1920s and ‘30s.

“WACO is an aircraft company that’s grown into a restaurant because they wanted to feed the ladies and gentlemen that build the planes,” said WACO Kitchen Restaurant Manager Todd Kercher, a 30-year hospitality industry veteran who has been with WACO for a little over two years. The biplane bistro did so well that Morszeck decided to open it to the public. Less than a year after opening the Battle Creek eatery, Morszeck extended WACO’s offerings to Lakeland in the terminal building on the second floor of the Lakeland Linder International Airport.

“We began as American-European fare, and it’s blending now,” Kercher said. “We’re making it local to Lakeland, whereas Battle Creek is doing the same. It gives our chef the freedom to create dishes and go with what the desires in Lakeland are.”

Kercher bragged on Chef Bret Pelaggi for his ability to craft visually and appetizingly sumptuous dishes. Pelaggi is from Boston, where he worked for Sibling Rivalry and the English Hospitality Group. In 2012, he and his wife moved to Miami, where he was cast to be on season 11 of Food Network’s “Top Chef.” He went on to open Uvaggio in Miami, which won best wine bar and was nominated for best new restaurant. In 2017, Pelaggi left the restaurant business for four years to work in food service manufacturing and recipe development.

- CONTINUED ON PAGE 27 -

When he was recruited for WACO, “It was a good fit,” he said. The chef started in February, just before the annual SUN ‘n FUN event. “I’m still learning what Lakeland likes and doesn’t like,” he said. “The whole thing is starting to come together.”

Their menu – in a realm between fast-casual and fine dining – boasts fresh and decadent lunch and dinner offerings unlike anything in Lakeland. The Bavarian pretzel with gruyere fondue and pickled veggies is a must-order for the table. For a lighter bite, opt for the watermelon salad. If summertime had a signature dish, this would be it. The salad has sweet, crisp watermelon, feta, kalamata olives, Suman, mint, cucumber, arugula, and almonds. The duck leg confit will call your name for dinner. Tender duck is served over white grits with ricotta, pecan Swiss chard, plum, and port syrup. Locally sourced grouper is used in one of their most popular dishes, the fried grouper sandwich topped with smoked paprika aioli, tomato jam, pickled shallots, lettuce, and tomato.

“We just want a menu of really good food. You can categorize it how you want,” said Pelaggi. He described their offerings as “good food with different cultural influences.”

A handful of menu items, including the WACO tacos and the Biplane Burger, can be found at both locations. Their beverage options boast local craft beer and Lakeland-brewed Ethos Coffee. All their bread, flatbreads, and desserts are made in-house from scratch by WACO’s pastry chef, Patty M.

Along with a full cocktail menu soaring with spirits with fun aviation-themed names like the Paper Plane Martini and the Rumway Mule, WACO’s wine menu features nine varietals of owner Dieter Morszeck’s Portuguese wine. The olive oil used in-house also hails from his own brand in Portugal.

Fly (or drive) over to WACO Kitchen to check out their new menu, revamped in July. We previewed the three-grain power bowl with organic raw apple cider vinaigrette, farrow, buckwheat, barley, Portuguese olive oil, ube, hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, spinach, apple, and blueberry. It was a refreshing and filling glimpse into their seasonal menu.

WACO Kitchen (WACO rhymes with taco)

3900 Don Emerson Dr, Lakeland (863) 583-4004 wacokitchen.com

Facebook @Waco Kitchen Lakeland

Instagram @wacokitchenfl

cherry lemonade

2 cups fresh lemonade

4 tablespoons maraschino cherry syrup

2 ounces vodka

Place ice in two glasses. Evenly divide lemonade, cherry syrup, and vodka between the two glasses. Garnish with lemon slices, cherries or mint & enjoy. It’s so easy, but so good! Please drink responsibly. 21+

Check Me Out ;)

TRUE BIZ

By Sara Novic

THE ADMISSIONS

By Meg Mitchell Moore

A seemingly idyllic, affluent northern California family is tested by Ivy League ambitions, overscheduling, impossible expectations by the Bay Area elite and difficult personal secrets.

FOURTH WING

By Rebecca Yarros

Despite hoping to enter the Scribe Quadrant, the bookish Violet Sorrengail is forced to become one of the hundreds of candidates risking their lives to be a dragon rider in the first novel of a new series.

Taking readers into a residential school for the deaf, this comingof-age novel follows three people—a rebellious transfer student, the school’s golden boy and the headmistress—as they each deal with personal and political crises and find their lives inextricable from one another— and changed forever.

THE SECRET HISTORY

By Donna Tartt

A transfer student from a small town in California, Richard Papen is determined to affect the ways of his Hampden College peers, and he begins his intense studies under the tutelage of eccentric Julian Morrow.

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

THE MAGICIANS

By Lev Grossman

Brilliant but miserable Quentin Coldwater is fascinated with a series of children’s fantasy novels set in a magical land called Fillory. When he’s unexpectedly admitted to an elite, secret college of magic, it looks like his wildest dreams have come true. But his newfound powers lead him down a rabbit hole of hedonism and disillusionment, and ultimately to the dark secret behind the story of Fillory.

EDUCATED

By Tara Westover

Traces the author’s experiences as a child born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, describing her participation in her family’s paranoid stockpiling activities and her resolve to educate herself well enough to earn an acceptance into a prestigious university and the unfamiliar world beyond.

ACE OF SPADES

By Faridah Abike-Iyimide

A contemporary thriller by a debut author follows two Niveus Private Academy students who, selected to be part of the elite school’s senior class prefects, are pitted against an anonymous bully who reveals all of their secrets.

THE PIGEON HAS TO GO TO SCHOOL

By Mo Willems

Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything! And what if he doesn’t like it? What if the teacher doesn’t like him? What if he learns TOO MUCH?!

MY TEACHER IS A MONSTER

By Peter Brown

Bobby has the worst teacher. She’s loud, she yells, and if you throw paper airplanes, she won’t allow you to enjoy recess. She is a monster! When he sees his teacher at the park one weekend, he discovers that monsters are not always what they seem.

WE DON’T EAT OUR CLASSMATES

By Ryan T. Higgins

It’s the first day of school for Penelope Rex and she can’t wait to meet her classmates. But it’s hard to make human friends when they’re so delicious! That is, until Penelope gets a taste of her own medicine and finds out that she may not be at the top of the food chain after all...

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

WORDS Shannon Carnevale Natural Resources and Conservation Extension Agent UF/IFAS Extension Polk County

Trees and Hurricanes

In the bustling heart of Florida, Polk County stands out for its abundant agricultural lands, plentiful wildlife, and alluring landscapes. An integral part of this charm is the space we have for a community tree canopy and urban forests, and the sum of all the trees beautifying our homes, streets, parks, and schools.

But our trees aren’t just for show - urban forests are our front line against urbanization’s side effects. They help curb air pollution, enhance water quality, minimize soil erosion, and provide habitats for wildlife. As mentioned in my June column, “The Urban Heat Island Effect: A Growing Challenge in Florida’s Urban Areas,” trees can also help fight the urban heat island effect and lower ambient temperatures around town.

However, tree benefits come with a vulnerability to Florida’s frequent hurricanes, causing extensive tree loss in yards and parks. It’s crucial to consider planting windresistant species in our efforts to restore and sustain these green spaces.

WIND-RESISTANT TREES: LESSONS FROM HURRICANES

Learning from the significant damage inflicted by Hurricane Andrew in 1992, University of Florida scientists embarked on a journey to understand which trees best withstand hurricane-force winds. Their findings provided a list of recommended species for replanting in hurricane-prone areas.

While no tree is entirely “wind-proof,” some species have shown a higher resistance to wind-related damage. These include the sand live oak (Quercus germinata), southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), live oak (Quercus virginiana), crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), and sabal or cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto).

Pruned trees demonstrated higher survival rates in this study than unpruned ones, highlighting the importance of proper tree care and maintenance.

Did you know? Shade trees and palm trees have very specific recommendations for pruning. For shade trees, pruning practices change based on the size and age of the tree. For palm trees, you should only ever cut off the brown fronds. “Hurricane pruning” or “toothpick-pruning” of palm trees, which removes all but just a couple green fronds, can make the palm trees less healthy and so, less able to resist strong winds.

Environmental factors like soil conditions, water availability, and exposure to sunlight also play a vital role in a tree’s wind-resistance.

PREPARING FOR THE HURRICANE SEASON

With the Atlantic hurricane season usually intensifying in August, now is the time to prep your yard.

Hire a certified arborist to prune your trees, increasing their wind resistance and overall structure. A good arborist will clear all the pruned materials from your property, preventing any potential storm debris. You can find a certified arborist by visiting the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) website: treesaregood.org/findanarborist.

Remember, the worst time to prune your trees is right before a storm. City and County solid waste operators often don’t have time to collect recent tree pruning debris before a hurricane, leaving piles of debris that can become hazardous in strong winds. So, do your part by pruning your trees now and ensuring the waste is removed promptly.

If there is already a named storm on the way, it’s often better to leave the trees unpruned than risk flying debris. If you’ve already pruned your trees and have a debris pile or have a tree that simply must be pruned because it is threatening your home, be sure you have rope and ground anchors available to secure the pile of debris before winds intensify.

PLANTING WISELY: MAXIMIZING WIND-RESISTANCE

After the storm, consider replanting wisely. In addition to choosing strong, windresistant trees, there are several steps you can take to boost your tree’s storm resilience:

• Root Space: Ensure your trees have ample root space, allowing them to anchor more firmly and grow healthily. UF/IFAS Extension has recommendations for the proper amount of root space for different species of trees. More info can be found at: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP592

• Pruning: Regular pruning is essential not just for tree health but also for increasing wind resistance.

• Group Planting: Trees planted in groups tend to withstand winds better than individual trees.

• Native Trees: Native trees often survive better than exotic species.

Some species are best avoided due to their weak wind resistance. These include sand pine (Pinus clausa), Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia), water oak (Quercus nigra), and laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia).

If you have any questions about these recommendations, reach out to our Plant Clinic at 863-519-1057 or by email at polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu

BE PREPARED THIS HURRICANE SEASON

Hurricanes are a reality in Florida, but we can mitigate their impact on our community trees. By planting wisely, pruning regularly, and maintaining our trees’ health, we can cultivate trees that are not only a sight to behold but also strongholds against storms.

As a reminder, you can always find me on social media with the handle @PolkNR on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads. Or, you can email me with any questions at scarnevale@ufl.edu. Looking for more information on urban forestry? Consider listening to our Naturally Florida podcast episode, “Trees and People: An intro to urban forestry” on all the major podcast platforms.

To learn more about hurricane prep topics from UF/IFAS Extension Polk County, consider our blog collection on the subject: blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/tag/ hurricane/. It includes topics such as preparing your boat for hurricane season, emergency water sources for your family, and proper pruning before and after storms.

This article is informed by the scientific study “Wind and Trees: A Survey of Homeowners After Hurricane Andrew” by M. Duryea et al. (1996). The full study can be accessed here: dx.doi.org/10.48044/jauf.1996.006

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AUGUST 2023 ADD YOUR EVENT

CANE TOAD MANAGEMENT FOR NEIGHBORHOODS

Aug 1, 2023, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Join UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Extension Faculty, Shannon Carnevale, to learn about cane toads in Polk County. At this webinar, participants will learn: how to identify cane toads and their native lookalikes; their impact; how to humanely euthanize. Register at PolkCountyExtension.Eventbrite.com

BUSY BEES SCIENCE EXPLORERS!

Aug 1, 2023, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Medulla Resource Center and Park

1049 Parker Road, Lakeland

Every Tuesday, each session will feature a hands-on science activity followed by a snack. Parents will participate in activities with their kids. Admission is free, but space is limited to 15 students. To attend, please RSVP by e-mail to Cherry Alston at cherryalston@ polk-county.net.

CAMEO WRITERS

Aug 1, 2023, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Winter Haven Public Library

325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven

Cameo Writers welcomes writers of varying ability, genre, and experience. Questions please contact Beverly Lerner at bevlerner@aol.com. CW meets on the first Tuesday of each month. 863-291-5880

KNIT & CROCHET NIGHT

Aug 1, 2023, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

The Union Taproom

245 West Central Avenue, Winter Haven

Every Tuesday, bring your nnit or crochet project and join your friends for Hoppy Hour at Union Taproom.

TRIVIA TUESDAYS

Aug 1, 2023, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Grove Roots Brewing Co,

302 3rd Street SW, Winter Haven

Play trivia every Tuesday with Triviosity! Free to play.

POKER NIGHT

Aug 1, 2023, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Barrel 239, 239 3rd Street SW, Winter Haven

Every Tuesday. Players receive 10% off drinks while at the table. Prizes are awarded to 1st and 2nd place winners for each session. This event is 21 & up.

CHAIR YOGA

Aug 2, 2023, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales

Now you can practice yoga from your chair. This class is appropriate for beginners, anyone with limited mobility, those recovering from injury, and anyone who has wanted to try yoga but felt intimidated. Registration required. 863-734-1222 boktowergardens.org

WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY

Aug 2, 2023, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Obscure Wine Company

276 West Central Avenue, Winter Haven

Unlimited wine tasting of a Sommelier selected producer every Wednesday for one price. Check out their Facebook or Instagram page for each week’s wine lineup.

WEDNESDAY OPEN MIC NIGHT

Aug 2, 2023, 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Laugh Out Lounge

19 3rd Street NW, Winter Haven

Every Wednesday. Come see new and established comedians work on new material and hone their craft! Doors open and sign-ups begin at 7pm. Show starts at 8pm. More info on FB

@LaughOutLoungeWH.

ACCESS ART SPECIAL NEEDS

Aug 3, 2023, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Polk Museum Of Art

800 E Palmetto Street, Lakeland

This program invites individuals with special needs and varying exceptionalities. Participants will create and discuss art with specially trained educator and artist, Tinia Clark. Following the tour, the group creates an art activity inspired by the visit. Registration preferred but not required. For registration or questions, please text Tinia Clark at 863-224-8557 or register online. polkmuseumofart.org. Please included guardian or caretaker in total attendee number.

SOUND BATH WITH CRYSTAL SINGING BOWLS

Aug 3, 2023, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales

During the session, Himalayan & Crystal Singing Bowls, tuning forks, and other vibrational tools are used to de-stress, restore balance, and bring well-being to your body, mind & soul. Bring your mat or favorite blanket and pillow. Register online. boktowergardens.org

THE RESERVE BOOK CLUB

Aug 3, 2023, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Lakeland Public Library - Larry R. Jackson Branch, 1700 N Florida Avenue, Lakeland August book: “Black Cake” by Charmaine Wilkerson. Every month you’ll discuss a recent best-selling book. Registration is required. lakelandpl.libcal.com

COOKIES ‘N CONVOS

Aug 3, 2023, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Aerospace Center for Excellence

4075 James C. Ray Drive, Lakeland

Every month a new speaker talks briefly about what they do in aviation/aerospace and why they love it. The speaker leads a Q&A session so that young people and their parents can learn more about each career field. Content is geared for kids in grades 2-5, but all are welcome to attend! aceedu.org

TRIVIA NIGHT

Aug 3, 2023, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Barrel 239, 239 3rd Street SW, Winter Haven

Every Thursday, signups at 6:30pm, trivia begins at 7pm.

FILM: BACK TO THE FUTURE (1985)

Aug 3, 2023, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Historic Ritz Theatre

263 West Central Avenue, Winter Haven

After he accidentally drives a DeLorean time machine from 1985 to 1955, Marty McFly races the clock to ensure his future parents fall in love.

Doors open at 6 PM. Show starts at 7 PM. Enjoy specialty drinks, cocktails, beer, wine, and light snacks for sale at before and during the movie in The Ritz Lounge on the first floor. centralfloridatix.com

THE LEGENDARY JON CORNEAL AND COMPADRES

Aug 4, 2023, 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Hillcrest Coffee

119 Hillcrest Street, Lakeland

Every Friday, hear the Polk County native, Jon Corneal perform live. No cover charge, but feel free to tip the musicians. Stream it live on Facebook @hillcrestcoffee.

LIVING WITH NATURE FEATURING HGTV HOST & AUTHOR, JOHN GIDDING

Aug 4, 2023, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

The Nectary

1047 East Main Street, Lakeland Meet HGTV Host & Author, John Gidding. Join Little Bus Books and The Nectary for an evening with the architectural designer, TV host, & author John Gidding they celebrate his debut book “At Home with Nature.” There are two ticket choices, purchase online. livingwithnature.eventbrite.com

FIRST FRIDAY: BACK TO SCHOOL

Aug 4, 2023, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Munn Park, 210 East Main Street, Lakeland

First Friday is a family-friendly event held in the streets of Downtown Lakeland between Lemon St and Oak St along Kentucky and Tennessee Aves. Lakeland Moonwalk will have inflatables, ride & climb games, and competitive games. Bring the kids to celebrate the start of a brand-new school year! Downtown shops and restaurants will be open late. downtownlkld.com/news/ first-friday-back-to-school-august-4/

41ST ANNUAL PIG ROAST & POLITICAL MINGLE

Aug 4, 2023, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Lake Eva Event Center

799 Johns Ave, Haines City

Mix & Mingle with candidates for local, state and national offices, enjoy dinner, entertainment by Red Hot Rooster, and much more! Tickets: $55 per person.

Tables of 8 & 10 available.

Please contact the Northeast Polk Chamber for questions or additional information: 863-422-3751. Get tickets at centralfloridatix.com

IMPROV COMEDY SHOW

Aug 4, 2023, 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM

Rec Room

202 N Massachusetts Ave, Lakeland

Lakeland’s Best Improv Comedy Show. Two show times 7:30 PM is the Family Friendly Show and 9:30 PM is the 21+ Show. It is $10 per show or $15 for both.

MIND, BODY, MOVEMENT: RUCKING WITH WILL POWER FITNESS

Aug 5, 2023, 7:00 AM

Bonnet Springs Park

400 Bonnet Springs Boulevard, Lakeland

Rucking is simply walking a set distance with optional additional weight on your back. Willpower Fitness will be there to guide and motivate you on a 1.7 mile ruck march around the park. All skill levels welcome. Meet in front of the Welcome Center and be ready to take off at 7 AM. bonnetspringspark.com

BACK TO SCHOOL KICK-OFF AT THE WELCOME CENTER

Aug 5, 2023, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Visit Central Florida Welcome Center

101 Adventure Court, Davenport

FREE backpacks will be given to the first 500 students (child must be present to receive backpack). Vendors will be on-site giving away additional school supplies & other kid-friendly items. Families have a chance to win Bok Tower Gardens & LEGOLAND Florida tickets. Free custom caricature drawings. More info on FB @ VisitCentralFlorida.

MIND, BODY, MOVEMENT: SOCCER SHOTS

Aug 5, 2023, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Bonnet Springs Park

400 Bonnet Springs Boulevard, Lakeland

Soccer Shots will lead activities for children ages 2 to 8

AUGUST 2023

with different time slots for each age group. Parents and guardians will be encouraged to participate, as well. Important Note: Space is limited for participation. bonnet-springs-park.checkfront.com/reserve

WINTER HAVEN FARMERS MARKET

*SUMMER SEASON*

Aug 5, 2023, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

250 Magnolia Ave, Winter Haven

Shop artisan food vendors, plants, food trucks, and more while supporting a healthy & connected community. Across from Grove Roots on the NE corner of 3rd St. & Ave C SW in the old BB&T parking lot in downtown Winter Haven every Saturday. winterhavenfarmersmarket.com

YOGA IN THE GARDENS

Aug 5, 2023, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales

A morning of bending, breathing, and relaxing in the great outdoors. All levels are welcome. Beginners are encouraged to attend. Registration required. boktowergardens.org

BIRDING ON THE BOARDWALK

Aug 5, 2023, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Bonnet Springs Park

400 Bonnet Springs Boulevard, Lakeland

Hone your birding and wildlife sighting skills at the Blanton Family Lagoon. BSP Staff and Volunteers will have binoculars and birding guides for guests to use while visitors explore. bonnetspringspark.com

EUCHRE AT THE APPLE!

Aug 5, 2023, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Apple Lounge

2803 Recker Highway, Winter Haven

Play euchre and make new friends!

SYMPHONY STORY TIME: THE EMPEROR AND THE NIGHTINGALE

Aug 5, 2023, 9:30 PM - 10:30 PM

Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales

Enjoy live music from the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra for young children, ages three to seven, along with narration and beautiful hand-drawn illustrations that bring favorite children’s classics to life. Register online. 863-734-1222 boktowergardens.org

on the second Tuesday of each month at 12:15 pm. Registration required. lakelandpl.libcal.com

KNIT & CROCHET NIGHT

Aug 8, 2023, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

The Union Taproom

245 West Central Avenue, Winter Haven

Every Tuesday, bring your nnit or crochet project and join your friends for Hoppy Hour at Union Taproom.

TRIVIA TUESDAYS

Aug 8, 2023, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Grove Roots Brewing Company

302 3rd Street SW, Winter Haven

Play trivia every Tuesday with Triviosity! Free to play.

LAKELAND FLYING TIGERS VS DUNEDIN BLUE

JAYS

Aug 8, 2023, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium

2301 Lakeland Hills Boulevard, Lakeland

All fans will receive a bingo card as they enter the gates, with a chance to win prizes from local area restaurants and attractions. milb.com/lakeland

POKER NIGHT

Aug 8, 2023, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Barrel 239, 239 3rd Street SW, Winter Haven

LAKELAND FOOD TRUCK RALLY

Aug 10, 2023, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Munn Park, 210 East Main Street, Lakeland

Second Thursday of every month, food trucks vary.

LAKELAND FLYING TIGERS VS DUNEDIN BLUE

JAYS

Aug 10, 2023, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium

2301 Lakeland Hills Boulevard, Lakeland

Bring your furry friend to the park. Each dog requires a special dog ticket, which includes a doggy gift bag. milb. com/lakeland

TRIVIA NIGHT

Aug 10, 2023, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Barrel 239

239 3rd Street Southwest, Winter Haven Trivia every Thursday, free to play.

PORCHDOGS

Aug 5, 2023, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Historic Ritz Theatre

263 West Central Avenue, Winter Haven

Get ready for a swamp party with the spicy accordiondriven Louisiana Cajun, Zydeco, and New Orleans R&B classics of the Porchdogs.Doors open at 6 PM. Show starts at 7 PM. Enjoy specialty drinks, cocktails, beer, wine, and light snacks for sale at The Ritz Lounge before and during the concert. centralfloridatix.com

HAWAIIAN FOAM PARTY

Aug 6, 2023, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Balmoral Bar & Grill

124 Kenny Boulevard, Haines City

This Hawaiian-themed Foam Party will feature, for the first time NEW Mango-Sented Foam! centralfloridatix.com

ACOUSTIC OPEN MIC NIGHT

Aug 7, 2023, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Gram Parsons Derry Down

297 5th Street NW, Winter Haven

All Acoustic Open Mic Night happens the first Monday night of the month. Sign up to perform up to 3 songs. No cost to attend. More info on FB @ gramparsonsderrydown. *All performances will be acoustic*

TRIVIA NIGHT

Aug 7, 2023, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Cob & Pen

1221 Florida Avenue S, Lakeland

Every Monday, play along with Triviosity! Tons of fun with your friends, plus a huge craft beer selection, unique craft cocktails, and an amazing food menu.

BUSY BEES SCIENCE EXPLORERS!

Aug 8, 2023, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Medulla Resource Center and Park

1049 Parker Road, Lakeland

Every Tuesday, each session will feature a hands-on science activity followed by a snack. Parents will participate in activities with their kids. Admission is free, but space is limited to 15 students. To attend, please RSVP by e-mail to Cherry Alston at cherryalston@ polk-county.net.

BOOKS SANDWICHED IN

Aug 8, 2023, 12:15 PM - 1:30 PM

Lakeland Public Library - Larry R. Jackson Branch, 1700

N Florida Avenue, Lakeland

August book: “Of Women and Salt” by Gabriela Garcia. The group meets in the Library Meeting Room

Every Tuesday. Players receive 10% off drinks while at the table. Prizes awarded to 1st and 2nd place winners for each session. This event is 21 & up.

MORNING BOOK CLUB

Aug 9, 2023, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Winter Haven Public Library

325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven

August book: “The Lincoln Highway” by Amor Towles. The Morning Book Club meets on the second Wednesday of every month. Titles include a variety of adult fiction, nonfiction, and biographies.

WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY

Aug 9, 2023, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Obscure Wine Company

276 West Central Avenue, Winter Haven

Every Wednesday. Unlimited wine tasting of a Sommelier selected producer every Wednesday for one price. Check out their Facebook or Instagram page for each week’s wine lineup.

LAKELAND FLYING TIGERS VS DUNEDIN BLUE

JAYS

Aug 9, 2023, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium

2301 Lakeland Hills Boulevard, Lakeland

All-you-can-eat Wednesday! This all-inclusive package includes your game ticket and all-you-can-eat for one price. Enjoy unlimited hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, pretzels, and fountain soda from 5:308:30pm. milb.com/lakeland

WEDNESDAY OPEN MIC NIGHT

Aug 9, 2023, 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Laugh Out Lounge

19 3rd Street Northwest, Winter Haven

Every Wednesday. Come see new and established comedians work on new material and hone their craft! Sign-ups begin at 7pm. Show starts at 8pm. More info on FB @LaughOutLoungeWH.

FILM: LABYRINTH (1986)

Aug 10, 2023, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Historic Ritz Theatre

263 West Central Avenue, Winter Haven

Sixteen-year-old Sarah is given thirteen hours to solve a labyrinth and rescue her baby brother Toby when her wish for him to be taken away is granted by the Goblin King Jareth. Doors open at 6 PM. Show starts at 7 PM. Enjoy specialty drinks, cocktails, beer, wine, and light snacks for sale at before and during the movie in The Ritz Lounge on the first floor. centralfloridatix.com

DRUMBEAT

Aug 11, 2023, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales

The Education team has been trained to use DRUMBEAT, which is an acronym that stands for “Discovering Relationships Using Music, Beliefs, Emotions, Attitudes, Thoughts.” All are welcome, aged 13 and up. No previous drumming experience necessary. Register online. boktowergardens.org

THE LEGENDARY JON CORNEAL AND COMPADRES

Aug 11, 2023, 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Hillcrest Coffee

119 Hillcrest Street, Lakeland

Every Friday. Hear the Polk County native, Jon Corneal perform live. No cover charge, but feel free to tip the musicians. Stream it live on Facebook @hillcrestcoffee.

GALLERY PERSPECTIVES: DR. RICHARDS PLAVNIEKS

Aug 11, 2023, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Polk Museum Of Art

800 East Palmetto Street, Lakeland

Dr. Richards Plavnieks will take you through Remembering Vilna: The Holocaust and the Art of Samuel Bak. Dr. Richards Plavnieks is Assistant Professor of History at Florida Southern College. 863688-7743 polkmuseumofart.org

AMERICAN PICKLEBALL TOUR

Aug 11 - 13, 2023, Times Vary

AdventHealth Fieldhouse and Conference Center, 210 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven

The American Pickleball Tour (APT) is different from other pickleball tournaments because it takes the sport and adds a social spin to it. The Tour also gives back a portion of proceeds to a local nonprofit organization. Doubles and Singles: Round Robin format tournament for ALL skills and ALL age brackets from 14+ to 60+. Registration includes indoor play on many courts with three levels of medals per bracket, swag bag, visor, hand towel & more! For more information, to become a tournament sponsor or ambassador, or to register, visit https://americanpickleballtour.com/winter-haven-fl/. Send questions to events@adrenalinespecialevents.com.

MORE EVENTS ONLINE

TRIVIA TUESDAYS

Aug 15, 2023, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Grove Roots Brewing Company

302 3rd Street Southwest, Winter Haven

Play trivia every Tuesday with Triviosity! Free to play.

POKER NIGHT

Aug 15, 2023, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Barrel 239

239 3rd Street Southwest, Winter Haven

Every Tuesday, players receive 10% off drinks while at the table. Prizes awarded to 1st and 2nd place winners for each session! This event is 21 & up.

CHAIR YOGA

Aug 16, 2023, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales

ART CONNECTS ALZ

Aug 17, 2023, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Polk Museum Of Art

800 East Palmetto Street, Lakeland

This unique program encourages creative expression and social engagement for individuals in the early stages of dementia. Participants create and appreciate art and its various forms. No art experience required. Space is limited and reservations are required. Please call 800-272-3900 to reserve a spot. This event is organized by the Alzheimer’s Association.

MADE @ THE LIBRARY

Aug 17, 2023, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Lakeland Public Library - Larry R. Jackson Branch, 1700 North Florida Avenue, Lakeland

LKLD SHUFFLE

Aug 11, 2023, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Lakeland Shuffleboard Club

820 East Robson Street, Lakeland

On the second Friday of every month. All equipment will be provided by the Shuffleboard Club, but feel free to bring your own if you have it. No athletic skills or experience needed. Closed-toe shoes required. Snacks available, cash only. centralfloridatix.com

WINGS ‘N WAFFLES

Aug 12, 2023, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Aerospace Center for Excellence

4075 James C. Ray Drive, Lakeland

Enjoy breakfast and hear from aviation professionals, veterans, pilots, and more. Purchase tickets online. aceedu.org

WINTER HAVEN FARMERS MARKET

*SUMMER SEASON*

Aug 12, 2023, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

250 Magnolia Avenue, Winter Haven

Shop artisan food vendors, plants, food trucks, and more while supporting a healthy & connected community. Across from Grove Roots on the NE corner of 3rd St. & Ave C SW in the old BB&T parking lot in downtown Winter Haven every Saturday. winterhavenfarmersmarket.com

THE EXPERIENCE

Aug 12, 2023, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Historic Ritz Theatre

263 West Central Avenue, Winter Haven

This country rock band is ready to treat you to your favorite Southern hits, original music, and powerful vocals of Adam Duss and full country band. Doors open at 6 PM. Show starts at 7 PM. centralfloridatix.com

LAKELAND FLYING TIGERS VS DUNEDIN BLUE

JAYS

Aug 13, 2023, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium

2301 Lakeland Hills Boulevard, Lakeland

The young Flying Tigers fans can enjoy kids’ zones with multiple activities during the game, including face painting, balloon artists and bounce houses. All kids ages 12 and under may run the bases after the game weather permitting. milb.com/lakeland

TRIVIA NIGHT

Aug 14, 2023, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Cob & Pen

1221 Florida Avenue S, Lakeland

Play along with Triviosity! Tons of fun with your friends, plus a huge craft beer selection, unique craft cocktails, and an amazing food menu.

BUSY BEES SCIENCE EXPLORERS!

Aug 15, 2023, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Medulla Resource Center and Park

1049 Parker Road, Lakeland

Every Tuesday, each session will feature a hands-on science activity followed by a snack. Parents will participate in activities with their kids. Admission is free, but space is limited to 15 students. To attend, please RSVP by e-mail to Cherry Alston at cherryalston@ polk-county.net.

TUESDAY BOOK CLUB

Aug 15, 2023, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Winter Haven Public Library

325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven

August Book: “The Reading List” by Sara Nisha Adams. The Tuesday Book Club meets on the third Tuesday of every month. Titles include a variety of adult fiction, nonfiction, and biographies.

KNIT & CROCHET NIGHT

Aug 15, 2023, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

The Union Taproom 245 West Central Avenue, Winter Haven

Every Tuesday! Bring your knit or crochet project and join your friends for Hoppy Hour at Union Taproom.

Now you can practice yoga from your chair. This class is appropriate for beginners, anyone with limited mobility, those recovering from injury, and anyone who has wanted to try yoga but felt intimidated. Registration required. 863-734-1222 boktowergardens.org

WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY

Aug 16, 2023, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Obscure Wine Company

276 West Central Avenue, Winter Haven

Every Wednesday. Enjoy unlimited wine tasting of a Sommelier selected producer every Wednesday for one price. Check out their Facebook or Instagram page for each week’s wine lineup.

BEGINNING GENEALOGY

Aug 16, 2023, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Lakeland Public Library

100 Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland

Whether just getting started or coming back after a break come learn more about researching and organizing your family history in this guided workshop. Register online. lakelandpl.libcal.com

BACKPACKING 101: INTRODUCTION TO THE HOBBY OF BACKPACKING (WEBINAR)

Aug 16, 2023, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Join UF/IFAS Extension Natural Resources and Conservation faculty, Shannon Carnevale, for an introductory webinar on backpacking skills. This short webinar will teach participants all about the basic skills required to go backpacking in Florida’s backcountry. More info on FB @facebook.com/PolkExtension

WEDNESDAY OPEN MIC NIGHT

Aug 16, 2023, 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Laugh Out Lounge

19 3rd Street Northwest, Winter Haven

Every Wednesday, come see new and established comedians work on new material and hone their craft! Doors open and sign-ups begin at 7pm. Show starts at 8pm. More info on FB @LaughOutLoungeWH.

NEIGHBORHOOD STORY TIME

Aug 17, 2023, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Medulla Community Center

1049 Parker Road, 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.

Made @ the Library will feature a new project every month. All supplies will be provided, all you need to do is register. This program is free for adults 18 and over. lakelandpl.libcal.com

POLK PRIDE HAPPY HOUR

Aug 17, 2023, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Dissent Craft Brewing Company

125 South Kentucky Avenue, Lakeland

Polk Pride Happy Hour events are a great way to connect with members of the LGBTQ+ community around Polk and to meet with members of the LYA/Polk Pride board. More info on FB @PolkPrideFL

SWAN CITY ROLLER DERBY EXHIBITION

DOUBLE HEADER

Aug 17, 2023, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Haus 820

820 N Massachusetts Avenue, Lakeland

Watch as the athletes compete with big hits and fast speeds, all while on skates! Doors open at 6:30pm. First game starts at 7pm, the second game starts at 8pm with the more seasoned players, competing against each other in this all-star game featuring fan-favorite skaters and local legends. VIP seating will be right on the first turn, which means skaters will start coming directly towards you. You’re in the crash zone! Get your tickets at: brownpapertickets.com/event/6065954.

ROD STEWART TRIBUTE

Aug 17, 2023, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Balmoral Event Center

116 Kenny Boulevard, Haines City

Steve Bobbitt has performed throughout the US and on cruise ships throughout the world fans will leave wanting more. Be sure to come early to grab a drink and a bite before the show! centralfloridatix.com

TRIVIA NIGHT

Aug 17, 2023, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Barrel 239

239 3rd Street Southwest, Winter Haven

Every Thursday, free to play.

OUT OF THE BOX IMPROV

Aug 18, 2023, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Historic Ritz Theatre

263 West Central Avenue, Winter Haven

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

CAFFEINE & GASOLINE

Aug 19, 2023, 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Bonnet Springs Park

400 Bonnet Springs Boulevard, Lakeland

All exotic, classic, luxury, hot rod, and import cars are welcome. Coffee and breakfast items will be available for purchase. If you would like to show off your ride, no registration is required.

WINTER HAVEN FARMERS MARKET

*SUMMER SEASON*

Aug 19, 2023, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

250 Magnolia Avenue, Winter Haven

Shop artisan food vendors, plants, food trucks, and more while supporting a healthy & connected community. Across from Grove Roots on the NE corner of 3rd St. & Ave C SW in the old BB&T parking lot in downtown Winter Haven every Saturday. winterhavenfarmersmarket.com

YOGA IN THE GARDENS

Aug 19, 2023, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales

FINE ART AT THE MAGNOLIA

Aug 19, 2023, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Magnolia Building

702 East Orange Street, Lakeland

Aug. 19 & 20. Invitational Fine Art Show & Scholarship curated by TBG (Betsy Bohrer) featuring 19 fine artists and craftsmen. thebohrergallery.com

DISCOVERY BAGS

Aug 19, 2023, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Bonnet Springs Park

400 Bonnet Springs Boulevard, Lakeland

Stop by the GiveWell Community Foundation Nature Center Classroom 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. bonnetspringspark.com

TIMELESS ORIGINS: THE ART OF REYNIER LLANES

Aug 19, 2023 - Jan 14, 2024

Polk Museum Of Art

800 East Palmetto Street, Lakeland

Featuring the work of Cuban-born Reynier Llanes, this exhibition showcases why Llanes is a fast-rising art world star, whose symbolist narrative paintings and mixed media works underline not merely his immense talents as a realist but also his ability to conjure alternate yet convincing realities of his own imagination. 863688-7743 polkmuseumofart.org/exhibitions/llanes

SUMMER SERENADE: STRINGS

Aug 19, 2023, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra plays live. Programs have been specially curated by the musicians performing them. All concerts will feature outstanding OPO Principal Musicians plus a few special surprise guests. Register online. 863-734-1222 boktowergardens.org

FINE ART AT THE MAGNOLIA

Aug 20, 2023, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Magnolia Building

702 East Orange Street, Lakeland

Aug. 19 & 20. Invitational Fine Art Show & Scholarship curated by TBG (Betsy Bohrer) featuring 19 fine artists and craftsmen. thebohrergallery.com

TRIVIA NIGHT

Aug 21, 2023, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Cob & Pen, 1221 Florida Avenue South, Lakeland, 33803, United States

Every Monday, play along with Triviosity! Tons of fun with your friends, plus a huge craft beer selection, unique craft cocktails, and an amazing food menu.

BUSY BEES SCIENCE EXPLORERS!

Aug 22, 2023, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Medulla Resource Center and Park

1049 Parker Road, Lakeland

Every Tuesday, each session will feature a hands-on science activity followed by a snack. Parents will participate in activities with their kids. Admission is free, but space is limited to 15 students. To attend, please RSVP by e-mail to Cherry Alston at cherryalston@ polk-county.net.

KNIT & CROCHET NIGHT

Aug 22, 2023, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

The Union Taproom

245 West Central Avenue, Winter Haven

Every Tuesday, bring your nnit or crochet project and join your friends for Hoppy Hour at Union Taproom.

TRIVIA TUESDAYS

Aug 22, 2023, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Grove Roots Brewing Company

302 3rd Street Southwest, Winter Haven

Play trivia every Tuesday with Triviosity! Free to play.

LAKELAND FLYING TIGERS VS CLEARWATER THRESHERS

Aug 22, 2023, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium

2301 Lakeland Hills Boulevard, Lakeland

All fans will receive a bingo card as they enter the gates, with a chance to win prizes from local area restaurants and attractions. milb.com/lakeland

POKER NIGHT

Aug 22, 2023, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Barrel 239

FILM: SHREK (2001)

Aug 17, 2023, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Historic Ritz Theatre

263 West Central Avenue, Winter Haven

A cruel lord exiles fairytale creatures to the swamp of a grumpy ogre, who must go on a quest and rescue a princess for the lord in order to get his land back. Doors open at 6 PM. Show starts at 7 PM. Enjoy specialty drinks, cocktails, beer, wine, and light snacks for sale at before and during the movie in The Ritz Lounge on the first floor. centralfloridatix.com

THE LEGENDARY JON CORNEAL AND COMPADRES

Aug 18, 2023, 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Hillcrest Coffee

119 Hillcrest Street, Lakeland

Every Friday, hear the Polk County native, Jon Corneal perform live. No cover charge, but feel free to tip the musicians. Stream it live on Facebook @hillcrestcoffee.

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. Registration required. boktowergardens.org

SURROUND SOUND: IMMERSIVE SOUND

HEALING EXPERIENCE

Aug 19, 2023, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales

Join mediation teacher & singing bowl specialist

Anthony Profeta for a very unique and immersive 90-minute vibrational sound therapy spa session. The sounds & frequencies have been shown to help shift your brain waves into the more relaxed states of alpha & theta, move stuck energy out of your body, and leave your physical, mental, and emotional bodies feeling restored, refreshed, and fully aligned. Register in advance. boktowergardens.org

DICK CLARK SPECIAL

Aug 19, 2023, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Historic Ritz Theatre

263 West Central Avenue, Winter Haven

Join Ron Seggi as Dick Clark and the New American Bandstand Orchestra for a turbo charged performance of top hits from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Doors open at 6 PM. Show starts at 7 PM.

Enjoy specialty drinks, cocktails, beer, wine, and light snacks for sale at The Ritz Lounge before and during the concert. centralfloridatix.com

239 3rd Street Southwest, Winter Haven

Every Tuesday. Players receive 10% off drinks while at the table. Prizes awarded to 1st and 2nd place winners for each session! This event is 21 & up.

CHESS MEET-UP

Aug 23, 2023, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Winter Haven Public Library

325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven

All ages and abilities are welcome! mywinterhaven. com/library

WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY

Aug 23, 2023, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Obscure Wine Company

276 West Central Avenue, Winter Haven

Unlimited wine tasting of a Sommelier selected producer every Wednesday for one price. Check out their Facebook or Instagram page for each week’s wine lineup.

LAKELAND FLYING TIGERS VS CLEARWATER THRESHERS

Aug 23, 2023, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium

2301 Lakeland Hills Boulevard, Lakeland

All-you-can-eat Wednesday! This all-inclusive package includes your game ticket and all-you-can-eat for one price! Enjoy unlimited hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, pretzels, and fountain soda from 5:308:30pm. milb.com/lakeland

WEDNESDAY OPEN MIC NIGHT

Aug 23, 2023, 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Laugh Out Lounge

19 3rd Street Northwest, Winter HavenCome see new and established comedians work on new material and hone their craft! Show starts at 8pm. More info on FB @LaughOutLoungeWH.

UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA 2023

CAMPAIGN KICKOFF

Aug 24, 2023, 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM

LEGOLAND® Florida Resort

1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven

Join us to kick off the new United Way of Central Florida campaign and hear from our 2023 Campaign Chair, Desmond Clark, before the park opens! Grab a light bite to eat at 7:30 a.m., followed by the program at 8:00 a.m. There is no cost to attend but registration is strongly suggested. Come get to know your local United Way, what we do in the community and why we are here. We can’t wait to celebrate the start of another great year! liveuwcf.org

WAWA SUMMER FUN DAYS

Aug 24, 2023, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales

Featuring complimentary admission on the last Thursday and Friday of May through September. Pre-registration is required for this complimentary offer. Visitors can register at www.boktowergardens.org.

POLK EMERGING LEADERS AWARDS

Aug 24, 2023, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

City of Bartow Civic Center

2250 South Floral Avenue, Bartow

The Polk Emerging Leaders Awards annually recognizes five young professionals from across Polk County making significant contributions and commitments to our community. In its 12th year, the awards are hosted by three young professional groups of the Winter Haven, Bartow, and Lakeland Chambers, celebrating collaboration across city borders. winterhavenchamber.com

LAKELAND FLYING TIGERS VS CLEARWATER THRESHERS

Aug 24, 2023, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium

2301 Lakeland Hills Boulevard, Lakeland

8-6-3 Thursday! Every Thursday fans can enjoy a hamburger and fries combo for $8, 16oz draft beers for $6, and 22oz. fountain sodas for $3. milb.com/lakeland

TRIVIA NIGHT

Aug 24, 2023, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Barrel 239

239 3rd Street Southwest, Winter Haven Trivia everyThursday, free to play.

PINTS FOR PITS

Aug 24, 2023, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

The Yard On Mass

802 North Massachusetts Avenue, Lakeland

The fourth Thursday of every month is bully night! A portion of the sales are donated to the Polk County Bully Project (PCBP). There will be a retail table available with shirts, cups, and many other items. All proceeds go to the PCBP. More inof on FB @TheYardOnMass.

ADD YOUR EVENT

and Math! Each month will have a new and engaging activity fit for a wide range of learners.

THE MOON AND BEYOND

Aug 26, 2023, 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales

Welcome Sharife Gacel, NASA/JPL Solar System

Ambassador, for an interactive presentation to learn more about the Moon, get updates on the Artemis missions, and what lies beyond. Registration required. boktowergardens.org

KNIT & CROCHET NIGHT

Aug 29, 2023, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

The Union Taproom

245 West Central Avenue, Winter Haven

Every Tuesday! Bring your knit or crochet project and join your friends for Hoppy Hour at Union Taproom.

TRIVIA TUESDAYS

Aug 29, 2023, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Grove Roots Brewing Company

302 3rd Street Southwest, Winter Haven

Play trivia every Tuesday with Triviosity! Free to play.

POKER NIGHT

Aug 29, 2023, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Barrel 239

239 3rd Street Southwest, Winter Haven

Every Tuesday. Players receive 10% off drinks while at the table. Gift card prizes are awarded to 1st and 2nd place winners for each session! This event is 21 & up.

WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY

Aug 30, 2023, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Obscure Wine Company

276 West Central Avenue, Winter Haven

FILM: HOMEWARD BOUND (1993)

Aug 24, 2023, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Historic Ritz Theatre

263 West Central Avenue, Winter Haven

A fun-loving American bulldog pup, a hilarious Himalayan cat, and a wise old golden retriever embark on a long trek through the rugged wilderness of the Sierra Nevada mountains in a quest to reach home and their beloved owners.

Doors open at 6 PM. Show starts at 7 PM. Enjoy specialty drinks, cocktails, beer, wine, and light snacks for sale at before and during the movie in The Ritz Lounge on the first floor. centralfloridatix.com

WAWA SUMMER FUN DAYS

Aug 25, 2023, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales

Featuring complimentary admission on the last Thursday and Friday of May through September. Pre-registration is required for this complimentary offer. Visitors can register at www.boktowergardens.org.

THE LEGENDARY JON CORNEAL AND COMPADRES

Aug 25, 2023, 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Hillcrest Coffee

119 Hillcrest Street, Lakeland

Every Friday, hear the Polk County native, Jon Corneal perform live. No cover charge, but feel free to tip the musicians. Stream it live on Facebook @hillcrestcoffee.

WINTER HAVEN FARMERS MARKET

*SUMMER SEASON*

Aug 26, 2023, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

250 Magnolia Avenue, Winter Haven

Shop artisan food vendors, plants, food trucks, and more while supporting a healthy & connected community. We are across from Grove Roots on the NE corner of 3rd St. & Ave C SW in the old BB&T parking lot in downtown Winter Haven every Saturday. winterhavenfarmersmarket.com

STEM IN THE PARK

Aug 26, 2023, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Bonnet Springs Park

400 Bonnet Springs Boulevard, Lakeland

Explore topics in Science, Technology, Engineering,

HOT CLUB SRQ

Aug 26, 2023, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Historic Ritz Theatre

263 West Central Avenue, Winter Haven

Come and swing the night away with the Hot Club SRQ and special guest Natalie Barber. Hear the musical influences of Django Reinhardt as you listen to one of Florida’s premier gypsy jazz bands. Doors open at 6 PM. Show starts at 7 PM. Enjoy specialty drinks, cocktails, beer, wine, and light snacks for sale at The Ritz Lounge before and during the concert.centralfloridatix.com

LAKELAND FLYING TIGERS VS CLEARWATER

THRESHERS

Aug 27, 2023, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium

2301 Lakeland Hills Boulevard, Lakeland

The young Flying Tigers fans can enjoy kids’ zones with multiple activities during the game, including face painting, balloon artists and bounce houses. All kids ages 12 and under may run the bases after the game weather permitting. milb.com/lakeland

TRIVIA NIGHT

Aug 28, 2023, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Cob & Pen

1221 Florida Avenue South, Lakeland

Every Monday! Play along with Triviosity! Tons of fun with your friends, plus a huge craft beer selection, unique craft cocktails, and an amazing food menu.

BUSY BEES SCIENCE EXPLORERS!

Aug 29, 2023, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Medulla Resource Center and Park

1049 Parker Road, Lakeland

Every Tuesday, each session will feature a hands-on science activity followed by a snack. Parents will participate in activities with their kids. Admission is free, but space is limited to 15 students. To attend, please RSVP by e-mail to Cherry Alston at cherryalston@ polk-county.net.

Every Wednesday. Unlimited wine tasting of a Sommelier selected producer every Wednesday for one price. Check out their Facebook or Instagram page for each week’s wine lineup.

WEDNESDAY OPEN MIC NIGHT

Aug 30, 2023, 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Laugh Out Lounge

19 3rd Street Northwest, Winter Haven

Come see new and established comedians work on new material and hone their craft! Doors open and sign-ups begin at 7pm. Show starts at 8pm. More info on FB @LaughOutLoungeWH.

TRIVIA NIGHT

Aug 31, 2023, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Barrel 239

239 3rd Street Southwest, Winter Haven

Trivia signups begin at 6:30, questions at 7pm.

FILM: NAKED GUN (1988)

Aug 31, 2023, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Historic Ritz Theatre

263 West Central Avenue, Winter Haven

Incompetent police Detective Frank Drebin must foil an attempt to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II. Doors open at 6 PM. Show starts at 7 PM. Enjoy specialty drinks, cocktails, beer, wine, and light snacks for sale at before and during the movie in The Ritz Lounge on the first floor. centralfloridatix.com

there’s no place like

home...

when you are at The Estates

BARTOW

DAVENPORT

- CONTINUED ON PAGE 44 -

HAINES CITY

LAKE WALES

WINTER HAVEN

We’re All Stardust

ARIES

March 21 - April 19

Hey, free-spirited Aries! This August, your fiery nature takes center stage. Ride the waves of creativity and let your imagination soar like a psychedelic eagle. It’s time to pursue those wacky dreams and dance under the cosmic stars. Embrace the adventure and unleash your inner flower child!

TAURUS

April 20 - May 20

Chill vibes, Taurus! August brings you the essence of Earth’s rhythms. Connect with nature, hug a tree, and let the Earth’s energy ground you like never before. Go on a cosmic treasure hunt and uncover hidden talents. And don’t forget to sway to the beat of your favorite jam—it’s your time to groove!

GEMINI

May 21 - June 20

Hey, cosmic twins! In August, the universe whispers sweet nothings into your ears. Embrace the duality, man. Let your creative soul soar with expressive art and playful words. It’s the perfect time to connect with your soul tribe and share your radical ideas. Spread the love, and peace shall follow.

CANCER

June 21 - July 22

Love and compassion fill your spirit this August, Cancer. Dive deep into the ocean of emotions and let your intuition guide you to new waters. Nurture your connections, whether it’s family or soul mates, and sprinkle stardust on all your relationships. Remember, the heart knows the way—just follow its cosmic beat.

LEO

July 23 - August 22

Cosmic cats, this is your time to shine! In August, the spotlight’s on you, so let your authentic self glow like the sunflower you are. Embrace your inner artist and share your creative passions with the world. And remember, love and self-expression make the universe dance.

VIRGO

August 23 - September 22

Hey there, earthy Virgo! In August, channel your inner peace guru. It’s time to cleanse and declutter, man. Organize your cosmic space and let the good vibes flow. Tune in to your mind-body-spirit connection, and serenity will follow like a gentle breeze.

LIBRA

September 23 - October 22

Cosmic balancers, unite! In August, the scales tip in your favor. Embrace your social butterfly wings and flutter through new connections. It’s the perfect time to foster harmony and create cosmic collaborations. Remember, love and understanding are the keys to a groovy universe.

SCORPIO

October 23 - November 21

Deep and mysterious Scorpio, embrace your cosmic intensity. In August, dive into the shadows and uncover your inner magic. It’s time to transform and rise like a phoenix. Release what no longer serves you, and let your true self bloom like a celestial lotus.

SAGITTARIUS

November 22 - December 21

Hey, adventurous archer! August beckons you to explore uncharted territories. Expand your mind with spiritual quests and cosmic adventures. Embrace the beauty of the unknown, and let your curiosity be your guide to new horizons.

CAPRICORN

December 22 - January 19

August brings a cosmic dance of ambition and spirituality, Capricorn. Embrace your earthly wisdom and shoot for the stars. Nurture your spirit and let your cosmic dreams blend with your practical nature. Remember, the universe supports those who dare to dream.

AQUARIUS

January 20 - February 18

Hey, cosmic innovator! August is all about letting your unique light shine. Embrace your inner weirdo and celebrate your quirks. It’s time to let your cosmic ideas change the world and dance to the beat of your own drum.

PISCES

February 19 - March 20

In August, embrace your cosmic flow, dreamy Pisces. Dive deep into your imagination and connect with the cosmos on a soul level. Channel your creative energies into art, music, or dance, and let the universe’s rhythm guide your every move.

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