HAVEN Dec 2017 by HAVEN & LKLD Magazines

1 PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid FT Myers FL Permit #87 Postal Customer ECRWSS

Volume 2 . Issue 3

Locations Main Campus 500 E. Central Ave. Winter Haven, FL 33880 863-293-1191 Downtown Campus Downtown Winter Haven 199 Ave B. N.W. Winter Haven, FL 33881 863-293-1191 East Campus Off of Cypress Gardens Blvd. across from Legoland 3000 Woodmont Ave. Winter Haven, FL 33884 863-293-1191 Ophthalmology Adjacent to the Main Campus 506 Ave A S.E. Winter Haven, FL 33880 863-293-1191 ext. 3459 Pediatrics Adjacent to the Main Campus 45 Lake Elbert Drive S.E. Winter Haven, FL 33880 863-293-1191 ext. 3633 Davenport Campus In Cypress Physicians Building at Heart of Florida 40124 US Hwy 27, Suite 102 Davenport, FL 33837 863-293-1191 ext. 4020 Marc Feldman, DPM / Podiatry & Foot Surgery 401 E. Central Ave. Winter Haven, FL 33880 863-299-9100

First Street Campus Opening Soon Lakeland Office 4730 Exploration Ave. Lakeland, FL 33812 By Appointment Only

4900 Sun N Lake Blvd.#1 Sebring, FL 33872 863-385-5506 Lake Wales Office Located in the Orange Grove Plaza 1342 S.R. 60 East Lake Wales, FL 33853 863-679-1552 By Appointment Only

Cardiology Bhatia, Karan K., MD Cosme, Octavio, MD Mustafa, Muhammad, MD

Physicians and Providers Vigoreaux, Jose R., MD Willard, E.H., MD

Endocrinology & Diabetes Miller, Christopher, MD Family Medicine Arana, Flavio R., MD Arango, Cecilia, MD

Obstetrics & Gynecology Gabriel, Carlos L, MD Gatto, Vincent W., MD Kenaan, Jana, MD Salamon, Eva, MD Oncology & Hematology Hlalah, O. Abu, MD

Koilpillai, Robinson, MD Magno, Alexander S., MD

General Surgery & Surgical Oncology Gambaro, Esteban, MD Thomas, Robert S., MD

Ophthalmology Ort, Michael G., MD Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine Lerner, Robert K., MD Morin, Paul M., MD

Hospitalists Carlucci, Joseph A., MD Muniz, Elvin, MD Paul, Nisha, MD

Redlien, Parker, MD Shamim, Talha, MD Tan, Joseph, MD

Pain Medicine Interventional Eldeeb, Mohammad A., MD

Internal Medicine Farrell, Cathy, MD Lakhani, Sonali, MD Lopez, Christopher, MD Prieto, Jose, DO

Rentas, Evelyn, MD Reyes, Pamela, MD Rivera, Juan R. MD Torres, Jorge, MD

Physical Therapy Balogh, Jeremy S., DPT

Nephrology Hou, Jeffrey Peng, MD McClendon, Michele L., DO

Pediatrics Nguyen, Kenny, MD

Physicians Assistant Rodriguez, Christopher, PA Podiatry & Foot Surgery Englert, Christopher, DPM Feldman, Marc, DPM

Neurology Rajguru, Shailesh, DO

Pulmonology Romeu-Velez, MD Romeu-Velez,Jesse, Jesse, MD

Nurse Practitioners Bailey, Charla, ARNP Bridges, Stephanie, ARNP Calderon, Amelia, ARNP Carbone, Carrie, ARNP Cassady, Stephanie, ARNP Cayson, Barry, ARNP Davidson, KC, ARNP Harte, Brian, ARNP Hughes, Jessica, ARNP Jones, Courtney, CPNP Jones,Miller, Lorrie, ARNP Emily, ARNP Krieger, Kelly, ARNP Moore, Vicki C., ARNP Lawrence, Laurel, ARNP Lewis, Jami, ARNP Linn-Gettel, Jean, ARNP

Rheumatology Pancorbo, Roberto E., MD Sleep Medicine Romeu-Velez, Jesse, MD

863-293-1191

Miller, Emily, ARNP Moore, Vicki C., ARNP Pickard, Martha, ARNP Rampersad, Michelle, ARNP Ray, Brandi, ARNP Reed, Deloris, ARNP Ritter, Cynthia, ARNP Rivera, Ruby A., ARNP Robertson, Sally ARNP Skukowski, Bobbie, ARNP Torres, Heather, CPNP Valadez, Jenifer, NP-C White, Samantha, ARNP Widner, Linda G., ARNP

Thoracic Surgery Iakovidis, Panagiotis, MD Lambert, Jr., C. Jake, MD Urology & Urologic Surgery Lee, Kevin, MD Romero, Claudio, MD Vascular Surgery Iakovidis, Panagiotis, MD Lambert, Jr., C. Jake, MD Wound Care Iakovidis, Panagiotis, MD Lambert, Jr., C. Jake, MC

www.BondClinic.com

Traditional & Warm

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The Physicians and Staff Wish You and Yours A Very Healthy Holiday Season.

Gessler

CLINIC PA

In the Practice of Caring since 1957 FAMILY MEDICINE

COLON & RECTAL SURGERY

Ronald A. Ford, M.D. Richard K. LaCalamito, D.O. David Lipschitz, D.O. Sarah J. Oven, M.D. Mary R. De Sena, M.D. Garrison F. Christian, M.D. Tristan M. Harrison, M.D. Willie K. Jones, M.D.

Richard J. Honer, M.D.

Vriti Advani, M.D.

GENERAL, BREAST & VASCULAR SURGERY

ALLERGY & IMMUNOLOGY ADULT & PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY

Randall B. Kramer, M.D. CARDIOLOGY INTERVENTIONAL

Rakesh Choubey, M.D.

GASTROENTEROLOGY

OBSTETRICS GYNECOLOGY

GENERAL & BILIARY SURGERY

W. P. Aronski, M.D.

GENERAL & VASCULAR SURGERY

David K. Speyerer, M.D. GYNECOLOGY

Jean-Paul Muller, M.D. J.AnthonyMancini, M.D. ENDOCRINOLOGY

Zahily Fals , M.D.

PLASTIC & RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY

Richard F. Radocha, M.D.

NEPHROLOGY

Haldane W. Porteous, M.D.

Mark W. Shabla, M.D.

Alan G. Gasner, M.D. Elizabeth H. Griffin, M.D. Kyle M. Pochcial, M.D. Michael L. Keown, M.D.

HOSPITALIST

Aleixo M. Viegas, M.D.

DERMATOLOGY

Roya Ghorsriz, D.O.

INTERNAL MEDICINE

Maria J. Pochcial, M.D.

Compassionate care, Inspired medicine

Lisa M. Jardine, M.D. Edna Pierre-Louis, M.D. Zaira J. Moreno, M.D. Maria Martino, M.D. OPHTHALMOLOGY OPHTHALMIC PLASTIC & RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY

PODIATRY

Jorge L. Dopico, D.P.M. James E. Koon, D.P.M. PULMONOLOGY & CRITICAL CARE

Jose I. Martinez-Salas, M.D.

RHEUMATOLOGY

Maurice F. McCarthy, Jr., M.D. Ada Lopez-Mendez, M.D.

John J. McGetrick, M.D.

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY

NURSE PRACTITIONERS

PatrickD. Sullivan, M.D. William A. Cooper, D.O. PHYSICAL MEDICINE & REHABILITATION & INTERVENTIONAL PAIN MANAGEMENT

Robert Kent, D.O.

(863) 294-0670 • 635 First Street, North, Winter Haven • gesslerclinic.com

Laura Ann Woznicki, P.A.-C

Laura Linton, MS, NP-C Michele L. Murphy, ARNP-C Crystal E. Ingle, ARNP Deanna Larr, ARNP-C Laura Pellegrini, ARNP Kristina Garcia, ARNP-C

NOW OPEN Our showroom is now open, offering you affordable luxury furnishings! Check out the Bassett Collection (Made in the USA).

LOCATED IN POSNER PARK, NEXT TO BEST BUY 6250 GRANDVIEW PARKWAY DAVENPORT, FL 33897

Hello! Happy Holidays! Our cover story this month is about shopping local. When you’re out buying gifts this year, try a local boutique first! Shop local & support small business. We also learn about Rex Harris, Deena Ware, Belinda Reiger and Endeavor Winter Haven. We go out to eat at Ovation’s Bistro & Bar and learn that people love brisket! We also list local coffee houses and tea rooms so you can take some time out with friends and slow down. Travel to Bone Valley ATV park and learn about the trails and plans for a motocross track in the future. Check out our calendar of events, there’s something going on every day. We have a brand new website and you can add your events to it, any time. December is a month of giveaways, on our Facebook page, so check us out! A huge thank you to Lasater Flowers for letting us use the ferns for our cover. They are always happy to help, we appreciate it. Have a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a happy New Year! Hope to see you around! In case I don’t, you can email me anytime at asexson@ scmginc.com we’re always happy to hear from and about the amazing people in our community. See you in 2018! Amy Sexson Editor

Merry Christmas

Lakeland & Bartow Offices havenmagazines.com

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MoodyLaw.com

Now thru Jan. 7, 10am - 5pm

Merry & Bright â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A Musical Celebration Holiday Home Tour at Pinewood Estate

www.boktowergardens.org/christmas 863 676 1408

1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales, FL

WINTER HAVEN HONDA, LEDGER MEDIA GROUP, SUN MEDIA GROUP, WUSF, TODAY & TONIGHT MAGAZINE

D E C E M B E R

CONTENTS

FEATURES PROFILES.........................................................................42 SHOP LOCAL..................................................................18 OVATION BISTRO & BAR........................................ 32 TRAVEL............................................................................70

6.......................................................FROM THE EDITOR 10.................................................................LOCAL NEWS 12............................................................... TOP 10 TO DO 24..................................................................................ARTS 37........................................................................LET’S EAT 35 ..................................................................... COCKTAIL 51......................................................................CALENDAR 64............................................ SOLD HOME LISTINGS 73........................................................ IN THE MOMENT

Now thru Jan. 7, 10am - 5pm

Merry & Bright – A Musical Celebration Holiday Home Tour at Pinewood Estate

wergardens.org/christmas havenmagazines.com

DECEMBER VOLUME 2 ISSUE 3 Publisher Kim Edwards Editor Amy Sexson Contributing Writers Tara Crutchfield Amy Sexson Contributing Photographers Bill Siegel Bill Batton Tara Crutchfield Amy Sexson Graphic Designer Steven Maynard Sr. Sales Consultant Barbara Rakoczy Gary Peach Digital Specialist Kathy Woodruff Account Executives Chris Campbell Bret Myers Ariel Courson Kathrine Myers President Sun Central Media Group Chris Sexson HAVEN is published twelve times a year by the Sun Central Media Group. Haven distributes 16,104 copies a month with 8,604 mailed to homes and 7,500 copies available at select locations throughout east Polk County. For advertising information please contact: kedwards@scmginc.com For editorial information please contact: asexson@scmginc.com To submit to our calendar: calendar@scmginc.com Office: 99 Third Street N.W. Winter Haven, Florida 33881 863-533-4183 9

LOCAL NEWS Civil Aviation Of China Visits Winter Haven Regional Airport. On Tuesday, Nov. 14, a group of 30 officials from the Civil Aviation Administration of China visited the airport in an effort to gain insight on how a general aviation airport operates, the integration of an airport and seaplane base, and how a nontowered airport runs. Rocky Zhang said he was impressed with how there were so many airplanes that flew with such frequency at the airport, and the seaplane base was also interesting. Hanrahan welcomed the group and said that this meeting was the result of an initiative by the Federal Aviation Administration Department of Trade, along with the FAA of Washington, D.C., to talk to industry leaders about how a general aviation airport works. Winter Haven was among those airports in the U.S. visited by the group because it has Jack Brown’s Seaplane base.

Activist: Everyone Should Own A Gun

A controversial Tea Party activist spoke to a few dozen National Rifle Association supporters about the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution at the Chain of Lakes Complex on Nov. 14. KrisAnne Hall was profiled by The Washington Post in late 2016 saying, “In this era of Donald Trump her message fits the moment and her popularity has exploded.” The In-Gauge of Polk County Club, a non-profit organization affiliated with the NRA, hosted Hall, who said that owning a gun was a God-given natural right. She described gun control as criminal. “We don’t rely on the federal government for our natural right to bear arms,” Hall said. Asked to clarify, Hall said people do not need a permit to attend church, to speak freely, to send grievances to representatives. “Requiring permits and licenses is the opposite of protecting a right,” Hall said. “It is transmuting a right into a privilege dependent upon the permission of those in power.”

havenmagazines.com

C-Span Visits Lake Region High School

One Lover Released, Other Jailed

For the past 25 years, a C-SPAN bus has been traveling around the country marketing their work as an educational resource at schools and community events. On Nov. 15 a C-SPAN bus parked at Lake Region High School in Eagle Lake for a few hours, giving students an interactive experience with a mobile production studio, 11 largescreen tablets, a D.C. themed selfie station and a classroom area for conversations. Lara Boyd said she is the primary government teacher at Lake Region High School and that she plans on incorporating the new C-SPAN Classroom into her lesson plans. “It’s an excellent opportunity for our kids and teachers,” Boyd said. “There are full lesson plans with videos of historians, politicians, electoral college posters, presidential timeline posters. It’s a great resource.”

A Winter Haven woman was convicted to life in prison Nov. 8 for shooting the father of two of her children in the back of the head in February 2016. According to court documents, Star Tribble, 36 of Winter Haven, and Robert Lubin, 29 of Haines City, plotted to kill Tribble’s boyfriend of 15 years so the two could be with each other once Lubin was released from prison in May 2016. Tribble’s adult daughter, who was living with the two at the time, found his body decomposing, face down on a mattress days after the 2016 shooting. Once incarcerated, Tribble’s cellmate, Laquita Smith of Lake Wales, intercepted multiple letters sent and received by Tribble and gave them to her attorney in an attempt to work out a deal and reduce her own sentence. Evidence from these letters appears to have been used to convict Tribble.

Nosey No Longer Giving Rides

‘Right Place, Right Time, Did Right Thing’

Nosey the elephant is free. Free from living in cramped quarters and in its own waste and subjected to giving rides to anyone who pays. This finally happened in Lawrence County, Ala., in early November to Nosey, a 35-year-old elephant who has been doing this since 1987 under the ownership of Hugo Liebel of Davenport. “He was trucked around the country doing gruesome work that was detrimental to his mental and physical self,” said Rachel Mathews, the associate director of Captive Law Enforcement for PETA. “Elephants are social animals and they are designed to be around family and friends. They are designed to be able to move 18 hours a day and grazing. This one was chained in one place and it was highly detrimental.” Nosey will be in the sanctuary temporarily as there is another court hearing scheduled for a final disposition of the animal, Mathews said. Liebel, the owner of the animal for about 30 years, said people should not rush to judgment on how Nosey was treated. “The truth will always prevail,” he said when interviewed in Alabama when his elephant was taken. “Don’t make something about something that is not there.”

Lake Wales Police Officer Michael Jones was recently recognized for taking action that may have saved the lives of an elderly couple Oct. 24. After dropping off evidence to a lab in Tampa, Jones was driving back to Lake Wales on the Polk Parkway when he noticed a tow vehicle on fire behind a motorhome. “Knowing that the fire was progressing, Officer Jones entered the RV and removed the confused elderly couple from harm,” wrote Lakeland Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Williams to Jones’ supervisor in an email the following day. “The couple was unaware of the fire that was impinging upon the RV. Unfortunately both vehicles were lost due to the fire but Officer Jones’ actions prevented the incident from causing loss of life.” “You were in the right place at the right time and did the right thing,” Chief Velasquez said.

Papa Dale Remembered

The James P. Austin Community Center was filled to capacity Saturday, Nov. 4, so that Lake Wales area residents could say goodbye to one of their own. Dale Leonard Fields passed last month. “Papa Dale” was remembered with love. “Once he became a mentor at Lake Wales High School, he adopted several kids from the high school and the boys basketball team,” said Lake Wales High School basketball coach, and Fields’ nephew, Donald Grant. “He traveled to every game near and far.” Grant said Papa Dale bought clothes for kids who could not afford them, helped purchase uniforms, helped purchase pre-game meals and inspired the kids. “The players called him Papa Dale,” Grant said. “On any home game you could see him in the north east corner of the gym by the back door yelling at the refs.” Rev. Doris Simmons went to college with Fields. “Even as his body was wasting away, he greeted everyone with a smile, a joke, or a word of encouragement.” Simmons said.

Lewd Act At Library Gets Man 10 Years

Adam Tharp, 24 of Winter Haven, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for exposing himself to a 7-year-old girl inside Winter Haven Library in May. According to the arrest affidavit, Tharp was wearing a camouflage hat and short sleeve T-shirt, sitting in one of the rear isles of the children’s section when he exposed himself. The child told investigators that Tharp “made a ‘psst’ sound to get her attention as he was sitting with his ‘thing’ in his hand looking directly at her.” The crime was captured on video cameras inside the library. According to court documents a librarian told the responding Winter Haven Police Department sergeant, Tharp was caught in the children’s area a month prior before being asked to move to the adult section. After seeing media reports, a person contacted WHPD on the morning of the arrest to report that Tharp had been fired from a Davenport auction house for exposing himself to a child trying to buy Cheetos and a Pepsi at the snack bar in 2015.

POLK COUNTY AND HISTORIC CITY OF FORT MEADE PRESENTS

THE 2017/ 2018 SHOW SEASON

CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE From 6 PM TO 9 PM December 8 - 9, 2017 & December 15 -16, 2017

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31ST ANNUAL

ANTIQUE ENGINE & TRACTOR “SWAP MEET”

Do your body a favor. Sit in a Stressless and let it discover the ultimate comfort that it has been missing.

January 17-18-19-20, 2018

FFA BENEFIT BANQUET February 17, 2018 at 5 PM

Stressless is proudly endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association.

26TH ANNUAL

ANTIQUE ENGINE & TRACTOR SHOW February 21-22-23-24, 2018 Featuring Cockshutt Tractors

VISIT THE FLYWHEELER PARK FOR 4 DAYS OF FAMILY FUN, SEEING THE PAST PRESERVED FOR THE FUTURE. Tractor Pulls, Flea Market, Barns & Garages to Explore, Antique Cars, Trucks & Construction Equipment, & Operating Saw Mill

1500 Havendale Blvd. Winter Haven 863.293.1875 7000 Avon Park Cutoff Rd, Fort Meade, FL 33841

4715 S. Florida Ave Lakeland 863.647.1000

Claussensfurniture.com

863.285.9121 | www.floridaflywheelers.org COME EXPLORE OUR 374 ACRES

POLK TOP 10

MAKE IT MAGICAL Dec. 8th at 5pm in Historic downtown Lake Wales. Holiday shopping, food and fun! lwmainstreet.com

CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE Dec. 9th from 5-8pm. Lakeside celebration at Lake Howard Trail in Winter Haven. Food trucks & parade. chainlifewinterhaven.com

HANUKKAH MENORAH LIGHTING Dec. 14th 5:306:30pm. Chabad Jewish Center will be hosting a Hanukkah Menorah Lighting in Virginia Miller Park. (Next to Central Park in Winter Haven) Open to the public.

14 havenmagazines.com

SANTA’S RUN FOR OUR KIDS Dec. 23rd at Central Park in Winter Haven 7am-11am. Sponsored by the Winter Haven Optimist Club.

Winterhavenoptimistclub.org

KIDS’ NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY Legoland on Dec. 31st. Kid-friendly timing for the “brick-drop” and largest firework show of the years at 8pm. Buy tickets at www.legoland.com

1,15 23 1&2 FLORIDA TROPICS Pro indoor soccer team. To purchase tickets, call 863-2400101 or visit FLTropics.com 3 home games: 1st, 15th and 23rd of December.

ORANGE BLOSSOM REVUE Dec. 1st & 2nd at Lake Wailes Park in Lake Wales. BBQ, Music & Craft Beer Festival. orangeblossomrevue.com

2 OUT OF THE DARKNESS WALK Dec. 2nd, 9am-noon, Lake Hollingsworth. Proceeds benefit local and national suicide prevention and awareness programs of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Learn more at afsp.org/lakeland.

2 GLITTER, GLISTEN & SNOW Dec. 2nd from 6-9pm Countdown as they light up thousands of Christmas lights and the Christmas tree in Lake Eva Park! Also enjoy snow slides, kid’s fun, arts & craft vendors, food & Santa. Hainescity.com

2&3 CAROLS IN THE PARK Dec. 2nd & 3rd in Central Park in Winter Haven. 10am-4pm Highlights local schools with music, food, shopping, kid’s area & Santa!

havenmagazines.com

ORLANDO TOP 10 THE STETSON MANSION “CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR” TOURS Visit the largest, grandest, and most historic home ever built in Florida before the 20th century decorated for the holidays. Tours through January. www.stetsonmansion.com

WINTER SPARK BALDWIN PARK Dec. 9th 3-9pm New Broad Street & Jake Street, Baldwin Park. This family friendly event begins with a festival, a holiday “cheer” garden and kiddie zone including pictures with Santa & Mrs. Claus. At 6pm sharp, a lighted parade will march down New Broad Street toward the lake. Enjoy music and holiday “cheer” by the fountain in Village Center until 9pm.

2&3 CELEBRATION HOLIDAY HOME TOUR BAGGAGE CLAIMS & VIRTUAL VIEWS Last chance to see both exhibitions at the Orlando Museum of Art. Displayed through Dec. 31st. omart.org

6TH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LIGHT RIDE! Dec.16th from 7-8pm. Ride 6 miles through Ivanhoe Village and College Park to take in the light displays at a casual pace. Teaming up with One Heart for Women and Children, to help bring Christmas to those who might not otherwise be able to celebrate.

7 DEAD & COMPANY

407-566-1234

Dec. 2nd from 2-10pm. Registration party to kick off the crawl with exclusive drink and food specials at participating bars. Purchase tickets at www.eventbrite.com

Dec. 7th at 7:30pm, Amway Center. Original Grateful Dead members Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann and Bob Weir alongside singer/guitarist John Mayer, Allman Brothers’ bassist Oteil Burbridge and Fare Thee Well and RatDog keyboardist Jeff Chimenti. www.amwaycenter.com

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

THE SCHOOL OF ROCK

CAMPING WORLD BOWL

Dec. 17th from 5-10pm at CDA Orlando, 7051 Pershing Ave. Food, entertainment & snow! (407) 736-8701

Dec. 26th-31st Andrew Lloyd Webber’s newest musical, based on the film of the same name! www.drphillipscenter.org

Dec. 28th at 5:15pm at Camping World Stadium. This bowl will match the top selection from the ACC (inclusive of Notre Dame) outside of the CFP series against the second selection from the Big 12 outside of the CFP series. campingworldstadium.com

Dec. 2nd from 3-9pm and Dec. 3rd from 1-5pm in Celebration. Take a self-guided 2-hour tour of homes decorated for the holidays. $20 thecelebrationfoundation.org

UGLY SWEATER CRAWL-ORLANDO

26-31

facebook.com/retrocitycycles

16 15

16th Annual Concert Series

Note: Tickets vary from $25 to $45 per person, per concert. A series ticket may be purchased for $135 per person, which includes admission to all five performances. Tickets are available online (www.TheCelebrationFoundation.org) or at the Celebration Foundation office (610 Sycamore Street Suite 110 in Celebration). Tickets will be available at the door of each show, if the show has not sold out.

BoneValleyATV.com

CONCERT SCHEDULE

Bone Valley ATV Park boasts 15 trails, open ride areas, hill climbs, training areas, picnic spots and so much more.

Friday, December 8, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. “Traditional Holiday Brass Concert’’ Presented by The Brass Band of Central Florida

Sunday, February 11, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. “Florida’s Finest Youth Orchestra” Presented by Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra

Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. “An Evening with Branford Marsalis” Presented by Branford Marsalis Quartet

Sunday, March 11, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. “Colorado’s Next Great Bluegrass Band” Presented by Trout Steak Revival

For operating hours, rules and regulations, visit the website: bonevalleyatv.com

General One Day Admission Price is per person • Valid up to 4 people • Must present original coupon at main gate

Bone Valley ATV Park

Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. “Mozart & Dvorak” Presented by Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra

10427 County Road 630 W. • Mulberry, FL 33860 (863) 428-0525 • bonevalleyatv.com

• • • •

Must provide own OHV All vehicles must be registered with the state Rules and regulations apply Visit the website for more info

For more information, please call the Celebration Foundation at 407-566-1234.

Expires: June 1, 2018

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S COR E CA R D.

Now open, the National Course greens rejuvenation brings consistency between courses with a superior level of play. The new Champion Bermuda greens will yield firmer and faster conditions, increased size and additional pin placements for more challenging putting experiences.

P L AY I T AGA I N . . . FOR THE FIRST TIME INTRODUCTORY RATES FROM

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havenmagazines.com

USE PROMO CODE: NATPRO ASK ABOUT CHAMPS CLUB MEMBERSHIPS, ONLY $99 PER YEAR.

ChampionsGateGolf.com 407-787-4653

TAMPA TOP 10 2 WINTER VILLAGE AT CURTIS HIXON PARK Runs through Jan. 5th. Enjoy the Winter Village Shops with over 20 local makers. Or try the outdoor ice skating rink. For hours & info: tampasdowntown.com

1 LADY GAGA Joanne World Tour, Dec. 1st at Amalie Arena. www.amaliearena.com

THE NORTH POLE EXPRESS

98 DEGREES AT CHRISTMAS

Dec. 7th-10th Take a ride to the North Pole and see Santa! Begins at the Florida Railroad Museum 12210 83rd St E, Parrish. www.frrm.org

Dec. 8th at 8pm. Celebrate the holidays with 98°, the vocal quartet comprised of Nick Lachey, Drew Lachey, Justin Jeffre and Jeff Timmons. www.themahaffey.com

7-10

THE IRON SHARPENERS RUN FOR THE DREAM

5-10 THE BOOK OF MORMON

Dec. 2nd, 8:30am at Gadsden Park. 5k chipped race, ½ mile candy dash, food, music, raffles, bounce house and more. www.ironsharpeners.org

Dec. 5th-10th at the Straz Center. A musical comedy follows the misadventures of a pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. www.strazcenter.org

HANUKKAH DINNER EXTRAVAGANZA

NEXT GENERATION BALLET’S NUTCRACKER

Dec. 17th at 5:30, Bryan Glazer Family JCC Ballroom, 522 N. Howard Ave in Tampa. Dreidel spinning, crafts, festive music & buffet. RSVP at jewishtampa.com

Dec. 21-23rd at the Straz Center. Features internationally-renowned principal dancers from Miami City Ballet and New York City Ballet onstage with NGB’s award-winning young dancers. www.strazcenter.org

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21-23

6 A VERY MERRY MARKET Dec. 6th from 4-8pm Join Sunken Gardens and Great Explorations for a holiday market with exclusive discounts, free champagne, holiday treats and complimentary valet. www.stpete.org/attractions/ sunken_gardens

SWINGIN’ IN THE NEW YEAR Live music, dancing, and celebration at the spectacular St. Petersburg Coliseum with the World Famous Jive Aces. www.newyearswing.com

havenmagazines.com

WORDS Tara Crutchfield

PHOTOGRAPH Amy Sexson

It’s the busiest shopping time of the year & we hope you consider buying from a local business first. Why? The small businesses in our community are run by real people creating jobs and making a better living environment for everyone. They are friends, neighbors and family. They are what helps make a city healthy & unique and binds us together. Small business owners want the best for their city. They put passion into their work and it shows when you walk in. They give better customer service, better advice and often have better quality merchandise. This holiday season, keep your money in the community. Show your love for your city and buy local. Small business is the American Dream. Happy Holidays & support your community.

SHOP LOCAL M. Marie

One of Winter Haven’s trendiest boutiques offering the latest trends in fashion. M. Marie is owned by Meghan Mackie and was established in 2009. According to Meghan, “We sell clothing, accessories, and gifts. We have a California/bohemian/ contemporary style mix. We are constantly turning over inventory to provide new items each week!” Meghan supports U.S. made products, examples being a clothing line from California and a candle company out of Charleston, South Carolina. M. Marie’s items are hand-picked by the owner, Meghan with her vintage, bohemian style. She said, “It’s always fun to shop because there is always something new to look at. From candles, to jewelry we love to play around with displays and constantly change them!” Find the newest and best that M. Marie has to offer by visiting the store at 337 W. Central Ave., Winter Haven or follow on Facebook @m.marieboutique or Instagram @mmarie_boutique. 863-318-9600

Village Kitchen Shop

Every home chef’s dream, Village Kitchen Shop has truly everything you need to whip up a meal for two or entertain a dinner party. According to owners Bob and Diane Armington, “Village Kitchen Shop.com is a combination of the former Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium and Dining Gallery in the Eagle Ridge Mall where we were in business for 10+ years. In March of 2009, we moved our business to the Historic Business District of downtown Lake Wales.” Their shop carries U.S.A. bakeware, All-Clad and Swiss Diamond cookware, Wusthof, Shun, and Henckels cutlery, aprons, gadgets, gourmet foods featuring Stonewall Kitchen, Weatherland Chimes and an additional 3 rooms featuring Trapp, Woodwick a Lang candles and gifts, as well as personal care from Camille Beckman, Thymes, and Evelyn & Crabtree. The store carries local products from Florida including Gator Hammock hot sauce and Tervis Tumbler drinkware. What makes their store special? According to the owners, “We are constantly hearing our customers tell one another, “If you can’t find what you need for your kitchen here, you’re just not going to find it. We work very hard to make those words true. Our primary goal is to provide all the tools to make your cooking and baking both easy and successful, but we are also a fabulous gift store and so much more.” Wonder their store at 257 E. Stuart Ave., Lake Wales or visit their website, www.villagekitchenshop.com. 863-679-1146

Amy’s Cards, Party & Gifts

Started in September of 2000, Amy’s Cards, Party, & More began in a small 400 square-foot card store. Expanding several times over the years, all in the same building, Amy’s continued to grow in size and customer base. In 2010, a second store 2 miles away from their idyllic courtyard storefront, was added to expand party supplies and balloons. In 2013, they acquired a warehouse to store inventory, leading to the opening of their online store, amyspartystore.com in 2014. In 2017, they began construction on the Fifth Third Bank Bank Building across the street from LEGOLAND on Cypress Gardens Blvd. Amy remarked, “We always dreamed of one day our stores being all the same building. Our Dream became a reality in June 2017 when we opened our doors for the first time all under one roof.” Amy’s sells gifts, greeting cards, party supplies, and balloons. They even carry local items like Uber Mom and Plant Your Flag Hats and Shirts. “We are a small family business and pride ourselves on taking care of our customers. We sincerely appreciate each and every one of them. We are here because they support us,” said Amy. The store’s current website is under construction, but items can be found on Amazon. Amy would also love to see all her customers at their storefront, 6000 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven or connect with them on Facebook @amyspartystore. 863-875-5556

Friends & Co

Harold Stafford and Tim Thomas of Southern Gentlemen have been friends with Becki and Jim Bibby of The Little House for about 4 years now. Harold was a vendor at Becki’s shop, The Little House, in Lakeland for about 2 years. A year ago, they bought a 1935 colonial home in Winter Haven on Lake Elbert. Harold asked Becki if she would like to become partners to open the storefront again, saying, “We missed the interaction with our customers we previously had at The Little House while just being vendors, so we decided to give it a go in Winter Haven. Thus, Friends & Co was born.” The store opened on March 25th of this year. They sell antiques, repurposed, local handmade, vintage, and new, as well as boutique style offerings and gifts, and handmade soaps and laundry products. You’ll also find local made hand-crafted pens, razor handles, and wooden bowls made by Tim. According to Harrold, “We also sell old fashioned Laundry Cream that’s locally made, as well as pot Scrubbies, quilts, and dish cloths.” Harrold said, “We feel we are a great unique store offering a wide variety of items from old to new and everything in between. From men to women to children we have something for everyone.” Shop Friends & Co in person at 201 Burns Lane (Dundee Road), Winter Haven or check out their Facebook page, @FrindsandCo. 863-944-2900

Modern Me

A jack of all trades, or rather, a store of all trades, Modern me offers a little bit of everything you need. Mainly a women’s clothing and accessory boutique, the store offers clothing for all ages, men’s clothing, gift items, jewelry, shoes, baby and children’s items. Aside from that, Modern Me carries décor and offers personalized monogramming. Want to get a little color? The store has a tanning salon with 5 beds and one stand up booth. Opened in 2014, Modern Me is a family owned and operated store with mother and daughter team Marie Kelley and Erika Cox keeping their customers coming back. According to Marie, “Many of our customers come as strangers and leave a friend. We truly cherish and love each and every one of our customers, they allow us to live our dream of helping women feel beautiful and empowered.” “Fun fact!!! the ME in Modern Me stands for M-Maire (mom) E-Erika (daughter)” You can find them at 414 Orange St., Auburndale with their hours of operation being Monday through Friday 10am-8pm and Saturday 10am-4pm. Connect with them on Facebook, @ModernMeClothingAccessories or on Instagram @modernmeboutique. 863-875-8906

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Antiques on Main

Antiques on Main opened in October of 2010 by owners Tony and Brenda Milano. Before they opened the store, the pair sold at antique fairs and shows. Tony and Brenda are originally from the Northeast United States, but have lived in Florida since the early 1970’s. Residing in Winter Haven, they have 2 grown children that live in New York and Vermont. Antiques on Main sells antiques from the early 1800’s through the mid 1900’s. “Our passion is Country Primitives, but our store is an eclectic mix of eras and styles of antiques.” Wondering if they sell local products? They do! Antiques on Main sells locally manufactured, vintage Eger lures, handcrafted turkey calls made by a local man, and they also have a 60-foot wall of Bartow history. They have vintage items that were originally sold in Bartow stores, such as Jessalyns. According to the duo, “Ours is an old-fashioned family-run antique store, and not a mega-mall. We truly enjoy having our store in Bartow and are thankful for the warm reception that we have received these last 6 years.” Shop their antiques at 375 E. Main St., Bartow, Monday through Saturday 10am-5:30pm. Connect with them online and see photos on their Facebook page, @antiques.onmain.5 863-533-4383

Lucy Minerals

Lucy Minerals was born through necessity by owner, Annie Theiss Jebens. According to Annie, “I developed Lucy Minerals Foundation because of my own battle with acne, rosacea, and sensitive skin.” Makeup isn’t the only thing Lucy Minerals offers. They also sell mineral makeup, skin care-including beard oil, makeup brushes, essential oils, some bath and body products and jewelry. Their jewelry offerings include costume, silver, and gemstone. Annie herself hand-makes some of their jewelry like bracelets and necklaces, most of which have lava stones which can be used for aromatherapy. Lucy Minerals also carries deodorant, bug repellants and sunscreen made by local company, Terra Viva. The store even has wholesale available to qualifying businesses such as spas, salons, and beauty shops. According to Kristal Brie from Lucy Minerals, “We offer mineral makeup free of parabens, nano particles and micronized minerals they are also vegan and gluten free. Our foundations are available in different formulas for different skin types. We have essential oils in our skin care products and strive to keep it mostly organic and natural.” You can pick up their products in store at 21 3rd St. NW in Winter Haven or online at http:// lucyminerals.com, with some products exclusive to their brick and mortar shop. “Lucy Minerals/Essentials wants everyone to have access to quality skin care and makeup (with safe ingredients) at a reasonable cost. We offer sale kits and try it sizes for most products if you are new to our brand.” 863-875-5930

Sweet Magnolias Tea Bistro

Tabitha and Brad Hill have owned Sweet Magnolias Tea Bistro located in downtown Auburndale for the past 13 years. Whether you’re looking to do tea out with the ladies or enjoy some while curled up on your couch, Sweet Magnolias sells over a hundred flavors of tea, seasonal scones and gourmet, local honey, along with a great selection of gifts and décor. Join them for their Southern Lunches, Monday through Saturday 11-3. According to the Hill’s, “We specialize in catering and oneof-a-kind events, bridal or baby showers, birthday parties, children’s etiquette parties as well as Princess Parties and coming soon our famous Tea with Mrs. Claus!” The Bistro’s 4 dining rooms offer different locations for whatever event you would like to host. Find them online at www.magnoliatearoomandgiftshop.com visit them in store at 212 Howard St, Auburndale, or give them a call at 863-965-1684.

The Red Geranium

Twelve years ago, Geri Tidwell got requests from her decorating clients to shop in her studio for their home décor. These requests led to the birth of The Red Geranium! The name comes from Geri’s beloved grandmother who loved flowers according to Tidwell. The shop sells jewelry, gifts, clothing, home accessories, furniture, and a variety of handmade cards and other locally made gifts. Geri gave her sentiments on the store, “We offer personal individual service to our customers along with free gift wrapping. Our motto is “come in a stranger, leave as a friend.” Do your holiday shopping at The Red Geranium this year, skip the wrapping, let Geri and her team do it for you! The store is located in Winter Haven at 226 W. Central Ave. See photos of their products by following them on Facebook @TheRedGeraniumwh 863-291-8585

Country Primitives Vintage Market

Nikki Harrison worked in dentistry for almost 10 years, before leaving to open Country Primitives in 2008. February of 2018 will be the 10-year anniversary for the store! According to Nikki, her Mom did crafts as a side stream of income when Nikki was growing up and the apple didn’t fall far from the tree with Nikki finding an interest in crafts as well. The pair opened the store together, and though her mother has since passed away, Nikki continues to make it a haven for her customers. The store sprawls over a 12,000 square-foot building that Nikki owns, offering furniture, candles, home décor, farmhouse décor, general store old-time foods, antiques, repurposed items, and more from 50 vendors with the other over 50% of the store being Nikki’s products. She carries the Joanna Gaines line, Magnolia Home, along with farmhouse, garden, primitive, candles, and more. Local honey, jams, soaps, candles, essential oils, and handmade artisan seasonal items fill the store as well. “My store is a wonderland, when you walk into my store, you are captivated,” said Nikki, expressing that you’re welcomed both by the friendly, helpful staff, and visually by the atmosphere of the store. “Your eyes just go everywhere and you just feel that immediate calmness. It’s almost like you leave your troubles at the door and you walk in and take a sigh of relief,” Nikki explained. Find your happy place at Country Primitives Vintage Market at 251 Ave. A SW, Winter Haven or join their 25,000 plus followers on Facebook @CountryPrimitives. 863-291-3131

Andy Thornal

Starting as an Army-Navy Store in 1945, It was taken over by Andy Thornal in 1961. They stock quality brands that hold value in longevity and offer excellent customer service experience above all. There are 4 primary departments: Men’s Dress, Women’s Dress, Outdoor, and Travel which feature the latest respective apparel and gear. These are complemented by full Footwear, Jewelry, and Knife departments. They carry local brands, like Winnerhaven apparel. Inspired by our travel, angling, camping, sailing, hunting, aviation, riding, skiing and safari they have curated a selection of goods to fit any occasion. From the jungle to the boardroom, Andy Thornal is all about quality, value, function, tradition and a heritage of adventurous lifestyle. They also have a fine jewelry collection with names such as Rolex and Roberto Coin as well as an excellent selection of estate pieces and travel jewelry. The on-site goldsmith and custom design studio can help create your next masterpiece or bring in your jewelry for cleaning or repair. The physical location is downtown Winter Haven, under the water tower. Open Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm at 336 Magnolia Avenue SW, Winter Haven. (863) 299-9999 or toll free (800) 499-9890. You can find them online at www.andythornal.com.

The Village Sampler

Pamela Savage along with her husband Randel of 44 years are the owners of the Village Sampler in Winter Haven. Pamela spoke about the 3800 square-foot store saying, “Our vision was to bring together individual markets in a cooperative center, providing a warm and welcoming fun place to shop. My love of antiques and repurposed furniture, all styles of home décor, even handcrafted jewelry and “all things lovely” fill the store’s 5 showrooms.” She previously spent 15 years in the Health Wellness field and stocks some of her personal favorite supplements, market food, and treats. You can also find an assortment of locally baked breads and muffins, many of which are gluten free! Pamela commented, “Having acquired my certification as a “Natural Product Specialist” from Bastyr University, I’m available for consults Tuesday through Saturday 11-3. I believe in most cases it is possible to bring our bodies back to our own natural defenses and feel better.” You can shop until you drop at the Village Sampler at 155 Ave. B SW, Winter Haven, look for their pink signs! They can also be reached at 863-875-5150, with photos and details on sales available on their Facebook page, @TheVillageSampler. havenmagazines.com

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PHOTOGRAPH Amy Sexson

Pinewood Estate “Merry and Bright”

Get ready to step back in time with the Buck family, Bok Tower Gardens is celebrating their 23rd Holiday Home Tour at Pinewood Estate from November 24th through January 7th and is even open on Christmas Day. I got a sneak peak of the decorating process. Pinewood, on its own, is a stunning display of architecture. I was amazed by every tiny detail around each corner that I turned. When touring Pinewood, there were plenty of busy decorators, making the theme come to life with enchanting ornamentation and intricate storylines. Though it was a dreary, muggy day in early November and the decoration hadn’t yet been completed, that intangible, cheery Christmas magic filled the air. Pinewood Estate, originally called ‘El Retiro’, was built for Charles Austin Buck in the 1930’s. Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Bok Tower, Erica Smith, spoke about the home, “It is one of the finest examples of Mediterranean Revival architecture in Florida, and it is really a jewel. It’s one of those houses that is like a moment in time. When you go into Pinewood Estate, you’re getting that feeling of what it was like in Florida in the late 1920’s and 1930’s. That’s why we love the house so much is it really has captured that interesting point in American history.” Pinewood is open all year round, closing from October 31st until it reopens for the Holidays. This gives the decorators time to complete it. The theme this year is “Merry and Bright”, something The Amaryllis Club, who is responsible for the decoration, has been conceiving of since February. With almost a year of planning involved, the group put storyboards for each room together havenmagazines.com

in September before starting the process in November. Patti Bostick is the lead designer of The Amaryllis Club’s decorating team. Erica complemented Patti’s décor expertise, saying, “She has that artistic eye to be able to edit and make it just this beautiful, luxurious experience.”

Frog Fountain Terrace each Saturday, beginning at 12:30 p.m. during the holidays. The lineup includes Omari Dillard on November 25th, Swing Boutique on December 9th, KC&CO on December 16th, Victoria De Lissovoy on December 23rd, Those Guys on December 30th, and John Skillman and the New Orleans Night Hawks on January 6th.

“The house is open for the historical tour, but Christmas is when it sparkles because we have all the decorations and we create these storylines that just kind of bring the romance back to the house,” remarked Smith. This will be the third year running that Pinewood will have a historical storyline for the theme. Erica described their theme last year as being in post-war 1940’s and created a scenario around Mr. Buck’s son coming home for the holidays. This year, they are bringing the house back to 1936, when Jazz was in its heyday in America, “We did have this Jazz-baby feeling in the American culture. They were still in the middle of the Great Depression, they were still having lots of changes in history, but Jazz was really hot, everybody caught Jazz fever.”

There is something so splendid about Pinewood and Bok Tower Gardens during this time of year. Erica put her finger on what makes it such a wonderful stage for this holiday, saying, “We are very natural here and we look at what mother nature wants us to have from a Christmas standpoint. Pinewood Estate is that jewel and we can make that sparkle while the grounds here and the gardens are more in a natural, more relaxed atmosphere.” Erica added to her thought, “Really what makes it I think, romantic, is the fact that when you come to Bok Tower Gardens, you’re so removed from the world and you can enjoy your family a little bit more.” The Holiday Home Tour is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from November 24th through January 7th. To find out more about the events Bok Tower Gardens has to offer this season visit their website boktowergardens.org.

They’ll be incorporating musical elements into the decoration, with Mr. Buck’s grandchildren receiving musical instruments. “The house is going to be patterned as if the family was going to have a Christmas Day Jazz concert. The music room will be set up as if they’re waiting for their guests to arrive for a special Christmas Day Jazz concert,” said Smith. With such a focus on music, it would be remiss to exclude live music from the experience, and no detail is spared for Pinewood. Live music will play outside of Pinewood Estate on the 24

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WORDS Tara Crutchfield

Theatre Winter Haven Presents:

Another Night Before Christmas Theatre Winter Haven is putting some magic back into the holidays with the production of Another Night Before Christmas, directed by firsttime director, Melissa Whitworth. Whitworth is an actor, singer, and now director here in Florida, traveling the state with regional theatre contracts. She is also a substitute actor at Universal Studios Orlando. Melissa went to school for Choral Music Education saying, “I did teach high school choir for a year and I loved that. I use those skills every day.” She has just completed her third year of full-time acting since graduating college and teaching. You may recognize her as Mary Poppins from Theatre Winter Haven’s earlier production of the musical.

Another Night Before Christmas follows a thirty-something social worker, Karol. “She’s one of those people that gives and gives, but is not really getting anything back,” explained Whitworth. The audience is introduced to her on Christmas Eve where she meets who she thinks is a homeless man on the street. Karol offers the man her food and returns to her home, later encountering him in her apartment, where he makes the claim to be Santa Claus. Her failed security system locks the pair in the house, forcing them to try to find a way out all the while making a connection and grappling with Karol’s feelings about Christmas.

I asked Melissa what her first experience with directing has been with this play. “It’s kind of just an expansion of the skill set I already have and I’m really enjoying it. With this particular show, it’s interesting because I have played Karol the social worker, this time last year for a different theater.” On the perspective she has on the main character, having played Karol, Whitworth commented, “Of course, that’s a very special relationship because I want to make sure that I’m letting that actress create her own version of this character, and I’m not forcing her into exactly what I did because she has great new ideas that I want to see brought to the table.”

character, explaining, “The number one thing we were looking for in that character is confidence and charm because he comes in and really has to take control of the stage. We really need that from both of the actors because there is no one else to look at on stage.”

What can the audience expect to take away from the play? Whitworth explains that with her experience with this show in the past, “It really, I think especially for an older audience, made people that hadn’t felt Christmas in a long time, feel Christmas again, in their heart.”

Toeing the line between a play and a musical, Whitworth commented on the tremendous impact of the music, which will be handled by Music Director, Philip King. Whitworth says, “Sometimes things hit you in the heart more when it is to music.”

Another Night Before Christmas

The set is designed by Derek Wyatt. It’s comprised of Karol’s living room space in her apartment, where most of the action takes place, with hallways that lead to other rooms. Each act begins with a scene on the street which they plan to play downstage of the apartment, using soundscape to create the outdoor atmosphere.

Karol will be played by talented actor, Laura Modrall who fit the role seamlessly according to the director. “For that character, we were looking for someone that is just a very natural actress that could really tell an arc. We want to see one version of that character at the beginning of that story, and she changes rather dramatically throughout the story. So, I wanted to see a very dynamic actress and that’s what we got from Laura, and of course, she sings beautifully too.”

Recounting the first time reading the play, Whitworth explained, “The first time I read this show, I thought it was cheesy. I read it again and read it again and put it on its feet, as an actress, and realized it wasn’t cheesy because cheesy means simple, predictable, and fake. Yes, it is simple, and yes, this show is rather predictable, but it’s not fake, it’s very honest.”

The role of the self-proclaimed Santa or “The Guy” went to Thom Mesrobian. Whitworth spoke about what she looked for in casting the

opens at Theatre Winter Haven on November 30th and runs through December 17th. Check Theatre Winter Haven’s website to see showtimes and purchase tickets because you won’t want to miss this heartwarming tale that will reconnect you to the joy of the holidays. Theatre Winter Haven (863) 294-7469 210 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven, FL 33880 www.theatrewinterhaven.com

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WORDS & PHOTOGRAPH Tara Crutchfield

Polk Arts Alliance When you see a show at one of your favorite nonprofit community theatres or art galleries, do you ever wonder how they got the funding to bring and retain such rich artistic culture to Polk County? The answer, for many of the nonprofit arts organizations around the county, is the Polk Arts Alliance. I spoke with Polk Arts Alliance’s Executive Director who’s been with them since 2010, Meri Mass. She defined the organization, “The Polk Arts Alliance is the official designated agency for Polk County and represents all of the arts organizations, the nonprofit arts organizations within the county.” PAA is the advocacy agency with the Board of County Commissioners Division of Culture Affairs in Tallahassee and Americans for the Arts in Washington D.C., doing their part to advocate for the funding of our local creative nonprofits. The nonprofit organization has been in existence since 2004 according to Mass, whose background is economic development and the arts. Prior to coming to Polk county in 2005, Meri lived in Palm Beach County, where she worked for the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts for many years, later working for the economic development organization for the county. Meri described an important endeavor PAA took on a few years ago on behalf of the arts, explaining, “In 2011, we advocated to get Bed

Tax dollars to fund the arts through a grant program because no bed tax dollar was going to the arts, it was all sports. Through our efforts, which I thought was going to take about a year, took 4, but in 2013 we were able to actually get an ordinance passed that 15% of the first two pennies of the bed tax would be dedicated to the arts.” She continued, discussing the significant financial impact of the bed tax, “It’s about $700,000 a year which has actually turned out to be, at this point in time, about 2.5 million dollars, total money back to the arts.”

staggering numbers, “I had a meeting this morning with Polk Vision, to reveal the results on that and it’s turned out that the nonprofits that participated, there were about 34 of them, is $46.5 million economic impact a year in Polk County.” Meri noted that the study only accounted for nonprofit organizations, but that PAA is also working with the creative industries which are for profit, such as galleries, artist, and architects, saying, “Now going forward, we’re going to be working with our economic development offices to try to get them to recognize the importance of the creative industries.”

Polk Arts Alliance is also the publisher of Artifacts Magazine. Meri explained that the magazine has been in publication for over 25 years, starting as a for-profit. In 2004, the woman who started Artifacts sold it to PAA for a dollar. Now, the money for the specialty ‘support the arts’ license plates, comes back to PAA, around $8,000 according to Meri, that is dedicated to funding the magazine which highlights the arts, both forprofit and nonprofit, in the county.

In conjunction with funding nonprofits, focusing on the positive impact the arts has in the education system is paramount to the organization. Polk Arts Alliance wants to bring that to the forefront of the broader conversation of arts in education, saying, “We have a 92% graduation rate for students who are in art classes, our “A” schools are all performing arts schools. You hear the word STEM [Science, technology, engineering, and math] a lot, the next issue is trying to change that conversation to STEAM [Science, technology, engineering, arts, and math].”

The arts may have an undeniable cultural impact within Polk County, but Meri says a major goal for PAA is to make the economic impact known as well. In January of 2016, through Americans for the Arts, an economic impact study of the arts began. Throughout the year, the nonprofit members of PAA collected data that Meri then sent to Washington. The results of the of the study were recently released, with Meri recounting the

Meri invited me to sit in on a meeting she was having with Theatre Winter Haven which gave me an understanding of the amount of talent we have in Polk county and how that impacts the local economy.

Tony Gallegos, the theatre’s business director remarked that the theatre which has been in existence since 1970, in the Chain of Lakes Complex since 1977, is a 6-time national awardwinning theatre, the most honored in the state of Florida. Theatre Winter Haven brought home several awards when they took The Amish Project to AACTFest, a national community theatre competition, including best technical achievement. TWH will be hosting the Florida Theatre Conference (FTC) in August of next year, bringing theatres from across the state to Polk county–a prime example of the impact the arts have on our economy. Through the process of the impact study, PAA has started a business committee for the arts, encouraging as many as possible to become involved. To find more information on Polk Arts Alliance, the business committee for the arts, or to get involved, go to www.polkarts.org or contact Meri Mass by phone at (863) 804-0494 or email at director@ polkarts.org.

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JAMES M. WEAVER, ESQ. & SHELBY L. LOVELESS, ESQ.

863.676.6000 | www.lakewaleslaw.net WILLS TRUSTS ESTATE PLANNING REAL ESTATE PROBATE ELDER LAW BUSINESS & CORPORATIONS 31

WORDS Tara Crutchfield

PHOTOGRAPH Amy Sexson

Ovation Bistro & Bar There is just something comfortable about BBQ food. In the South especially, it’s a food we all grew up eating and the smoky smells tend to bring back good memories. Joel Rodriguez and his brother Fernando had the same affinity for finger-licking BBQ, but thought it could be done better. They opened Ovation Bistro & Bar in Davenport and a second location in Winter Haven.

recipes. “We would bring out the food, they would sit down, eat it and the first time, someone started clapping.” After more rounds of friends and food and applause, that was it! Going through synonyms for ‘clapping’ they landed on ‘Ovation’ to represent their brand. From humble beginnings, a hard work ethic, a customer-focused attitude and fantastic food, Ovation has earned the #1 spot on TripAdvisor in Davenport for 3 years running.

Growing up in Haines City, both Joel and Fernando joined the military, afterwards pursuing careers at Outback Steakhouse. Eventually, they worked their way up to become managing partners at separate locations.

The success of their bistro in Davenport allowed them to open a second location in Winter Haven in October of this year, which was completely paid for by the profits of their first restaurant according to Joel.

Joel explained that thoughts of the restaurant started because he and his brother always loved barbecuing and smoking meats. They wanted to be able to go to a BBQ restaurant with nice dishes and high-end wines and spirits where they could have a nice evening and enjoy their favorite food. “Barbeque is served in Styrofoam cups and cheap plates with cheap silverware, it’s finger food and it’s really dumbed-down a lot. Most barbecue places aren’t even casual dining, they’re kind of like quick service,” continuing, “We wanted to refine the barbeque experience. We think barbeque is a fine meat, a fine meal. I think it’s really nice and if done properly, can be showcased just like a seafood establishment or a steakhouse.”

Before my visit to the Winter Haven location, I wanted to know from Joel what I should try. He explained, “The ribs and brisket are incredible. We’re finding out the hard way that Winter Haven people like brisket. I went from selling maybe 5 to 7 pounds of brisket a day in Davenport along with a good variety of steak and ribs to selling 1520 pounds of brisket a day in Winter Haven.” Brisket it was! My friend and I walked into Ovation Bistro & Bar in Winter Haven, and the first thing we noticed was that familiar smell of smoky goodness. We sat down at a high-top booth near the bar with their insignia branded into the table, a neat touch I thought, and poured over the menu to find our lunch. I settled on their bestseller, brisket. It was served with a side salad and another side of my choice. I chose lobster mac and cheese. My friend ordered the artisan blend salad with salmon because she said that multiple people had recommended it.

The pair opened their first location in Davenport in 2014. They began working on recipes with Joel saying, “We invented every seasoning we use. We must have wasted $1,000 in spices and seasonings that first month.” Once they got their kitchen open, they were busy working on the food that would later help them come up with their namesake. Joel and Fernando would have friends and family come to their empty space to test out these havenmagazines.com

Funny enough, her salmon looked so good, I tried a bite of that first. The flavor was outstanding with a perfect sear on the outside. However, my 32

brisket did not disappoint, it was as tender as it could be. They served it very simply, with a choice of sauces to add. I decided on their spicy BBQ sauce–a pleasant combination of sweet, spicy, and smoky. The lobster mac and cheese came with bread crumbs baked on top, making every bite a crispy, cheesy, lobster-filled dream. A perfect combination with the delicious brisket. With a scrumptious meal and warm atmosphere, it’s not hard to see why Ovation gains more success and notoriety every year. I finished my interview with Joel with what he thinks makes people come back. “The food and the service are awesome, but we think that people keep coming back because of the personal touch of an owner or manager or server going by and actually making a connection and saying hi.” He finished, “It’s the relationships that are built that make them come back.” ovationbistro.com 42605 US-27, Davenport, FL 33837 (863) 354-6967 7130 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven, FL 33884 (863) 354-6967

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LET’ S EAT Let’s take some time this holiday season to slow down. Meeting friends for coffee or tea is a great way to take a break and check in with the important people in your life. Here are some local spots we love: Richard’s Fine Coffee 330 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven (863) 291-3082 Mon-Sat 7am-7pm Sun 8am-3pm

Lavender N Lace 430 N Lake Shore Way, Lake Alfred (863) 956-3998 Mon - Sat 11am-3:30pm Closed Sunday

Gourmet Goodies Bake Shop 68 4th St NW, Winter Haven (863) 318-1400 Mon-Fri 9am-7pm Sat 9am-5pm Closed Sunday

Sweet Magnolia’s Tea Bistro 212 Howard St, Auburndale (863) 965-1684 Mon-Sat 11am-3pm Closed Sunday

The Donut Man 1290 6th St NW, Winter Haven (863) 293-4031 Open everyday 5:30am-10pm The Twisted Teapot 200 1st St S, Winter Haven (863) 299-5000 Tues-Sat 11am-3pm Closed Sun & Mon Pink Table Cafe 226 W Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 291-8585 Open Mon-Sat 10am-3pm Closed Sunday

Black & Brew 205 E Main St, Lakeland (863) 682-1210 Mon-Thurs 7am-8pm Fri 7am-10pm Sat 8am-10pm Sun 11am-4pm Concord Coffee 1037 Florida Ave S #135, Lakeland (561) 312-3974 Mon-Sat 7am-7pm Closed Sunday

Tea Largo Beverage Co. 4634 Cleveland Heights Blvd, Lakeland (863) 688-6816 Mon-Thurs 7am-9pm Fri & Sat 7am-9:30pm Sun 10:30am-7:30pm

Portico Coffeehouse 1000 Longfellow Blvd, Lakeland (863) 667-5268 Mon-Thurs 7:30am-8pm Fri 7:30am-5pm Sat 10am-5pm Closed Sunday

Jitters Coffee Cafe 5327 Florida Ave S, Lakeland (863) 660-5825 Tues-Thurs 7am-7pm Fri & Sat 7am-9pm Closed Sun & Mon

Hillcrest Coffee 119 Hillcrest St, Lakeland (863) 398-9155 Mon-Wed 7:30am-5pm Thurs 7:30am-5pm, 6:309:30pm Fri 7:30am-5pm Sat 9am-4pm Closed Sun

My Cottage Garden 325 N Kentucky Ave, Lakeland (863) 688-9686 Tues-Thurs 10am-6pm Fri 3-6pm Sat 1-6pm Closed Sun & Mon

Mitchell’s Coffee House 235 N Kentucky Ave, Lakeland (863) 680-2944 Mon-Sat 7am-5pm Closed Sun 801 E Main 801 E Main St, Lakeland (863) 937-6915 Fri 7pm-midnight Sat 8am-midnight Sun 8am-2pm Charlie’s Mini Donut & Coffee 1023 East County Road 540A, Lakeland (863) 500-1414 Mon-Thurs 7am-8pm Fri & Sat 7am-9pm Sun 7am-3:30pm Drica’s Favorite 4404 Florida Ave S, Lakeland 863) 450-9398 Mon & Tues 7:30am-3pm Wed-Fri 7am-3pm Sat 9am-1pm Closed Sunday Born & Bread Bakehouse 1113 Florida Ave S, Lakeland Sat 8am-noon

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WORDS Tara Crutchfield

PHOTOGRAPH Mike Potthast

Rex Harris Everywhere you go in Winter Haven, it seems that you run into people from all across the country and even the world. Something about the charm and community of this city draws them in and provides a place for them to make a life. “Winter Haven is quaint and alive. I have met so many wonderful people and have developed some wonderful lasting friendships. I have lived all over the world and never felt the sense of community as I do here. Love it,” remarked Winter Haven resident, Rex Harris.

was not in a great location and I had no ability to be creative. The decision was made to close but not before gathering a following and critics’ awards for my dishes. One of my earliest patrons at the restaurant, Randall Kenny, appreciated my cuisine and saw a vision to continue the journey. With his introduction, I leased kitchen space at The Polk Museum of Art and started from scratch producing chutneys for commercial use. This led to not only chutney but private catering that created the need for my own commercial space again.”

Harris was born to a single mother in a small village on the Caribbean island of Grenada, called Mt. Moritz. “I was raised by my Grandmother while my mother worked in Trinidad to keep our family together. I was the last of four so I enjoyed the benefits of being the youngest and spoiled,” explained Harris. During the summer, he would visit his older brothers after they had moved to the Bahamas. He eventually moved to Trinidad to be closer to his mother where he attended the University of the West Indies and was a member of the Colonial Tennis Club.

Rex and Kim bought a foreclosed building on Ave. B SW in Winter Haven and turned it into their restaurant, The Seasoned Stone. The name has origins from his early days in the kitchen with his grandmother. He remarked, “My earliest memories cooking were on three flat stones. That is where the ‘stone’ part of our restaurant name ‘The Seasoned Stone’ came from.” “Neither of us wanted to own a restaurant,” Rex said. “Our vision was to produce chutney out of the space and do catering and Kim wanted to sell some culinary items. Due to demand, we became a restaurant but I still kept it true to me,” he said. The pair changed up the menu often and worked hard from concept to the finished product, sourcing their own ingredients.

Rex spoke about his love of the sport, saying, “The year I started I was named most improved player and the passion continued as I eventually taught lessons on the weekends at the Air Force base in Washington State.” Following graduation, Harris moved back to Grenada, attended the Teachers Training College, and taught at his former Catholic Boy’s School. “I made my way to the United States via New York on a visitor’s visa and with the help of Catholic Charities got my permanent residency. I drove a taxicab in New York City during my college summer breaks. The next 24 years were spent in the US Navy where I took the rest of my college courses to get my Bachelor’s Degree in Business,” explained Harris.

When asked what some of his favorite dishes were to cook, Harris had this heartwarming memory to share, “I am not sure if I have a favorite dish but if I had to choose one it would be Rum Cake. My last memory of my Mom and I cooking was making them. We were laughing and enjoying the moment and we were cleaning up and did not see any egg shells. We forgot the eggs. I grabbed the cakes out of the oven and added the eggs. I have made countless rum cakes since but that will always be the best rum cake I have ever made.”

During his years in the service, Harris traveled the world. His first assignment was in Bangor, Washington with his longest deployments being in London and Puerto Rico, each of which lasted 4 years. “During my service in the Navy, I was in two overseas conflicts – the bombing of Libya and the rescue of the Air Force pilot off of Bosnia. Fortunately, myself and all stationed with me stayed safe,” he said. Harris eventually retired from his HR position in the Navy as Chief Petty Officer.

Aside from his passion and skill in the kitchen, Rex loves to fill his days spending time with his grandchildren, family, and friends. “Now that I am on my second retirement I can enjoy two of my other favorite hobbies: golf and offshore fishing. I try and get out on the golf course at least once a week and on the water as much as possible,” explained Harris. The couple also loves to get away when they can, traveling to places they’ve never been or for a short weekend trip.

Anyone that knows Rex or ever dined at his former restaurant, The Seasoned Stone could speak on his love for the craft of cooking. He explained his start in the kitchen, “My love for cooking started with my Grandmother who was my foundation in life. She let me start stirring the pots when I could see the top of a stove. I have been fortunate to have visited or lived all over the world so I made sure to take in the culture while there and learn everything about their cuisine. It is amazing how the different cultures change the use of spices. Food must have flavor. We had over 100 books on cooking and different techniques from knife use, measurements, and spices. Cooking is a way of life for me.”

Harris and his wife are both avidly involved in the community as well with Harris saying, “I have a passion for the community and say ‘yes’ anytime my phone rings or my wife volunteers me.” Between family, golf, fishing, travel, and volunteerism, you may find Rex enjoying “a good aged rum” or coming back to his chef roots and picking produce just like he did for the restaurant. What will the next chapter of the story bring for retired Navy veteran and chef Rex Harris? According to him, “I love my present so I cannot wait to see my future. My past has grounded me, my present has humbled me and my future is only bound by my imagination. I want to continue to live a simple life, give back to my community and that will give me time to figure out the next chapter.”

The first restaurant Rex cooked in was in 2007 called A Caribbean Place in Lakeland. “This started a journey of circumstances that brought me to where I am today including meeting my future wife, Kim,” continuing, “The restaurant

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WORDS Tara Crutchfield

PHOTOGRAPH Amy Sexson

Endeavor Winter Haven Do you remember when you got your first job in the “professional” world? For many, it’s a scary thing to come out of school and enter the workforce. It’s much easier to get involved in the business community if you have the support of other like-minded young professionals and leaders and mentors to guide you. This is where local young professionals group, Endeavor Winter Haven comes in.

Trailblazers, Ultimate Corporate Cup and even their Lunch and Learns are opportunities for young and established professionals to mingle, build connections and promote mentorship. I asked the group if any of them had a mentor that impacted their careers. Katie remarked, “I’m only here because of mentors in this particular job. When I first started and there wasn’t a young professionals group, I had met Bonnie Parker at a chamber event.”

Endeavor Winter Haven started in 2008 as a young professionals group with the goal to build a social and professional network, encourage civic engagement and assist with professional development. The group started with about 15 people according to Winter Haven Chamber President, Katie Worthington, who was the first chairwoman of Endeavor. Originally organized by the Chamber’s Executive Director at the time, Bob Gernert, it was modeled after a similar group at the State Farm Regional Office.

She said she walked into a chamber event not knowing anyone and Katie’s parents knew Bonnie, “So I just gravitated towards her and she just took me under her wing and introduced me to as many people as possible and then Bill Dorman with Lanier Upshaw was another one.” Cari spoke up, naming Jeff Donaldson and even Katie as mentors that were impactful to her.

Katie spoke about the intention of Endeavor from the beginning saying, “The overall goal from the Chamber perspective was to build the bench. Build the bench of people that are going to go into those leadership roles that understand the value of civic engagement and business engagement and being involved in the chamber.”

Katie illustrated the importance of groups like Endeavor, “Opening up those doors and making people understand that it’s very easy to make connections if you’re willing to put yourself out there a little bit.” As a collective, Endeavor has goals set for the future that address a big discussion being had in the Polk County business community. Cari said, “I think we really want to expand our actual membership base and then also get more sponsors. I really feel like this is a great opportunity for companies. If they sponsor, they get their name in front of young professionals, they also get memberships.” She went on to explain a problem often discussed in the business community of Polk County is young professionals moving here, not getting engaged in the community, and moving away. “I think our goal is to retain that talent and the people here. If somebody moves here for a job, I want them to know why they should love Winter Haven and that I think is part of our goal,” she continued.

I got the chance to speak with Katie, Cari Herrington, the current Chair of the board, and Brianna Price, the Chamber’s Marketing Coordinator–all young professionals themselves. Brianna, speaking about the chamber being her first job said, “I think it’s definitely a good learning tool. I’m really shy and so coming into this kind of an atmosphere helps you to learn how to talk to people better and learn about your community.” Endeavor holds monthly Lunch and Learns on the third Friday of every month that range from professional development, inspiring leadership talks, and current community events. They also have a monthly social, typically on the first Thursday of the month after work and even do some weekend events such as paddle boarding, bringing young and established professionals together. One of Endeavor’s events, the annual State of the City Address has become a community favorite, taking place this year on December 15th.

Touching on Cari’s point, Katie commented, “One of the conversations that have been on the top of the list has been retention of the young professionals, whether that means retention of the Polk State graduates, retention of the high schoolers, or just people that are coming back after school.” She continued, “If you connect someone to the community, you are much more likely to retain them at your business, that built-in sense of loyalty to the community, loyalty to their neighbors, loyalty to the events and the things that are going on. From a business perspective, engaging your young professionals to build their community within Winter Haven, will increase the retention of the young professionals within your business.”

As the current Chair, Cari spoke about Endeavor and its changes since establishment, “There were probably some shifts in exactly what activities we offer so there were times that it was more social and then more educational, so we’re really trying to get in the middle ground more where we offer both. And then also offer a variety of times so that we can cater to all sorts of different young professionals depending on what their lifestyle is.”

Katie explained that another, unintentional impact of the young professional groups collectively across the county has been to bridge the east/west divide within Polk County. “One of the signature events is the Polk Emerging Leaders Awards and that’s held in August every year. That is actually a joint event of Endeavor, Emerge, and Engage [the Winter Haven, Lakeland, and Bartow young professional groups],” she said. Polk Emerging Leaders recognizes 5 young professionals across the county that are excelling and “doing amazing things” according to Katie.

According to Cari, the group’s cornerstone events are “Trailblazers” in the spring and “Ultimate Corporate Cup” in the fall. “Trailblazers is a roundtable event where we have established professionals come and sit and talk with our young professionals about their careers,” she explained. One established professional and a small group of around 6 young professionals sit at each table and rotate throughout the evening so they get one on one time with each of the leaders. Next year’s Trailblazers event will be on March 8th. Ultimate Corporate Cup is a corporate team building event created by Endeavor, consisting of problem-solving and team building activities outside of the office environment.

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Engage, Inspire, and Connect–this is what Endeavor Winter Haven set out to do, and has accomplished with so many young professionals in our community. To find out more about the group, become a member, or sign up for an event, visit the Chamber’s website, www.winterhavenchamber.com or email Brianna Price at brianna@winterhavenchamber.com

WORDS Tara Crutchfield

PHOTOGRAPH Amy Sexson

Deena Ware

In June of this year, Deena Ware was named the Interim Town Manager for Dundee. After Hurricane Irma, her preparedness, poise, and decisive action before and after the natural disaster gave commissioners all the confidence they needed to name her the new Town Manager, a goal she has had since college.

“I was intrigued by that, the challenge to push myself physically and to learn something that I didn’t know, so I was kind of hooked,” she said. She talked about her position in the sport, saying, “The position that I was training for is the jammer. The jammer is the one that is trying to score the points and has to get through the pack.” Ware still has her uniform and keeps in touch with the team, saying that she would love to return in the future.

Originally from Ohio, Ware earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. Initially, she was a communications major, seeing a future for herself in broadcasting. Ware took a political science class she excelled in, peaking her interest in Public Administration.

Adding another element to this fascinating woman’s life, Ware says she is also a certified yoga instructor. Her mother introduced her to yoga in junior high school. When Ware found herself in a difficult time of her life, she began practicing it on and off saying, “It was a way for me to escape, but still be present.” Her teacher started a yoga teacher training course which Deena signed up for and became certified a year later. She now teaches in rotation at the Mulberry Cultural Arts Center. When she’s not managing Dundee, getting knocked around in roller derby, or practicing yoga, Ware expressed that she also enjoys writing poetry.

Working part-time at the college’s Center for Urban and Public Affairs and taking a few more poli-sci classes led her to switch majors to Urban Affairs and Public Administration. She moved to Florida in 2006 and Dundee is the third city in Polk County she has worked for. Ware started with the Town of Dundee in 2013 as an Assistant Town Manager and Town Clerk and lives in Lakeland with her three children.

As for the future, Ware used to think that one day she may want to move the government ranks from local, to county, to state, and federal. Deena feels that she’s found her fit saying, “I think I want to stay in local government because I think it’s more hands-on, it’s like the heartbeat of America–the smaller cities, the local government.”

Now that she’s reached the position of Town Manager, Ware has firm goals in place for the area, saying, “Some of my goals are to increase economic development and that’s something that the commission is pushing, too. Our commission is very progressive and forward-thinking so we have some new residential development that’s coming.” Ware says though she and the commission are looking forward to some managed growth for the community, she loves the “small-town feel” of Dundee saying, “It’s kind of like a big family, being in a small town you feel comfortable, you feel safe, my kids are safe.”

Deena Ware looks forward at her own life with an optimistic perspective, saying, “The sky’s the limit.”

A woman of many facets, Deena has an unexpected hobby that most don’t know about, “Something that no one’s really going to know, is that I’m into roller derby. I made the roller derby team in Lakeland, The Swan City Roller Derby, but I had to take time off because practices got to be too much. You have to make a serious commitment to roller derby and I wasn’t able to do that once everything started picking up with the job,” explained Ware. Roller Derby started out as a dare, one that she had no interest in. Showing the same determination that makes her a powerhouse at her job, Deena took on the challenge and started going to practices, never intending to join the team. “It was a great group of women that empowered each other,” said Ware, describing it as “football on skates.”

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WORDS Tara Crutchfield

Belinda Mocke Rieger South African native, Belinda Mocke Rieger, moved to Winter Haven 21 years ago for professional opportunities. Belinda is an Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist, serving as the Director of Rehab Services at Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center. She lives in Winter Haven with her husband Carsten and two dogs that were rescued from the SPCA and Animal Control, Zoey, and Milee, the latter of which’s name is spelled because she likes to run a mile according to Belinda.

What gives Belinda the drive to run? “I think the biggest thing is the way you feel while you’re running because you release endorphins. That’s runner’s high, that’s really true. It just gives you a more positive attitude and outlook and it just makes you feel energized.” She also enjoys the socialization aspect of it as well, running with friends, enjoying the fresh air, catching up, and being able to have long conversations amidst nature. The physical benefits, working in healthcare, are also incredibly important to the runner, remarking, “You really kind of do a disservice to yourself if you don’t take care of yourself physically. Because working in healthcare, you’re just so exposed to seeing what kind of things can happen to people. It just makes you more aware to really take good care of your health because at the end of the day that’s all we’ve got.”

Belinda always knew she wanted to be in healthcare. In high school, she enjoyed biology and science and loved working with people, eventually combining those things in her current occupation. Her job allows her to spend time with patients and see them set goals themselves, set goals with her, and achieve them together. “It’s very encouraging to see somebody coming in and be very devastated by what’s going on with their body or whatever has happened to them, and to be able to kind of be their coach to recovery. It’s extremely rewarding to see the changes that happen in our patients.”

Another of her pastimes includes adventure in her vintage camper, “We do have a tiny camper which is one of these old vintage campers so we do like to go camping with that and go to different places to explore.” When she’s not running a race, or exploring in her camper, you’re likely to find Belinda whipping something up in the kitchen. “I enjoy cooking so I do like to try different recipes and have people over and just try different dishes from different countries,” she said. Curious about the contrast in South African and local fare, Belinda explained that because of the African and European influences on South African cuisine, their food tends to be quite spicier than ours, something she had to get used to when moving here.

She spoke about her career goals commenting, “I’m really excited, we just renovated our space here at the hospital so we have our brand-new clinic, I’m just excited professionally to keep growing our programs that we’ve got.” Though she loves to help her patients at Heart of Florida, Belinda’s other passions are that of the outdoor variety. She loves adventures, running, biking, and anything that takes her new places. She spoke about doing various events related to these hobbies, including the Florida Connector bike ride, saying, “A couple years ago I got to bike from St. Augustine all the way to Ft. Myers with my brother that came to visit.” Later that year, Belinda and her husband biked from Ft. Myers to Key West.

With origins in South Africa and a love to travel and do new things, Winter Haven remains home to Belinda, her husband, and their two dogs. “I know when we originally moved 21 years ago, it was a really small and tiny town. It’s developed a lot over the last 20 years and it was really nice to see it grow. I think we enjoy that small-town feel, but now there’s so many more amenities.”

It’s this wanderlust and love for seeing new places and meeting new people that brought her to participate in Trailfest in October of this year. She explained, “That’s how I got really interested in going to Trailfest because it was covering Bryce Canyon, Zion, and the Grand Canyon, and it was an area I’d never been to,” continuing, “What better way to go and do this event and actually have it organized and you know exactly where to go and what to do and it was just incredible.” Three of Belinda’s girlfriends joined her for the race where they covered 44 miles in 3 days.

Continuing to talk about the perks of living local, she explained, “I think the location is just so perfect. You’re right in central Florida and in a short amount of time you can be on the coast, you can go to bigger cities if you want to have a little bit more of the city life, it’s just a really good location.” Belinda says that the small-town feel, amenities, and location aside, the people are a big part of what makes the community great. “Everyone has a pride in their community and you can see it in all the efforts everyone’s making.”

She’s also done some Ragnar Races with 12 people on a relay team, “Just that teamwork, everyone working together towards a goal and benefiting some kind of a great cause.” Doing Trailfest in October has given her a new goal to attend the Coastal Redwood Trailfest in California. According to Belinda, they also host 12 half marathons throughout the year where you get to run different national parks. This feat is something she hopes to accomplish over a couple of years.

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With a well-established career and the drive to do what she loves, what does the future hold for Belinda Mocke Rieger? “My hopes are to be able to continue to explore this beautiful country that we live in and there’s so many other places in the world that you can go to and explore as well. I hope I continue to have the health and the ability to travel to new places and just learn new things because you can learn so many different things from the different cultures and you bring it back to where you are living.” 48

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December CALENDAR 2017

December 1-3 CENTRAL FLORIDA HEALTH EXPO Dec. 01 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. International Market World 1052 US-92, Auburndale Area’s premier event for health-conscious adults. One of the area’s largest farm fresh produce markets. Free. ELVES SHELVES Dec. 01 -10th | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Polk Museum of Art 800 E Palmetto St., Lakeland. polkmuseumofart.org The Elves Shelves Shoppe offers young shoppers lower priced gifts. Bring your children in to find gifts for their friends and family while supporting the Polk Museum of Art.There’s even a free gift wrapping station where they can wrap their presents! THE ORANGE BLOSSOM REVUE: BBQ, MUSIC & CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL Dec. 01 & 02 Friday at 4 p.m. Lake Wailes Park/Gazebo 499 E Park Avenue, Lake Wales. www.orangeblossomrevue.com A barbecue, live music and craft beer festival where you’ll find something for everyone at this family-fun event. The 4th Annual Orange Blossom Revue is a fundraiser for the Lake Wales Rotary Club that benefits the community year-round. FIRST FRIDAY HOMETOWN HOLIDAY Dec. 01 | 6-9 p.m. Downtown Lakeland. www.downtownlakelandfl.com Enjoy vendors and exhibitors, but shop and dine as well! Come, enjoy, explore, and experience all that historic downtown Lakeland has to offer!

ANOTHER NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS Dec. 01-17 Theatre Winter Haven 210 Cypress Gardens Blvd. www.theatrewinterhaven.com Synopsis:Karol, a disillusioned social worker, is trudging home one cold December night when she encounters an old man sitting on a park bench. Mistaking him for homeless, Karol offers the stranger some food — a seemingly innocent gesture, until he turns up in her apartment claiming to be Santa Claus. Purchase tickets & see showtimes online. COME TO THE STABLE AND BETHLEHEM SQUARE Dec. 01 | 7:30 p.m. First Presbyterian Church 637 Sixth St. NW, Winter Haven. firstpreswh.org Performance date and times: Saturday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. “Come to the Stable and Bethlehem Square” is an outdoor living nativity with live music and animals followed by refreshments in “Bethlehem Square” at First Presbyterian Church, 637 Sixth St. NW, Winter Haven. Parking behind the church. For more information call 863-294-3121. Handicapped accessible.

COME TO THE STABLE AND BETHLEHEM SQUARE Dec. 01, 2017 | 8:30 p.m. Where: First Presbyterian Church, 637 Sixth St. NW, Winter Haven. http://firstpreswh.org Performance date and times: Saturday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. “Come to the Stable and Bethlehem Square” is an outdoor living nativity with live music and animals followed by refreshments in “Bethlehem Square” at First Presbyterian Church, 637 Sixth St. NW, Winter Haven. Parking behind the church. For more information call 863-294-3121 or visit www. firstpreswh.org. Handicapped accessible.

DOWNTOWN FARMERS CURB MARKET Dec. 02| 8 a.m.-2 p.m. 200 N Kentucky Ave 200 N Kentucky Ave, Lakeland. Fresh produce, plants and local handcrafted items. TAI CHI IN THE GARDENS Dec. 02 | 8:30-9:30 a.m. Bok Tower Gardens 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales. boktowergardens.org Learn fluid movements that help release tension, increase balance and relax. Reservations preferred. $10

50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION IN LAKELAND FOR CARLTON MUSIC Dec. 02 Carlton Music/Lakeland 1902 Harden Blvd., Lakeland. carltonmusic.com Special deals & live music starting at 11am, and giveaways!Enjoy complimentary coffee from Hillcrest Coffee in the morning and snacks in the afternoon! We will be raffling off prizes every hour!

TROPICS VS SYRACUSE SILVER KNIGHTS Dec. 01 | 7:35 p.m. RP Funding Center 701 Lime Street, Lakeland fltropics.com

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AN EVENING WITH RON WHITE Dec. 01 | 8-10 p.m. RP Funding Center 701 Lime Street, Lakeland Ron “Tater Salad” White, best known as the cigar smoking, scotch drinking funnyman from the “Blue Collar Comedy” phenomenon returns to The RP Funding Center with his new stand-up show THE WINTER WONDERETTES Weekends Dec. 01 - 17 | 8 p.m. TheatreWorks Florida 8 W Palmetto Street, Davenport www.theatreworksfl.org The Wonderettes are back in a scrumptious musical confection of holiday hits! This seasonal celebration finds the girls entertaining at the annual Harper’s Hardware Holiday Happening but when Santa turns up missing, the girls must use their talent and creative ingenuity to save the holiday party! Rating: FF (Family Friendly)

LAKE WALES CHORALE PERFORMS A SPOTLESS ROSE CAROLS FROM MANY TIMES & PLACES Dec. 01 | 7 p.m. Holy Spirit Catholic Church 644 S. 9th St., Lake Wales lakewalesartscouncil.org $15/adults $5/students Purchase tickets online or by phone. 51

THE GATHERING GOOSE Dec. 02 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Downtown City Park 200 E Park St., Auburndale. thegatheringgoose.weebly.com The City of Auburndale does not allow Food Trucks at this time, however, we are working with the local area restaurants when our event is there. It is a mix of vintage, hand crafted, artisan, direct sales, retro, upcycled, etc. An eclectic array of vendors that one can shop from. City of Auburndale does not allow pets in their park.

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CAROLS IN THE PARK Dec. 02 & 03| 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Central Park, 4th St. NW Winter Haven. www.mainstreetwh.com Carols in the Park provides a wonderful opportunity for crafters to display handmade unique gifts for Christmas during the holiday season. The two-day festival highlights local schools and entertainment. An assortment of food vendors, crafters, holiday music, children’s activities at their very own Candy Cane Corner, horse drawn carriage rides on Sunday, and Santa Claus

3RD ANNUAL POLK COUNTY OUT OF THE DARKNESS WALK Dec. 02 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Lake Hollingsworth East of South Florida Ave. & West of Bartow Rd., Lakeland. afsp.org/lakeland Proceeds benefit local and national suicide prevention and awareness programs of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Learn more at afsp.org/lakeland.

EXCEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY’S 2ND ANNUAL WINTER BOUTIQUE Dec. 02 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Excel Christian Academy 6505 Odom Rd., Lakeland. Many different vendors coming like: Tupperware, doTERRA, Snap jewelry, Scentsy, Younique, Honey and lace, Thirty One, Paparazzi Premier jewelry, Mary Kay, Usborne, books Lipsense, Various Craft Vendors and many more.

THE BEATNIK EXCHANGE PRESENTS: THE WILD WILD WEST Dec. 02 & 03 Sun ‘n Fun, 4175 Medulla Rd., Lakeland. thebeatnikexchange.com A weekend of fun! Shop, camp, eat, dance, dress up and make some memories. Shabby chic, farmhouse, industrial, artist, farm to table and our newest addition called the “Natural LIving Exchange. They are a select few vendors that will be giving demonstrations and teaching all things healthy. Rock painting classes all weekend as well as lots of cothing provided to dress up and get your picture made and printed right on site by David Wright Photography. Saturday will kick off with a one act play called “Tombstone Stagecoach” at 6:00 followed by and open drum circle at 7:00 and the main attraction at 8:00 with a good ole fashioned Hoe Down, boot stompin’ country and western band under the full moon.Admission is $5 per day (12 and under free) and $5 for Saturday night entertainment. Camping is available message us for information

FIRST SATURDAY SHINDIG Dec. 02 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Juice Box 4295 S Florida Avenue, Lakeland. First Saturday of each month with different vendors, artists and musicians in the breezeway outside. Details can be found on the Facebook page.

TEA WITH MRS. CLAUS Dec. 02 Sweet Magnolia’s Tea Bistro 212 Howard St., Auburndale. mysweetmagnolias.com Begin your Christmas season with Mrs. Claus! Call for times and reserve your table! 863-965-1684 LEGOLAND CHRISTMAS BRICKTACULAR Weekends throughout December 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Legoland Florida, Winter Haven. www.legoland.com Included with park admission. VIP experience available for additional charge.Don’t miss our dazzling, 30-foot-tall LEGO Christmas tree with a beautiful combination of synchronized lights and favorite holiday music, plus an occasional snow flurry! Send letters to the North Pole and hear stories told by Mrs. Claus. Capture memories at our one-of-a-kind photo ops, including a life-size Santa, sleigh and reindeer made out of thousands of LEGO bricks, and — new this year — from inside a giant snow globe or with our giant LEGO Christmas wreath. Enjoy classic Christmas songs performed by the LEGO Brickettes PETFEST Dec. 02| 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 7115 De Castro Rd., Winter Haven. Come meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, vendors, food pet adoptions galore and much more! Hosted by the Polk County Animal Control

HOLIDAY HAUS MRKT Dec. 02 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Haus 820 820 N Massachusetts Ave, Lakeland. haus820.com Featuring all kinds of local creative artisans, crafters, & makers including Bump Galletta, Rane Made, Giving Tree Handmade, June Taylor Shop & more.

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ACCESS ART: SPECIAL NEEDS Dec. 02| 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Polk Museum of Art Participants will create and discuss art with specially trained educator, Tinia Clark. This program invites individuals with special needs and varying exceptionalities to meet once a month at Polk Museum of Art to engage in viewing and discussing artwork that is exhibited. The program is designed to create social engagement and encourage creativity and self expression. The group meets for the talk and tour at 11:00 am on the 1st Saturday of every month unless it falls on a holiday weekend. After the tour the group meets at Kelly Rec. Center to make art inspired by the museum visit. Registration preferred but not required. For registration or questions, please contact Tinia Clark at 863-224-8557 or email at sidestreetartbeat@gmail.com.

HOLIDAY HOME WORKSHOP: LIVING HOLIDAY TREE Dec. 02 | 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales. boktowergardens.org Learn how to create great plant combinations for sun or shade. Workshop includes instruction and all basic frame work and materials to build a 12” medium size Christmas Tree on a 2” wood base. It’s a perfect size for your table or buffet! Bring your own container that works for your decor. $90

“ART OUT LOUD” STUDENT RECEPTION Dec. 02 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Polk Museum of Art at Florida Southern College, 800 E Palmetto St., Lakeland. polkmuseumofart.org “Art Out Loud” features the work of Polk County Middle School students grades 6 through 8. The museum hosts several exhibitions per year in the George Jenkins Gallery that feature artwork by Polk County School District students.

GLITTER GLISTEN & SNOW Dec. 02 | 6-9 p.m. Lake Eva Park 555 Ledwith Ave., Haines City. hainescity.com Countdown with us as we light up thousands of Christmas lights and our 31 foot Christmas tree in Lake Eva Park! We will also have snow slides, local children entertainment, arts & craft vendors, and food vendors. For more information, call Haines City Parks & Recreation at 863 421-3700.

HOLIDAY CRAFT & VENDOR FAIR Dec. 02 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Eagle Ridge Mall 451 Eagle Ridge Dr, Lake Wales. eagleridgemall.com Handmade crafts, jewelry, decor and more.

LAKELAND MAGIC VS N ARIZONA SUNS When: Dec. 02, 2017 | 7 p.m. RP Funding Center, Lakeland. lakeland.gleague.nba.com NBA G League

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OUT OF THE BOX IMPROV TROUPE Dec. 02| 7 p.m. Lake Wales Little Theatre 411 N 3rd St., Lake Wales. lwlt.org Special night of unscripted laughter with a comedy improv troupe from Winter Haven. $8

CRUISIN’ WINTER HAVEN Dec. 02 | 3-7 p.m. Central Park, 4th St. NW, Winter Haven. www.mywinterhaven.com Enjoy great music from the 50’s and 60’s along with a cruising display of all the cars at the end of the evening.

ULTIMATE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS Dec. 02 & 03 | 7:30 p.m. Polk Theatre 139 S Florida Avenue, Lakeland. www.polktheatre.org Ultimate Dance Center presents Ultimate Night Before Christmas!A magical and inspiring dance interpretation based on Disney and Tim Burton’s classic movie.

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BUSINESS DIRECTORY $40/mo with 12/mo agreement $55/mo with 1-6/mo agreement 863.804.3279

SUNSET & SYMPHONY HOLIDAY CONCERT Dec. 02 | 6-8 p.m. Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales. boktowergardens.org Enjoy the sounds of the season as the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and Singing Tower Carillon perform in one of Central Florida’s favorite Party Rentals holiday concerts.Visitors are encouraged to bring Chair lawn Fitted chairs, smallFancy tables, and blanketsCovers for enjoying & Party Rentals the concert. $30

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December 4-10 KARAOKE AT 801 Dec. 02| 9 p.m.-12 a.m. The Poor Porker 801 E Main St., Lakeland. www.thepoorporker.com Bring your vocal chords and fancy dance moves! Cocktails, craft beers, beignets, friendly faces, and the sweetest atmosphere will be ready and waiting for you! HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR Dec. 03 | 1-4 p.m. Lake Wales Museum & Cultural Center, 325 S Scenic Hwy, Lake Wales. cityoflakewales.com/depotmuseum Christmas crafts, train display, meet The Frozen Sisters, see Santa from 2-3:30. ELVES SHELVES When: Dec. 04, 2017 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: Polk Museum of Art, 800 E Palmetto St., Lakeland. http://polkmuseumofart.org Our Elves Shelves Shoppe offers our young shoppers lower priced gifts. Bring your children in to find gifts for their friends and family while supporting the Polk Museum of Art.There’s even a free gift wrapping station where they can wrap their presents!Elves Shelves runs from November 25th - December 10th.

LAKE WALES FOOD TRUCK INVASION When: Dec. 04, 2017 | 5-9 p.m. Where: Lake Wailes Park/Gazebo, 499 E Park Avenue, Lake Wales. http://www.cityoflakewales.com Bring chairs, blankets & appetite! IMPERIAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA TEA & SYMPHONY PRE-CONCERT LECTURE SERIES Dec. 05 | 5:45-8 p.m. RP Funding Center, Lakeland. imperialsymphony.org/ Lake Hollingsworth Ballroom POLK MUSEUM OF ART PATRON HOLIDAY PARTY Dec. 05 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland. polkmuseumofart.org We invite our Patron Members to join us for a festive holiday party.For details and to RSVP, please email Pal Powell at PPowell@ PolkMuseumofArt.org.

WINTER HAVEN COMMUNITY SINGERSPREMIER PERFORMANCE Dec. 05 | 7 p.m. Hope Presbyterian Church 2110 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven. A Christmas concert led by Director Philip King . Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact the Church office at (863) 624-6382.

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS ORIENTATION & TRAINING Dec. 06 | 5:30-7 p.m. Women’s Resource Center 165 Ave A NW, Winter Haven www.bbbstampabay.org These information sessions for potential volunteers are a required part of the application process in order to become a Big. These sessions allow everyone to gain a better understanding of what it means to volunteer with BBBS and ask any questions about the process.

SOCIETY OF THE TURTLE JOG Dec. 06 | 5:15-6 p.m. Central Park (across from Gourmet Goodies in Winter Haven). The 2.5 mile route takes us around Lake Silver and back. Afterwards, raise a glass with us at one of the local downtown pubs.

LAKELAND MAGIC VS RENO BIGHORNS Dec. 06| 7 p.m. RP Funding Center 701 Lime Street, Lakeland lakeland.gleague.nba.com NBA G League DECEMBER VINTAGE MARKET Dec. 07-10 | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Decades Reclaimed Vintage Depot 502 W Brannen Rd., Lakeland. www.decadesreclaimed.com Monthly vintage market! We have close to 10,000 sq ft of vintage, farmhouse, shabby chic, man cave, Salvage, coastal, eclectic and GARDEN decor!!! - CONTINUED ON PAGE 56 -

The Vintage

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SANTA CALLING Dec. 07 | 6-8 p.m. www.mywinterhaven.com/event/santa-calling/ Working closely with the North Pole Telephone Company, the City of Winter Haven made special arrangements to have Santa Claus telephone your child to deliver a memorable greeting. To have Santa call your child, please fill out form online & return to Santa no later than December 4th.

THE GATHERING GOOSE Dec. 08 | 4-9 p.m. 251 Avenue A SW, Winter Haven thegatheringgoose.weebly.com It is a mix of vintage, hand crafted, artisan, direct sales, retro, upcycled, etc. An eclectic array of vendors that one can shop from. Food trucks will be there Family and pet friendly. MAKE IT MAGICAL: 6TH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS AT THE MARKET PLACE Dec. 08| 5 p.m. Downtown Marketplace 20 N Market, Lake Wales. lwmainstreet.com Holiday shopping, food & fun

THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS Dec. 07 | 7 p.m. Ritz Theatre 263 W Central Ave, Winter Haven. jzmagic.com Justino and Daniela Zoppe present their all new holiday stage spectacular”The Magic of Christmas! www.Facebook.com/JustinoMagic THE LAKELAND CHRISTMAS PARADE: A NIGHT AT THE NORTH POLE Dec. 07| 7 p.m. Downtown Lakeland www.jlgl.org/fundraiser/lakeland-christmasparade. The 37th Annual Lakeland Christmas Parade, hosted by the Junior League of Greater Lakeland FL. The parade theme for 2017 is “A Night at the North Pole”. POINT OF VIEW GALLERY TALK Dec. 08 | 12-1 p.m. Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland polkmuseumofart.org The Museum’s Collections Manager, Loren Plunkett, will discuss the behind-the-scenes work of collections management. Collections Managers are responsible for the long-term preservation of the collection, ensuring that the artworks you visit will still be around for the generations to come. Space is limited. RSVP by emailing Reservations@ PolkMuseumofArt.org.

BARTOW’S MAGIC ILLUMINATION CHRISTMAS PARADE Dec. 08| 6 p.m. Mosaic Park & Bandshell Park Lane, Bartow Parade featuring the arrival of Santa!

SEASON’S SCREENINGS MOVIES IN THE PARK Dec. 08| 7 p.m. Haines City Parks & Rec 555 Ledwith Ave, Haines City. www.facebook.com/hainescity Haines City Parks & Recreation presents Elf.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Dec. 09 | 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Fontaine Gills Family YMCA 2125 Sleepy Hill Rd, Lakeland. Eat breakfast with Santa! Also enjoy photos with Santa, bounce houses, decorating cookies, crafts and more!

CELEBRATION FOUNDATION CONCERT SERIES: TRADITIONAL HOLIDAY BRASS CONCERT Dec. 08| 7:30 p.m. Community Presbyterian Church 511 Celebration Ave, Celebration. thecelebrationfoundation.org Traditional Holiday Brass Concert presented by The Brass Band of Central Florida. Purchase tickets online.

TAI CHI IN THE GARDENS Dec. 09 | 8:30-9:30 a.m. Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales boktowergardens.org Learn fluid movements that help release tension, increase balance and relax. Reservations preferred. $10

YULETIDE SWINGTIME REVUE Dec. 08 | 8-10 p.m. LkldTV Studio B 202 N Massachusetts Ave, Lakeland. www.lkldlive.com Lkld Live’s Master of Swing Jason Baker returns to the stage with a cast of Lakeland’s finest singers and musicians for a special Holiday themed evening of Jazz classics from yesteryear.

PRAISE IN THE PARK Dec. 08| 6:30 p.m. www.mywinterhaven.com Music in the Park for the benefit of the mission. Bring your own chairs.

JINGLE BELL CLASSIC Dec. 09 | 7-10:30 a.m. Central Park 4th St. NW, Winter Haven. mywinterhaven.com The friends of the Winter Haven Library bring you competitive 10K and 5K holiday themed races. For more information please contact Julie at julie@ triplaces.com or Cherly at cinsurance7@verizon. net

HAVENDALE CHRISTMAS PARADE Dec. 08 | 7-9 p.m. The City of Winter Haven in conjunction with the City of Auburndale is pleased to bring you a Magical Christmas Celebration Parade! This annual parade will offically start at 7:00 PM from Spring Lake Square and work its way up Havendale Blvd. to Wells Fargo in Auburndale. The streets will close at 6:00 PM, parking will be limited. LAKELAND MAGIC VS FT. WAYNE MAD ANTS Dec. 08 | 7-10 p.m. RP Funding Center 701 Lime Street, Lakeland. lakeland.gleague.nba.com NBA G League

DOWNTOWN FARMERS CURB MARKET Dec. 09 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. 200 N Kentucky Ave, Lakeland. Fresh produce, plants and local handcrafted items.

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BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Dec. 09 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Beef O Brady’s 902 Old Polk City Rd, Haines City Admission is included with the price of a meal. Please bring your cameras for pictures with Santa! JINGLE BARK PET FESTIVAL Dec. 09 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Northeast Regional Park 50901 Highway 27, Davenport www.facebook.com/events/1512927215423034/ Features pet supply vendors, food vendors, pet photos with Santa, ugly sweater contest, best trick contest, Pet / Owner look-alike contest, time trial contest, prizes, training demos and crafts.Free admission for all humans and furry friends**Pets must be on a leash or in a carrier**For more information, please call (863) 534-6911 SNOWFEST Dec. 09| 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Munn Park, Lakeland www.lakelandgov.net Presented by the City of Lakeland Parks & Recreation Department. This year’s event will feature snow mountains, arts & crafts, vendors, a rock climbing wall, live entertainment and more!

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BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS ORIENTATION &TRAINING Dec. 09 | 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. BBBS Office, 1231 Orange St., Lakeland www.bbbstampabay.org These information sessions for potential volunteers are a required part of the application process in order to become a Big. These sessions allow everyone to gain a better understanding of what it means to volunteer with BBBS and ask any questions about the process. ART LAB: FRED KOEHLER Dec. 09 | 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland. polkmuseumofart.org December 9: FLASHLIGHT NIGHT by Flashlight - For Kids!Instructor: Fred KoehlerBring your little ones and their flashlights! Join artist Fred Koehler as he leads your family through the original art of his latest book, FLASHLIGHT NIGHT. After the Artlab, Koehler will be available to sign copies, which can be purchased from the Museum Shop. THREE AUTHORS & A FISHMONGER: THE BEST OF FLORIDA SEAFOOD Dec. 09 | 12-2 p.m. Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales. boktowergardens.org “Good Catch: Recipes & Stories Celebrating the Best of Florida’s Waters” authors Heather McPherson, Pam Brandon, and Katie Farmand, along with Wild Ocean Seafood fishmonger Cinthia Sandoval, will cook, entertain with stories, and serve everything from cocktails to dessert, including the freshest Florida seafood. Each guest will receive a signed copy of “Good Catch” ($29.95 value), and the authors will be on hand to personalize copies — with additional copies for sale at a discount for holiday gifts. $55

HOLIDAY CONCERT Dec. 09| 2 p.m. Center for Public Safety 1251 Keene Blvd., Winter Haven. symphonyguildofwinterhaven.com Returning for a third year to celebrate the season will be the Imperial Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Mark Thielen. Order tickets online.

THE GATHERING OF SANTAS PUB CRAWL Dec. 09 | 6-9 p.m. www.facebook.com/Lkldsantacon/ The gathering of the Santas pub crawl.We will be enjoying drinks at 3 local bars starting at Lakeland Brewing, then heading over to Linksters, and finally ending the night at Molly’s. KARAOKE AT 801 Dec. 09 | 9 p.m.-12 a.m. The Poor Porker 801 E Main St., Lakeland www.thepoorporker.com/ Bring your vocal chords and fancy dance moves! Cocktails, craft beers, beignets, friendly faces, and the sweetest atmosphere will be ready and waiting for you!

JOYS OF THE SEASON: THE CHRISTMAS GALA Dec. 09| 2:30 p.m. Branscomb Auditorium 1085 Johnson Ave., Lakeland. www.flsouthern.edu/visitors/festival-of-fine-arts. aspx Joys of the Season: The Christmas Gala, offers musical favorites performed by Department of Music students, faculty, and guests, including members of FSC’s Dance Program. Come join the holiday fun and festivities in beautifully adorned Branscomb Auditorium!

GINGERBREAD HOUSES WITH MRS. CLAUS Dec. 10 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. or 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales boktowergardens.org Join us for fun for the whole family and decorate your own gingerbread house and take a tour of the Holiday Home. Each participant will receive their own gingerbread house to decorate and storybook to take home. Register online.

WINTERFEST Dec. 09 | 4-9 p.m. Wilson Park County Rd. 547, Davenport. www.mydavenport.org Festivities will include a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, electric night time parade, cookie decorating, vendors and SNOW. Downtown Davenport - Wilson ParkEvening ScheduleNighttime Electric Parade - 6 PMAll other activities start at 7:00 PM in Wilson Park

THE CRYSTAL NUTCRACKER Dec. 10 | 3-5 p.m. Polk Theatre 139 S Florida Avenue, Lakeland www.polktheatre.org Crystal’s World of Dance presents The Crystal Nutcracker!

CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE Dec. 09| 5-8 p.m. Lake Howard Trail, Winter Haven www.chainlifewinterhaven.com Bring chairs and enjoy food trucks, live Christmas music and friends before the highly anticipated Christmas Boat Parade drives right by. Everyone meet in Lake May near Marine supply around 6pm and fall in line.

CREATIVE YOGA: KAREN SEGGERMAN Dec. 10, 2017 | 3-4 p.m. Polk Museum of Art 800 E Palmetto St., Lakeland. polkmuseumofart.org An hour-long class that will end incorporating the current exhibition.Our classes are a community format so that all ages, sizes, and levels of experience will feel comfortable. Please arrive early as space is limited and bring your own mat, blanket, and support block.Cost: $10 Non-

members / $5 MembersIf you have any questions, please call Membership Manager, Diana Smith, at 863.688.7743 x 249.

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The Grow & Glow Candle Gift Set can be found at these fine Polk County Florida retailers: Amy’s Cards, Party & Gifts- Winter Haven, Fl The Stable Home Decor- lake Alfred, Fl The Stationery loft- lakeland, Fl The Krazy Kricket- Bartow, Fl Southern Posh- Ft Meade, Fl

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December 11-17 MEDITATION WITH SINGING BOWLS Dec. 12| 5:30-6:30 p.m. Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales. boktowergardens.org Sound healing with Reiki Master Kristen Tenpenny leads you into an in-depth journey of relaxation and expansion. $15

BOK AFTER DARK: CELESTIAL GREETINGS Dec. 13 | 6-9 p.m. Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales. boktowergardens.org Join Geert D’hollander as he performs his allnew Christmas CD live. Enjoy the peak of the Geminids, also known as the “King of All Meteor Showers” because it’s the most intense of all the annual meteor showers.Join the Imperial Polk Astronomical Society on the Singing Tower lawn and view the meteors from their many telescopes they will have available.

LAKELAND MAGIC VS WINDY CITY BULLS Dec. 12 | 7 p.m. RP Funding Center, Lakeland. lakeland.gleague.nba.com NBA G League IMPERIAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: THE HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR Dec. 12 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. RP Funding Center, Lakeland. imperialsymphony.org Symphonic works, Christmas carols and songs of the winter season. Join in on the fun with the audience-favorite Christmas Carol Sing-Along.

AQUATIC AND NATURAL AREAS PESTICIDE EXAM PREPS Dec. 14 | 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. UF/IFAS Extension 1702 S Highway, Bartow. UF/IFAS Extension Polk County will hold exam preps for the Aquatic and Natural Areas pesticide applicator exams

LUNCH & LEARN: HOLIDAY HOME DECOR WITH PLANTS Dec. 13 | 12-1 p.m. Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales. boktowergardens.org Learn how to decorate indoors and outdoors for the holidays with plants, natural materials, and other festive crafts.Bring your favorite lunch, picnic in the Gardens, or opt for a fresh choice from the Blue Palmetto Cafe. All Lunch & Learn events are included with general admission and free to members. RSVP recommended for this class.

HANUKKAH MENORAH LIGHTING Dec. 14| 5:30-6:30 p.m. Virginia Miller Park, Ave B & 4th Street Winter Haven. Chabad Jewish Center will be hosting a Hanukkah Menorah Lighting. Open to the public. THURSDAY SQUARED FOOD TRUCK RALLY Dec. 14 | 6-9 p.m. Munn Park, Lakeland. Come out and sample unique, delicious foods from 20+ trucks from all over central Florida. Stroll through Downtown and window shop then drop into one of our many delicious restaurants or bars and grab a drink.

WILD WEDNESDAY: REINDEER! Dec. 13 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. Mulberry Phosphate Museum 101 SE 1st St., Mulberry mulberryphosphatemuseum.org Join us for Wild Wednesdays, a free program exploring the animal kingdom. Hands-on activities learning about reindeer! This class is free, but registration is required. Reservation only needed for children who will be participating.

Dec., 22nd from 7pm-11pm cost is $20

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LUNCH & LEARN: STATE OF THE CITY Dec. 15 | 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce 401 Ave B NW, Winter Haven web.winterhavenchamber.com Join Endeavor Winter Haven for their December Lunch & Learn as newly appointed City Manager, Mike Herr, gives an update on the status and happenings of Winter Haven. $10/member $20/ non-members CREATIVE YOGA WITH MICHELLE PUGH Dec. 15 | 12-1 p.m. Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland JMichelle Pugh will guide you through an hour long hatha-based class that will end with a meditation focused on our current exhibition. Please arrive early as space is limited and bring your own mat and blanket if possible.Cost: $10 Non-members / $5 MembersIf you have any questions, please call Membership Manager, Diana Smith, at 863.688.7743 x 249. CONCERT SERIES: MUSIC FOR THE MASSES POLKWEED MUZIQUE Dec. 15| 5 p.m. Winter Haven Public Library 325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven www.mywinterhaven.com Registration is required for each concert and opens one month prior to the event.The Friends of the Winter Haven Library present: MUSIC FOR THE MASSES A series of 4 concerts. DULCIMERS IN THE PARK Dec. 15| 5:30-7 p.m. Central Park, 4th St. NW, Winter Haven. www.mywinterhaven.com Bring your chairs or blankets and enjoy an evening with this unique Hammered Dulcimer band as well as demonstrations from the Wildwood Dulcimers, mountain dulcimer trio.

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SNOW CENTRAL Dec. 15| 6-9 p.m. Chain ‘O Lakes Complex, 210 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven Santa, slides, snow and more! Hosted by the Winter Haven Parks, Rec & Cultural Center. BEGGARS BANQUET Dec. 15| 7-10 p.m. LkldTV Studio B 202 N Massachusetts Ave, Lakeland www.lkldlive.com Enjoy a themed 3-course dinner and a special acoustic mini set while you eat. SEASON’S SCREENINGS-MOVIES IN THE PARK Dec. 15 | 7 p.m. Haines City Parks & Rec 555 Ledwith Ave, Haines City facebook.com/hainescity Haines City Parks & Recreation present The Santa Clause.

HOLLY JOLLY JINGLE BELL JOG 5K Dec. 16 | 7:30 a.m. Cleveland Heights Golf Course 2900 Buckingham Avenue, Lakeland www.jbjog.com Added Reindeer Dash Kids’ Fun Run so that everyone can join in on our Reindeer Games.As in the past, Holly Jolly attire is encouraged! We will once again be traversing the 3 Parks Trail starting just outside of the Cleveland Heights Golf Course. $35

TAI CHI IN THE GARDENS Dec. 16 | 8:30-9:30 a.m. Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales boktowergardens.org Learn fluid movements that help release tension, increase balance and relax. Reservations preferred. $10 BOOK STORE 1/2 PRICE SALE Dec. 16| 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friends of the Winter Haven Library Book Store, 325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven 1/2 price sale on the 3rd Saturday of every month.

DOWNTOWN FARMERS CURB MARKET Dec. 16 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. 200 N Kentucky Ave, Lakeland Fresh produce, plants and local handcrafted items.

DOCENT-LED TOUR Dec. 16| 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland. polkmuseumofart.org Free. Pre-registration is suggested. Space is limited. Join us each month to get a fresh look into the Museum’s main exhibition through connecting conversations with one of our passionate docents. Learn the stories behind the work and talk “art” with ease as we bring people and art together. Register at Rerservations@PolkMuseumofArt.org.

HOLIDAY PACK-A-SACK FOR AGAPE FOOD BANK Dec. 16 | 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 625 McCue Rd #2, Lakeland Contact us at (407)284-7112 or agapefoodbank@ cflcc.org Please complete the volunteer registration online

FLORIDA TROPICS VS BALTIMORE BLAST Dec. 15 | 7:35 p.m. RP Funding Center, Lakeland fltropics.com Indoor professional soccer.

THE RESILIENCE ADVANTAGE Dec. 16 | 1-3 p.m. Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales boktowergardens.org The HeartMath approach to personal resilience is a life changing coaching process that will help you identify the things in life that drain you as well as fulfill you. Kelly Andrews will support you in your journey to a New Way of Being. $45 CYPRESS GARDENS SKI SHOW: CHRISTMAS! Dec. 16 | 3:30-5:30 p.m. MLK Jr. Park 199 E Lake Silver Dr. NE, Winter Haven cypressgardenswaterskiteam.com Free Ski Show MLK Jr Park 100 Lake Silver Dr Winter Haven Concessions available.Bring blanket or chair for seating. ANNUAL CROOKED LAKE CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE Dec. 16 | 6 p.m. Crooked Lake, Babson Park www.defendersofcrookedlake.com

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December 18-24 LAKELAND MAGIC VS LONG ISLAND NETS Dec. 16 | 7-10 p.m. RP Funding Center, Lakeland lakeland.gleague.nba.com NBA G League THE TEN TENORS HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS Dec. 16 | 7:30 p.m. RP Funding Center, Lakeland. rpfundingcenter.com International singing sensation is a magical experience for the whole family. Center Stage Buffet available for additional charge. LAKELAND CHRISTMAS COMEDY SPECIAL Dec. 16 | 8-10 p.m. LkldTV Studio B 202 N Massachusetts Ave, Lakeland www.lkldlive.com Comedy sketches, musical and dance numbers, local celebrities and much much more! We will also feature a full bar for your enjoyment! Tickets on sale online!

KENNETH TREISTER BREAKFAST & BOOK SIGNING Dec. 17| 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Cleveland Heights Golf Course 2900 Buckingham Avenue, Lakeland Treister will give a talk, slideshow and book signing. Reservations required by emailing rbaum428@ gmail.com $14

SOCIETY OF THE TURTLE JOG Dec. 20 | 5:15-6 p.m. Join us for a slow jog at 5:15 PM at the fountain in Central Park (across from Gourmet Goodies in Winter Haven). The 2.5 mile route takes us around Lake Silver and back. Afterwards, raise a glass with us at one of the local downtown pubs.

CHRISTMAS ORGAN CONCERT Dec. 17 | 4-5 p.m. Polk Theatre 139 S Florida Avenue, Lakeland www.polktheatre.org CARILLON & CHORALE HOLIDAY CONCERT Dec. 17 | 4-8 p.m. Bok Tower Gardens 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales boktowergardens.org The sounds of the holidays ring out as the Singing Tower carillon joins a live choir for an enchanting late afternoon concert experience.Concert included in general admission.

A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS LIVE! Dec. 20 | 7 p.m. RP Funding Center, Lakeland rpfundingcenter.com The live stage adaptation of the classic animated television special brings all your favorite characters to life - all set to the unforgettable sounds of the Vince Guaraldi musical score.

KARAOKE AT 801 Dec. 16| 9 p.m.-12 a.m. The Poor Porker 801 E Main St., Lakeland www.thepoorporker.com Bring your vocal chords and fancy dance moves! Cocktails, craft beers, beignets, friendly faces, and the sweetest atmosphere will be ready and waiting for you!

CHRISTMAS WITH ROCKAPELLA Dec. 20 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. Polk Theatre 139 S Florida Avenue, Lakeland www.polktheatre.org From unique spins on classic favorites, to brand new originals destined to become classics, audiences of all ages can expect to be charmed by a holiday performance like no other.

FLORIDA DANCE THEATRE PRESENTS: TCHAIKOVSKY’S THE NUTCRACKER Dec. 16 | 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 | 2:30 p.m. Branscomb Auditorium 1085 Johnson Ave., Lakeland www.floridadancetheatre.org

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS ORIENTATION & TRAINING Dec. 21 | 5:30-7 p.m. Family Fundamentals 1021 Lakeland Hills Blvd, 2nd Floor, Lakeland www.bbbstampabay.org Please consider becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister and help change the life of a child facing adversity for the better, forever. It doesn’t take a lot of time (between 4-8 hours a month, depending on the program). The real focus is on being consistent, and spending one-to-one quality The first step is to attend one of our Big Orientation & Training sessions. HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA Dec. 21 | 6-8 p.m. Winter Haven Recreational & Cultural Center, 801 Ave T NE Winter Haven www.mywinterhaven.com Kick off the holidays with this FREE family event. Join us for a night full of games, prizes, and refreshments. For more information, please call (863) 291-5675. LIFE SCREENINGS Dec. 21 | 7:30-9 p.m. LkldTV Studio B 202 N Massachusetts Ave, Lakeland www.lkldlive.com Life Screenings in association with Lkld Live and Platform Art brings an international short film screening exhibit to Lakeland, FL.This 80 minute event goes beyond movie night and into a shared experience which includes films, filmmakers, lovers of film and conversation. International filmmakers are Skyped in. All films are curated with the intention of showing a world we desire to live in.

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December 25-31 SWEETEN YOUR HOLIDAYS Dec. 22 | 1-3 p.m. Bok Tower Gardens 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales boktowergardens.org Linda Worle, state certified horticulturist and teacher will show real sugar cane plants. She will explain the harvest process‚ and for the fun part: we will decorate sugar cookies for the holidays! Master the surprisingly simple techniques for transforming royal icing and sugar cookies into edible art inspired by nature. $15/person; children ages 6 and up $15 MEMBERS RECEPTION Dec. 22 | 6-8:30 p.m. Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland polkmuseumofart.org Lecture followed by a reception and cash bar. This reception is a complimentary membership benefit.RSVP by Monday, December 18.EMAIL Reservations@PolkMuseumofArt.orgONLINE PolkMuseumofArt.org/rsvpWant to bring a friend? Non-Members are welcome to attend for $10 per person. SEASON’S SCREENINGS-MOVIES IN THE PARK Dec. 22 | 7 p.m. Haines City Parks & Rec 555 Ledwith Ave, Haines City Haines City Parks & Recreation present The Polar Express. SUGAR PLUM FAIRY TEA PARTY Dec. 23 Sweet Magnolia’s Tea Bistro 212 Howard St., Auburndale mysweetmagnolias.com Call for details! Have a tea party with a real sugar plum fairy! 863- 965-1684

KIDS’ NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY AT LEGOLAND Dec. 26-30 2017 | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Legoland Florida 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven www.legoland.com Included with admission, VIP experience available for additional charge. End the night with our 7 p.m. fireworks spectacular in the skies above Lake Eloise; before showtime, pick up a free pair of viewing glasses to see a special LEGO surprise in every burst. Locate the missing clocks throughout MINILAND USA for a chance to win a LEGO prize pack. Brick by brick, build a giant New Year’s-themed LEGO mosaic with us. On Sunday, Dec. 31 only, join us as we drop a giant LEGO brick while we count down to 2018 at the kid-friendly time of 8 p.m., followed by our biggest fireworks show of the year!Meanwhile, most of the Christmas Bricktacular fun continues Dec. 26-31, including the tree lighting ceremony, LEGO Santa and LEGO Toy Soldier meet-and-greets and our awesome family photo ops

SANTA’S RUN FOR OUR KIDS Dec. 23 | 7-11 a.m. Where: Central Park 4th St. NW, Winter Haven whoptimist5k10k.com This event is sponsored by the Winter Haven Optimist Club, a service club raising funds for our kids in and around Polk County. Our website is: Winterhavenoptimistclub.org DOWNTOWN FARMERS CURB MARKET Dec. 23 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. 200 N Kentucky Ave 200 N Kentucky Ave, Lakeland Fresh produce, plants and local handcrafted items. CHAT WITH THE MAYOR OF DAVENPORT AT THE GAZEBO Dec. 23 | 10-11 a.m. mydavenport.org Downtown Davenport SATURDAY AFTERNOON FAMILY MOVIE TIME Dec. 23 | 2-4 p.m. Winter Haven Public Library 325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven ww.mywinterhaven.com Enjoy a family friendly movie on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month! Admission is FREE and food and drink are welcome. Despicable Me 3

MOSCOW BALLET’S GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER Dec. 28 | 7 p.m. RP Funding Center 701 Lime Street, Lakeland rpfundingcenter.com Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker features over-the-top production values and world class Russian artists. Larger than life puppets and nesting dolls, and gloriously hand-crafted costumes bring the Christmas spirit to life.

FLORIDA TROPICS VS HARRISBURG HEAT Dec. 23 | 7:35 p.m. RP Funding Center, Lakeland fltropics.com Professional indoor soccer KARAOKE AT 801 Dec. 23 | 9 p.m.-12 a.m. The Poor Porker 801 E Main St., Lakeland www.thepoorporker.com Bring your vocal chords and fancy dance moves! Cocktails, craft beers, beignets, friendly faces, and the sweetest atmosphere will be ready and waiting for you!

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Years of Service

Celebrating 40 Years of Service

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$75.00 Single Ticket

254 W. Central Avenue, Ste. B Winter Haven 863-299-7000 www.TheCheeseRoomWH.com

RelaxLiving and Enjoy Enjoy Living at at Fountain Place Fountain Place Relax and Enjoy Living Relax and Apartments Apartments at Fountain Place Apartments Enjoy Living at 1 & 2 Bedroom 1 & 2 Bedroom 1 & 2 Bedroom Homes Available Fountain Place Homes Available Homes Available Apartments

in at br

le Ce

Specializing in Fine Cheeses & Specialty Foods

$600.00 Table for 8

T I C K E T S I N C LU D E D I N N E R A N D E N T E R TA I N M E N T To register for tickets go to www.lighthousemin.org/events or call 863-687-4076 ext-224

Gather a Group to Celebrate the Season 61

1410 North Wilson •*Bartow, FLFL 83830 • 863-534-3034 1350 North Wilson Avenue Bartow, FL 33830 *863-534-3034 1410 North Wilson Ave.Ave. • Bartow, 83830 • 863-534-3034 www.myfountainplaceapts.com www.myfountainplacehome.com www.myfountainplaceapts.com For more information, please please contact Tami atTami at For more contact For more information, information, please contact Tami at 863-534-3034 or rentnow@myfountainplaceapts.com 863-534-3034 or rentnow@myfountainplacehome.com 863-534-3034 or rentnow@myfountainplaceapts.com 1410 North Wilson Ave. • Bartow, FL 83830 • 863-534-3034 www.myfountainplaceapts.com

For more information, please contact Tami at

Kami Rickert Owner/Instructor

HOMETEAM NEW YEARS RALLY Dec. 29&30 Maddox Ranch 2505 W Bella Vista St., Lakeland. What’s the Hometeam New Years Rally you ask? Why, it’s not just a festival, it’s a union and a reunion for family and friends who share a love for music, art and community. It’s the type of gathering you’ll see the same musician you cheered for on stage, pull up a chair next to you and join the campfire jam. It’s home and we can’t wait for you join the team!Tickets Go On Sale Friday October 13th TIX: http://bit.ly/HOMETEAM2017

New & Used Board Sales Try Before You Buy

Lessons • Tours • Rentals • Sales 863-845-5307 Paddleboar dW interHaven.com

SIMPLICITY BAND Dec. 29 | 6:30-8 p.m. Central Park 4th St. NW, Winter Haven Simplicity Band playing in Central Park. guest please bring lawn chairs.

Every Nibble... A Good Bite! Serving Lunch and Dinner

HOLD ON, I KNOW THIS! CHRISTMAS EDITION Dec. 29 | 7:30-10 p.m. LkldTV Studio B 202 N Massachusetts Ave, Lakeland www.lkldlive.com Quizmasters Nick Allred and Benedict Heaps host a special Holiday Edition of our favorite quiz show “Hold On, I Know This!” Doors at 7pm Show starts at 7:30pm $10 Advance Tickets $15 Day Of Show

Hours: Monday thru Saturday 11-7

Serving Lakeland since 1968

715 E Palmetto St. • Lakeland Fl 338014 • 863-688-4280

DOWNTOWN FARMERS CURB MARKET Dec. 30 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. 200 N Kentucky Ave, Lakeland Fresh produce, plants and local handcrafted items.

MAYER JEWELERS 44TH CHRISTMAS Up To 40% Savings

SALE Max Mayer

Our 44th Year

TIME FOR A CHANGE MEDITATION Dec. 30 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales boktowergardens.org Most of all, finding the silence and answers from within. There is something to gain for every in this meditation retreat. All levels are welcome and encouraged to participate. Three hours will fly by and enhance your life in unimaginable ways! Treat yourself with tastes, sounds, smells, yoga postures, breathing exercises, guided visualization meditation, Q & A, walking meditation, and a sound healing grand finale. $35

On Diamonds, Gold Jewelry and More! Repair ALL Types of Jewelry FREE Jewelry Inspection!

Rental Facility . . . Our Beautiful Gardens: Brick terrace entrance to building Lovely brick walkways through the gardens Arbor Gardens Water Garden & Butterfly Garden Southern Belle & Gent Topiaries Plenty of room for tents to accommodate large numbers of guests Building & Garden surrounded by 6’ wall draped in ivy Perfect for ceremonies and/or strolling

Mayer Jewelers JEWELRY DESIGNERS & EMPORIUM

WE BUY GOLD! Antique Jewelry, Coins, and Diamonds... (863) 676-1317 201 East Stuart Avenue, Lake Wales

• Weddings • Birthday Parties • Bar or Bat Mitzvahs

• Graduation Parties • Receptions • Auctions

• Business Meetings • Concerts • Celebration of Life Services

Winter Haven Garden Center

715 3rd Street NW • Winter Haven • 863-293-7638 havenmagazines.com

Lauren Jahna • 863-412-2950

UNIQUE SPACIOUS POOL HOME IN CHRISTINA LAKES! 4 BD/3 BA • 2,831 SF • .36 Acres • Updated Throughout • Formal Living Room + Den • Volume Ceiling • Granite Counters • French Doors • Balcony • Screened Pool-Sun Deck & Outdoor Shower • Privacy Fencing • Cul de Sac– $315,000

55 ,

Dedicated to You, Dedicated to Results!

Erin Floyd • 863-412-2286

Clay Vogel • 239-288-1398

LAVISH LWCC GOLF COURSE HOME! On #2 Fairway • 3 BD/ 2 BA Split Plan • 2,638 SF • Open Floor Concept • Vaulted Ceilings • Sky Lights • Lg. Kitchen: Granite Counters- Glass Tiles- Breakfast Bar • Remodeled Master Bath • Fairway Patio • Circular Drive

3 BD/2 BA • 2,435 SF • 1.04 Acres • Formal Dining • Fabulous Kitchen • Tray Ceilings • Custom Screen Lanai • Detached 960’ SF Workshop • 150’+ Beach • Outdoor Shower • Covered Boat Dock & Fishing Pier

Vicky Holloway • 863-557-9003

Erin Floyd • 863-412-2286

IN GATED COMMUNITY OF CYPRESSWOOD! Split Floor Plan 2 BD/ 2 BA • 1,694 SF • Living / Dining Combo • Wood Burning Fireplace • Den • Renovated Kitchen w/Granite • Community Pool – Clubhouse – Tennis – Golf Course

0 90 9, $8

NEWLY REFURBISHED AND MOVE-IN READY! 2 BD/ 2 BA • 960 SF • Volume Ceilings • Fresh Interior Paint • Beautiful Laminate Flooring • Stainless Appliances • New Cabinets & Counters • Covered Front & Back Porches

Pam Estes • 863-242-6166

Pam Estes • 863-242-6166 LAKE EASY LAKEFRONT LOT! In Cul-de-sac • .77 Acres • Wonderful Lakefront Community • Convenient Location • Lake Easy Is Approx. 407 Acres • Enjoy Skiing / Fishing & Swimming

BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME ON THE SHORES OF LAKE WAILES! .81 Acres • Fabulous Sunsets SW View • 2½ Mile Paved & Lighted Path Around Lake Wailes • Near Downtown, Shopping, Parks, Hospital, Schools & Churches

WWW.LEGACYREALESTATECENTER.COM

863-676-0200 212 E 63

AST

STUART

LAKE WALES

SOLD HOMES

44 WESTRIDGE RD, DAVENPORT............................... 9/18/2017..... $132,000 260 CRESTWOOD PASS, DAVENPORT.....................10/10/2017.....$148,000 202 E PALM ST, DAVENPORT.......................................9/22/2017.....$149,000 1519 INDIAN KEY BLVD, DAVENPORT.......................... 9/19/2017..... $149,900 227 BRIDGETON ST, DAVENPORT...............................9/22/2017..... $164,900 736 KNOLLWOOD DR, DAVENPORT......................... 9/20/2017..... $165,000 119 GRANT CIR, DAVENPORT....................................... 9/18/2017..... $176,000 912 WOODLARK DR, DAVENPORT............................. 9/18/2017.....$180,000 248 ARBOR LAKES DR, DAVENPORT..........................9/25/2017...... $181,000 256 ARBOR LAKES DR, DAVENPORT...........................9/21/2017...... $181,000 136 SENECA LN, DAVENPORT...................................... 9/19/2017..... $195,000 533 CANTABRIA DR, DAVENPORT............................ 10/23/2017..... $196,500 496 LAKE SHORE PKWY, DAVENPORT....................... 9/18/2017......$197,000 471 VIZCAY WAY, DAVENPORT.................................... 9/26/2017..... $210,000 1406 CHALLENGER AVE, DAVENPORT.......................9/25/2017..... $210,000 433 NOVA DR, DAVENPORT........................................9/22/2017...... $217,000 238 RICHMOND DR, DAVENPORT...............................9/21/2017..... $218,000 419 ARAGOSA DR, DAVENPORT............................... 10/26/2017......$219,300 584 NOVA DR, DAVENPORT....................................... 9/26/2017.....$222,000 278 ALFORD DR, DAVENPORT.....................................9/21/2017.....$223,000 154 LAZY WILLOW DR, DAVENPORT..........................9/22/2017.....$223,500 243 STONEHAVEN DR, DAVENPORT......................... 9/15/2017.... $228,000 802 LOCKBREEZE DR, DAVENPORT...........................9/22/2017.... $230,000 503 MONTARA DR, DAVENPORT................................ 9/19/2017.... $230,000 329 SUMMER SQUALL RD, DAVENPORT.................. 10/16/2017.....$233,300 409 PALMETTO ST, DAVENPORT................................9/22/2017.... $234,900 247 STONEHAVEN DR, DAVENPORT.......................... 9/18/2017.... $238,500 363 ARDMORE ST, DAVENPORT................................ 9/26/2017.....$242,500 168 SEVILLE DR, DAVENPORT.....................................9/22/2017..... $244,100 615 OXFORD DR, DAVENPORT....................................9/22/2017.... $245,000 123 BAY ST, DAVENPORT............................................. 9/26/2017.... $250,000 1724 PINE RIDGE DR, DAVENPORT............................ 10/25/2017.... $255,000 244 KETTERING RD, DAVENPORT............................. 9/20/2017.... $255,000 4028 CORTLAND DR, DAVENPORT.......................... 10/31/2017.... $256,400 198 MAGELLAN CT, DAVENPORT................................9/25/2017.... $262,000 850 ASTURIAS RD, DAVENPORT............................... 9/20/2017.....$262,700 4123 CORTLAND DR, DAVENPORT............................ 9/20/2017.....$263,700 3968 CORTLAND DR, DAVENPORT..........................10/27/2017.... $266,400 286 CAPTIVA DR, DAVENPORT.................................. 9/20/2017..... $267,200 2675 SAND HILL POINT CIR, DAVENPORT.................. 11/9/2017.... $270,000 1648 NINA DR, DAVENPORT.........................................9/21/2017.....$276,000 293 DRAYTON AVE, DAVENPORT...............................9/22/2017.... $278,000 1038 CYPRESS POINTE BLVD, DAVENPORT...............9/25/2017.... $285,000 854 ASTURIAS RD, DAVENPORT.................................9/22/2017.......$291,100 2221 CROFTON AVE, DAVENPORT...............................9/21/2017..... $294,100 540 LAGO LOOP, DAVENPORT.................................. 9/19/2017....$300,000 370 ARDMORE ST, DAVENPORT................................. 9/15/2017.... $302,400

AUBURNDALE

840 WATERFERN TRAIL DR, AUBURNDALE ..............9/25/2017.......$59,900 605 HAMPTON ST, AUBURNDALE ............................ 9/26/2017......$60,000 700 ELIZABETH LN, AUBURNDALE ............................9/22/2017..... $120,000 687 WATERFERN TRAIL DR, AUBURNDALE ...............9/22/2017..... $129,000 213 DENISE CIR, AUBURNDALE ................................... 9/27/2017..... $142,000 624 BERKLEY POINTE PASS, AUBURNDALE .............. 9/19/2017......$174,000 2210 LAKE LENA BLVD, AUBURNDALE .......................9/22/2017..... $195,000 217 ALEXANDER ESTATES DR, AUBURNDALE .......... 9/26/2017.....$239,900 332 LAKE MARIANA WAY, AUBURN-DALE ................. 9/19/2017......$257,200 590 SOMERSET DR, AUBURNDALE ........................... 9/18/2017..... $315,000 2124 KIRKLAND LAKE DR, AUBURNDALE ...................9/21/2017.... $395,000 128 ARIETTA SHORES DR, AUBURNDALE ..................9/22/2017.... $425,000

BARTOW 3150 CENTRAL AVE, BARTOW.................................... 9/20/2017...... $50,000 4587 WESTON RD, BARTOW........................................9/21/2017........$91,500 755 BEARCREEK DR, BARTOW................................... 9/20/2017...... $92,000 3065 REYNOLDS RD, BARTOW....................................9/21/2017...... $95,000 1035 BEARCREEK DR, BARTOW..................................9/22/2017..... $155,000 1813 KINGSMILL DR, BARTOW.................................... 9/29/2017..... $165,000 1845 KINGSMILL DR, BARTOW................................... 9/29/2017..... $165,000 1840 JAMES TOWNE LN, BARTOW............................. 9/29/2017..... $165,000 1841 JAMES TOWNE LN, BARTOW.............................. 9/29/2017..... $165,000 1833 JAMES TOWNE LN, BARTOW............................. 9/29/2017..... $165,000 1833 KINGSMILL DR, BARTOW....................................9/25/2017..... $176,600 2060 GOLDEN MEADOW WAY, BARTOW................ 9/20/2017.....$184,900 1801 KINGSMILL DR, BARTOW......................................9/21/2017......$187,000 1520 S KISSENGEN AVE, BARTOW.............................. 9/15/2017....$200,000 2080 ASHBORO PL, BARTOW....................................9/25/2017......$251,300 965 SQUARE LAKE DR, BARTOW................................ 9/27/2017.....$273,000 4222 ROBERTA DR, BARTOW...................................... 9/18/2017.... $389,500 4226 ROBERTA DR, BARTOW...................................... 9/18/2017.... $389,500 4230 ROBERTA DR, BARTOW...................................... 9/18/2017.... $389,500

DAVENPORT 203 RUM RUN 36103, DAVENPORT............................ 9/15/2017......$90,000 307 RUM RUN 35203, DAVENPORT........................... 9/18/2017...... $92,000 117 SUNSET VIEW DR, DAVENPORT........................... 9/20/2017......$100,100 1366 ANDALUSIA LOOP, DAVENPORT...................... 9/20/2017......$100,100 127 PARADISE WOODS PL, DAVENPORT................... 9/20/2017..... $124,400 206 CALABRIA AVE, DAVENPORT...............................9/22/2017..... $125,000

CATHY “K” KLUYTENAAR &

The K Team Real Estate Services

RELAX. YOU’RE HOME.

Polk County’s Favorite Real Estate Family

Cathy Kluytenaar Zac Kluytenaar havenmagazines.com

Visit our new website at yourkteam.com

Florrie Kluytenaar

863-604-6220 64

1644 NINA DR, DAVENPORT....................................... 9/20/2017.....$310,000 816 ASTURIAS RD, DAVENPORT................................. 9/20/2017.... $326,400 510 CANTABRIA DR, DAVENPORT............................. 10/30/2017....$368,400 2270 CALLAWAY CT, DAVENPORT............................. 9/20/2017....$600,000 5405 MISTY OAK CIR, DAVENPORT.......................... 9/20/2017.$1,000,000 5409 MISTY OAK CIR, DAVENPORT.......................... 9/20/2017.$1,000,000 5413 MISTY OAK CIR, DAVENPORT............................ 9/20/2017.$1,000,000 5417 MISTY OAK CIR, DAVENPORT............................ 9/20/2017.$1,000,000 5421 MISTY OAK CIR, DAVENPORT............................ 9/20/2017.$1,000,000 5425 MISTY OAK CIR, DAVENPORT........................... 9/20/2017.$1,000,000 5429 MISTY OAK CIR, DAVENPORT........................... 9/20/2017.$1,000,000 5433 MISTY OAK CIR, DAVENPORT........................... 9/20/2017.$1,000,000 5437 MISTY OAK CIR, DAVENPORT........................... 9/20/2017.$1,000,000 5441 MISTY OAK CIR, DAVENPORT............................ 9/20/2017.$1,000,000 5445 MISTY OAK CIR, DAVENPORT........................... 9/20/2017.$1,000,000 5449 MISTY OAK CIR, DAVENPORT.......................... 9/20/2017.$1,000,000 5453 MISTY OAK CIR, DAVENPORT........................... 9/20/2017.$1,000,000 5440 MISTY OAK CIR, DAVENPORT.......................... 9/20/2017.$1,000,000 5444 MISTY OAK CIR, DAVENPORT.......................... 9/20/2017.$1,000,000 5448 MISTY OAK CIR, DAVENPORT.......................... 9/20/2017.$1,000,000 5452 MISTY OAK CIR, DAVENPORT........................... 9/20/2017.$1,000,000 5532 MISTY OAK DR, DAVENPORT............................ 9/20/2017.$1,000,000 5536 MISTY OAK DR, DAVENPORT............................ 9/20/2017.$1,000,000 5540 MISTY OAK CIR, DAVENPORT.......................... 9/20/2017.$1,000,000 5544 MISTY OAK CIR, DAVENPORT........................... 9/20/2017.$1,000,000 5548 MISTY OAK CIR, DAVENPORT........................... 9/20/2017.$1,000,000 5552 MISTY OAK CIR, DAVENPORT........................... 9/20/2017.$1,000,000 5556 MISTY OAK CIR, DAVENPORT........................... 9/20/2017.$1,000,000 5560 MISTY OAK CIR, DAVENPORT.......................... 9/20/2017.$1,000,000

224 TANAGER ST, HAINES CITY ..................................9/25/2017...... $101,900 228 TANAGER ST, HAINES CITY ..................................9/25/2017...... $101,900 352 WILLET ST, HAINES CITY ......................................9/25/2017...... $101,900 803 AVENUE A, HAINES CITY .....................................9/25/2017.....$106,000 568 TEES DALE DR, HAINES CITY ............................... 9/15/2017...... $115,000 962 CHANLER DR, HAINES CITY ..............................10/30/2017..... $155,000 3022 PATTERSON GROVES DR, HAINES CITY ...........10/4/2017...... $161,000 740 E MAIN ST, HAINES CITY .......................................9/22/2017......$175,400 2036 HEMINGWAY AVE, HAINES CITY ....................... 9/15/2017..... $176,000 349 WILLET ST, HAINES CITY .......................................9/21/2017..... $179,000 221 TANAGER ST, HAINES CITY ....................................9/21/2017..... $183,400 0 LAKE LOWERY RD, HAINES CITY ............................. 9/18/2017.....$185,000 327 WILLET ST, HAINES CITY ......................................9/22/2017.....$189,000 238 MILESTONE DR, HAINES CITY .............................9/25/2017..... $216,000 200 TANAGER ST, HAINES CITY .................................9/22/2017..... $218,900 162 MINNIEHAHA CIR, HAINES CITY .......................... 9/15/2017......$221,000

LAKE WALES 6245 TREASURE VALLEY LOOP, LAKE WALES...........9/25/2017.........$51,100 305 WEAVER ST, LAKE WALES......................................9/21/2017...... $55,000 2503 SUNSET CIR, LAKE WALES................................. 9/27/2017...... $56,000 2502 SUNSET CIR, LAKE WALES.................................. 9/27/2017...... $56,000 9225 OAKWOOD DR, LAKE WALES.............................10/2/2017....... $57,500 2871 MOCKINGBIRD TRL, LAKE WALES..................... 9/20/2017...... $58,000 3155 MAR LISA COVE RD, LAKE WALES......................9/22/2017...... $70,000 4351 PARK AVE, LAKE WALES...................................... 9/20/2017...... $76,000 841 SHERWOOD DR, LAKE WALES............................. 9/19/2017........$76,100 31 E STARR AVE, LAKE WALES...................................... 9/27/2017.....$100,000 8913 SHEPPARD DR, LAKE WALES............................... 9/19/2017......$118,000 0 TOWER BLVD, LAKE WALES.................................... 9/20/2017..... $132,600 0 TOWER BLVD, LAKE WALES.................................... 9/20/2017..... $132,600 4123 ABERDEEN LN, LAKE WALES............................... 9/19/2017..... $156,000 3050 WALDEN SHORES BLVD, LAKE WALES............ 9/20/2017.....$194,000 4596 BROOKSHIRE PL, LAKE WALES...........................9/21/2017..... $194,900 0 TOWERGATE CIR, LAKE WALES.............................. 9/20/2017......$212,900 4025 PAW PAW TRL, LAKE WALES............................. 10/12/2017.... $220,000 4424 VENTANA LN, LAKE WALES.............................. 9/20/2017.... $246,000 1228 S HIGHLAND PARK DR, LAKE WALES................. 9/27/2017.... $250,000 4166 STONE CREEK LOOP, LAKE WALES................... 9/20/2017.... $325,000 1121 SUNSET DR, LAKE WALES.................................... 9/26/2017....$360,000

FORT MEADE 510 N PERRY AVE, FORT MEADE .................................9/22/2017...... $85,000 30 S BLOXHAM AVE, FORT MEADE ............................9/22/2017...... $112,000

FROSTPROOF 306 S SCENIC HWY, FROSTPROOF............................9/22/2017..... $125,000 10123 US HIGHWAY 27, FROSTPROOF ........................9/22/2017........$57,200 0 STREETY LAKE RD, FROSTPROOF .........................9/25/2017....$400,000

HAINES CITY 251 PATTERSON RD H-38, HAINES CITY .................... 9/26/2017.......$62,500 144 VICTORIA DR, HAINES CITY .................................9/22/2017...... $65,000 232 TANAGER ST, HAINES CITY .................................. 9/18/2017......$68,000 356 WILLET ST, HAINES CITY ...................................... 9/18/2017......$68,000 5030 LAKE LOWERY RD, HAINES CITY ......................9/25/2017........$70,100 79 ASPEN DR, HAINES CITY .........................................9/21/2017...... $85,000 613 4TH ST, HAINES CITY ........................................... 9/26/2017.....$100,000

27 North 10th Street Haines City, Fl 33844 Email: sold@staceytowns.com

www.StaceyTowns.com

- CONTINUED ON PAGE 66 -

Stacey Towns

Adele Christian

CALL US! WE CAN HELP!

Hope Callihan

Claudette Jenks

863-422-1585

Not Being BOLD but consider it SOLD! Call us to list your property today. WE CAN GET THE JOB DONE! 65

LAKELAND

0 HANCOCK LAKE RD, LAKELAND............................ 9/15/2017.....$130,000 5444 HOUSTON DR, LAKELAND................................ 9/19/2017.....$130,800 6236 EGRET DR, LAKELAND........................................9/22/2017..... $135,000 6317 SANDPIPERS DR, LAKELAND............................... 9/15/2017..... $136,000 609 W PARK ST, LAKELAND.........................................9/25/2017..... $139,900 1226 FAIRLEE ST, LAKELAND........................................ 9/15/2017.....$146,000 5305 LEWELLYN RD, LAKELAND.................................9/25/2017......$147,000 4416 IRIS ST, LAKELAND............................................... 9/15/2017..... $149,900 614 MCRORIE ST, LAKELAND........................................9/21/2017..... $149,900 0 HAMPSTEAD LN, LAKELAND.................................. 9/30/2017.......$151,900 6027 CONDOR DR, LAKELAND.................................. 9/19/2017..... $153,000 1107 WALKER CIR, LAKELAND...................................... 9/18/2017......$155,500 1718 LAKEWOOD RD, LAKELAND................................9/22/2017......$157,000 1412 N GRACE ST, LAKELAND.......................................9/22/2017......$157,000 6023 WOODALE DR, LAKELAND.................................10/4/2017......$159,900 7967 BENJAMIN DR, LAKELAND..................................9/22/2017.....$160,000 821 ARIANA ST, LAKELAND..........................................9/22/2017.....$160,000 0 ARIANA ST, LAKELAND.............................................9/22/2017.....$160,000 2 LA TERRAZA, LAKELAND......................................... 9/26/2017.....$160,000 7989 KAITLIN CIR, LAKELAND.................................... 9/18/2017..... $170,000 2806 TIMBERCREST PL, LAKELAND...........................9/22/2017..... $170,000 7283 PEBBLE PASS LOOP, LAKELAND.........................9/22/2017..... $173,000 8339 ADELE RD, LAKELAND........................................9/22/2017......$173,500 5581 MAGGIORE BLVD, LAKELAND.............................9/21/2017......$173,900 3013 FORT SOCRUM VILLAGE BLVD, LAKELAND...... 9/19/2017......$174,900 408 N IOWA, LAKELAND............................................ 9/26/2017..... $175,000 414 N IOWA ST, LAKELAND......................................... 9/26/2017..... $175,000 417 E PEACHTREE ST, LAKELAND............................... 9/26/2017..... $175,000 415 E PEACHTREE ST, LAKELAND............................... 9/26/2017..... $175,000 1571 KINSMAN WAY, LAKELAND................................... 9/18/2017..... $176,000 5063 ASHWOOD DR, LAKELAND............................... 9/19/2017..... $178,000 534 HOLLOWAY SHORES DR, LAKELAND................ 9/26/2017..... $179,000 1716 BAYOU CIR, LAKELAND....................................... 9/26/2017.....$180,000 6352 BUTTERNUT DR, LAKELAND............................. 9/18/2017.....$183,000 6007 MISSION DR, LAKELAND................................... 9/26/2017.....$185,000 5029 CHRISTOPHER CT, LAKELAND..........................9/22/2017..... $189,900 6542 OAKPOINT DR, LAKELAND.................................9/21/2017..... $192,000 6779 GLENBROOK DR, LAKELAND............................9/22/2017..... $193,000 4425 GALLOWAY LN, LAKELAND............................... 9/15/2017..... $195,000 6142 SILVER LAKES DR, LAKELAND.............................9/22/2017.....$196,000 6735 LAKE CLARK DR, LAKELAND.............................. 9/18/2017......$197,400 7362 BEAUMONT DR, LAKELAND...............................9/21/2017..... $198,500 8748 PLANTATION RIDGE BLVD, LAKELAND.............9/25/2017....$200,000 3932 LAUREL BRANCH CT, LAKELAND......................9/22/2017....$200,000 2831 MAGNOLIA AVE, LAKELAND.............................. 9/18/2017....$200,000 8710 HINSDALE HEIGHTS DR, LAKELAND..................9/22/2017.... $202,800 0 DANES CT, LAKELAND............................................. 9/20/2017..... $205,100

3525 VALLEY TRL, LAKELAND..................................... 9/15/2017...... $50,000 1920 E EDGEWOOD DR APT R3, LAKELAND..............9/25/2017...... $50,300 2714 SUNSHINE DR, LAKELAND.................................. 9/15/2017...... $55,000 1605 S LINCOLN AVE, LAKELAND............................... 9/19/2017...... $55,000 3218 PEARLY DR, LAKELAND.......................................9/22/2017...... $55,000 0 BEDFORD LN, LAKELAND........................................ 9/20/2017...... $55,000 5232 KNIGHTS STATION RD, LAKELAND................... 9/20/2017.......$56,700 1427 PLEASANT PL, LAKELAND.................................. 9/20/2017...... $62,000 733 CARPENTERS WAY APT 13, LAKELAND.................9/21/2017...... $65,000 908 FOREST LAKE DR, LAKELAND..............................9/21/2017......$68,000 504 CAMEO DR, LAKELAND....................................... 9/15/2017...... $70,000 1815 FOX HILL DR, LAKELAND...................................... 9/18/2017.......$72,000 1511 N CARVER AVE, LAKELAND...................................9/22/2017.......$79,000 6050 CHERRY RD, LAKELAND....................................9/22/2017......$80,000 125 EASTWAY DR, LAKELAND...................................... 9/18/2017...... $83,000 766 BARBER CIR, LAKELAND.......................................9/25/2017...... $84,900 2424 DELPHI CIR, LAKELAND......................................9/25/2017...... $85,000 716 HIGHLAND GARDENS LN, LAKELAND................ 9/26/2017...... $85,000 2416 DELPHI CIR, LAKELAND....................................... 9/15/2017....... $87,500 6217 INDIAN LN, LAKELAND......................................... 9/15/2017......$88,000 1246 W PIPKIN RD, LAKELAND..................................... 10/6/2017......$90,000 453 E MARKET SQ, LAKELAND....................................9/22/2017...... $93,000 2316 DERBYSHIRE AVE, LAKELAND.............................9/22/2017......$94,000 5523 SPRING LAKE DR, LAKELAND.............................9/22/2017...... $94,600 455 MARKET SQ, LAKELAND...................................... 9/19/2017...... $96,000 2883 CREEKS CROSSING BLVD, LAKELAND............. 10/13/2017.......$97,000 2342 CREEKS CROSSING DR, LAKELAND................. 10/13/2017.......$97,000 6003 HILLTOP LN, LAKELAND.....................................9/25/2017......$98,000 5236 HARVARD ST, LAKELAND................................... 9/19/2017...... $102,100 6464 SANDPIPERS DR APT 10, LAKELAND................ 9/20/2017.....$105,000 5111 HAYES RD, LAKELAND............................................9/21/2017.....$105,000 4030 LAKE HANCOCK RD, LAKELAND..................... 9/29/2017.....$105,000 0 LAKE HANCOCK RD, LAKELAND............................ 9/29/2017.....$105,000 5213 SHADYGLEN DR, LAKELAND............................... 9/27/2017.....$106,000 1240 MORGAN DR, LAKELAND...................................9/25/2017.....$108,000 1071 CAPTIVA, LAKELAND............................................ 9/15/2017......$110,000 2175 MONTICELLO AVE, LAKELAND............................9/21/2017....... $111,000 6381 EGRET DR APT 18, LAKELAND............................. 9/15/2017......$114,000 1730 PARK DR, LAKELAND.......................................... 9/20/2017.......$117,000 1332 EVERGREEN PARK CIR, LAKELAND..................... 9/15/2017......$118,000 1311 EVERGREEN PARK CIR, LAKELAND...................... 9/15/2017......$118,000 3409 CHRISTINA GROVES LN, LAKELAND................ 9/18/2017..... $120,000 653 LARK DR, LAKELAND........................................... 9/20/2017.......$121,900 215 W OAK DR, LAKELAND......................................... 9/29/2017.....$130,000 7516 WILLOW WISP DR, LAKELAND........................... 9/26/2017.....$130,000

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WINTER HAVEN

4220 VINSON RD, LAKELAND...................................10/30/2017..... $216,000 4685 LATHLOA LOOP, LAKELAND............................. 9/15/2017..... $218,400 6217 ELM SQ, LAKELAND............................................. 9/27/2017.... $220,000 2936 VINTAGE VIEW CIR, LAKELAND........................ 9/20/2017......$221,000 8758 FORT SOCRUM VILLAGE WAY, LAKELAND......9/22/2017.....$226,900 301 TOWERING PINES DR, LAKELAND........................9/22/2017.... $230,000 3385 SONGBIRD LN, LAKELAND.................................9/22/2017.....$232,500 330 KERNEYWOOD ST, LAKELAND.............................9/21/2017.... $236,000 2474 SILVER VIEW DR, LAKELAND............................. 9/26/2017.... $236,000 2497 SILVER VIEW DR, LAKELAND..............................9/22/2017.... $238,000 4616 BURGUNDY PL, LAKELAND.................................9/21/2017..... $241,000 1299 EVERGREEN PARK CIR, LAKELAND.................... 9/27/2017..... $247,000 1990 ALTAVISTA CIR, LAKELAND.................................9/22/2017....$248,000 3581 LONGVIEW LN, LAKELAND.................................9/22/2017....$248,000 2824 WHITNEY ST, LAKELAND................................... 9/27/2017.... $248,500 5909 GREAT SALT CT, LAKELAND............................ 10/26/2017......$251,900 8780 VIKING LN, LAKELAND.......................................9/25/2017.....$253,500 508 LAUREL HILL, LAKELAND.................................... 9/20/2017.... $263,000 1312 EVERGREEN PARK CIR, LAKELAND..................... 9/15/2017.... $265,600 6744 HIGHLANDS CREEK LOOP, LAKELAND.............9/22/2017.... $269,900 3430 ARROWWOOD DR, LAKELAND....................... 9/28/2017.... $270,000 4420 SUGARTREE DR, LAKELAND.............................9/22/2017.... $270,000 3254 PEARLY DR, LAKELAND.......................................9/22/2017.....$272,500 7112 HIGHLANDS CREEK AVE, LAKELAND................. 9/26/2017.....$273,600 6532 BEAL LN, LAKELAND.......................................... 9/20/2017.... $284,900 3982 VIAMONTE LN, LAKELAND................................9/22/2017.....$287,000 2586 IRIS ANN DR, LAKELAND....................................9/25/2017..... $297,900 4709 LATHLOA LOOP, LAKELAND...............................9/21/2017....$306,800 802 PARK HILL AVE, LAKELAND..................................9/25/2017.... $320,000 5502 GREY HAWK LN, LAKELAND..............................9/25/2017....$330,000 6802 FORESTWOOD DR, LAKELAND........................9/22/2017..... $331,000 1109 LAKE POINT TER, LAKELAND............................. 9/26/2017..... $337,300 1818 ALTAVISTA CIR, LAKELAND................................. 9/26/2017....$348,000 5070 NEW TAMPA HWY, LAKELAND......................... 9/20/2017.... $350,000 1894 VIA LAGO DR, LAKELAND....................................9/21/2017.... $379,000 8035 DARLINGTON CIR, LAKELAND......................... 9/20/2017.... $405,700 0 ANCHUCA DR, LAKELAND...................................... 9/27/2017... $800,000 0 ANCHUCA DR, LAKELAND...................................... 9/27/2017... $800,000 0 ANCHUCA DR, LAKELAND...................................... 9/27/2017... $800,000 0 ANCHUCA DR, LAKELAND...................................... 9/27/2017... $800,000 3110 REYNOLDS RD, LAKELAND................................. 9/20/2017.. $1,050,000 1615 MEMORIAL BLVD, LAKELAND............................. 9/20/2017.. $1,200,000 930 GRIFFIN RD, LAKELAND........................................ 9/15/2017.. $1,700,000 930 GRIFFIN RD, LAKELAND........................................ 9/15/2017.. $1,700,000 4516 S FLORIDA AVE, LAKELAND................................ 9/19/2017.. $3,185,000

00 EL CAMINO DR APT 104, WINTER HAVEN ........... 9/28/2017.. $50,00097 NW PINEWOOD LN, WINTER HAVEN ........................ 9/15/2017...... $53,000 4316 CHERRYWOOD DR, WINTER HAVEN .................9/21/2017......$60,000 411 LAKESIDE RANCH CIR, WINTER HAVEN ............... 9/19/2017......$60,000 1315 28TH ST, WINTER HAVEN .................................... 9/19/2017.......$62,500 2500 21ST ST APT 47, WINTER HAVEN ........................ 9/18/2017.......$62,700 4856 MAGNOLIA PRESERVE DR, WINTER HAVEN .... 9/15/2017...... $65,000 4853 MAGNOLIA PRESERVE DR, WINTER HAVEN .... 9/15/2017...... $65,000 181 SOLIS DR, WINTER HAVEN .................................... 9/19/2017...... $70,000 189 SOLIS DR, WINTER HAVEN ................................... 9/19/2017...... $70,000 3082 AVENUE V, WINTER HAVEN ...............................9/22/2017.......$74,000 700 MIRROR TER APT 204, WINTER HAVEN ............. 9/19/2017.......$75,000 2402 AVENUE A TER, WINTER HAVEN ........................9/21/2017.......$79,300 2321 FRANKFORT ST, WINTER HAVEN ...................... 9/28/2017......$80,000 2508 SHERWOOD ST, WINTER HAVEN .................... 9/28/2017......$80,000 970 AVENUE H, WINTER HAVEN ................................9/22/2017...... $85,500 367 LAKE DAISY CIR, WINTER HAVEN ....................... 9/20/2017.......$92,500 157 SOLIS DR, WINTER HAVEN ................................... 9/26/2017.....$105,000 161 SOLIS DR, WINTER HAVEN ................................... 9/26/2017.....$105,000 204 SOLIS DR, WINTER HAVEN ................................. 9/26/2017.....$105,000 1840 NICARAGUA WAY, WINTER HAVEN ...................9/22/2017.....$105,000 1020 MEDINAH DR, WINTER HAVEN ..........................9/22/2017.....$106,000 917 29TH ST, WINTER HAVEN ..................................... 9/20/2017.....$108,000 132 LONGFELLOW RD, WINTER HAVEN ..................... 9/27/2017.....$108,000 313 ORANGE BLOSSOM DR, WINTER HAVEN ...........9/25/2017....... $117,500 2366 ISLE ROYALE CT, WINTER HAVEN .....................9/22/2017......$118,000 1822 16TH ST, WINTER HAVEN .....................................9/21/2017......$118,000 109 DICKINSON LN, WINTER HAVEN .........................9/25/2017..... $128,000 1074 MEDINAH WAY, WINTER HAVEN ....................... 9/20/2017..... $129,800 262 KINGS POND AVE, WINTER HAVEN .....................9/22/2017.....$130,000 6002 COUNTRY WALK LN, WINTER HAVEN ............. 9/19/2017..... $142,000 0 CYPRESS GARDENS BLVD, WINTER HAVEN .......... 9/20/2017..... $145,000 2989 EAGLE NEST VIEW DR, WINTER HAVEN ........... 9/27/2017.....$150,000 2977 EAGLE NEST VIEW DR, WINTER HAVEN ........... 9/27/2017.....$150,000 2912 EAGLE NEST VIEW DR, WINTER HAVEN ............ 9/27/2017.....$150,000 3008 EAGLE NEST VIEW DR, WINTER HAVEN .......... 9/27/2017.....$150,000 656 AUGUSTA, WINTER HAVEN .................................9/22/2017.....$150,000 2202 GARDEN LAKE DR, WINTER HAVEN .................9/22/2017...... $151,000 332 CLOVERDALE RD, WINTER HAVEN .....................9/25/2017......$157,000 603 LUCERNE BLVD, WINTER HAVEN ........................ 9/27/2017...... $157,500 1320 NORMANDY HEIGHTS CIR, WINTER HAVEN .... 9/19/2017......$159,500

- CONTINUED ON PAGE 68 -

Mark Piburn

Senior Loan Officer NMLS ID # 454138 863.604.4942

Cyndee Smith

Donna Slagel

Senior Loan Officer NMLS ID # 459635 863.944.3098

Senior Loan Officer NMLS ID # 552549 863.287.8289

Make your dream home a reality with your local lending team. 1525 South Florida Ave, Suite 4 Lakeland, FL 33803 ph: 863.393.9973 lakeland.embracehomeloans.com

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Matthew Buxton

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Embrace Home Loans, Inc. NMLS ID # 2184 is licensed in 46 states plus DC. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org)

222 HIBISCUS ST, WINTER HAVEN ............................. 9/20/2017..... $163,000 3393 RALEIGH DR, WINTER HAVEN ........................... 9/18/2017.....$166,400 2804 WHISPERING TRAILS DR, WINTER HAVEN ..... 9/28/2017.....$168,900 220 OLEANDER ST, WINTER HAVEN .......................... 9/18/2017..... $169,000 752 CANBERRA RD, WINTER HAVEN .......................... 9/15/2017......$174,000 219 HAINES BLVD, WINTER HAVEN ............................ 9/26/2017.......$174,100 585 LUCERNE BLVD, WINTER HAVEN ........................9/22/2017...... $177,000 621 LUCERNE BLVD, WINTER HAVEN ........................ 9/26/2017.......$177,700 539 HAINES TRL, WINTER HAVEN ............................. 9/26/2017......$179,900 2912 WHISPERING TRAILS DR, WINTER HAVEN ....... 9/26/2017.....$184,800 5804 MARSH LANDING DR, WINTER HAVEN ...........9/25/2017.....$185,000 1340 BUCKEYE TRACE BLVD, WINTER HAVEN .......... 9/15/2017.....$186,900 6187 GREY HERON DR, WINTER HAVEN .....................9/21/2017.....$190,000 1947 BRETTON RIDGE DR, WINTER HAVEN .............. 9/26/2017.....$190,400 6147 GREY HERON DR, WINTER HAVEN .................... 9/18/2017...... $191,000 6256 WATER LILY CT, WINTER HAVEN ....................... 9/18/2017......$192,500 1315 BUCKEYE TRACE BLVD, WINTER HAVEN ........... 9/27/2017..... $194,900 5824 MARSH LANDING DR, WINTER HAVEN .............9/21/2017..... $195,000 220 SOLIS DR, WINTER HAVEN ..................................9/22/2017..... $195,500 1649 LINZ CT, WINTER HAVEN .................................... 9/27/2017.....$203,700 1843 KUMQUAT CT, WINTER HAVEN .........................9/22/2017.... $204,300 1621 VIENNA SQUARE DR, WINTER HAVEN ............... 9/15/2017..... $207,500 4059 BEDFORD AVE, WINTER HAVEN .......................9/22/2017.... $208,500 1682 TRESSEL CT, WINTER HAVEN ............................ 9/28/2017....$208,600 6268 WATER LILY CT, WINTER HAVEN .......................9/22/2017..... $213,000 1550 LEMON AVE, WINTER HAVEN ............................9/22/2017..... $216,400 5066 VARTY RD, WINTER HAVEN ..............................9/25/2017.....$232,000 4512 BACK NINE DR, WINTER HAVEN ..........................9/21/2017.... $280,900 2208 EDMONTON ST, WINTER HAVEN .................... 9/20/2017.....$322,000 1044 SAWGRASS DR, WINTER HAVEN ...................... 9/20/2017..... $341,400 1040 SAWGRASS DR, WINTER HAVEN .......................9/22/2017.... $346,200

2562 PARTRIDGE DR, WINTER HAVEN ...................... 9/20/2017..... $357,000 4238 ROBERTA DR, WINTER HAVEN .......................... 9/18/2017.... $389,500 4242 ROBERTA DR, WINTER HAVEN .......................... 9/18/2017.... $389,500 4246 ROBERTA DR, WINTER HAVEN .......................... 9/18/2017.... $389,500 4312 ROSE BLVD, WINTER HAVEN .............................. 9/18/2017.... $389,500 5190 MICHELLE ST, WINTER HAVEN ........................... 9/18/2017.... $389,500 4221 ROBERTA DR, WINTER HAVEN ........................... 9/18/2017.... $389,500 4225 ROBERTA DR, WINTER HAVEN .......................... 9/18/2017.... $389,500 4229 ROBERTA DR, WINTER HAVEN .......................... 9/18/2017.... $389,500 4233 ROBERTA DR, WINTER HAVEN .......................... 9/18/2017.... $389,500 4237 ROBERTA DR, WINTER HAVEN .......................... 9/18/2017.... $389,500 4241 ROBERTA DR, WINTER HAVEN ........................... 9/18/2017.... $389,500 4245 ROBERTA DR, WINTER HAVEN .......................... 9/18/2017.... $389,500 4249 ROBERTA DR, WINTER HAVEN .......................... 9/18/2017.... $389,500 730 CENTRAL AVE, WINTER HAVEN ..........................9/25/2017.... $455,000 5440 HOGAN LN, WINTER HAVEN ........................... 10/13/2017....$460,000 9514 WATERFORD OAKS BLVD, WINTER HAVEN ...... 9/18/2017.... $492,200 2175 KENDALL LN, WINTER HAVEN ........................... 9/29/2017.....$573,500 3071 CYPRESS GARDENS RD, WINTER HAVEN ..........9/22/2017.... $825,000 1 SKIDMORE RD, WINTER HAVEN ...............................9/22/2017.. $1,700,000

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Bone Valley ATV Park Around 12 years ago, a group took their interest in a public place to ride ATV’s to Polk County. The county instituted an ATV committee to begin looking for the perfect site, touring 100’s of pieces of property. Eventually Mosaic worked with the county to buy the initial 200 acres of mined land with the option for 300 more for what is now, Bone Valley ATV Park. Before the park opened in February of 2015, the closest public park that ATV addicts could go to was Croom Motorcycle Area at Withlacoochee State Forest in Brooksville. Now, Polk County gives the public access to adrenaline junkies near and far to enjoy the Florida weather and have a heart-pumping good time doing it. According to Derek Harpe, Polk County Parks and Recreation’s SuperIntendent, “This place was really affordably done to the taxpayers of Polk County. We went out really aggressively for grants.” It was built so efficiently, in fact, that two-thirds of the park was built with funding from grants. Prior to opening its gates, the piece of property Bone Valley sits on was mostly dense forest and pine thicket. “Our landscape architects went in with a GPS unit and machetes and cut out trails. It really was an endeavor, it took a year and a half, almost two years to build because it really was a raw piece of property,” remarked Harpe. “The great part about this is it’s reclaimed mine land, which means something productive is happening after the mining process,” said Harpe. “It worked really well with what we’re trying to do. We tried to keep it mostly trees here, tried not to remove a lot of trees, we wanted it to be beautiful. We wanted you to ride our trails underneath this big oak canopy that we were lucky enough to have and we managed to do that.” According to him, 70-75% of the tracts in the park are shaded, an incredibly nice, if not necessary aspect of an ATV park in sunny central Florida. The park has become a staple attraction to Polk County residents and a destination for those outside of the county. Not only because of the fun to be had there but because of the quality of the park. From the trails to the parking area, to the restrooms, everything was clean and well managed to the tremendous credit of park’s staff. The trails are all one-way and built in 3 stages, easy, moderate, and difficult, much like snow skiing trails as described by Derek. Green is easy, blue is moderate, and black is difficult. You need not worry about accidentally going down the wrong trail during your visit to the park, as they are all clearly marked. Other safety features include do not enter signs down trails of the opposite direction, stop signs to avoid accidents and orange markers along the course that tells you where you are so you can call with your location in case you do find yourself in need of assistance. “Safety is paramount here,” says Harpe, relaying that the fences in the open areas of the course and throughout the park are designed with holes in the 4x4 posts, so they break if something hits them, minimizing the chance of injury.

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Currently Bone Valley is BYOATV (bring your own ATV), but the park is hoping that by March of 2019 guests will have the option to rent from vendors which Harpe thinks will open the park up to more visitors. The name of the park has origins in the phosphate mining industry according to Harpe. The southwest side of the county where the park is located along with portions of Hardee, Hillsborough, and Manatee were all mined extensively for phosphate. During the mining process, a multitude of bones and fossils were found, thus dubbing the region ‘Bone Valley.’ The park was fittingly named after the region, with a mastodon head as their logo. This year, the county purchased the additional 300 acres, giving the park a total of 500 acres: 200 developed, and 300 waiting to begin developement in March of next year. Though you can’t currently camp at Bone Valley, the development of the additional 300 acres looks to add at least one campground, near a lake on the north side of the new property. The exciting prospect of a campground will also be accompanied by more ATV tracks, hiking trails, 3 motocross tracks, and more. Construction on a motocross track on the current 200-acre property is set to begin around February or March of next year, and along with the 3 proposed tracks on the new property, is part of a partnership with Dream Traxx Motocross Track Builders to build world-class motocross tracks, right here in Polk County. Harpe spoke on what makes Bone Valley an asset to the county, saying, “It’s an asset because it’s an attraction to bring people in. They stay at our hotels, they eat at our restaurants, buy our gas, but it’s also just for those outdoor people.” He continued, “I think once the 300 acres across the street opens up, we really will see an attraction, you’ll see people coming and spending a week here with us because we’ll have the campground, we’ll have motocross.” During our trip to Bone Valley ATV Park, Jeremy Maready, from Polk County’s Communications Division took us on a tour of some of the park’s 15 trails. It was an absolute adventure as we left the parking lot and free riding areas, within a minute we were completely secluded, surrounded by palmetto bushes, pine trees, and a canopy of oaks. There was something so fun about combining the tranquility and solitude of nature with the adrenaline rush of the roar of an ATV navigating the dips and rivets around each turn of the park’s trails. It was a perfect fall day, sunny with a breeze, but I couldn’t help but think that after a good Florida rain how fun it would be to spend an afternoon speeding down the track, splashing through the mud. I’ll have to take a raincheck on that and report back! Cue bad joke drum sound. Start planning your trip to Bone Valley ATV Park by visiting www.bonevalleyatv.com to see all rules, restrictions, pricing, and all other information.

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4 Shirley Arnold

Lisa Pearce

5 Bill Casey

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Diane Taft

Nate Rusbosin Kurt Wood

PHOTOGRAPH Bill Batton

Sandy Watkins Shirley Bryan Eric Bryan

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AbercrombiePA.com

POLK COUNTY CAR & MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

IF YOU’RE IN AN ACCIDENT, FOLLOW THESE STEPS...

• Move your car to a safe location • Call 911 and report the accident • Exchange contact & insurance details • Photograph the scene & injuries • Contact Abercrombie, P.A. • Report the accident to your insurance immediately • Receive treatment from a doctor within 14 days

AGGRESSIVE, ACCESSIBLE, ACCOUNTABLE  Free Consultation  No Fees or Costs Unless We Recover Money On Your Behalf

Abercrombie, P.A. is a long standing law firm that strives for quality representation and aggressive advocacy in Central Florida. We proudly serve people who have suffered injuries and loss. Our primary objective is to defend the rights of our clients and to obtain the compensation they deserve for their injuries.

863.968.7570 Hablamos Español

OFFICE: WINTER PARK  APPOINTMENT AVAILABLE: WINTER HAVEN

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Beautiful kitchens, big entertainment areas, bonus rooms for the kids and private spaces for you. We have 30 communities all over Central Florida that are close to great schools, shopping, dining and major expressways. Go to CalAtlanticHomes.com and find your dream home in the perfect location. Every community has a fabulous selection of QUICK

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CalAtlanticHomes.com *Available only when you close on the purchase of a quick move-in home in the CalAtlantic Orlando Communities. Buyer must sign a purchase contract on or between November 6, 2017 and December 17, 2017 and close on or before December 29, 2017. Up to $4,500 towards closing costs is subject to limits and is contingent upon buyer closing a loan with our affiliated lender, CalAtlantic Mortgage, or where permitted by seller, another seller preferred lender, and obtaining title insurance and closing services from our affiliated title agent, CalAtlantic Title. The offer to pay closing costs does not include payment of prepaid taxes, property or mortgage insurance, or mortgage installments. Pre-payments of HOA assessments are typically subject to lender limits. The combined value of seller incentives, credits and other seller contributions may exceed lender limits established for the loan program for which buyer qualifies. Buyer should ask his or her lender about the impact of such limits. Completion and/or move-in dates are estimated. Prices, plans and terms are effective on the date of publication and subject to change without notice. Price and availability may vary depending on the community. For complete details ask your CalAtlantic Homesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sales consultant. CalAtlantic of North Florida Realty Corporation CQ1051091. CAORL315 Additional information about the Toys For Tots Foundation can be found at www.toysfortots. org. Toys For Tots and its logos/marks are owned by Marine Toys For Tots Foundation.

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