LOCAL NEWS

PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR

Amy Heiser-Meyers is the principal at Horizons Elementary. Polk County Public Schools’ announced her as the Principal of the Year for 2021-22. Heiser-Meyers is a PCPS graduate (Auburndale High) and has worked for the district for the past 24 years, serving at Horizons Elementary since 2013. Heiser-Meyers is noted for her support of Horizons’ teachers, and involving them in decisions that impact student learning. She also makes extra effort to keep families and business partners engaged with the school. As PCPS’ Principal of the Year, Heiser-Myers will serve as the district’s nominee for the Florida Department of Education’s annual statewide Principal of the Year award. Congratulations!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEGOLAND!

LEGOLAND® Florida Resort celebrated its 10th birthday on October 15th with brick-tastic fanfare! They celebrated the future with big announcements coming to the resort in 2022 including the new ride, Pirate River Quest. The Mayor of Winter Haven, Brad Dantzler announced that October 15th would officially be LEGOLAND Day in Winter Haven. The new LEGOLAND® Story shows how the parks were built, brick by brick. LEGO® history comes to life with playful, photo-worthy displays, including an original ride vehicle from Cypress Gardens’ Triple Hurricane attraction.

$9.4M INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDS

During a media event held Oct.11th at the City of Winter Haven Commission chamber, Governor Ron DeSantis, along with Secretary of the Department of Economic Opportunity Dane Eagle, Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault and Enterprise Florida Secretary of Commerce Jamal Sowell, announced that Winter Haven would be receiving $9.4M in infrastructure funds, focused on the area directly adjacent to the CSX Intermodal Logistics Center. This award is a direct result of a collaboratively written grant application by the Department of Economic Opportunity & Community Investment and the Winter Haven Economic Development Council and advocating directly with the Governor’s office.

ADVENTHEALTH & BOND

AdventHealth and Bond Clinic are forming an affiliation that will bring greater access to primary care and specialty options to Polk County residents, with a common goal of providing whole-person care that is easy-to-navigate and convenient for all patients. Polk County continues to rapidly grow – outpacing both the state and nation with a 20% increase in the past 10 years. Together, AdventHealth and Bond Clinic will recruit dozens of physicians over the next five years in a variety of specialties. Under the affiliation, AdventHealth and Bond Clinic will coordinate to meet the growing demand for primary care and specialty providers in the Polk market. Together they will develop innovative, value-based care models designed to deliver the highest level of quality care to Polk County residents.

PEPPA PIG TO OPEN FLORIDA POLY THE BANKER’S CUP

The Peppa Pig Theme Park is set to open February 24, 2022. Day tickets, Annual Passes and Vacation Packages are now on sale for families. Six rides, six themed playscapes, a water play area, and even more oinktastic experiences have been revealed for the World’s First Peppa Pig Theme Park. These all-new attractions will create an unforgettable day of adventure at the new standalone theme park just steps away from LEGOLAND® Florida Resort. Designed to be the ultimate day for little ones, the new theme park combines interactive rides and themed playgrounds with character shows and an indoor cinema for quieter moments. Florida Polytechnic University is the number one public college in the South in the U.S. News & World Report’s recent rankings, as well as climbing to become the number 26 public engineering college without a Ph.D. in the nation. Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Polytechnic University, has been recognized as one of Florida’s most influential business leaders for the third consecutive year by Florida Trend Magazine. The publication released its annual Florida 500 list highlighting the state’s top leaders in several economic sectors. The University also is experiencing significant growth. The fall 2021 class of incoming students is the largest in Florida Poly’s history. The Banker’s Cup is Winter Haven, Florida’s highest honor. It is presented by the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce and is awarded to one male and one female recipient each year. This is the 95th time the award has been bestowed. Congratulations to Mrs. Earnestine Mason Davis and Mr. Harry “Hap” Hazelwood. Mrs. Davis was recognized for work over 6 decades in civil rights and advocacy to ensure all citizens are treated fairly and equally. She also runs the food distribution program of the Concern Citizens of Winter Haven amongst many other areas of service. Mr. Hazelwood was recognized for his work over 3 decades in non-profits helping them to be stronger through financial oversight and fundraising. He is actively involved in Habitat for Humanity of East Polk, Relay for Life/American Cancer Society, Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce, Meals on Wheels of Polk County, TriCounty Human Services, and more.

MARGARITAVILLE IN POLK

The Cabana Club Resort will, in early 2022, become Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Cabana Cabins Auburndale, bringing the Margaritaville brand’s iconic experiences, fun, and escapism to Polk County. The addition of the lifestyle brand expands on the economic growth currently being enjoyed in the Auburndale area. In addition to the soon-to-be championship stadium in the Lake Myrtle Sports Park, on the other side of the lake, near the Elite Cable Park, a championship competition water ski lake will soon be completed. Less than five miles away there is also a recently opened Amazon Warehouse, and a revitalized downtown Auburndale. Currently, Cabana Club offers more than 175 RV and super premium RV sites, a resort pool, Tiki Bar, entertainment stage, putting course, playground, dog parks, covered pickleball courts, beach volleyball courts, an arcade, and more.