NOVEMBER 2016
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THE LAKELANDER
Together, our Promise is YOUR HEALTH.® So, what does this promise mean for you? It means our dedicated and compassionate team will be there for you through life’s most important moments. Our exceptional primary and specialty care physicians, providers and their teams are inspired and ready to become your family’s partners for a lifetime of wellness. Your health is our highest priority, and caring for you is our greatest privilege.
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Choose your look...Choose your style!
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Lakeland-Lake Gibson 6625 US 98 North (863) 858-3866 Lake Wales 126 Hwy. 60 W. (863) 676-6515
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LAKELAND • 2017
G E T I N V O L V E D – W W W. M I S S F L O R I D A . O R G
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
102 NOVEMBER 2016
DEPARTMENTS 22 NOTE FROM THE EDITOR 24 EDITORIAL BIOS 26 PHOTOGRAPHER BIOS 140 OPENINGS 142 EVENTS 146 HISTORY
ON THE COVER Michael McArthur’s music has been brewing within the city for years. Now, following his debut album release, he is receiving national recognition for his soulful voice and heartrending lyrics. In this issue, discover Michael McArthur’s Magnolia. photo by Philip Pietri
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4 Board Certified Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
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Workers’ Comp Personal Injury Car Accidents Job Protection Social Security EEOC/ADA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CULTURE 32 SYMPHONY With a heart for the city
STYLE 44 THE LAKELANDER’S ULTIMATE STYLE GIFT GUIDE The season’s compass to stress-free shopping and a melt-down-free Christmas morning
PHILANTHROPY 56 ACTING LOCALLY Dream Center of Lakeland
Investing is not a product, it’s a process.
Mary May Witte, local artist
Establishing a lasting portfolio requires patience and confidence in the process. We are a high-touch wealth advisory firm providing custom strategies to meet our clients’ individual goals. Let us share our process with you.
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SPECIAL SECTION
Our city is brimming with amazing artisans and tastemakers. This special issue highlights the many local businesses that make up the entrepreneurial spirit of Lakekland. Lakelander Made introduces you to some of them here.
HOME STYLE DINING DESSERT ART 69
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PEOPLE 110 ON THE OTHER SIDE Five friends talk about support, hope, and life on the other side of cancer
TASTE 122 THE RECIPE FOR FAMILY Hearty recipes to share with those you love
SHELTER 132 TAKE IT TO THE GARDEN Why not entertain outdoors this holiday season?
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Brandon Patterson Kristin Crosby
PEOPLE EDITOR Adam Spafford GUEST EDITOR Sara Sebastian SHELTER EDITOR Christian Lee STYLE EDITOR Abdiel Gonzalez TASTE EDITOR Jenn Smurr COPY EDITOR Laura Burke OFFICE MANAGER Deb Patterson Design CREATIVE DIRECTOR Daniel Barceló DESIGNER Emily Vila Photography CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Dan Austin, Paul Bostrom, Michael Flores, John Kazaklis, Robert Madrid, Philip Pietri, Loree Rowland, Tina Sargeant, Jordan Weiland, Monica Winters
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Circulation CIRCULATION DIRECTOR
Jason Jacobs
General Counsel
Ted W. Weeks IV
Published by Patterson Jacobs Publishing, LLC The Lakelander is published bimonthly by Patterson Jacobs Publishing, P.O. Box 41, Lakeland, FL 33802. Reproduction in whole or in part without express written permission of The Lakelander is prohibited. The Lakelander is not responsible for any unsolicited submissions. Contact Patterson Jacobs Publishing, P.O. Box 41, Lakeland, FL 33802 863.701.2707 www.thelakelander.com Customer Service: 863.701.2707 Subscription Help: jason@pattersonpublishing.com “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
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FROM THE EDITOR
We want to thank Thorpe Heating and Cooling for installing a new system in our house this past September. We have been Thorpe customers for several years and have always been happy with their technicians and their service. On the day of the install the team was friendly, efficient, and thorough. They worked through the rain and finished the job in one day. We have been so happy at how effective and efficient the unit is for our home. We are thrilled that the unit has lowered our electric bill to half of what it was before. Prior to the new unit, our electric bills were averaging anywhere from $260.00 to $280.00 per month. We were elated when we saw that our electric bill for September was $131.00!!! If you are in need of a repair or a new unit, Thorpe is a very reliable company, and their prices for service are very reasonable. Cheri Schmelzer and Ed Betz
There are some discoveries in life that awaken cravings unaware. We could subsist physically simply off of flour, salt, and water. Yet, luckily, with pumpkin pie and Christmas quiche just around the corner, we don’t. Life – and, in particular, the holidays – would be quite dull with just the bare necessities. Our capacity to taste new flavors, develop new skills, and even endure new challenges continues to surprise us, even into the later years of life. Lakeland has shown itself to possess such a capacity. And, lately, we seem to be greatly reaping the goods of it. Though it hasn’t sprung up overnight, the process of
all that has been in the making hasn’t simply awoken our senses, but also added a depth to our community. When Jon and Nancy Saunders, owners of Sprigs Life, first moved their company from New York City to Lakeland two years ago, they were surprised to find more than a mere launching pad. “Typically, in most cities, everyone is always trying to do something,” Nancy says, “but no one cares about what you’re doing. I’ve never seen a city like this – where people not only support your dreams, but get so excited about them, too!” Last Christmas, as local small-batch roasters, organic ice-cream makers, and young designers quickly emerged among us, we dedicated a special issue to highlight their undeniable entrepreneurial spirit. With this second issue of Lakelander Made, we invite you to discover and marvel at all the artists and makers who continue to elevate the culture of our city.
KRISTIN CROSBY, EDITOR
Originally from the North, Kristin Crosby first came to Lakeland to study music performance at Southeastern University. Upon graduating, working with student leaders at SEU, and teaching yoga in NYC, a passion to write surfaced. Prior to Patterson Publishing, Kristin has worked as project coordinator for Relevant Magazine, served as grant writer for the nonprofit organization LifeNet International, and has written for Vital Magazine online. Currently, she is a frequent contributor to LifeZette, an American news and opinion site based in Washington D.C. Kristin is thrilled about her new role as editor of The Lakelander, and endeavors to uncover and give voice to the untold stories of this city. To see more of Kristin’s work, check out lifezette.com/author/kristincrosby/ and kristincrosby.com.
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EDITORIAL BIOS ADAM SPAFFORD PEOPLE EDITOR
Adam Spafford came to Lakeland in 1999 to attend Florida Southern College and, except for a 20-month graduate school stint in Massachusetts, has been here since. When he’s not writing page-turners for The Lakelander, he trades stock and index options.
CHRISTIAN LEE SHELTER EDITOR Christian Lee is a Mississippi native who moved to Lakeland in 1992. After spending several years raising her family, she re-entered the design and decorating industry. Today, she works with contractors and clients to remodel homes and commercial properties. Christian is passionate about spaces that have soul, and she loves to find ways to make that soul come to life. She is skilled at interior decorating, repurposing antique and vintage furniture, and has designed a line of clothing for the home. To learn more about Christian, go to christianleedesign.com. Follow her on Instagram at Christianleedesigns.
ABDIEL GONZALEZ STYLE EDITOR
After moving from his native Hawaii to Florida in his teens, Abdiel Gonzalez formed an award-winning dance company, No Confusion. His love of fashion developed while earning a bachelor’s in business administration at Florida Southern College. He has managed multimillion-dollar retail establishments, designed stage costumes, and styled high-profile photo shoots. Currently, he runs Style Instinct by Abdiel, a styling and image consulting business. Abdiel gives back by volunteering his talent to local production companies and teaches weekly dance classes at studios here in Lakeland.
JENN SMURR TASTE EDITOR
Lakeland’s Premier COFFEE HOUSE & CASUAL EATERY
Jenn Smurr is a Florida native and a proud Lakelander. She is a lover of people and all things food (especially dark chocolate), an excursionist, and the owner of Born & Bread Bakehouse. For the last four years, Jenn has traveled the world working full time as a fashion model. Taking advantage of the gift of travel, she spent her free time exploring the local cuisine. Her affinity for bread came to a tipping point when she visited a standing-room-only cafe in Paris. It was there that she first tried “life-changing fresh bread and local butter.” She has since traded a life in fashion for one in food.
SARAH SEBASTIAN GUEST EDITOR
Sarah Sebastian has lived in Lakeland most of her life. She earned her English degree at Florida State University. She can’t seem to decide where she’d like to live, having jumped around between Lakeland, Atlanta, Tallahassee, and Norway. After eight years of teaching, she changed careers and now spends her days as the product content manager for Qgiv, a Lakeland tech company. Her spare time is devoted to her greatest loves: animals, writing, and reading old novels about British people eating dinner (at least that’s how her literary interests were once described).
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PHOTOGRAPHER BIOS That Exceeds Your Expectations
NowAT TWO LOCATIONS! BELLA VISTA BUILDING
1755 N. Florida Ave. • Lakeland BARTOW GYNECOLOGY
DANIEL BARCELÓ CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Daniel Barceló is a multidisciplinary creative profesional leading the design and photography teams as The Lakelander‘s creative director. As a graduate of both Lakeland Christian School and Southeastern University, Daniel is excited for the opportunity to work and invest in the city that he has called home for many years. He endeavors to grow the magazine’s brand and influence as it continues to empower and inspire Lakeland’s creatives and the community at large.
TINA SARGEANT Tina Sargeant has been professionally capturing the moments, events, and people of our region for the last seven years and photographing for The Lakelander since issue one. Tina’s photography is driven by the ability to suspend time and create emotion, and her work embodies a passion for anthropology – people, culture, and stories. sargeantstudios.com
2000 Osprey Boulevard • Suite 100 FULL-TIME AT OUR BARTOW OFFICE!
PHILIP PIETRI Pietri Photography is run by husband and wife duo Philip and Jessica Pietri. Both photographers are established creative professionals from the Tampa Bay area who inject a clean, modernist aesthetic into their work. pietriphotography.com
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DAN AUSTIN Dan Austin is a Florida native photographer. He specializes in a unique style that combines the spirit of his subject with a detailed attention to lighting. Through this, Dan achieves a unique and well thought out aesthetic that can be seen in his images. danaustinphotography.com
OB-GYN
Alicia Belisle, ARNP-C
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JORDAN WEILAND
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THE LAKELANDER
A longtime Lakeland resident, Jordan Weiland graduated from Florida State University with a degree in studio art and has worked in the field of photography since 2008, with the majority of her work in the field of weddings. She has a passion for the community of Lakeland, its development, and the people within it. Her husband and daughter reside with her in the historic district and enjoy walks around the FSC campus, local restaurants, First Friday events, and swinging on their front porch. jordanweiland.com
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PHOTOGRAPHER BIOS LOREE ROWLAND Loree Rowland grew up in Washington State and moved to Lakeland five years ago with her husband. She is currently the lead photographer for Southeastern University’s marketing department. Loree finds inspiration in everything, from the beauty and simplicity of everyday life to magnificent displays of nature, whether it’s backpacking though mountains, glacier treks in Alaska, or walks on the shores of California. Using her iPhone as her go-to camera, she can be found “Instagramming” her way through life as one of her creative outlets. instagram.com/loree.1
PAUL BOSTROM Paul Bostrom says he only photographs things as an excuse to play with expensive toys, hang out with rockstars, and do ridiculous things no one would let him do otherwise. It’s purely selfish to be honest but he’s halfway decent at it. Special skills include pointing lights at things and finding reasons to use fog machines. Yes, Paul wrote this. Hi mom. paulbostrom.com
JOHN KAZAKLIS John Kazaklis was born and raised in the D.C. Metro Area and came down to Lakeland to study at Southeastern University in 2007. After graduating, John Kazaklis decided to make Lakeland his home because of the great quality of life and close-knit community. His fascination with different cultures and travel made him passionate about visual storytelling and sharing stories that typically go untold. He is currently the Program Director at Catapult Lakeland. istoria.life
MONICA WINTERS Monica Winters is a restless and roaming photographer from the suburbs of Chicago currently studying graphic design at Southeastern University. In the past three years she has been the official photographer of Southeastern’s student magazine and head digital marketer for its exciting and well-populated chapels. Driven by the spirit of adventure, she aims to capture life around her through balance, light, and movement. moniwinters.com
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New look. New place. Same great service. We now have two convenient state-ofthe-art locations offering a full range of dental services. Visit us and see how a stunning smile is within reach!
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Our Southside Location is Moving Soon 2410 S. Florida Avenue Lakeland, FL 33803 863-682-1500
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Since 1979, Agnini Family Dental has grown from a small practice to offering a full range of services including preventative, restorative, implants, and cosmetic procedures. As a family of accomplished dental professionals, we are certified in IV sedation, advanced innovations like Cerec 3D™ same-day crowns and veneers, 3D x-ray guided implant placement, and Damon Braces™. These are just a few of the technologies that set us apart. We have assembled under one roof the best technology and a family of the finest practitioners, making us a convenient, one-stop destination for all of your family’s dental needs. With two convenient locations and multiple payment options, you’ll have every reason to smile when you come to Agnini Family Dental.
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THE LAKELANDER
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CULTURE
WITH A HEART FOR THE CITY
BY KRISTIN CROSBY PHOTOS BY PAUL BOSTROM
FIFTY YEARS AGO, WHEN LADIES WOULD PUT ON THEIR LOVELIEST DRESSES AND MEN WOULD DON THEIR POLISHED, DAPPER SHOES, IT WAS OFTEN FOR AN EVENING AT THE SYMPHONY.
O
n May 11, 1965, at May Hall Auditorium, Ken Anderson and conductor Jay W. Erwin introduced the Lakeland Civic Symphony and gave Lakeland its first live orchestral performance. Erwin, the owner of a local music store, and Anderson, a professor at Florida Southern, simply wanted to bring symphonic music to the city. Which it continues to do, now under the music direction of Maestro Mark Thielen who, becoming the conductor in 2000, has been a part of the symphony for 37 years. First introduced as Lakeland Civic Symphony and renamed in 1987, today it is known as Lakeland’s Imperial Symphony Orchestra (ISO). Initially designed as a volunteer orchestra, the ISO has widely grown, bringing in musicians from all across Central Florida. In those first performances, a glass jar would sit at the front of the concert hall for donations. Now primarily funded through grants, corporate sponsors, and individual contributions, this past April, ISO’s board of directors was able to make the monumental decision to pay their musicians. “It’s huge, because it’s one more way as an organization for us to say we value the time these people have put in,” says the ISO’s Executive Director Amy Wiggins. “Most of our experiences throughout our lives with performing arts are through a child’s dance recital or church productions. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that some of the musicians 34
THE LAKELANDER
WHITNEY ROBLES
PRINCIPAL FLUTE
Before graduating from SEU, Robles first performed with the symphony as ISO’s Young Artist Winner. Prior to her first season with the ISO this year as principal flute, Robles has served as substitute as of Principal, Second, and Third Flute/ Piccolo.
we hear on the radio, or people on stage with Hozier, have trained almost as long as doctors have, if not longer. There is a value to their art. So we’re really honored as a nonprofit and arts organization to be able to pay our musicians this year.” No doubt the ISO has long been one of the most prized and professional engagements of live music throughout the city limits. In just this past 2014 - 2015 season, the ISO celebrated its 50th anniversary. As a nod to its first ever performance, the ISO’s anniversary concert of last season included Beethoven’s “Overture to Prometheus,” Schubert’s Symphony No. 8, and selections from My Fair Lady, identical to the one performed at May Hall in 1965.
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2016 - 2017 SEASON Every season, the ISO hosts nine programs, including their Masterworks and Tea & Symphony series. But this symphony orchestra goes well beyond a set list of performances and seeks to instill in the community an educated, enriched culture. MASTERWORKS Masterworks is a series of professional concerts performed throughout the year, by far the ISO’s most highly anticipated events. Live performances include collections of classical pieces featuring highly accomplished guest musicians. For the first of the Masterworks series, the ISO performed Rossini’s Barber of
Seville and Dvorak’s New World Symphony. Masterworks’ remaining concerts include A Victorian Holiday (an annual classical Christmas concert, performing Leroy Anderson’s famed “Sleigh Ride”), A Romantic Symphony (Tchaikovsky’s amorous Sleeping Beauty Suite with guest conductor Kira Omelchenko, and a special piano solo performance by Robert Fleitz of Rachmaninoff ’s Concerto No. 2 in C Minor), and Pines of Rome with guest cellist Byron Hogan. TEA & SYMPHONY A symphony accompanied by tea, this preconcert lecture shares the life of the composer and the key influences at the time their pieces
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DR. DANNY TINDALL TIMPANI
Before pursuing education, Dr. Tindall served as assistant first lieutenant and nuclear weapons officer in the United States Navy during the final years of the Vietnam War. He served as the Chair of Department of Music at SEU for 28 years, and teaches there still. Tindall has been with the ISO for over 30 years.
of music were composed. Located in the rehearsal facilities, guests gather with tea and refreshments and learn the history of composers and music in the upcoming Masterworks Series. Tea & Symphony revels in the significant impact audiences experience during a concert when listeners are more well-informed of its history. A recent evening of Tea & Symphony featured Antonin Dvorak’s From the New World. “When he [Dvorak] left Europe and came to America,” Wiggins shares, “his only idea of what he would find was what he had heard on the Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show on the radio. But when he got here, he learned of the Native American culture and he experienced African American spirituals, and those were the things that influenced him to write New
World Symphony. So if you listen to New World Symphony with that in mind, you’ll hear it in a totally different way.” This fall, in partnership with Lakeland Downtown Development Authority, the ISO hosted a series in Munn Park, called Music Munn Days. Each Monday during lunch hour, the ISO presented live performances with new musicians each week in October. The series included a range of genres from Bluegrass, jazz, and even a DJ for a Halloween block event. In addition to an already packed season, this year the ISO premiered their Songwriter Session Series, debuting with local recording artist Michael McArthur. In September, a live, packed concert featured McArthur’s original songs arranged for a symphony. The addition
NINA KIM
CONCERTMASTER (VIOLIN) Born in Kamchatka (Russia), Kim began her professional education in violin performance at the age of six. After receiving numerous international awards and scholarships, she began her professional career with the Seasons Moscow Chamber Orchestra, performing both in Russia and Europe. In 2014, Kim moved to Florida to earn her Masters in violin at USF, and joined the ISO this season.
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of the ISO, accompanied by his band, only bolstered McArthur’s knack for blues, resulting in an unbelievable concert blend. Covering a wide range of works, classical, current, and iconic, all of ISO’s efforts connect the community to music, seeking actively to instill this in the young and old. SCHOOL DAY ENRICHMENT The ISO performs four “School Day” concerts a year in partnership with the Polk County school system. At these yearly concerts, fourthand fifth-grade students are able to experience a live performance in a formal setting, and see firsthand the variety and features of instruments that make up an orchestra. “We show them, ‘This is a flute, or violin, and this is what noise it makes,
As vice president of finance for global phosphate chemical manufacturer ArrMaz, Jason Lewis MBA ’15 travels the world for his job. With extensive experience in Asia, Brazil, Europe, and the Middle East, Jason knows firsthand just how vital FSC MBA’s built-in international travel component is. “There’s a real complexity to international business,” said Lewis. “It’s not just different people you’re dealing with—you have to fully consider the different governments involved, as well as the geopolitical and local situations.” Despite many previous trips to Asia, Jason found his FSC MBA international field experience to Vietnam and Hong Kong invaluable. “The interactions with the other students and the professor made it an unforgettable experience.”
Where will your MBA take you? 863.680.5022 flsouthern.edu/mba
The Barney Barnett School of Business & Free Enterprise at Florida Southern College is the only school of business in Polk County accredited by the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business.
J O H N D E PA O L A PRINCIPAL TRUMPET
A professional trumpeter for over 30 years, DePaola has played with Rosie OʼGradyʼs Good Time Jazz Band for 10 years and toured the U.S. and Europe playing jazz. A musician at Walt Disney World for the past 27 years, this is DePaola’s first season with the ISO.
and this is how you make that noise,’” says Wiggins. “This year we have an acting troupe called Really Inventive Stuff, who will perform the story of Antonin Dvorak as he came to the new world (this season’s first Masterworks concert).” The ISO will then follow in featuring Dvorak’s iconic New World Symphony. “The biggest hurdle we have for these enrichment concerts,” Wiggins says, “is transportation funding. Though this year the school district was able to write a special grant, so we’ll be able to pack every one of those concerts.” The ISO also plays a key role in an active strings program for the Polk County school system, something many elementary schools lack throughout the state. Considering the nation’s weary wrestle to keep the arts in education, with programs like School Day, local efforts seem to surpass the norm. ARTS FOR THE CITY “The symphony can be intimidating to those who don’t know about it,” says Wiggins. And, quite possibly, to some it’s simply foreign. A study in the past year by the National Endowment for the Arts found some of the main hindrances that keep people from regularly attending the arts are a lack of time and access, both of which are hard to argue in a city where everything is 10 minutes away. Other common misconceptions can easily sway many from ever attending a live orchestral performance. “Some may think, What if I have to cough or have to pee?” Wiggins says. The idea that symphonies are “stuffy” is common and easily deters many from engaging in what may be some of culture’s most enriching experiences. ISO has subtly interwoven an engagement in arts within the structure of our city. Whether it be a Monday afternoon stroll in the park, a pop performance set to strings, or learning the history of Rachmaninoff ’s Concerto No. 2, there is something to be said for the value of Lakeland’s culture of song. And something to be said of an Imperial Symphony Orchestra that has kept that alive in a city for over 50 years.
MARK THIELEN CONDUCTOR
Long-time Polk County resident, Thielen retired from 30 years of teaching in May 2015. A part of the Imperial Symphony Orchestra for over 40 seasons, Maestro Thielen served as concertmaster and associate conductor for 24 of those years before becoming music director and conductor in 2000.
A LVA R O P E R E I R O
ASSOCIATE CONCERTMASTER (VIOLIN) Pereiro has performed professionally for over 15 years. Collaborating with accomplished artists such as Lang Lang, Natalie Cole, and Johnny Mathis, Pereiro has even recorded with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra for the soundtrack of Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas. This is his first season with the ISO.
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STYLE
THE LAKELANDER’S ULTIMATE STYLE GIFT GUIDE
Written and Styled by Abdiel Gonzalez Photography by Jordan Wieland
HOLIDAY 2016
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THE SEASON’S COMPASS TO STRESSFREE SHOPPING AND A MELT-DOWN-FREE CHRISTMAS MORNING hether you’re shopping for this year’s hottest new gadget or just a quick grab-and-go for your office Secret Santa, hunting for that perfect gift is both equally exhilarating and stressful. It’s the thrill of the chase that gets us through it, they say, right? Wrong. Let’s face it, there’s nothing thrilling about running from store to store blindly looking for something that nails the gift receiver’s personality and style, only to end your quest hoping they like what you picked. Like any treasure hunt, you need a detailed map and some clues. Finding the holy grail of gifts requires you to know their personal taste, hobbies, and other odds and ends that complement the overall style. The next few pages lay out several common style types for men and women and build the ultimate visual checklist based on fashion essentials and current trends. The items selected are strategically curated from local shops and designers, as well as items you can easily buy online, eliminating the need to leave town and fight that fun holiday traffic. With the right guidance, Christmas shopping for even the pickiest person can be a good time. Our Ultimate Style Guide is here to help you navigate through the sometimesrough holiday terrain.
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THE LAKELANDER
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COUNTRY CLUB UPDATE
STRIPED OXFORD DRESS NECKLACE H&M $13
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THE LAKELANDER
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GUITAR
TIE-DYE T-SHIRT Urban Outfitters $28
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New Sound Acoustics $2,400 (prices may vary) Musicians beware: this guitar might steal your spotlight. Locally handcrafted and hand-painted, this piece is a showstopper.
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THE LAKELANDER
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REBEL YELL This design was a collaboration of local fashion blogger “Girl About Downtown” and local leather designers Boondock Studios. Reach out to them to bring your dream bag to life.
CABLE-KNIT BEANIE
LEATHER FRINGE BACKPACK
Target $5
boondock -studios.com (pricing varies with design)
K. SCOTT NECKLACE 5th and Hall $39
BAND T-SHIRT Urban Outfitters $45
FLEETWOOD MAC VINYL Urban Outfitters $29
LEATHER SHORTS 5th and Hall $69
DENIM TRUCKER JACKET Urban Outfitters $89
PATENT-LEATHER LOAFERS DSW $79
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K. SCOTT BRACELET 5th and Hall $24
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COLLAPSIBLE DUFFEL Dick’s Sporting Goods $29
Functional, lightweight, and stylish? Mind blown! Every outdoorsman needs this bag.
UTILITY CHINO 5th and Hall $59
A R T S & C U LT U R E • C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E N T • E D U C AT I O N • H E A LT H & H U M A N S E R V I C E S
Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not. –dr. seuss
A community is only as strong as the people who live there. When we connect and share our resources, we make a better place to live, work, and raise our families. At GiveWell Community Foundation, we offer individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits a way to make their giving go further. Interested? Let’s Talk!
There are lots of ways to give. Find out at GiveCF.org/Giving
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PRINTED SURPLUS JACKET This style staple gets a little upgrade with Aztec-printed sleeves.
T.J. Maxx $39
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EARRINGS Target $7
FLANNEL SHIRT T.J. Maxx $34
VINTAGE CUTOFF SHORTS 5th and Hall $39
K. SCOTT BRACELET 5th and Hall $24
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S’WELL BOTTLES swellbottle.com $35
PHILANTHROPY
A GREAT BREADTH OF HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS CONTINUE TO DEVELOP AND GAIN SIGNIFICANT TRACTION THROUGHOUT CULTURE. WHERE THESE EFFORTS MEET THEIR SWEET SPOT IS WHEN WE, BEING RIGHT WHERE WE ARE, ARE ABLE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THOSE AROUND US. READ HOW THIS HUMBLE ORGANIZATION, DREAM CENTER OF LAKELAND, ACTIVELY BRINGS HOPE FOR A BETTER FUTURE TO THE LOCAL UNREACHED COMMUNITIES.
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G
o into all the world. Start here.” That’s the catchphrase the staff and volunteers at Dream Center of Lakeland live by, and it is certainly apt. Located in the middle of some of Lakeland’s most needy communities, the center originated in 1998 when Pastor Jesse McNeal of Freedom in Christ Church wanted to start a community center. He wasn’t able to get the necessary financial backing, so Victory Church stepped in to help. Many local businesses, like Publix and the Ruthvens, joined the funding efforts, and the main building on West 5th Street was constructed. When Pastor McNeal’s health began to fail, Mike Cooper from Victory Church transitioned to lead the center, where he’s now the executive director. This is when the transformation began: the Dream Center went from being a small after-school program and basketball league to a community anchor, blanketing locals with love and compassion. “The Dream Center is one of Lakeland’s bestkept secrets,” says Cooper. “We don’t really go out and promote. We just go out and love the people in our community. We decided to go outside the four walls and start loving the community. [It’s important to do missions trips all over the world, but people in our own backyard need us, too.] We want to find out what their needs are and meet those needs. We’ve really evolved and expanded.” The Dream Center’s influence is almost immeasurable. They seem to have a hand in anything and everything involving community outreach in Lakeland.
YOUTH PROGRAMS The Center’s longest-running program, Kids Club, began at Victory Church in 1992. It is now run by Teresa Swann, who has been with Kids Club since the beginning, starting out as a volunteer. The Kids Club truck started out by going to just one neighborhood — Lakewood Terrace — on 14th Street. These days, the truck goes to multiple communities three times a week and brings church to the residents. On Saturdays, they also bus around 100 kids to the Center. “A lot of the kids can’t go to church because they might not have transportation or parents that are willing to take them, so we bring a children’s church program to them. The side of the truck goes down as a stage; it has a built-in 55-inch TV and sound system. We do games and songs with the kids, and then we do a lesson,” says Swann. Currently, they’re learning the Ten Commandments. Right now it’s the Sixth Commandment: “Thou shalt not kill.” The approach taken in teaching is refreshing — instead of strictly demanding that the kids behave, Swann and the
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volunteers focus on where the problems start. “We’re working with issues in the heart . . . anger, bitterness, and hatred . . . how that grows and gets out of control. A lot of the kids we work with have a lot of anger issues and hatred, so it’s really hitting home. Just recently, a young man of 21 that aged out of our programs was shot several times in his neighborhood and died. A lot of the kids see that . . . they’re surrounded by it. We’re teaching them God’s rules for life, and our hope is that if we go out and show love, and demonstrate what that love is, that we give them hope for a better future. We want to let them know they don’t have to continue the cycle. We just want them to be successful.” Swann has seen a lot of kids grow up and do really well. One that sticks out in her mind is Eric, now a 28-year-old deputy sheriff, husband, and father. “I’m very proud of him,” says Swann. “I see him on Facebook all the time; he’s spending time with his wife, taking her out on dates, and spending days with their kids at the park. It’s evident that family
is important to him, and that’s not something that was modeled in his life, but he is doing it the right way. Our vision is bringing hope for a better future.” Many of the at-risk children and teens the Center works with are experiencing constantly changing environments at home and school, but the staff and volunteers strive to provide them with a consistent, safe haven at the Dream Center from the time they enter Kids Club until they graduate high school. When students graduate from Kids Club they are invited to the student mentoring program called Next! Every week, buses pick up students after school, and the kids have a chance to meet with mentors and friends to discuss the new challenges and choices they face as teenagers. Steve Hill, who runs the Next! program, says, “We want to put as many helpful resources in front of students as we can so they always know they are cared for.” Many of the kids who age out of Kids Club want to become Kids Club workers, so the Center provides that opportunity. Even this is skillfully set
THE KIDS CLUB TRUCK GOES TO MULTIPLE COMMUNITIES THREE TIMES A WEEK TO BRING CHURCH TO RESIDENTS. HERE, DIRECTOR OF KIDS CLUB TERESA SWANN LEADS THE KIDS IN A WEEKLY SONG AND BIBLE LESSON.
up to teach responsibility. First, the kids become part of the Extreme Team, a monthly training and discipleship program. They must also attend monthly small-group meetings in leaders’ homes. Kids have to be there on time, and they have to call ahead to arrange a ride. Swann emphasizes a teambuilding approach with the kids. “We’re teaching them to serve, teaching them to give back to what helped them, and teaching them to be responsible. They have to be here. If they miss too many meetings, they’re dismissed. I tell them it’s like a team — if you don’t come to the practices, you’re off the team. This is no different than football!” Swann speaks fondly of a time that Kids Club’s influence hit home with an attendee. “We had an 11th grader who came back this year who was with us in her early years in middle school and kind of decided she didn’t want to stay. But she came back. The words right out of her mouth were, ‘I’ve gone away from God, but it’s time to get back. And I want to teach these kids what I learned when I came to Kids Club. I want to make a difference.’”
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MIKE COOPER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (LEFT) STEVE HILL, PROGRAM DIRECTOR (RIGHT)
GANG TASK FORCE Mike Cooper’s passion for the community he serves is readily apparent, but he does seem to have a particular fondness for his work with the city’s Gang Task Force. He says, “The police will tell you that we play a very instrumental part in reducing teen violence. During the outreaches, the police department shows up in force as we’re cutting brush, passing out food, going door to door, planting flowers, and cutting grass. We have a kids’ area set up so they can play, and we cook for the community. At any time there can be 150-500 people out on the streets, and with that mass of people, it’s easier for the police to go door to door, to connect. If we weren’t there, it’d be awful hard because everyone in the neighborhood would be going ‘Well, what are they doing?’ We have a tremendous relationship with the Lakeland Police Department!” One young man stands out in Cooper’s history with the Dream Center as a great success story. A little over a year ago, the Dream Center team was doing outreach with Church at the 60
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Mall. They had about 250 of their teenagers on the street setting up bounce houses, clothing distribution, and a cook-out. While setup took place, Cooper noticed a young man in his early 20s standing off to the side. “I kept watching him and decided to go over and talk with him. As I’m talking with him, I’m thinking ‘Man, you’ve got some issues.’ I gave him my card and told him I was at the Dream Center and to look me up if he ever needed anything. Well, that was on a Saturday. On Monday, he stopped by my office. He came in during the Baltimore riots, so we watched the coverage together. It was really eye-opening because I was able to sit and listen to his view, and he was able to listen to mine.” Over the next few months, they developed a friendship. Cooper found out that Melvin was one of the gang leaders here in Lakeland with the Ratchet Boys. “He was bouncing from house to house . . . and in 2013 he was shot on 10th Street. He crawled up to 8th Street, which is right behind us, and collapsed on a porch. He’s spent 18
months in jail . . . you name it, this kid was everywhere!” As the relationship with Cooper and the Dream Center developed, Melvin came to a turning point at which he said, “Look, this isn’t working. You tell me all these stories about possibilities, but what is there?” Cooper immediately got Melvin involved with a group the Center works with in Detroit that would come down and do missions work with local kids in gangs. “They put him on a plane, flew him up there, and he’s been there for about a year now,” Cooper says. “He sends me pictures and calls me twice a week. He sent some the other day from orientation on a college campus, where he’ll hopefully be going in January after he passes algebra. We’re talking about a kid with a ninth-grade education. They put him in GED classes, at which point it was evident he was very intelligent, so he really started knocking out the classes. We’re working right now to get a fine paid so he can get his driver’s license.”
Little hearts do better when we work together. As one of the nation’s leading children’s health systems, Nemours has made a promise to bring you the care you need — where and when you need it. That’s why Lakeland Regional Health and the experts from Nemours Children’s Specialty Care have teamed up to provide pediatric services right here in your community. For children with heart conditions, we offer advanced cardiology care — even fetal cardiac evaluations for expectant moms. From diagnosis and imaging to treatment and rehabilitation, our specialists are here for you every step of the way.
See all that we offer at Nemours.org/lakeland, including: • • • • •
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© 2016. The Nemours Foundation. ® Nemours is a registered trademark of The Nemours Foundation.
Nemours Children’s Specialty Care Lakeland Regional Health Grasslands Campus 3030 Harden Blvd., Lakeland, FL 32114 (407) 650-7715 Nemours.org/lakeland
"WE’RE TEACHING THEM TO SERVE, TEACHING THEM TO GIVE BACK TO WHAT HELPED THEM, AND TEACHING THEM TO BE RESPONSIBLE. I TELL THEM IT’S LIKE A TEAM. THIS IS NO DIFFERENT THAN FOOTBALL!" –TERESA SWANN
EVERYBODY’S DREAM CENTER What makes the Dream Center of Lakeland so special is their focus on local needs and the desire to be a destination for members of the community. When Tommy Barnett, the founder of the Los Angeles Dream Center, came to launch the name change of the Lakeland location, he asked Cooper if he’d ever visited the L.A. location. “I told him no and he said, ‘Why not?’ I told him I didn’t want to taint my vision. If I go there, I’ll try to duplicate what they do. I would rather find out what’s in my DNA and what Lakeland’s passion is and do that. And that’s why we’ve been successful. So we started asking how we could be everybody’s Dream Center.” Over the years, churches have gained interest in doing urban work, but it’s not easy. You need a building, and you have to build an identity and reputation in order to be accepted
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in the community. After years of hard work, the Dream Center of Lakeland is accepted and highly visible in the community. Whereas most Dream Centers are typically run by one church, Lakeland’s is made up of 20-25 churches, in addition to other organizations. “The thing that makes us unique is that anyone can have buy-in. Youth for Christ uses our building for Bible studies; we claim them as part of us, but they’re able to run their own program. Then there’s the RISK Club program run by Jeffrey Williams, a teacher at Kathleen High. Every Tuesday night, he’ll have anywhere from 40-70 kids here that he’s mentoring. He has Free Ride Fridays, when all the kids get on the bus for free and go visit college campuses, the beach . . . they just go! If we weren’t here, Jeffrey wouldn’t have that building. No one else really offers that. We
have a track record. The Kids Club truck has been in the community for 20 years. We have longevity. If they come in and walk with us, they have that connection in the community. We want to be your Dream Center. We want people to get up Sunday morning and say we want to go to our Dream Center.” Starting locally helped the Center launch into hosting outside missions teams. Last year, they clocked 23,000 volunteer hours. That equates to about $560,000 in value they’re putting back into the community. Teams from across the country come to do service projects. Last year, the Center launched a pilot of offering a missions trip for churches, particularly in Michigan, to come down during spring training (with the perk of seeing the Detroit Tigers play, along with doing service projects.)
Recently, SPCA Florida received the results of an Economic Impact Study conducted by Dr. Chuck Duval, Ph.D and a think tank of Florida Southern College’s brightest MBA minds studying at the Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise. The study credited SPCA Florida with providing a total annual economic of impact of $12,000,000 and creating 115 jobs across Polk County’s veterinarian community and beyond. Simplistically, every SPCA Florida adoption or every $100 donated to SPCA Florida equates to approximately $3,000 of benefit throughout our community and state. Visit www.spcaflorida.org/donate or call 863.577.4608.
5850 Brannen Rd., South Lakeland, FL 33813
A COMPASSIONATE COMMUNITY OF LONGEVITY Every Sunday morning, the Center hosts The Well, where a meal is served and a Bible study takes place. “Most of the people we draw on Sunday mornings are not going to church anywhere else. They are the ones that may have slept in the bed of a pickup truck the night before; others have been doing things they probably shouldn’t have been doing, but we don’t judge, we just unconditionally love the people and hopefully speak some truth into them,” Cooper says. Part of that love is helping those who may not have any connections in the community to know that they won’t die alone. It’s something many don’t think about, but in the community the Dream Center serves, where many people don’t have a stable living situation, often when they die, no one knows about it. “We’ve done probably three or four services so far, and I tell people that if I have to pay for others to come for your service, I will. You won’t die alone.” Another success of the Center is their Tuesday outreach, overseen by Whittney Borem, the Center’s connections coordinator. It began with giving out food and clothing to the community. Food was always short, but a partner agency, Florida Baptist Children’s Home, provided the Center with perishable food. What was a weekly onehour distribution soon evolved into a communitybuilding block party. When people arrive, they get one bag to fill with food and another to fill with clothes and household items. During that time, volunteers are cooking out, kids are playing games, and there are tables where people can gather and talk. “Think about it,” Cooper says, “Lakeland has First Friday. This community doesn’t have that. Most people in these communities won’t travel downtown for that. It’s a great event, but there’s no buy-in. Eventually, we want to start offering events like that in this community.” He also credits the City of Lakeland for all they’ve done. “They’re a tremendous partner. When we do these outreaches with the Gang Task Force, you’ll have Code Enforcement and Parks and Recreation out, the administration of the city comes out and walks the city, shakes hands, meets people, the police department will have the chief and assistant chiefs, and they’re all just out because they really believe in what we’re doing and also how we set the platform so they can do what they do. Right now we’re also working with Black Lives Matter, so they really have a place at the table. They’ve come out and done a few outreaches with us and the police department, so it’s exciting!”
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Whittney Borem, Connections Coordinator
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GETTING INVOLVED The heartbeat of the Dream Center is made up of its volunteers and partnerships. With only four full-time staff members, it’s quite clear that volunteers are key. If you’re interested in getting involved, Whittney Borem suggests coming for a visit. “I say the best way to really understand any of the ministries here is to come and be a 66
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part of it just one time and get an idea if this is something that you could do, because it isn’t for everyone. It can be very taxing if you’re not familiar with the need that is around us. I would say nine times out of 10 you’re going to feel that spark. You’re going to feel something ignite in you, and it’s going to encourage you to come back and make it your own. “We have a mother and daughter that came and started out just saying whatever we could find for them to do was fine. They got so into it that they took a couponing class and they’re going to start shopping for the outreach center. They want other people to attend and help them. These things just grow!” As they like to say at the Dream Center, if you’re interested in going into all the world, start here!
TO VOLUNTEER AT DREAM CENTER OF LAKELAND, GO TO DREAMCENTERLAKELAND.ORG NOTE: BACKGROUND CHECKS ARE REQUIRED
STAY UPDATED WITH THEIR EVENTS AND CURRENT NEEDS ON FACEBOOK AT FACEBOOK.COM/DREAMCENTERLKLD
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Visit the new SUBWAY® Restaurant at the Shoppes at Hallam, 4680 Cleveland Heights Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33813.
NEW
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CALL US FOR YOUR CATERING NEEDS 863.701.0405 Please allow 24 hours notice for Giant Sub orders. SUBWAY® is a Registered Trademark of Subway IP Inc. ©2016 Subway IP Inc. SUBTAM-16158
Disne TV
We’re here to help you find your purpose. Because when we work together in our community...toward something bigger than ourselves...we inspire others to do the same.
SEU.edu
| Lakeland, Florida | 800.500.8760 | Follow us @seuniversity
In recent years, Lakeland has welcomed some incredible homegrown businesses that chose this city as their base and inspiration. These businesses enlarge our identity as a community, add to our flavor, and change the way we eat, shop, work, and live as a city. To celebrate the crafted goods these entrepreneurs create, The Lakelander proudly presents its second year of Lakelander Made.
Meet our makers.
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HOME MADE TO DWELL
Kent Made ARCHITECTURAL WOODWORKING
Homes are places of shelter, growth, and (ideally) peace and restoration. The architectural woodworkers at Kent Made create built-ins and additions that induce a streamlined aesthetic sure to elevate any solitude you may seek for the years to come.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA WINTERS
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F
or years, journeyman carpenter Richard Kent and his son Matt have specialized in custom carpentry. Architectural woodwork company, Kent Made, and its fine crafted entryways, stairways, and occasional furniture pieces have caught the attention of homeowners throughout Florida. Although officially established just a year ago, Kent Made LLC has been in the making for over a decade. Richard Kent has been in the carpentry business for over 30 years. As a journeyman carpenter, he embarked on the trade through a more formal approach, untypical for many carpenters in training today. The term journeyman is one given to tradesmen who have completed a formal apprenticeship. No longer considered a conventional path to carpentry, this approach has survived the 21st century in countries such as Germany and Australia as customary for all carpenters to embark on before officially entering the profession. While this tradesman tradition is no longer required in the United States, like many other original approaches to trade work, training as a journeyman carpenter is quickly regaining interest. The experience brings a wealth of knowledge that allows carpenters to go beyond building basic woodworking skills and elevates their expertise, enabling them to create pieces that are truly works of art. Now with years of experience under his belt, Richard shares his passion for this fine craft with his son Matt.
Richard and Matt’s expertise allow them to create pieces that are truly works of art. Given their intricate and varied products, it’s clear to see they approach the trade as such.
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Matt Kent has been working with his father for the past 10 years, though he spent much of his adult life as an accomplished photographer. (Otherwise known as Penny & Finn, you may recall some of the beautiful works he and his wife, Sara, have done in recent years with The Lakelander and throughout the city). Now in the business of woodworking at Kent Made, Matt feels that taking to the trade full-time is “somewhat of a homecoming.” As business partners, the two create exemplary pieces that open our eyes to the endless possibilities of fine carpentry. It is not uncommon that the work of a carpenter be correlated with the common heavy-duty tasks of reframing the basic structures of a home; all things of which Kent Made’s work certainly encompasses. Still, categorizing their intricate trademark style as mere woodwork fails to do these makers justice. The term carpentry may not always strike one as a trade that falls under design or art, but it very well could in this case. What Kent Made’s products show to great lengths is the eye for attention and fine-tuned detail that architectural woodworkers can offer. The artistic, high-quality design of Kent Made’s interior built-ins, trims, and
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A custom wooden door built and installed by Kent Made.
additions set apart each project from the next. One look at their Instagram account as it follows Kent Made’s work in progress, and you will find many variations of bookshelves, daybeds, entryways, and unique shelving. Some of their most notable projects include a stately mahogany entryway and a seamless Mid Century Modern entertainment stand, along with unique shelving at Bearcat & Big at 801 E Main in Lakeland. Kent Made offers a timeless architectural design aesthetic that lends itself to sublime structures original to each home.
FOLLOW KENT MADE’S CUSTOM CARPENTRY WORK ON INSTAGRAM AT @KENT_MADE AND ONLINE AT KENTMADELLC.COM. 813.420.1454
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HOME
MAKERS OF NOTE
WHISKY BENT
PAPA COWS CAROLINA STYLE BBQ SAUCE
This store is full of all the bells and whistles to ensure you’re winning at the grill every night. Stocked with endless rubs and sauces, Whiskey Bent sells the Lakeland-made Papa Cows Carolina Style BBQ sauce. But if Carolina sauce isn’t your style (though, we dare say, you will be missing out), this shop offers over 75 sauces. So, yes, sauces for everyone! whiskeybentbbqsupply.com • 863.940.2077
TABITHA ANNE PUPPY MUGGIN’
Studio artist and ceramicist Tabitha Anne Pennekamp offers a vast array of equally captivating and playful pieces for the home. When she’s not completing orders for Auburn University and shops like Brooke Pottery, Tabitha is at the wheel, creating her most in-demand products, “Muggins,” handcrafted mugs sculpted into the form of an animal’s snout. From a mere photo, Tabitha can sculpt a replica of your little pet’s face right onto a ceramic mug. tabithaanne.com • 863.398.0759
BOONDOCK STUDIOS
LEATHER BAG, FIELD NOTES COVER, FOLIO WALLET
Handcrafted from genuine hide leather, each piece that comes from Boondock Studios is made to last. Their timeless fine leather bags and journals are the perfect gift for anyone. Boondock Studios’ products can be purchased at Simple Vintage with Scout & Tag, at Australian online boutique Vic & Bert (www. vicandbert.com.au/), and every Saturday at the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market. boondock-studios.com • projects@boondockstudios.com
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CE L EBRAT E
at the Club at Eaglebrooke
LAKELAND’S #1 EVENT VENUE
The Club at Eaglebrooke, conveniently located in south Lakeland, offers a selection of both charming and grand banquet rooms for any special occasion. From our private, intimate dining room for 20 guests to our exquisite ballroom for 300, we have elegant spaces to make your event unforgettable. We’re the premier venue for weddings, banquets, parties and more. Please call our Special Events Director for a consultation and tour.
JENNIFER WHITE • SPECIAL EVENTS DIRECTOR • 863-701-0101 EXT. 23 • JENNIFER@EAGLEBROOKE.COM • EAGLEBROOKE.COM
STYLE MADE TO ADORN THE EVERYDAY
K. Scott HANDMADE JEWELRY
There are those of us who prefer to invest in looks that can’t be replicated. Sometimes it’s not just the piece that catches our attention but the exclusivity of it that makes it worth treasuring for a lifetime. Kristy Scott handcrafts globally influenced Americana pieces in a modern silhouette for such a person; no one piece is the same.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAN AUSTIN
F
or a little over a year, Kristy Scott has been making ornate statement jewelry featuring uniquely sourced elements
and color. Even before the exciting grand opening of their store, 5th and Hall, Kristy and her husband (and Lakelander Style Editor) Abdiel Gonzalez, had received frequent inquiries about jewelry at their previous popup locations. A longtime admirer of unique native and ethnic jewelry, Kristy’s personal taste preferred this look paired with a mix of classic, preppy-styled pieces. While she considered carrying jewelry at 5th and Hall, she knew she would “want each piece to
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reflect the marriage of both styles.” Kristy then began to seek out vendors and makers who could offer such a specific mix of style but struggled to find any that could produce what she had in mind. So, bold stylist that she is, Kristy thought to give jewelry making a go herself. “Sounds kind of silly,” she says, “because I had never made a single piece of jewelry in my life.” But by the time she collected the beads and stones she had in mind, and the basic tools and materials to begin the process of jewelry making, Kristy quickly found herself putting together exactly (or even surpassing) what she had in mind. Now, along with selling a wide variety of street-style, prep, and current
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clothing, 5th and Hall sells K. Scott jewelry. Every piece is handmade by Kristy. “And I have never made the same piece twice,” she says. “I want my customers to have a sense of confidence and exclusivity when they wear a K. Scott piece knowing they are the only one who will ever own it.” While these unique pieces may breed a little style envy, 5th and Hall shoppers will continually be surprised by the new combinations of native and preppy pieces K. Scott brings to the table. Though . . . you won’t necessarily have to wait around for it. If you have a style or piece in mind, Kristy designs jewelry by request as well. “I also love customizing pieces for customers that pop in the shop while I am there creating,” she says. “It adds a little something extra special to the piece. “There is something so beautiful to me about the jewelry and embellishments of native and ethnic cultures from around the world. The way they use natural and organic sticks and stones with ornate textures and rich colors to create art pieces worn so effortlessly.”
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Kristy creates ethnic pieces with a modern silhouette, as the ones shown here with ribbon and wooden beads (left) and gold chain bolo style (right). Stones and beads sourced from around the world are paired with American-made elements, to create the perfect mix of world-influenced Americana jewelry.
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K. SCOTT CURRENTLY SELLS EXCLUSIVELY AT 5TH AND HALL, BOTH IN-STORE AND ONLINE. FOR UPDATES ON KRISTY’S LATEST CREATIONS, FOLLOW 5TH AND HALL ON INSTAGRAM @5THANDHALL AND FACEBOOK AT FACEBOOK.COM/5THANDHALL.
5thandhall.com/shop-jewelry
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It’s a kind of jewelry with a story. “This type has history and evokes emotion which is what I try to do with all my pieces,” Kristy says. The unique material K. Scott seeks out for each piece is nothing short of one of a kind. “I strategically order my stones, beads, and metals from different countries around the world like Egypt, Africa, Tibet, and Israel, and combine them with American-made elements to curate the perfect mix of world influence and Americana in a modern silhouette. The merging of items like antique coins, raw turquoise, and colorful bright gems makes a unique statement that I hope people continue to recognize as a K. Scott piece.” Kristy offers a line of men’s jewelry as well. “Although my main focus is women’s, I have seen a pretty great response to my men’s pieces, and occasionally, my women customers also buy men’s [for themselves]!” Along with her various bracelets and necklaces, Kristy has also recently begun customizing earrings, which debut this season. “I am going a little bigger with earrings in my fall collection, so I am excited to show you all that!”
STYLE
MAKERS OF NOTE
DAYTON K. DRESSES
Classic feminine dresses for the preppy Southern belle. Co-owners Dayton Kilburn and Jessica Pearce credit a love of all things Southern and preppy that led to the design of a chic line of dresses. Their collection highlights classic cuts, like the Heather Dress in Collegiate, the Lisa Dress in Navy, or the Erin Dress in Plaid to dress you up for work or play. lovedaytonk.com • 863.860.5014
BEARD BOOZE
BEARD WASH, HANDCRAFTED WOODEN COMB, HAWAIIAN LION BEARD OIL AND BALM
The beard does not always get the attention it deserves. Which is why Randy “Woog” Hernandez created Beard Booze. These boozes, concocted with 100% natural ingredients, are sure to enhance any brawny and bearded man’s morning routine. Use of these products, along with their handcrafted, rugged accessories, may lead you to imagine you embarked nature’s woodlands, chopped down a large tree, and finely chiseled this comb with your own bare hands, each time you groom that beard. beardbooze.com • instagram.com/beardbooze
PINUP COSMETICS
LIP GLOSS IN VAMP, OVERDRESSED, TAME, A-LIST, AND EMPOWER
Pinup Cosmetics brings classic Hollywood glamour to every girl. Featuring vibrant yet breathable lip colors, this beauty line is quickly adorning faces in Lakeland and beyond. Inspired by looks of the past, founder and makeup artist Jadacy Shepard creates lip colors in modern finishes that effortlessly escalate the everyday. pinupstores.com • pinupcosmetics@yahoo.com
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One of a kind. ONE GREAT ADVENTURE SINCE 1945 Estate Jewelry Collection
Custom Knives Collection
• Footwear • Women’s • Travel • Outdoors • Hunting • Knives • Jewelry Fly Shop & More Men’sMen’s • Footwear • Women’s • Travel • Outdoors • Hunting • Knives • Jewelry • Fly• Shop & More
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VINTAGE
ANDY THORNAL COMPANY
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336 Magnolia Ave. SW • Winter Haven, Florida 33880 863-299-9999 • AndyThornal.com • Mon-Sat • 10am-6pm
DINING MADE TO SATISFY THE PALATE AND THE SOUL
S&L Restaurant THE TRADITIONAL BURGER
Many who first arrive in Lakeland are well aware we are a city with secrets — edible indulgences quite possibly the most prized of all. Though some secrets, particularly those that come in the form of a chargrilled patty, are just too good to keep. And we felt a little bragging on this joint was in order. PHOTOS BY DAN AUSTIN
W
arning: These burgers may become habit forming.
Ok, you’ve been forewarned. And you’ll be pre-cautioned once more before you walk through the door. Because this little diner has it written in red, big enough to get your attention. Most locals could vouch that these burgers certainly are habit forming. Just down South Combee, off Bartow Road, sits a humble white building that anyone would easily pass by, unless they’ve been let in on the secret. The little diner S&L has been in business for 33 years. Previously owned by Skip and
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Lorraine Felter, Traci Sheppard took over when it was just under four years old. Coming in while the place was still young, Sheppard quickly evolved S&L’s menus from featuring hot-plate lunches to a varied and hearty menu, serving both breakfast and lunch. From turkey bacon club sandwiches, patty melts, and onion rings, this place offers up a quick, hot, stick-to-your-ribs kind of meal. A kind of homestyle-bent on fast food, only bigger, fresher and, of course, local. With its variety of indulgent, allAmerican-style plates, S&L quickly gained traction for one big perfectly greasy thing in particular: their burgers (hence the writing on the wall).
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“In the beginning, we weren’t really known for our burgers,” Sheppard says, “but, after 33 years in the business, it’s our burgers that make us who we are today.” Sheppard never approached the restaurant with any preconceived plan to make a “habitforming” burger or become known for this one thing. In fact, there’s no fancy ingredient or “special sauce” per se (that we know of, at least). “S&L’s burgers just happened to be a favorite,” says the modest owner. If there is any secret to these charred, juicy burgers, it’s in the beef. Prepped and hand-pattied every day, their burgers are always fresh and never frozen. “The rest of the secret,” Sheppard says, “. . . well, if I told you, then it wouldn’t be a secret!” For a restaurant in town standing strong over three decades, it seems to be all thanks to the beef and a menu that has yet to stray from what pleases the people. While the S&L hamburger, cheeseburger,
“It can be a little testy working with family sometimes, but at the end of the day ... we’re still family!” says owner Traci Sheppard (top left).
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Dinner Is Served! Ribs Served nightly!
and even the burger salad (yes, a bun-less burger on a mound of greens, mindful of those gluten-free) are popular, by far their most favored burger remains, for obvious reasons, their bacon cheeseburger, though its close runner-up would be the Boom Burger, their chargrilled patty with pepper jack cheese, fried onion strings, and S&L’s spicy sauce. (Turns out there is a special spicy sauce after all.) For Sheppard, her favorite pick remains their hamburger, medium rare with mayo, mustard, onion, and a pickle. Sometimes a burger just needs to be a burger.
S&L IS LOCATED AT 2915 SOUTH COMBEE ROAD, LAKELAND, FL 33803 863.665.0731 Note: S&L accepts cash only
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Harry’s Holiday Trio Tender grilled Fillet Medallions topped with delicately fried Lobster and Shrimp accented with our New Orleans sherry cream sauce and accompanied by our classic smashed potatoes and green beans.
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$
Blackened Brie
A blackened wheel of velvety Brie cheese topped with Harry’s Creole cranberry chutney. Served with buttered crostinis.
WITH EVERY PURCHASE OF $100 IN GIFT CARDS. Ask your server for details.
Savory “Down Home” Chicken Bring your appetite! A tender half Chicken served crispy with our smashed potatoes, sliced mushrooms, French green beans and a roasted chicken jus.
101 N. KENTUCKY AVE., LAKELAND • (863) 686-2228 Free Shipping Online at HookedOnHarrys.com LAKELANDER MADE 2016
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DINING
MAKERS OF NOTE
NINETEEN61 PULPO
Chef Marcos Fernandez’s Nineteen61 restaurant has awoken our palates to a modern Latin cuisine with unlikely pairings and imported seasonal flavors. Representing all those things, this pulpo (octopus), from the dinner menu, is sous vide and charred on a plancha, served with a piquillo pepper aioli chimichurri and roasted sweet potatoes. nineteen61.com • 863.688.1961
SCARPA’S ITALIAN LASAGNA
Featured last year in an episode of Emeril Lagasse’s Emeril’s Florida, owners Glenn and Ashley Scarpa serve the homestyle taste of classic Italian dishes in a romantic setting. This upscale restaurant serves hearty favorites, like their lasagna, rich in flavors and cheese, dressed in a sublime red sauce. scarpasitalian.com • 863.937.8940
FRESCO’S
OLD FASHIONED & MANHATTAN COCKTAIL
When Tina and Tim Calhoon opened Fresco’s, they set out to create a craft whiskey bar unlike any Lakeland has seen. Their expertly made, traditional cocktails are quite possibly the finest in town. From an Old Fashioned to a Manhattan, you will find a wide range of perfectly made cocktails at Fresco’s. frescoslakeland.com • 863.683.5267
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DESSERT MADE TO SAVOR
Katara Confectionery BEAUTIFULLY DETAILED MACARONS
There are some desserts that remind us of our childhood, that bring us home or back to places we’ve been before. Then there are those that transport us to uncharted, delectable territories with a single bite. Katara Confectionery manages all of the above within a two-inch diameter of a cookie — the macaron.
PHOTOS BY TINA SARGEANT
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T
hough modest in size and delicate as air, the French macaron has long been known as one tough cookie. To bake, that is. To eat, this feather-light confection crunches like a fragile wafer at first bite and melts in your mouth soon after. A sweet, meringue-based treat made of egg whites, sugar, and ground almonds, filled with a ganache and sandwiched between two cookies, the macaron is dainty yet complex. Achieving the exact circumference and consistency of cookie, as well as a uniformed layered presentation, is no small feat. Pastry chef and author of The Sweet Life in Paris, David Lebovitz has said of this temperamental treat: “Americans can’t quite make a French baguette the same as in France; ditto for macarons. There is no rational explanation; it just is . . . I think people should just come to Paris and eat their macarons here.” Or, they should just come to Lakeland. Kat Burns and Tara Campbell were baking for fun long before Katara Confectionery came to be. In January of 2016, before letting life get too hectic, the close friends made a New Year’s resolution to spend more time baking together. Rather than limiting themselves to chocolate chip cookies and Snickerdoodles, the pair decided to tackle the daunting French macaron. “Our first attempt was terrible,” they admit. “So we tried again until we got it right. And then we just kept going.” Getting this fine, delicate, and complex Parisian cookie right, the two certainly have done. Though, right may be a slight understatement. Since the launch of Katara Confectionery this year, the company has catered for businesses from Tampa to Orlando, while selling in Lakeland. And although macarons can easily be found throughout these cities, what draws people to Katara’s macarons goes beyond perfecting the French version. Katara Confectionery creates a Parisian cookie that speaks to Americans. “The possibilities with macarons are endless,” says Katara. Of course, if food trends of desserts today have taught us anything, it’s certainly that the possibilities in flavors and form are endless. We had no idea cookies could contain such wit and charm, too! This season alone, Katara has featured Pumpkin Spice Latte, S’mores, and Caramel Apple macarons. Kat and Tara explore every possible classic, modern, and savory
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History has it that, in 1792, two Carmelite nuns seeking asylum in Nancy during the French Revolution, baked and sold macaron cookies in order to pay for their housing. Credited for igniting the fame of the French macaron, these nuns became known as the “Macaron Sisters.” Looks like Lakeland has its own pair.
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flavor, all contained in a diminutive cookie sandwich. (For the record, they do make a Snickerdoodle macaron.) That’s just the taste. Back to that charm and wit. Katara’s macarons equally raise the bar with their clever artistic designs and details. In many ways, as Kat and Tara are two bakers at work, they are two artists at a blank canvas — only one made of sugar and egg whites. An artist most of her life, Tara graduated with a degree in studio art. “It was bound to make its way into our macarons,” she says. Kat does hand lettering for many of the company’s special orders as well. “There’s art in our flavors and how our textures interact, as well as the actual designs of our
macarons.” Katara has been selling visually enticing macarons for some time now, such as endearing bears and little buzzing bees, to name a few. But you may already know (if you were lucky enough to get your hands on them) their first hand-painted cookies that really took off were their Butterbeer-flavored MacaRon Weasleys. “If we’re having fun and like what we’re doing, the people who are buying it can tell, and a little bit of extra effort really goes a long way, [such as with our] “Everything is Awesome” Lego man macarons, and, most recently, the MacRon Swanson (from Parks and Recreation) flavored with maple buttercream and bourbon maple
glazed bacon at the center. (Needless to say, the Rons are having their shining moment here.) Many of Katara’s seasonal, detailed macarons are debuted at Concord Coffee and at Tampa’s Indie Flea Market. Their business was never planned, but after the two continued to receive requests, Katara Confectionery very quickly came to be. “Baking is cathartic. Even though we both work throughout the day, neither of us mind baking at night. They’re long, happy days.” Katara Confectionery has practically come to be overnight. “Who knew we would be where we are in under a year? We surely didn’t.” Now, you may just have to let these macarons speak for themselves.
Kat Burns and Tara Campbell
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND SPECIAL ORDERS, CONTACT:
kataraconfectionery@gmail.com facebook.com/kataraconfectionery
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At The Twisted Teapot, we are dedicated to providing an unforgettable afternoon tea experience with quality food and exceptional service. Here, the customer comes first; whether it's catering to a special need or delivering a truly unforgettable experience for a special occasion. If you have any questions, concerns, or inquiries, don't hesitate to contact us or stop by!
OPEN TUES-SAT 11AM- 3PM Reservations are highly recommended
863.299.5000 200 1ST ST. SOUTH, WINTER HAVEN, FL 33880
twistedteapot.com
www.facebook.com/ TwistedTeapotWH
DESSERT
MAKERS OF NOTE
NOOK BAKERY
NAKED RUSTIC GRAPEFRUIT CAKE
Nook Bakery is all things reminiscent of homemade childhood favorites. Using familiar and modern recipes from scratch, Kandace Crosby bakes a bit of luscious nostalgia into every bite. With playful spins on home-style desserts, such as the Naked Rustic Grapefruit Cake with fresh grapefruit curd and bright citrus frosting, Nook Bakery will surprise your taste buds in a way that (respectfully) takes Grandma’s infamous recipes up a notch. Sells every weekend at Lakeland’s Downtown Farmer’s Curb Market at Simple Vintage with Scout & Tag. facebook.com/nookbakery • 863.370.6930
SOLA PETIT FOUR PETIT FOURS
Indulge your regal side with SoLa Petit Four’s exquisite cakes. These stately little treats are baked with fresh ingredients imported from Australia, England, the Himalayas, Sweden, and Tahiti. Lakeland native Lydia Town creates an array of petit fours, cookies, and small cakes in over a dozen flavors, including White Wedding, Lemon Blueberry, Orange Basil Lavender, and Salted Caramel Pumpkin — the perfect addition for your party or to simply brighten up any afternoon cup of tea. solapetitfour.com • 863.837.0412
REECECLIFF FAMILY DINER CHERRY PIE
Proudly serving classic homestyle meals since 1934, Reececliff has been a staple on Lakeland’s food scene. Though this restaurant doesn’t receive credit as a sweet shop per se, Reececliff’s pies have been a longtime favorite of locals and visitors alike. For over 50 years, the same pie expert has been baking award-winning, homemade pies. While you can choose from a variety including apple, egg custard, pecan, and pumpkin, their cherry pie remains a hometown favorite. reececlifflakeland.com • 863.686.6661
100 LAKELANDER MADE 2016
LOYAL Customer trust is the center of our organization. Our understanding of your individual needs inspires us to ask better questions and provide more tailored solutions. Why? Because we, Lakeland, are a family. Your success inspires us — which shapes nearly every aspect of our business. Our team of experts are well-versed and can help you plan your finances securely so that your funds are transferred properly and privately. What other firm shows commitment like that?
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LAKELANDER MADE 2016 101
102 LAKELANDER MADE 2016
ART MADE SOLELY TO DELIGHT
Michael McArthur’s Magnolia There was a time when Lakelanders sought out musicians from across the country, and throughout the world, to entertain us. Recently, however, talented music artists have been flocking to, and springing up from, our city. With the release of his album Magnolia, Michael McArthur shows us that trend isn’t going away anytime soon.
PHOTO BY PHILIP PIETRI
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McArthur in the studio recording Magnolia
PHOTO BY MICHAEL FLORES
I
n just a matter of years, Michael McArthur has established himself as a nationally recognized singer and songwriter. Yet, in the midst of recording and touring the nation, he continues to build his music career here, rooted in his hometown. In 2012, McArthur released his debut EP, The Year of You and Me, followed by his self-produced sophomore EP, The Home Recordings. In 2013 he won the Florida GRAMMY Showcase, was one of 10 finalists selected from 10,000 for the 2014 contest Guitar Center Singer/Songwriter contest, and by 2015 was opening for The Beach Boys. Although it may have seemed a rapid launch into a career as a recording artist, McArthur’s music has been brewing
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within the city for quite some time. After the release of his EP and traveling the West Coast, one performance at the Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles connected him with the Grammy-award winning producer David Bianco who has worked with the likes of Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Stevie Nicks. Bianco and McArthur soon teamed up with Conrad Johnson from Inertia Sound Studio to create Magnolia. In April of 2015, McArthur debuted his album with a show at Polk Theatre, with more than 500 fans to welcome the release. Recorded with a live band both in Los Angeles and Lakeland, Magnolia was completely written and co-produced by McArthur. Since its release, the album continues to receive national attention.
Following his previous acoustic-driven, self-produced EP, Magnolia does what every recording artist’s debut album should: far exceed any preconceived expectation. Magnolia envelops McArthur’s wide range of musicality through an emotive mix of bluesy melodies and heartrending lyrics with songs like “Desire” and “Run Around.” The album seamlessly translates McArthur’s vocal range and agility, that of a classic pop singer, though written with a present folk narrative. In his song “Lightning Night,” you may even hear the roots of a quiet Southern city echo through. “What inspires me changes often,” McArthur says. “One day it’s Radiohead, the next Kendrick Lamar, and the next Sturgill Simpson . . . This list is ongoing, and I hope it never quits.” In Magnolia, you can hear the timeless sounds of Stevie Nicks, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, Bill Withers, and Ray Charles, all of whom McArthur credits as his inspiration. “I listen to music all the time and from most genres, new and old,” he says. Such diverse influences surely play into his ability to write melodies that stay with you for days. Following the launch of Magnolia, McArthur has toured the nation with his music and continues to do so throughout this season, while still finding time to make music for his hometown. In September of this year, McArthur was the first recording artist to play with the Imperial Symphony Orchestra Singer Songwriter Session at the Polk Theatre, performing music from his album accompanied by the orchestra and his band.
In June 2015, McArthur performed a concert for his debut LP, Magnolia.
PHOTOS BY MICHAEL FLORES & ROBERT MADRID
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Currently, McArthur is writing and working on his next album which is set to release next year. “There’s nothing like finishing a song, especially a good one,” he says. “It’s like discovering a part of you for the first time. And when you’re writing about personal things, happy or sad, people can relate and that’s what music is about. My hope is that by writing about my life, people find a little peace and solace.” If it’s anything like Magnolia, you can anticipate hearing a little peace, a little solace, and plenty of soul in the sounds of his next album.
PHOTO BY MICHAEL FLORES
YOU CAN LISTEN TO AND PURCHASE MAGNOLIA ANYWHERE MUSIC IS STREAMED OR SOLD. CHECK OUT MICHAELMCARTHURMUSIC.COM FOR HIS MUSIC AND UPCOMING CONCERTS, AND FOLLOW HIM ON INSTAGRAM AT @MCARTHURMUSIC.
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Though Fred Koehler has been creating illustrated books since age seven, he made his picture-book debut with How to Cheer Up Dad, along with the creation of an elephant named Little Dumbo. Both illustrator and writer, Fred’s books return to timeless childhood storytelling as we once remember it, with a fresh, artistic design that will captivate your kids’ imagination for years to come. freddiek.com • fred@freddiek.com
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Josh “Bump” Galletta’s artwork has been celebrating Lakeland for years now. All original art, his lively illustrations highlight and envelop all things beloved and iconic within our city. Bump Galletta’s works make a perfect gift for Lakelanders and visitors alike. bumpgalletta.com • bump@bumpgalletta.com
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PEOPLE
ON THE OTHER SIDE By Adam Spafford Photography by Daniel Barceló
UNTIL THAT GREAT DAY WHEN A CURE SUPPLANTS TREATMENT, MANY OF US WILL EITHER BE DIAGNOSED, OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED, WITH CANCER. THIS IS A STORY OF FIVE FRIENDS, EACH DIAGNOSED IN RECENT YEARS, AND HOW THEY’VE SURVIVED WITH THE SUPPORT OF EACH OTHER. CATHY HAYES, CATHY REIGNER, PAMELA GENTRY, WENDY GORUM, AND DAX GINGRAS TELL PEOPLE EDITOR ADAM SPAFFORD HOW THERE IS HOPE AND LIFE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF CANCER.
be made around the holiday. It drove me crazy, of course. I am a positive person, but I had this dream that my diagnosis would in fact be positive for cancer. I hated to think that, so I had a little meltdown before I even knew for sure. When I got the diagnosis, I had already spent time processing it and had resolved to beat it. Wendy Gorum [diagnosed July 2013]: I was diagnosed via self-screening. I had worked at a hospital for years but kept putting off my own mammogram because I got so busy. I just thought the lump I felt was fibrocystic disease, which I had already. I didn’t think anything of it. When I finally got my mammogram, they also performed the ultrasound the same day and scheduled the biopsy for the next day. Unlike the other ladies, I was fortunate that I didn’t have to wait. On the third day, I was in my doctor’s office and heard those three little words: “You have cancer.”
Adam Spafford: How did you find out that you had cancer? Cathy Hayes [diagnosed August 2015]: I felt a lump a year before I got diagnosed. I went in for a mammogram and ultrasound, but what I didn’t know then was that the cancer I had was one of about 20 percent of cancers not detectable by either diagnostic method. When those methods didn’t detect cancer, I thought I was in the clear. A year later I asked my general physician about the lump, and it was only then that an MRI revealed the cancer. I have the type called invasive ductal carcinoma. So if I hadn’t been persistent and continued to say, “Hey, I know my body and something’s not right,” it wouldn’t have been detected. Fortunately, it hadn’t spread to my lymph nodes — I was only Stage 1 — but if I’d waited until my next regularly scheduled mammogram, I would have likely been Stage 4 and there would have been very little the doctors could have done for me. Cathy Reigner [diagnosed October 2012]: I felt an odd lump one evening while I was watching TV. My general physician suggested a mammogram and based on the results scheduled a biopsy for the same day, which was a Tuesday. On Friday I found out I had cancer, but the doctors didn’t know what form or stage at that point. I had to go through the weekend waiting to find out more. That was very hard, as you can imagine. I had a mammogram three months prior that showed nothing abnormal. Ironically, for the first time, I hadn’t been called back for a sonogram when the mammogram revealed something abnormal (that always turned out to be nothing). But this time I had cancer. In fact, my surgeon estimated that I’d had it at least a year. Pamela Gentry [diagnosed November 2012]: I found out that I had cancer through a preventative screening. I had been getting mammograms for 11 years, but this time I had to go back and get a biopsy. I had to wait through a Thanksgiving break — about two weeks — before I found out the results, because there were no appointments to 112 THE LAKELANDER
Dax Gingras [diagnosed April 2013]: For months I had been having what I jokingly called mini-strokes. I had an intense pressure on the right side of my skull. It didn’t hurt; it just felt like something was trying to pop out of my head. Then I started to notice that I’d stand up and I’d lose my peripheral vision and my central vision would get blurry. Then I completely lost vision in my left eye (which eventually returned) and peripheral vision and depth perception in my right eye. My coworkers at McKeel downtown insisted that I go to the doctor. Finally, I went to the ER and they found through a CAT scan that there was a tumor in my skull that was pushing my brain off center. The next morning I underwent surgery to remove the tumor. I was recovering from surgery in the hospital for about eight days when one of the doctors came in to tell me he had good news — I was being released. I asked him if they had biopsied the tumor, and he paused and said, “No one’s told you? Oh my friend, it’s not good. You have glioblastoma.”
Adam Spafford: What is it like to get the news? Cathy Reigner: When I got that call, I just knew. I sat in my closet and cried. It’s very weird and hard to describe. It seems like a dream now, but at the time it seemed like it would be forever, thinking, Do I have to go through chemotherapy? Will I lose my hair? Am I going to die? I just couldn’t know. If there is something cool about it, however, it’s the strength that you find inside, wherever it comes from. You don’t think you can do it at first — you can’t go through treatment, you can’t tell your kids — but somehow you just do it.
Cathy Hayes: I was in disbelief. When I went in for the biopsy, they told me, “Ninety percent of the time it’s nothing, so don’t worry. It’s probably just a clogged duct or something benign.” It’s just a big shock. It’s a ton to digest when you find out what you’ll go through — that you’ll undergo chemotherapy, that you’ll lose your breasts, that you’ll lose your hair. Pamela Gentry: My mother was diagnosed a year before I was, so I had gone through the process with her. I had also been very active with Relay for Life for years as a way to get involved with the community, although I hadn’t known anyone that had cancer before my mother. The day I found out was the kickoff for Relay for Life, and I was in charge of the survivors. I went that day and I had to be strong, but just like the others I didn’t know what to expect. Wendy Gorum: It was very hard because I had just lost my father to bone cancer a month before I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Having been in healthcare for years, I knew the treatment, I knew the steps, but my heart still dropped when I heard the news. Everything just stood still. The doctors and nurses were talking to me but I couldn’t hear a word because I was so shocked. The doctor finally asked me, “Do you understand?” and I asked, “How could I possibly understand?” I went home and cried, but the next day I got up and went to work. Each day was touch and go, but I knew I would overcome this. I knew I would be strong. Even still, to hear the words takes a little of your life away. It becomes so real when you start to go through the treatment. It’s hard for the doctors and nurses to relate to that sinking feeling because they are involved with it all the time. Dax Gingras: I had Hodgkin’s lymphoma as a kid, so the process wasn’t completely foreign to me — I had a couple surgeries and went through radiation. When the doctor told me about the glioblastoma, it wasn’t that traumatic because I didn’t realize just how dire it was. He told me it was fatal, but I just hadn’t digested it. I also had a heart attack when I was 32 — I’m a bit of a medical misfit — so the shock of the diagnosis might have been softened by all my experience with health issues. But this is a cancer that you have to make peace with because ultimately it is not survivable like some other forms. You’re just not going to survive this. Ninety-six percent of those diagnosed with glioblastoma die within 10 months. I’m on my third year. There’s an outlier survivorship case of about 10 years, but that’s unique as far as I know. The way I understand it, each tumor is like a bulb with microscopic roots. They can remove THE LAKELANDER 113
the tumor, but not the roots, and the aggressive tumors return. Eventually, your brain gets too beat up from the trauma. That’s why it’s such a lethal cancer.
Adam Spafford: Tell us about the support you’ve had from others who’ve been diagnosed. Pamela Gentry: Cathy Reigner was diagnosed about five weeks before I was. I trusted her judgement, so I decided to go to her doctors. We went through treatment together, made our appointments together. We were support for each other and we made it fun. We’d go to Moffitt [the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute in Tampa] together and make a day of it.
“ You just can’t do it on your own — you just can’t. There’s no way you can process all that information alone.”
Cathy Hayes: You just can’t do it on your own — you just can’t. There’s no way you can process all that information alone. That’s where the support group comes in and the prayer comes in to help. I was very thankful to have the support in my life from survivors who have walked the road before. It was especially helpful because, three months before I was diagnosed, my husband chose to leave and I had to fight cancer for myself and my kids. The miraculous thing for me was that I never had to go out and look for support — it came to me. It was supernatural really. I’m a Christian and it was from God. Dax and I connected after years, and other people who found out what I was going through came to me.
— Cathy Hayes
Cathy Reigner: I had a good girlfriend who had Stage 4 melanoma, and she sat beside me in my closet and cried with me. That was so helpful. When Pamela [Gentry] was diagnosed, she called me up and just said, “I had a bad mammogram.” From then on we stayed connected to support each other. 114 THE LAKELANDER
Wendy Gorum: Like the other ladies, I had a good support group. Having great co-workers, being able to see the same faces every day, having people ask how I was really helped. If I had just gone in my room and dwelled on the situation, I don’t think I would have done as well as I have. The local American Red Cross chapter is really good, too. The have lists of support groups based on the types of cancers. They also have free handouts for patients, headbands for hair loss, and wigs, too. It can be anonymous if you’d like. They put you in a private room to try them on. I found one of my support groups through their lists. I still talk to the people I’ve met there all the time. Dax Gingras: I have no idea how anyone can face this alone. I shudder to think what I’d do without my wife and my friends. It’s helpful to have support from those who have or have had the same type of cancer. I can’t relate to the chemo that these ladies have had because I didn’t have the “real” chemo — I took a pill. (I called it “chemo for fun”!) When people found out I was on chemo and gasped, I’d tell them it was more like taking a Flintstones vitamin. But these ladies are tough as nails and they all have had similar cancer. Even as severe as my cancer was, I’ve never had any pain whatsoever except for headaches, but everyone gets headaches. Generally when people learned about my diagnosis, they would introduce me to people they knew who had glioblastoma so we could share our stories. I was able to talk to a couple other glioblastoma patients who’d made it past the 11-month mark and they were fine. That’s the thing with this cancer; if treatment is done correctly, you feel fine. I feel normal. I walk the
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lake, do yard work, go to the gym, and seeing others doing well gives you hope to keep doing well. It’s reassuring to know that you won’t just be beaten down or succumb. You can live a good life.
Adam Spafford: What was walking through your treatment process like? Cathy Reigner: I had a bilateral mastectomy in December 2012 even though I only had cancer on one side. Before surgery the doctors didn’t think it had spread to my lymph nodes, but once surgery started they realized there was more cancer. I had a second surgery to remove two lymph nodes. That was actually the hardest part. Once I was healed, I started chemotherapy and had an allergic reaction to it, which resulted in more hospitalization. I was lucky enough to avoid radiation. Cathy Hayes: I chose to have a bilateral mastectomy even though I only had cancer on one side. I was matched up with a remarkable surgeon at Moffitt who was able to spare my skin, nipples, and implants so that I didn’t have to wait to go through expander or reconstructive surgery. It really eased my mind. Then I started chemotherapy. Fortunately, I had the most treatable form of cancer that has a targeted drug called Herceptin. But Herceptin has to be administered with chemotherapy, so I had four rounds of two chemotherapies with Herceptin. I was in the chair for about four and a half hours for those. I’ll have my last round in December for a total of 18 rounds. There are few, if any, side effects with Herceptin — except for a slight chance of heart damage in women — so when I finished my last round of chemotherapy in January, life went back to normal. I signed up for a half marathon that I ran in September. I kept myself going with trips and activities to keep my mind and heart healthy. After my third round of chemo, I went surfing with my cousin in Fort Lauderdale. Some of my friends warned that my immune system was compromised and I shouldn’t get in the ocean, but staying active made me feel alive. And I told them that they didn’t understand. I didn’t know how much time I had or if the treatment was going to work. Wendy Gorum: I had to undergo chemotherapy and radiation for about a month even before having surgery as I considered whether to have the full mastectomy or breast-saving lumpectomy. I chose the lumpectomy because of the area of the lump — they were able to save a good bit of tissue. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments continued after surgery. I had to have a port put in because my veins eventually got weak from some of the medication. The radiation was really the worst for me because it burns and you get blistered. The chemotherapy — the hair loss, the weight loss, the fatigue — was easier to handle. However, I did cry like a baby when I had to shave the rest of my hair. I take Tamoxifen and will continue for two more years. But all my hair came back well. In January 2015 I was rediagnosed with another mass. As hardheaded as I am, I opted for another lumpectomy, but I’ve decided if the cancer returns I will do the mastectomy. Having to go back for a second surgery really seems harder. And then there’s the nausea from the treatment and the cost — right now it’s $350 for a month’s supply of Tamoxifen even with insurance. I was able to receive some financial support from the American Cancer Society because my cancer was hormonal-based. Remaining active really helped. I was in the gym and I walked as much as I could. It boosts your immune system because everyone here can tell you how much chemotherapy can drain you. It’s hard to get up every day knowing you’ve got another round of chemo, but staying active as possible helps. And right now, I’m cancer free. Pamela Gentry: I was in the middle of training for my first half marathon, and I actually wanted to delay treatment so I could run it! Of course, my surgeon did not recommend waiting. I had a double mastectomy in January 2013 and had part of my lymph nodes removed. I had to have expander surgery as well. But less than six weeks after the surgery, I ran that half marathon. And I’ve done eight since then as well as a full marathon in New Orleans. I’m training for one in Key West. 116 THE LAKELANDER
Cathy Hayes
Pamela Gentry
Dax Gingras: After surgery, glioblastoma can be treated with radiation and chemotherapy, but there’s really not a lot of evidence that chemo helps in this case. The brain is amazingly good at keeping poisons out, and it recognizes chemo as poison. I had radiation every day for eight weeks. They have to do a lot of scans to get your head positioned just right. And all that is done in the hope that it will kill the tumor and the roots. Thus far, it looks like it has worked. There are more unusual treatments like wearing a beanie with a bunch of electrodes in it, like the mindreading device Doc Brown wears in Back to the Future. You have to carry around a seven-pound battery pack so you’re constantly radiating your head, but I’m way too vain to wear that thing! Another experimental treatment is polio injections into the tumors. The hypothesis is that your body will fight the polio and attack the tumors, and there are some promising signs it could work. But right now I don’t have a
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Surviving Cancer: By the Numbers The number of cancer survivors in the United States is increasing and is expected to grow to about 20.3 million by 2026, according to Cancer Treatment & Survivorship Facts & Figures 2016-2017.
Adam Spafford: How can those who can’t relate to what you’ve faced support you?
15.5 million
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2026
Even though cancer incidence rates are declining in men and stable in women, the number of cancer survivors is rising due to a growing and aging population, as well as earlier detection and better treatments. As this population continues to increase, it will be more important than ever to address this group’s unique needs.
8,156,120 7,377,100
total female survivors January 2016
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CLINICAL TRIALS MATCHING SERVICE 1-800-303-5691 GUIDANCE THROUGH YOUR CANCER EXPERIENCE The American Cancer Society Patient Navigator Program and cancer resource centers can help guide patients and families through their cancer experience. They can provide information and connect you with day-to-day help and emotional support. Source: American Cancer Society • cancer.org • 1-800-227-2345
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tumor, so I don’t want to give myself polio. When I was diagnosed I was depressed for a little while, but pretty soon I realized I couldn’t just lay around. I felt like I had to be in shape to fight this, in the best physical shape I could be. Something told me, “If you’re going to go to war with cancer, you need to be fit.” Lakeland CrossFit let me come in for free. So I was going there, and Wendy was training me. So I was doing double duty. And it made me feel good.
Dax Gingras: Around my friends, nothing is off limits, so they know they can make fun of me as I blame my bad memory on “chemo brain.” But my general reply to someone who says they’re very sorry I have cancer is that we all have our trials and tribulations, mine just happens to be named “cancer.” I can specify what my problem is, but you might be depressed about something that you can’t put your finger on. We all have our issues. Cathy Hayes: My friends never treated me like I was sick. Even when they came to sit with me during chemotherapy, we’d watch Netflix, make friends with the doctors, and have fun. Some of the most insensitive things I’ve heard are things like, “Well, it could be worse!” I suppose that’s true, but it’s not very supportive. Luckily, I’ve run into more people who’ve cheered me on. Wendy Gorum: As much as you can, make it fun for the person. I had someone who always came over, gravely concerned that I should rest every day. And I’d say, “I’m good. What are we doing today?” That’s when my girlfriends and I got together and went wig shopping and had a wig party. It was so much fun! Many people will encourage you to try this or that in lieu of chemotherapy and radiation. I didn’t want to be rude, but I wanted to stick with the doctor’s treatment plan. LRMC’s cancer center is so welcoming and caring — they don’t treat you any differently than anyone else. Cathy Reigner: I think the most important thing is prayer. I have had so many prayers go up for me. I believe that when I was weak, I had friends and family that were there for me to stand in the gap. It’s awesome to look back and see the support that I had. God always seems to put the right people at just the right time in our path. It’s a journey that none of us want to take, but we can always find blessings that overflow if we pay attention.
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Cathy Reigner, Dax Gringas, Wendy Gorum
Adam Spafford: What have you learned through your journey that you would like to leave Lakelanders with? Dax Gingras: Your attitude about your cancer treatment is a huge part of your success, and having great support helps you be positive. You don’t know when your last day will be. Don’t say you’ll do this or that, “one day.” What you can do, do. When I got diagnosed, I was your typical 35-year-old male. I wasn’t grumpy but I was a little jaded. But after I got diagnosed I realized there is a lot of good stuff going on and a lot of good people out there. I was an elementary school teacher, and about six weeks after I was diagnosed my students arranged a 5k run for me that over 1,000 people participated in. And I thought, We live in a pretty good world. We’d all be in a different place if we all had cancer once. We’d realize how fragile life is. Now I’m always thankful that God has me for the day. When the cancer returns, I have a plan to make videos for my wife and young daughter and son. Cathy Hayes: I’ve had people tell me that if they were going through what I was, they’d check out and give up. But I can’t imagine getting to that point. Of course I was devastated when I heard the news, but pretty soon I thought, My choice is to fight this. I’ve had friends who’ve lost the battle — like our friend Kristin Ilic — she looked at me once and said, “You have to fight.” Even though she lost her battle, she inspired me to fight. As hard as it was to be a single mom and be sick, I didn’t have to make a meal from my very first to my very last chemo treatment [because people were good to me]. I didn’t have to worry how my kids would be picked up from school. Lululemon sent me a package of clothes because of a tweet I sent. Just random things that wouldn’t otherwise happen, happened during this journey. If you focus on those blessings and stay positive, you’ll see at the end of it, no matter how hard it was, you were blessed. Also, people are being diagnosed younger and younger, so you really have to be your own healthcare advocate. If you feel something, don’t dismiss it. Insist on more tests, go to the extremes if you feel something’s not right. The Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida was recently established to raise funds to help people 120 THE LAKELANDER
pay for their medication or for childcare when they go to get their infusions, and it’s also a place where you can connect with other women with breast cancer for support. Pamela Gentry: No one at my work really knew about my cancer for a while, and when they did find out, they were surprised that I could go for weeks acting so positively and not letting on that anything was wrong. But my support system helped me stay positive. Wendy Gorum: It’s a mindset. You can let it tear you down or let it build you up. Education is also huge. I’m a professor teaching medical education, and I tell our students, “Educate your patients.” It’s important to have those screenings done even if you’re young, even if you feel healthy. I thought the same thing. Everyone was healthy until they got the diagnosis. Breast cancer can even affect men. I think I could have detected earlier if I had made those appointments and kept them. So that’s what I stress with everyone I come into contact with — that preventative care is so important. I was diagnosed with Stage 3, so certainly the cancer was more dangerous and the treatment was more aggressive because of the delay. Cathy Reigner: Just keep a good attitude, don’t give up, and look for the blessings!
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R THE
RECIPE FOR FAMILY
WHEN THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF THE SEASONS ENSUE, FAMILY MEALS MAY BE THE FEW MOMENTS WE CAN TRULY SAVOR. HERE ARE A FEW HEARTY RECIPES WITH HUMBLE INGREDIENTS. WRITTEN BY JENN SMURR
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TINA SARGEANT STYLED BY LISA MALOTT, WISH VINTAGE RENTALS
122 THE LAKELANDER
THE LAKELANDER 123
HEALTH BENEFITS OF ROOT VEGETABLES
The power of this little bulb is often ignored (though when beets are blandly pickled and jarred, one can understand why).
Carrots are a fantastic source of beta-carotene. While this nutrient’s most well-known benefit may be healthy vision, it goes well beyond that, contributing also to strong teeth, healthy skin and hair, and overall significantly boosting the immune system.
124 THE LAKELANDER
Another powerful source of beta-carotene in the root vegetable family are sweet potatoes. Packed with other antioxidants like vitamins C and E, these spuds fight free radicals, reduce the risk of infection, and help protect against many types of cancer.
ow would you describe your family recipe? During the holidays, I make at least one trip to see my family in Tennessee — typically driving for hours, playing every car game and snacking on anything with a crunch. Likely, my car speakers have not played as much country music since the last drive up, and the sense of togetherness keeps me patient when speed limits could never be fast enough. Years ago, my grandmother was the first to move from Florida to Tennessee, and the rest of the family followed shortly after. More often I miss having them nearby, but there is something about the moment I walk through the door for the first time in months to see them that makes the wait so hard and so worth it. It's the mutual sentiment of cherished togetherness. Family forms in mysterious ways, though. Along life’s road you find people who become family, not by blood, but by choice. Not long ago, I realized that very truth. It was one of those days, you know the kind, that show us exactly how a loving dog must feel after a visit to the vet. One minute everything is cool, you’re resting your paws on the passenger-door arm, your head out the window and your tongue flailing in the wind, and the next minute you're on a cold, hard, metal table getting probed and punctured by some strange human you've never met. Maybe I’m being a little dramatic, but it was one of those days. In a paralyzing moment, I managed to turn to the very first friend I could trust for a little bit of solace. I was vulnerable, and they covered me. I reflected on why I felt so comfortable with this person. It was clear: they’re family. Later that afternoon, I typed and sent one of the most abundantly thankful messages, and they responded with a note that must have had freshly chopped red onions inside — it left me teary. John Powell once said, “It is an absolute human certainty that no one can know his own beauty or perceive a sense of his own worth until it has been reflected back to him in the mirror of another loving, caring human being.” Like every single ingredient in any recipe, you wouldn’t be quite right without the people you love and the ones who love you back. So, if I could describe the recipe for my family, I'd say: sweet, with a few red-onion moments, and lots and lots of quality ingredients.
TIPS ON USING ROOT VEGETABLES While root veggies are in season year round, they are at their peak from fall to spring (with the exception of beets — best summer through fall). When shopping for root vegetables, look for ones with smooth skin, free of nicks and bruises. Though easily kept in the fridge, these gems are best stored in cool, dark spaces. When cooking, your best bet for crispy, roasted veggies is to use a sheet pan rather than a baking dish. The high curve of baking dishes will increase the moisture, causing the vegetables to become mushy more quickly than if cooked on a spacious, low-rimmed pan. To get that desired golden brown when roasting vegetables, don’t cook them too low and slow. Keep the temperature high, around 400-450 degrees (unless otherwise noted). Veggies cooked too long will soften, rather than caramelize, and will also strip them of their nutritional value. THE LAKELANDER 125
SAVORY SWEET CARROTS WITH DILL YOGURT SAUCE AND TOASTED PECANS
3 Tbsp dark brown sugar 1 Tbsp smoked paprika 2 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp celery salt 1 tsp granulated garlic 1 tsp onion powder 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper 1 Tbsp salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper 1 lb small carrots, scrubbed, halved lengthwise 3 Tbsp olive oil 1/3 cup pecans 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (may be substituted for sour cream) 2 Tbsp buttermilk (if using sour cream, milk is a fine substitute) 1 Tbsp chopped dill 2 tsp fresh lemon juice, plus more for serving
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Let cool, then coarsely chop.
Combine brown sugar, paprika, cumin, celery salt, granulated garlic, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
Mix yogurt, buttermilk, dill, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
Cook carrots in a large pot of boiling, generously salted water about 4 minutes, until crisp-tender. Drain and transfer carrots to a medium bowl. Add oil and spice mixture and rub carrots to coat. Let sit at room temperature 1–3 hours. Toast pecans on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until fragrant, 10–15 minutes. 126 THE LAKELANDER
Prepare a grill for medium-high heat. (Or you can use a cast-iron skillet over mediumhigh.) Grill carrots, cut side down, until they are lightly charred and sugar begins to caramelize and bubble (ohhhh, yeah!), about 3 minutes. Arrange carrots on a platter, drizzle with dressing and lemon juice to taste, top with pecans, and voilà!
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ROASTED BEET AND SOURDOUGH SALAD see page 130 for recipe 128 THE LAKELANDER
quality Only the finest meats, cheeses and vegetables are used to make our delicious classic italian dishes. Come enjoy.
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THE LAKELANDER 129
HASSELBACK SWEET POTATOES 4 sweet potatoes, scrubbed and dried 3 to 4 Tbsp oil salt pepper 3 slices bacon (cooked and crispy) 1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese FRIED SAGE AND ROSEMARY
5 to 10 sage leaves 4 to 5 rosemary sprigs oil for frying
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Make slices along the sweet potatoes, being careful not to cut all the way through. Arrange them in a baking pan and drizzle the oil over each one, aiming to get the oil into the slices and coat the skins. Season with salt and pepper. Bake for about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes (cooking time may vary according to size of potatoes). I find it best to test doneness with a fork. They should be tender.
Meanwhile, prepare the bacon. I love baking bacon, at 400 degrees as well, for about 12-15 minutes, but you can crisp it however you’re comfortable. Make the fried sage and rosemary. Heat about 3 tablespoons of oil in a small fry pan over mediumhigh heat. Once it’s rippling, add the herbs a few 130 THE LAKELANDER
at a time. They will crisp in a just a few seconds, so be ready with a slotted spoon to take them out and lay on a towel-lined plate or cutting board. They should just look darkened but not too browned. They will be crispy upon removing from the oil. For the Parmesan, simply grate and set aside. When the potatoes are fork tender, remove from oven and sprinkle with parmesan, top with bacon and tuck some into the slices, then add a few sage and rosemary leaves. Season with a touch of salt and pepper before serving.
ROASTED BEET AND SOURDOUGH SALAD 1½ lb beets, any color, scrubbed 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced 3 Tbsp white wine vinegar, plus more for serving kosher salt 1/2 loaf sourdough bread, crusts removed, torn into 1-inch pieces (about 6 cups) 4 Tbsp olive oil, divided, plus more for serving freshly ground black pepper 1 large orange 4 oz Pecorino Romano cheese, crumbled 1 cup torn fresh herbs (such as dill, parsley, tarragon, and mint. I’d suggest them all.)
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place beets in a shallow 2-quart baking dish. Add water until it
reaches 1/2 inch from bottom of baking dish. Cover dish tightly with foil. Bake beets until tender and a fork or paring knife easily slides through, 45-60 minutes. Let cool slightly. Meanwhile, quick-pickle your onions: toss onions, vinegar, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl to combine; set aside. Toss torn bread (I hear Born & Bread Bakehouse makes a mean sourdough!) on a rimmed baking sheet coated with 2 Tbsp. oil; season with salt and pepper. Bake, tossing once, until bread is golden brown and crisp around edges, 8-10 minutes. Set aside. Rub beets with paper towels to remove skins, then halve (or quarter, if large) and place in a large bowl. Add onion with liquid. Using a small sharp knife, remove peel and white pith from orange. Working over bowl with beets, cut between membranes to release segments into bowl. Squeeze membranes to release juices, then discard membranes. Add reserved toasted bread and 2 Tbsp oil; toss to combine. Let sit a few minutes for flavors to meld. Just before serving, fold in cheese and herbs, drizzle with more oil and vinegar, and season with salt and pepper. Easy peasy, fresh and flavorful.
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THE LAKELANDER 131
SHELTER
TAKE ITTHETO
GARDEN WHY NOT ENTERTAIN OUTDOORS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON?
WRITTEN BY CHRISTIAN LEE PHOTOGRAPHY BY LOREE ROWLAND
I MAKE TEA IN MY BACKYARD
using an enormous old mason jar I inherited from my grandmother. The glass is slightly cloudy with age but marinated in the fragrance of family history. I fill it with water and tea bags, place it in the sun on a vintage wrought-iron table, and wait three hours before I add my homemade simple syrup. A couple of days ago, I was cutting some flowers while the tea percolated when it occurred to me that the holidays were once again knocking at the door. I guess it was something about the rich amber color of the tea, feisty spirits of my ancestors, and slight change in temperature that created holiday resonance. The vibe was immediate and undeniable. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, the holiday trifecta, were sneaking up on me. This time of year always seems to create excitement and anxiety in equal measures. I stood quietly absorbed by the beauty of the natural world around me and said to myself, “Why not entertain outdoors?” But first things first. To entertain outdoors, you need a suitable location. Inspect your yard and garden with a fresh perspective, hunting for the sweetest setting to create a cozy place relatively accessible to the house. Believe it or not, every yard has that one perfect spot loaded with charm and ambiance, capable of being transformed into a heavenly space. A touch of the unexpected always helps, too. This is an opportunity for you to liberate your latent creativity. The sky is the limit. If you are planning a nighttime celebration, start with lights. String electric globe lights (I suggest Deneve G40 clear bulbs on indoor/outdoor green wire) in tree branches, on hedges, or other spots you see fit. In 25-foot lengths, string as many as three strands together at a time. They instantly add light and atmosphere. You can also use Chinese lanterns, hanging from tree branches. Available in a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes, they’re suitable for any holiday occasion. One of the most important things to achieve when entertaining is unpredictability. You want to paint the festivities with a patina of subtle variety so that each occasion will stand out in the minds of guests. After all, holiday entertaining is about creating such memories for your friends and family. Choose the décor based on the holiday. THE LAKELANDER 133
OUTDOORS FOR FALL Whether it’s Halloween or Thanksgiving, for a 10 mismatched antique chairs. You can do the fall celebration carve a series of jack-o’-lanterns same thing with any table and chairs that you to illuminate the party by candlelight. Create have. If your party is alfresco, the outdoor setting centerpieces using large vases or jars filled with is the star of the show, not the furniture. I use a autumnal chrysanthemums. Alternate the jars with series of French jardinieres (vases) planted with candles. Ring large gourds with dried hydrangeas. leafy palms to anchor the corners of the rug and Use natural accents such as citrus branches and maintain the styled setting. I like to capture the local fruit scattered with moment and shape the holly or small gourds. character of the event by THE IMPORTANT THING Citronella oil can be burned setting the table with a ABOUT YOUR PARTY IS THAT as a defense against uninvited holiday tablecloth and my IT IS ALFRESCO. THE mosquitoes, if necessary, and best tableware and crystal. OUTDOOR SETTING IS will create an ethereal effect. Coordinate the table Also, you can use batterylinens with the season. If THE STAR OF THE SHOW. powered Thermacell outdoor the weather is cool, drape lanterns to repel mosquitos a few chairs with colorful and provide some ambient light. throws for guests who may catch a chill. Adding As most of us know, navigating holiday sterling-silver serving pieces and MacKenzieentertainment schedules can be filled with both Childs stemware to the mix adds a touch of fun and angst. To help relieve some of these elegance. feelings of anxiety, create a single furniture When it comes to food, I arrange a charcuterie arrangement outdoors that can be interchangeable board as an appetizer, and serve dark chocolate with each holiday theme. and coffee in bone china cups with small, Begin with several large Asian rugs. Place antique silver spoons on matching bone saucers. one in the shelter of an oak tree, and hang globe The contrast between the globe lights, linens, lights from the oak’s canopy. Move a large farm pumpkins, crystal, charcuterie, and china creates table onto the rug and surround it with eight or a magical atmosphere. 134 THE LAKELANDER
ALFRESCO ENTERTAINING
String electric globe lights, such as Deneve G40 clear bulbs on indoor/outdoor green wire, in tree branches and on hedges. Use natural accents fitting to the season such as citrus branches and local fruit scattered with holly or small gourds. If the weather is cool, drape a few chairs with colorful throws for guests who may catch a chill. Arrange a charcuterie board as an appetizer, and serve dark chocolate and coffee in bone china cups.
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DER BRO W S. RO C 2 Lakeland Locations Southgate Center | 2633 S. Florida Ave. | 863-683-6702 Sandpiper Plaza | 6549 N. Socrum Loop Rd. | 863-859-9909
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO ACHIEVE WHEN ENTERTAINING IS UNPREDICTABILITY.
OUTDOORS FOR CHRISTMAS Set a table located on a back terrace. Mix the subtle color of orchids with tall, gold, decorative Christmas trees and pale-green metallic linens. Use white china and a variety of delicate table decorations, including small green candle holders.
OUTDOORS FOR NEW YEAR’S Center a simple, or French, iron mesh bench in front of a favored backyard location, with ornate chairs, such as black and gold, for a New Year’s setting. Cushion the bench with a cozy down pillow. Combine candy dishes and champagne glasses for treats on a side table. You can also add color with pillows and lively bright plants for a cheerful, comfortably intimate setting for two to ring in the New Year. Spending time with the people we care about reminds us of the true meaning of the holidays. It is a chance to celebrate what our lives mean together. It’s fitting, then, that these very special celebrations should cover the people we love within the mantle of our elegant Florida environment. Embrace what you have around your own home and bring the indoors out during the holidays. You’ll be glad you did.
SPECIAL THANKS to Katherine and Cliff Coleman for lending us their beautiful backyard
136 THE LAKELANDER
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THE LAKELANDER 139
OPENINGS & COMING SOON
OPEN 2INFINITY
Location: 6220 US Highway 98 North Polk’s first trampoline park holds Olympicsize foams pits and more than 60 trampolines so you can spend hours defying gravity. 2Infinity is an aerial indoor experience with 12,000-plus square feet of connected worldclass trampolines. Check out their calendar at 2infinity.us for events and parties.
JITTERS COFFEE CAFE
Location: 3800 US 98 Highway North Located inside the Lakeland Square Mall, this recently opened coffee café offers fresh, espresso-based products and refreshing teas.
MASONS LIVE
Location: 5501 South Florida Avenue Lakeland’s latest music venue, this spot features a spacious patio bar, serves a crafted bar menu, and offers entertainment ranging from karaoke to trivia nights to live music.
5TH AND HALL
Location: 1117 South Florida Avenue Inspired by classic 1960s’ Ivy League menswear, this clothing store is already a Lakeland fashion staple. With a frequent rotation of fresh options, 5th and Hall offers current street trends year-round.
BULK NATION Location: 4019 US Highway 98 North A Tampa-franchise grocer that specializes in bulk foods ranging from grains, organic flours, sweets, and Bob’s Red Mill glutenfree products.
DUBLIN BREAD
Location: 1026 South Florida Avenue This artisanal bakery features the traditional bread of Ireland: Irish soda bread. Each variety of Dublin’s breads are made yeastfree from freshly ground, organic, nonGMO wheat.
EMBROIDERY MILL AND BOUTIQUE
Location: 225 North Kentucky Avenue Custom embroider your bags, hats, and more. The shop also offers women’s apparel, repurposed furniture, and miscellaneous gifts.
140 THE LAKELANDER
STATIONERY LOFT
Location: 1026 South Florida Avenue This stationery and gift shop is the perfect destination for all your wedding and party invitation needs. In its new location, the floors above also include event venue space, opening in the new year (already booked for New Year’s Eve).
LAKELAND ESCAPE ROOM
Location: 308 East Pine Street Date: Winter 2016 If you’re an avid gamer, always up for a challenge, this latest entertainment destination just might be the thrill you’re seeking. Part game, part story-telling, part team-building, the Escape Room is a logicbased, real-life game. Solve mysteries and escape a room in a set timeframe. Sure to liven up your next date night or family outing.
LITTLE GREEK FRESH GRILL
Location: Lake Miriam Shopping Center Date: Fall 2016 Tampa-based, fast and casual, this Greek restaurant serves a variety of authentic Mediterranean appetizers and entrees.
POSTO 9 GASTROPUB COMING SOON COB & PEN Location: 1221 South Florida Avenue Date: Winter 2016 This stationery and gift shop is the perfect destination for all your wedding and party invitation needs. In its new location, the floors above the shop also include event venue space, opening in the new year (already booked for New Year’s Eve.)
H&M
Location: 3800 US Highway 98 North Date: Fall 2016 The affordable retailer that quickly delivers high-end runway looks to the masses is coming to the Lakeland Square Mall. No longer will you need to drive an hour to Tampa or Orlando to shop this Swedish multinational clothing company.
Location: 215 East Main Street Date: Winter 2016 An upscale Brazilian restaurant, this latest installment of fine dining in Lakeland already has a waiting list. Featuring an evolving seasonal menu, this $4 million project will hold three levels, including a rooftop lounge, each floor with its own kitchen prepared to appease palates arriving in the masses.
WAWA
Location: Corner of Edgewood Drive and Bartow Highway Date: 2016 This popular one-stop for coffee, fresh food, and fuel services will soon open its second location in Lakeland. Added WaWa bonus: fee-free ATMs!
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THE LAKELANDER 141
EVENTS CALENDAR
RECURRING EVENTS
DECEMBER
EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT PUB RUN @ RED DOOR LAKELAND 6:15 p.m. - 7 p.m.
DECEMBER 1 THE LAKELAND CHRISTMAS PARADE 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. jlgl.org
EVERY WEDNESDAY DIXIELAND TWILIGHT MARKET 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
EVERY SATURDAY MORNING MITCHELL’S PUB RUN 7 a.m. - 8 a.m.
EVERY SATURDAY MORNING BLACK & BREW FUN RUN 8 a.m. - 9 a.m.
EVERY SATURDAY DOWNTOWN FARMERS CURB MARKET 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 17 MANHEIM STREAMROLLER 7:30 p.m. thelakelandcenter.com
NOVEMBER 17 HARRISON SCHOOL OF THE ARTS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONCERT 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. harrisonarts.com
NOVEMBER 20 - 27 PUBLIC ICE SKATING thelakelandcenter.com
142 THE LAKELANDER
DECEMBER 1 GRIEF SEMINAR WITH DR. ALAN WOLFELT SPONSORED BY GENTRYMORRISON FUNERAL HOMES 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. gentry-morrison.com
DECEMBER 3 SNOWFEST 2016 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. lakelandgov.net/city-events
DECEMBER 3 LAKELANDER MADE MARKET thelakelander.com
DECEMBER 4 LAKELAND WATER SKI CLUB’S CHRISTMAS SHOW AT LAKE HOLLINGSWORTH 2 p.m. lakelandwaterskiclub.com
Lakeland Water Ski Club
DECEMBER 8 FOOD TRUCK RALLY 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. facebook.com/lakelandfoodtruckrally
DECEMBER 10 HOLLY JOLLY JINGLE BELL JOG 6:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. jbjog.com
DECEMBER 6 SANTA’S CALLING 2016 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. lakelandgov.net/city-events
DECEMBER 20 - JANUARY 1 PUBLIC ICE SKATING thelakelandcenter.com
DECEMBER 6 CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHOP Simple Vintage with Scout & Tag 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. scoutingvintage.com
DECEMBER 27 MOSCOW BALLET GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER thelakelandcenter.com 7 p.m.
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LAW OFFICES OF
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A view of Main Street looking east from Tennessee Avenue in Lakeland, Florida. A number of businesses are visible along Main Street, including two shoe stores, a hardware store, a clothing store, and the Lakeland Terrace Hotel. 1936.
144 THE LAKELANDER
Photo Courtesy of Special Collections, Lakeland Public Library
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813-903-6687 Annette M. Smith David Parker annette.smith@ubs.com Registered Client Service Associate The Parker Group 813-903-6687 Senior Vice President--Wealth UBS Financial Services Inc. For some of life’s questions, you’re not alone. The Parker Group annette.smith@ubs.com Management 15310 Amberly Drive Services Inc. Together we can find an answer. UBS Financial 813-903-6695 Suite 100 15310 Amberly Drive The Parker Group Tampa, FL 33647-2145 david.parker@ubs.com Suite 100 UBS Financial Services Inc. 813-903-6685 Tampa,Drive FL800-877-6355 33647-2145 15310 Amberly 800-877-6355 Suite 100 813-903-6685 Annette M. Smith Tampa, FL 33647-2145 Registered Client Service Associate 813-903-6685 800-877-6355
813-903-6687 annette.smith@ubs.com
The Parker Group ubs.com/team/theparkergroup As a firm providing wealth management services to management clients, we offer both investment advisory and brokerage services. These services separate distinct,and differ in material andways are and governed by different As a firm providing wealth services to clients, we offer both investment advisory and brokerage services. are These services and are separate distinct, differ inways material are governed by different laws and separate contracts.laws For and more information on For themore distinctions between brokerage and investment advisory services,advisory pleaseservices, speak with your Financial Advisor or Advisor visit ourorwebsite at ubs.com/workingwithus. separate contracts. information on the our distinctions between our brokerage and investment please speak with your Financial visit our website at ubs.com/workingwithus. UBS Financial Services Inc. is a registered certification mark of the Investment Management Consultants in the States America andCertified worldwide. CertifiedPlanner FinancialBoard Planner of Standards Inc. owns CIMA® mark CIMA® is a registered certification of the Investment Management Consultants Association, Inc. inAssociation, the UnitedInc. States ofUnited America andofworldwide. Financial ofBoard Standards Inc. owns the the ® ™ ® providing ™ andservices Certified Planner in the U.S. ©UBS 2016. All rights reserved. UBS Financial isofa UBS subsidiary of UBS AG. D-UBS-B542D630 marks CFPPlanner As aCFP firm wealth management toFinancial clients, we offer both investment advisory and brokerage services. These areInc. separate andAG. distinct, differ inMember materialFINRA/SIPC. ways and are governed by different 15310 Amberly Drive andcertification Certified Financial in the U.S. ©UBS 2016. All rights reserved. UBS Financial Services Inc. isservices aServices subsidiary Member FINRA/SIPC. D-UBS-B542D630 certification marks laws and separate contracts. For more information on the distinctions between our brokerage and investment advisory services, please speak with your Financial Advisor or visit our website at ubs.com/workingwithus. 100Inc. owns the of Standards CIMA® is a registered certification mark of the Investment Management Consultants Association, Inc. in the United States of America and worldwide. Certified Financial Planner Board Suite certification marks CFP® and Certified Financial Planner™ in the U.S. ©UBS 2016. All rights reserved. UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS AG. Member FINRA/SIPC. D-UBS-B542D630
Tampa, FL 33647-2145 813-903-6685 800-877-6355
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ubs.com/team/theparkergroup
HISTORY
Date: 1938 On the evening of the 1938 presidential election, Richard Floyd of the Lakeland Ledger newspaper tallies up the results.
Photo courtesy of Lakeland Public Library
146 THE LAKELANDER
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