EDITOR’S NOTE

AUTO ACCIDENT?

For exceptional Chiropractic Care after a vehicle accident, contact Dr. Abraham and the professional team at New Hope Chiropractic in the Lake Miriam Publix Plaza.

DON’T IGNORE YOUR INJURIES.

We would love to evaluate and treat you!

Dr. Abraham New Hope Chiropractic

Phone: (863) 682-1170

LAKELAND MAGAZINE?

Thank you for your generous support of what was formerly, or should I say almost, called Lakeland Magazine.

The Lakelander as you know it, and your unofficial nickname as someone who roams the Swan City and gives to and lives to support our city almost didn’t happen.

Go back in time with me to 2011, when our publishers Curt Patterson and Jason Jacobs were producing Mustang Magazine — an award-winning periodical with a strong following. Our leadership recognized the marketplace was shifting, and at the annual Florida Magazine Association conference they were seeking inspiration for what was next.

They became intrigued with the momentum behind the city magazine movement and believed Lakeland had the perfect base to build a city magazine on. The team was inspired by the work of Boca Magazine and started to see impactful publications popping up in cities like Chicago, Atlanta, St. Paul, Minn., etc.

The groundwork was laid to launch the new publication. Staff started sending out promotional materials for “Lakeland Magazine” when they received an especially urgent correspondence — a cease and desist letter from a large local publisher, explaining they could not use the name. The company, whose primary product was a daily newspaper, abandoned the name years prior and legally our company had a strong case to defend the use of the Lakeland Magazine name.

Our company sought counsel with Lakeland attorney Ted Weeks, and he said we could fight the cease and desist, but in reality we didn’t want to be confused with an old publication, we wanted to do something completely new.

We did not move forward with any legal action through Mr. Weeks, but he suggested we name our publication something very local and distinctive and he mentioned the prominence of the New Yorker magazine. That day in his office, he birthed The Lakelander name and Curt, Jason and Brandon Patterson smiled in agreement, “That’s it!”

It’s funny to think of all of the creatives and storytellers who have made The Lakelander what it is over the past decade and admit that a family attorney came up with our name. But that’s such a Lakelander move — someone offering encouraging help to a neighbor expecting nothing in return.

We are so grateful for your support in making our company what it is today, and most importantly for being a Lakelander who makes living and doing business in this city a great joy.

RJ Walters

EDITOR