The Lakelander - Issue 81 by The Lakelander

CAROL THROUGH THE YEARS BONNET SPRINGS ORIGIN STORY A LEGACY OF GIVING AND INSPIRING HER ADVENTUROUS SIDE

CAR OL the

e f fec t

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Nationally recognized care for women and children. Thank you to Carol Jenkins Barnett for her philanthropic heart.

Her generous spirit and care for the community is embodied in the Pavilion for Women and Children that carries her name. From pediatric specialty care, obstetrics and gynecology, to the celebration of new life, the women and children of our community will receive state-of-the-art care for generations to come. Visit myLRH.org/Pavilion to learn more about services offered at the Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion for Women and Children.

Your Health. Our Promise. myLRH.org/Pavilion I S S UE 8 1

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THANK YOU CAROL

ISSUE 81

ONE WITH THE WATER With as busy a schedule as Carol kept, she needed ways to retreat, and one of her favorite places to get away was the deep sea or the nearest pool.

31 AS TOLD BY FRIENDS From classmates to best friends to her house keeper — some of her closest confidants share memorable stories.

JUST CAROL The words of family members paired with photos spanning the decades give you a first-of-its-kind glimpse into the adventures and impact of the life of Carol Jenkins Barnett.

35 BOOTS ON, SADDLE UP Carol had a dream that one ranch owner out west made come true, and we have the pictures to prove it.

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CONTENTS

MAP TO MASTERPIECE We uncover the historic roots and deep friendships that made it possible for an old rail yard to become a centerpiece of revitalization in the northwest quadrant of downtown.

HELPING PEOPLE HELP PEOPLE Many locals know of Carol’s charitable endeavors, but her legacy is just as much about the countless people she taught to make a difference in their own unique ways.

MASTHEAD

EDITOR’S NOTE

CONTRIBUTORS

METRO

COVER STORY

114 THANK YOU

THE CITY SHE CALLED HOME, THE CITY SHE TREATED AS HER OWN Carol made it part of her life mission to help as many people as she could in as many lasting ways as possible. Hear from some of the greatest benefactors of her generosity and how those gifts are changing lives today.

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The Lakelander is published 12 times annually by Patterson Jacobs Media Group, 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.

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TH E L A KE L A N DE R

“ Trust i n th e Lord with all y o ur h ear t , an d lean n ot on y o ur own un derstan din g. In all y o ur w a y s a ckn owledge Him, an d He will direc t y o ur paths.” Prov e rbs 3:5- 6

ISSUE 81

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EDITOR’S NOTE

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A LIFE WELL LIVED, A TAPESTRY WELL SEWN

Every night before bedtime, Raleigh and Birdie Barnett pray for CB. CB was the endearing nickname Carol Jenkins Barnett’s three grandchildren had for their grandmother who may have seemed larger-than-life to outsiders, but was simply a consistent source of life for her friends and family. The world might remember her first as a visionary leader, successful businesswoman and wealthy philanthropist but those closest to the late wife of Barney Barnett and dear daughter of Publix founder George Jenkins have a hard time using just phrases to describe her because vivid stories about her seem to be the only way to justly describe her impact. As I had the privilege to get to better understand the depth of Carol’s legacy in Lakeland and around the world I certainly lost track of how many projects she jump started, funded or helped with, but that’s not what will stick with me. What I will never be able to shake as long as I call Lakeland home is that every time any of us interact with one of her family members or best friends we are truly experiencing a glimpse or a piece of what Carol was all about.

Carol’s daughter in-laws, Ashley B. Barnett and Ashley G. Barnett — who Carol fittingly nicknamed “Deuce” because she was the second Ashley to fall for one of Carol’s boys —speak with such reverence and adoration about Carol that just talking with them makes you wish you could sit down and share a laugh with her. Ashley G. and her husband Nick lived with Carol and Barney for almost two years, so she enjoyed a close bond forged over regularly eating breakfast and cooking dinner together. Ashley G. remembers when she had LASIK eye surgery done and thought it was going to be a breeze, but it ended up being extremely painful. Carol was there to nurture her. “She literally held me like a baby and just rocked and took care of me. She’s like, ‘It’s going to be OK.’” Both Ashleys are quick to recall their first scuba diving adventure with Carol, remembering how the adventurous veteran wanted the rookies to jump into deep water where a shark had been spotted. They politely but firmly declined. “Carol, I love you, but I can’t do this,” Ashley B. told Carol. “I’m not going to get eaten by a shark today.’ And so we ended up diving somewhere else.” The daughter in-laws could write a book about the acts of generosity they saw from Carol. Ashley G. said she remembers Carol going through her luggage to find shoes and she was ready to go find water when she found out a small island near where they were vacation had just experienced a devastating flood. Ashley B. said just as important as the huge charitable ventures Carol was lauded for are the countless people of all income levels,

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L C OM

H MUNITY’S C

Model Shown

EDITOR’S NOTE

statuses and backgrounds that she empowered and ushered into the spotlight of opportunity. The stories we share in this special issue are not all-encompassing, they are not deeply investigative (although I could argue this point because of the days of conversation and research) and they are not made to convince you of anything. These stories are merely a way to celebrate and share the effect made by an incredible woman who loved deeply and was deeply loved. Ashley B. describes that effect beautifully. “Carol never set out with a grand plan or anything like that. Basically, she sewed a tapestry in this community, and I can think thread by thread of the people that she helped make this tapestry.”

RJ Walters EDITOR

Ashley B. Barnett (above) and Ashley G. Barnett (below) are the daughter-in-laws of Carol Jenkins Barnett. Both have great admiration and respect for the family legacy they are part of and that Carol played a major role in helping create.

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CONTRIBUTORS BRIANA CHENOT Growing up in Lakeland has allowed me to appreciate the simpler things in life all while soaking up some Florida sunshine. I recently graduated from the University of North Florida with a degree in Graphic Design + Digital Media. I find it so interesting how graphic design can influence you or I to make a purchase just by the aesthetic of the label. It impacts us every day without even realizing it, that is what attracted me to this profession. Other activities that I enjoy doing are baking, spending time outdoors, attending sporting events such as hockey games (go Bolts!), and taking my dog on mini adventures around town.

@brianachenot

DANIELLE DOUGLIN Danielle Douglin is a Lakelander native with Caribbean heritage. She is a local creative with specialties in design and painting. By day she works as a graphic designer and strives to be more involved in the bustling Lakeland community every day. Danielle graduated from Florida Southern College in 2020 majoring in Graphic Design & Studio Art. If she isn’t collaborating on a design, you can find her practicing her tennis skills, frolicking with friends or painting at her studio.

@danielledouglin

PAUL BOSTROM

Paul is a commercial and editorial photographer based in Lakeland. His happy place is in the studio, snacks on his desk, doing meticulous stuff no one else wants to take on. If you're still reading this, send him a picture of your dog on Instagram (@paulbostrom). That would be hilarious and likely be the highlight of his day. paulbostrom.com

DIEGO DE JESUS Diego is a senior English major at Florida Southern College and currently a staff intern at The Lakelander. Originally from New York City, he came down to Lakeland for his education and has made his home here ever since. He plans on living in Lakeland after graduation to pursue a career in journalism while producing creative prose pieces on the side. The friends and connections that he’s made in Lakeland have truly changed his life for the better, and he is forever grateful for the community accepting him.

DINNER AT MR. GEORGE'S CLUB

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Then and Now

Over 90 Years of Premier Banking

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WRIT TEN BY DIEGO DE JESUS DESIGNED BY BRIANA CHENOT & JON SIERRA

eing in and around the ocean was a second home for Carol Jenkins Barnett. The beauty of the maritime fauna and flora was what she yearned to witness when she dove. She dove frequently and in many different locations with distinct fishery swimming past her and whoever accompanied her. Christiana Virgilio, who’s been diving for 40 years, met Barnett on a yacht they both dove from called Big Eagle in 2001. By the time Virgilio met her, Barnett had been \\ diving for many years. From there, Barnett and Virgilio would travel the world, swimming in many waters with different teams and boats along the way. They launched off multiple shorelines in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. “She was an amazing person,” Virgilio said. “Many people learned how to scuba dive because of her. She was very comfortable in the water. Whether there was a strong current or rough seas, she was calm. She really appreciated life under the water. ” Virgilio mentioned that Barnett was most fond of diving in the Caribbean Sea around the shores of its numerous islands. She noted an example where they went to the Bahamas and dove at a region called Danger Reef, which was teeming with sea life. It was quite the spectacle with large grouper and sharks swimming amidst an array of crystalline colors. Sea turtles were the creatures she looked forward to the most when she dove, and many of her fondest memories included passing by bales of them. After every dive, Barnett and Virgilio reviewed the underwater photos captured and often watched the sunset with many colors dancing in the sky and ocean floor. Carol, shown here scuba diving with Scott Fore, felt alive when exploring the hidden depths of the sea. I S S UE 8 1

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Carol’s son Nick is one of the countless people who she passed her love of diving onto.

SHE WAS CONNECTED TO THE WATER, ADMIRING ITS INHABITANTS AND ITS QUALITIES.

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“As years went by, our pictures got better and better with practice, and the equipment we had,” Virgilio said. “When we first started off, the pictures would always be blue and not that colorful. Then we started getting better and better, getting some great underwater pictures.” She was connected to the water, admiring its inhabitants and its qualities. Outside of scuba diving, Barnett was also an avid swimmer, and family members said rarely did a day go by where Carol did not swim either in her home pool or another body of water. Her daughter-in-law Ashley G. Barnett commented on Barnett’s passion for scuba diving and her adoration for the water. “She was a mermaid in a past life I 100 percent believe. She loved the water. When she first went to college she wanted to be a marine biologist,” Barnett said. “She went to school and then quickly learned she did not like chemistry, but her passion for marine life never changed. That’s why she [was] really involved in a lot of aquariums. She lived in the water.” April 2020 was the last time Virgilio saw Barnett. Virgilio said they would primarily talk about diving when together, but Barnett would also talk about the philanthropy work she did for children and always encouraged people to consider how they too could make an impact in the lives of others.

CAROL AS TOLD BY FRIENDS STORIES COMPILED BY JULIANNE WALLER AND RJ WALTERS

ROBERT CLAUSSEN

n junior high, Robert Claussen met Carol for the first time in Mrs. Baker’s Ballroom Etiquette class. He didn’t know it then, but they would be lifelong friends. Despite their busy careers and Robert moving away from Lakeland, the two maintained their friendship for more than 50 years. “There were five of us that were always together over the years, and she always brought us [back] together because we all went on to have very different lives,” Robert remembers. “She was the glue that kept us all together.” It was Carol’s love of travel that, in large part, allowed the group of friends to stay close over the years – and it all started with trips to Anna Maria Island. Robert’s family owned a place on the island when he was in high school, which the group frequently visited. “I don’t know what was with our parents in the ’70s, but they just let us go,” laughs Robert. “We started out going there, and then Carol got a place on Longboat – [so] we were always

going back and forth to the beach.” As time passed, Robert and a few others had moved away from Lakeland – but Carol kept up the tradition. “When we [were older], the trips got more involved. She was always getting us together,” Robert recalls. “She really kept everybody close.” Robert has many wonderful memories of trips with Carol, but some of his favorites include the British Virgin Islands and Telluride, an old mining town in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. “We used to go often, because [Carol and her husband, Barney] have property there. We used to go on the boat together, have all kinds [of adventures.]” “Carol was just a normal person – you wouldn’t know that there was any money there. She really was down to earth and good to everyone that she met,” Robert says of Carol. “She just was wonderful.”

SHE WAS THE GLUE THAT KEPT US ALL TOGETHER.

TH E L A KE L A N DE R

HUBBERT

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CAROLYN ROBERTS

SUSIE JEFFERSON To Susie Jefferson, Carol Jenkins Barnett was the girl she grew up next door to who asked her to be maid of honor in the wedding she held in her parent’s house. She said it’s remarkable to consider that Carol before and after she inherited a fortune was essentially the same person: downto-earth, willing to consider the needs of many and always up for a fun time. She remembers Carol’s wedding day being a “very intimate ceremony” where the bride got dressed in her parent’s bedroom and Barney and Carol tied the knot in the living room. Interestingly enough, the quintessential Lakeland couple headed outside the city limits to continue the celebration. “Afterward we got in limos and went to celebrate at the Chalet Suzanne in Lake Wales,” she said. “That day was very, very special.” Carol was also the fun loving young girl who developed from a Santa Fe High School student into a dynamic speaker, an inspiring leader and Mr. George’s daughter who doggedly kept and expanded his legacy. Susie said she witnessed first-hand the incredibly close bond shared by father and daughter, and when George Jenkins suffered a stroke, Carol was there to jump into action on his behalf. “She was right there to run the charities for him...and follow up all the things that he was (doing.) She felt a huge responsibility to do that,” Susie said. “I would just say, ‘Why are you doing all this?’ You know, we could be sitting at the beach, but she just felt compelled to continue his legacy.” Susie says what she misses most is the daily phone calls she and Carol would share, where they would vent with each other and share the ups and downs of everyday life.“I was her confidant and of course she was my confidant.”

Carolyn Roberts, one of Carol’s oldest friends, met her for the first time when she was very young. “I’m not sure exactly how I met her,” Carolyn admits. “I knew her for a very long time – [for] most of her life.” Like most who were close to Carol, Carolyn is very passionate about her friend’s character. “The most important thing about Carol is that she was consistent,” Carolyn says. “Her spirit was to know people, find out what they needed, and if there was anything she could do to make their lives better.” When asked about Carol outside of her famous philanthropic work, Carolyn spoke of her friend’s athletic ability. “She loved all sports,” recalls Carolyn. “She was very adventurous and quite athletic in all areas that she tried. She really was a very gifted athlete. She [especially] loved the water.” Carol didn’t only love playing sports – she loved watching them, too. She enjoyed going to games and was a big fan of football in particular, including the Tampa Bay Bucs and her favorite team, the Florida Gators. Carol loved the Gators so much that she went to see Florida play USC on her honeymoon in California – and brought Carolyn along. It’s clear that Carolyn is important to Carol’s family, and Carolyn strongly believes that her friend’s great legacy will live on through them. “Carol wanted to continue [Mr. George’s] work, and she did it beautifully,” she says. “I believe that her children and Barney, [who] is the most wonderful person ever, will continue her greatness.” “I want you to quote me on this,” Carolyn said. “Carol was consistent in her life, she loved life and she loved people and she was dedicated to making it better for everyone she met – and that is absolutely the essence of Carol Barnett.”

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SHE WAS A BEAUTIFUL , LOVING PERSON, I TELL YO U. A LWAYS H A D T H AT SPECIAL SMILE...

MATTIE PHILLIPS Mattie Phillips was in Carol’s house more often than most family members over the years — and she still is today. Mattie started as a housekeeper for the Barnett’s in 1981, and 41 years later Mattie and her daughter continue to be employed by Barney. As Mattie puts it, Carol was more like a sister than an employer, and that tight bond is the reason Mattie is still processing the grief of losing a good friend. “We talked about a lot…and you know, I never forgot I worked for her…but we did talk a lot and helped [each other] out a lot,” she says. “When I became ill, I had I think four or five surgeries and they were there, (Carol) was right there.” Mattie said Carol had the ability to keep things light hearted and bring a smile to almost any occasion. Mattie noted how the Barnett family often celebrates her birthday with special lunches, one example of their kind and generous spirit. “Carol was pleased with everything. You know how it is with some people…you can’t please ‘em no matter what you do, but whatever you did, it pleased her,” Mattie said. “(If ) she had a birthday or Christmas or something, you know, whatever you bought, she was just so happy for it — I don’t care if it was a pair of socks.” “She was a beautiful, loving person, I tell you. Always had that special smile, you know...and she was loved.”

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RYAN LOPEZ If you talk to Ryan for 20 minutes about Carol you’re likely to get at least five colorful, detailed stories about her life — some fit for print and some that make you grin but are best left to her inner circle. He has been a family friend for years, and for many miles and memorable conversations as a driver for Carol. He would drive her to and from meetings and parties, drop her off and pick her up from the airport and on occasion even accompany the family on trips outside of Florida. He’s quick to share stories that illustrate Carol’s ability to make even the most awkward situations enjoyable, and a recurring theme of his interactions with her is that she truly had little regard for class or wealth when it came to making friends. One story he fondly remembers showcases how she fearlessly stuck up for those she deeply cared about — including Ryan — no matter the crowd she was with. “I’ll never forget this night…it was just her and I was taking her to a fundraiser party. At the time I had this 2002 Dodge minivan that was brown, I mean this thing looked like a dog turd on wheels,” he joked. Ryan said as he dropped her off people outside started pointing at the van and snickering at it, going as far as giving Ryan dirty looks. As Carol exited the vehicle she could see the snobbery taking place and wasn’t having it. “She looked over and goes, ‘Hey everybody, I want first and foremost for you to know this is my friend Ryan and this is the van cab and I love it.’” From that moment on the endearing name stuck with the lovely brown van, and Ryan was proud to be able to build his business around it.

GRAND OPENING OCTOBER 21 FA R M R I O MARIE OLIVER OLIPHANT KE R I S M A D O LC E V I TA A M A N DA U P R I C H A R D PA I G E LOV E T H E L A B E L

Follow along!

@ M O N KE E S O F L A KE L A N D

2 510 S F LO R I DA AV E | L A KE L A N D, F L

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Ranch owner Roudy Roudebush made Carol’s dream of riding horseback in a parade come true.

WRIT TEN BY: DIEGO DE JESUS

I H AV E D E A LT W I T H SOME 100,000 CUSTOMERS...SHE WA S E X T R E M E LY SPECIAL AMONG THOSE PEOPLE I S S UE 8 1

oudy Roudebush was introduced to the Barnett family when they were purchasing land in Colorado in the early 1990s through his connection with the Katzmann family. From there, he would develop a relationship with the Barnetts, taking them on summertime horseback rides through the Colorado countryside. He would eventually meet Carol Jenkins Barnett on his ranch, Telluride Horseback Adventures. Roudebush didn’t know about Barnett’s elite social status until several years of knowing her when they started talking about their respective businesses. He admits he was naive to people’s social status and was around a lot of wealthy and influential clients. “I’m not really always impressed with wealthy influential people,” Roudebush said. “Carol always had a positive attitude, always up for a good time, always planning things that would be fun.” Barnett and her family would visit

Colorado three or four, sometimes as many as six times a year, and would almost always stop by to spend time with Roudebush. They would enjoy lunch-and-rides through the Colorado countryside, even when the weather wasn’t ideal. “She was never demanding, always having fun in the moment in what we were doing, even through a lightning storm,” said Roudebush. “She always enjoyed whatever we could pull off given the circumstances we had in that instant.” Roudebush heard through the grapevine that it was Barnett’s lifelong dream to ride horseback in a parade, and he made that dream come true in Telluride, home to a glamorous Fourth of July parade and celebration. Barnett would wear a red cowboy hat, with sparkling outfits and cowboy boots as she rode through Telluride’s streets living out her dream. She rode alongside Roudebush and his daughters during the parade, a spot he reserved especially for her. 37

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Almost every year, Barnett rode a brown American quarter horse named Willy that Roudebush got from an author in the Navajo Reservation in a feedlot. Willy passed away seven years ago. The Fourth of July parade is a Telluride tradition that’s been celebrated since the 1890s that everyone in town participates in. Alongside the parade are firemen contests and drill mining contests, which gave firemen and miners a break from the drudgery of hard rock mining. Telluride is a secluded town, and Roudebush attributes the parade’s distinctiveness to the small town’s traditions and close-knit community. Roudebush has ridden his horses in the parade since the 1970s. There was a point where Roudebush had eight broken ribs and a collapsed lung. He said Barnett offered to put him on salary to cover the medical charges. He politely declined, but he never forgot her generous offer. “I have dealt with some 100,000 customers in my exposure doing this job,” Roudebush said. “She was extremely special among those 100,000 people.” After the parade, Barnett would enjoy a glass of white wine and they would talk at the barn and catch up, always asking Roudebush about his life and how

his daughters were doing. She made an impact on Roudebush and everyone she interacted with even if their interactions were brief. “I know it wasn’t just me she was good to in Telluride,” Roudebush said. “We were always happy to see her come in the door. I think that applies not just to me.” Three to four years ago was the last time Roudebush saw Barnett when he brought her family maple syrup made from his younger brother. It was like every time they visited, they had idle conversation and he asked if they were skiing along with questions about their holidays. “Any good qualities that I have are the result of hanging around horses, and I think she knew that. She was always doing the next right thing and always asking, ‘What’s the next right thing to do?” Roudebush attributes his relationship with horses keeping him out of trouble and getting him to the state of mind he’s currently in, working on his ranch thinking fondly of the experiences he’s gone through that landed him in Telluride back in 1973. “She was good for my ego, I hope I was good for hers,” Roudebush said. To this day, he still has a photo of Barnett in his barn to preserve the memory of their friendship.

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OTHERS 40

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WRIT TEN BY BY JULIANNE WALLER

ING

arol Jenkins Barnett’s name is etched all over Lakeland, from Barnett Family Park to the Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion for Women and Children at Lakeland Regional Health. To many people, she seems larger than life: the daughter of Publix founder George Jenkins, a Forbes billionaire, a member of the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame. What many don’t know is that Carol’s legacy goes far beyond her philanthropic work. In her everyday life, Carol encouraged others to be change agents in the community, mentored numerous women, and inspired many around her to succeed — and to help others on the path to success. Two of Carol’s close friends who are well versed in the deep impact she had on other women are Greta Dupuy and Marsha Vass. Greta, who was just starting out at Publix in 2003 — and is currently Manager of Associate Services — worked with Carol’s husband, Barney. Greta fondly remembers the first time she met Carol, when she invited Carol and Barney over to her home in Lake Mirror Tower, a spot Carol wanted to see following its extensive renovations.

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“I made lasagna and Carol brought the salad and an herb garden as a housewarming gift. [My] first impression… she was so lovely inside and out,” she says. “It was like we had known each other for years, and we talked and talked about everything. [We] ate dinner, had wine and the rest is history.” Marsha also met Carol through Publix, but many years before Greta. She was working in the company’s real estate department when Mr. George’s daughter stopped by the Publix headquarters on Wabash Avenue for a visit. “While I did not know Carol then, she was 21 years old and greeted everyone with a smile and kind words,” she says. “She was impeccably dressed. At 20, I was impressed.” Though Marsha had known Carol for years, they grew closer and Marsha saw a different side of Carol through their work together in the Junior League, an organization devoted to helping women and children in the community. Marsha recalls Carol being an instrumental part of the organization. “Her community involvement was endearing and her visibility in serving our community opened doors for other women to engage in similar leadership roles,” she remembers. “Carol’s nature was to inspire, and women under her leadership simply learned to look outside of themselves and make a difference.”

“Her community involvement was endearing and her visibility in serving our community opened doors for other women to engage in similar leadership roles.” TH E L A KE L A N DE R

“Carol’s nature was to inspire, and women under her leadership simply learned to look outside of themselves and make a difference.” Marsha’s husband, Bill, a former officer and director at Publix, said Carol not only served people exceptionally well, she also knew how to have fun doing it. “She enjoyed being able to help people, she was one of the most social people you’ve ever met, and I think she made it fun for them to be involved publicly and just have a good time helping people,” he recalls. Junior League wasn’t the only women’s organization Carol assisted. She was also heavily involved with Women United. “Women United is a vibrant, diverse community of women leaders within United Way who transform communities across the world,” Greta explains. “Carol donated to and was very involved in this venture that believes in the collective power of women and that by empowering each other, we can accomplish more for our communities. But most importantly, Carol was a mentor to so many women who today are continuing her legacy. Carol was an influencer to women at Publix, in her community, at home and around the world.” Carol’s commitment to community work has had a lasting impact on both Greta and Marsha. Greta, who has worked as a diversity recruiter, junior achievement volunteer, and board chair of United Way, attributes her passion for helping the community to Carol.

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“She saw things that needed to be better and she influenced others to join her cause for improvement. There was no question about if you would help but rather how you would help her make a difference. She set a wonderful example of serving, entertaining, traveling, and mentorship. And she shared her blessing with most that she met.”

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“I live so that my legacy, like hers, will live on through those that I have touched and the opportunities that I have gifted to others.” “Because of her, I am involved and a community leader,” Greta says. “Her inspiration led me to take roles I never dreamed I would do and become a leadership donor to the United Way.” Marsha is also a valuable contributor to United Way. She regularly reads to kindergartners for United Way’s “Success by 6” program, which Carol brought to Florida in 1995. Additionally, she and her husband Bill serve on the development team and leadership board respectively at Bonnet Springs Park, a facility Carol played a pivotal role in helping bring to life before she passed away. The way Carol lived her day-to-day life made a lifelong impact on both women. “My involvement in our community today is rooted in my friendship with Carol,” says Marsha. “She saw things that needed to be

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better and she influenced others to join her cause for improvement. There was no question about if you would help but rather how you would help her make a difference. She set a wonderful example of serving, entertaining, traveling, and mentorship. And she shared her blessing with most that she met.” Greta said that Carol “was always there for me” and the kind of mentor who left an indelible mark. “Carol always said ‘Yes’ to everything, no matter what was asked of her time, treasures and talent. I live so that my legacy, like hers, will live on through those that I have touched and the opportunities that I have gifted to others.”

BONNET SPRINGS

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WRITTEN BY RJ WALTERS PHOTOS BY DAN AUSTIN MAP ILLUSTRATION BY BUMP GALETTA

David Bunch first pitched the concept of a world class park to the Barnetts in May 2015, utilizing a massive map of Central FL and a handcrafted information packet.

THE ORIGIN STORY OF BONNET SPRINGS

David Bunch puts it, he had just completed his time of service in the Army, and was a “footloose and fancy free” 21-year-old. He read in a magazine about an intriguing place called Stuart, Florida, so he packed everything he owned into a little Pontiac and put his foot on the pedal toward the future. It turns out, as he was cruising along US 301 he was a little too excited about what was next. He hit a speed trap, an officer pulled him over for speeding, and in a matter of moments the $50 in his pocket shrunk to $15. The next town on his route was Lakeland and he realized he couldn’t afford to drive any farther. So he contacted a distant relative who lived there, quickly found a job and enrolled in classes at Florida Southern College. Over the next half-century plus Bunch married his wife Jean, raised children and became a prolific and respected commercial real estate agent and developer— all in Lakeland. He says “the town has been great” to him and even goes as I S S UE 8 1

far as to say that the people of this city have propelled him because no one can truly “pull up their bootstraps by themselves.” But the 85-year-old still had one final hurrah to orchestrate in the place he accidentally became a resident of in 1959, he was just a few people and a major financial investor short. Fast forward to May 2015, but first take an inside glance at the mind of David Bunch by stepping inside his office. When you enter the office of Hauger-Bunch Realtors, a charming southern style home a stone’s throw away from Lake Morton, you see an open dining room to the right that extends into another wide open space where your attention is immediately drawn to the right wall. The entirety of the wall, from ceiling to floor, is made up of an aerial photographic GIS map of most of Central Florida, with Polk County as the centerpiece. It’s easy to find the Green Swamp, interesting to consider the growth pockets in the area and notable to see how Orlando and Tampa have developed to our north and south. As David stands in front of it, providing macro context to specific parts of this bird’s eye view, his finger keeps pointing back to a spot, and his pace slows down just a bit each time he does that. 51

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Detailed Map

400 Bonnet Springs Blvd. bonnetspringspark.com

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That spot is something he has been honing in on for years, actually decades. He was first interested in the old rail yard owned by CSX in the late 70s but couldn’t convince the company to part ways with the property located north of downtown; in the 80s he entered into a joint venture with CSX and cleaned up the rail yard to convert it into a Class A office park, but a sharp downturn in the economy nixed that. So nearly 30 years later, he figured another shot to utilize that property might be his last, and that’s when he gave Barney and Carol Barnett a call. “Well, just look around. I mean, Lakeland would not be the city we know if it weren’t for them. Think about it,” Bunch says. “There was nobody else we could do it with or would do it. And I knew this would resonate with them because it was just a continuation of what they were already doing.”

When they stepped into his office on Kentucky Ave. in May 2015, Bunch showed them a then-older version of his map wall and explained the significance of having a 168-acre piece of land still available that close to the downtown. He handed them a binder filled with overhead shots of iconic parks like Central Park in New York and Balboa Park in San Diego. He asked the question, ‘How long ago were these properties set aside to build something transformational to the city?’ It was a rhetorical device given the population density that now surrounds these parks — but if you’re curious, New York City set aside the acreage in 1853 and the future of Balboa Park was secured in 1868. “I didn’t ask them to build the park...I said, let’s capture the land before it gets away for these reasons... and then we will plan it, we’ll clean it, we’ll remediate contamination and we’ll prepare it to become a regional park when the time is right,” Bunch recalls. Barney and Carol both were compelled to find a way to connect a historically disadvantaged part of the city to the downtown and to create an educational naturescape for families and children, instead of allowing the property to become a home to large warehouses, car dealerships or the like. Following Bunch’s presentation to the Barnett’s the project gained wings within a few weeks when Barney came back to the businessman and said, ‘Yeah, we want to do this, Carol really wants to do this.’ 53

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BONNET SPRINGS

There was one final domino that had to fall to get the project down the runway, and that involved a longtime friend of the Barnett’s who is a local expert and historian when it comes to parks and recreation. Bill Tinsley had been retired from the City of Lakeland, where he was Director of Parks and Recreation and Special Liaison to the Detroit Tigers and Manager of Community Resources Development for more than 43 years, for just four days when Barney gave him a call. Barney told Bill that if they were going to go through with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity he wanted Bill as part of the team from day one. A quick Google search will show that Tinsley is the President of Bonnet Springs Park, but it’s been more than a job for this Lakelander who has overseen some of the city’s most significant outdoor projects. “I hadn’t been here very long before I found the influence of Mr. George on the community. (Spending) years in Parks and Recreation and eventually becoming the director, the [Barnett family] became a very important part…they were listeners and counselors to me on what we needed to be doing to do it right,” he says, recalling how they played a vital role in helping Lake Mirror transform from a rough area of the city to the gem it is today. Part of Tinsley’s motivation to join the project years ago was to see the success of down-

The butterflies signify Carol and Barney’s three grandchildren.

The dragonflies symbolize Nick and Wesley Barnett.

town Lakeland expand to the Northwest quadrant in a way that was “a hand up, not a handout” for residents. He believed if the Barnetts and Bunches were building the vision that indeed it could come to fruition. The first couple of years after the land acquisition consisted primarily of the three complimentary couples — the Barnetts, Bunches and Tinsleys — doing the grunt work, connecting with experienced and influential people in the space, and laying the foundation for what could be. They established the park as a 501(C)3, formed a corporation, hired environmental auditors and lawyers, and purchased the right-of-way needed to construct a proper entrance to the park. Just as important, they reached out to people in the Lake Wire Community to hear their dreams and desires, and to assure them they would have a voice in the process, something Carol often advocated for in her philanthropic endeavors.

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Tinsley said the neighborhood was in such “disarray and poor condition” when they met with neighborhood residents in 2017 under a large oak tree to have cookies and tea and converse about the future. It was a realization of what families had been dealing with for generations since the old railroad went from a hub of industry to a closed down toxic waste site. It was also a promise to improve their lives. Around the time that the vision for the park was coming into clearer focus, Carol and her family and friends had to process the news that Carol had been diagnosed with younger onset Alzheimer’s disease. Due to the disease, she was not able to be as active in the process as everyone hoped, but her spirit was an inspiration for many of the decisions being made, including Tinsley’s determination to bring Explorations V Children’s Museum over to the new park. “I took ( Jason Rodda, who was then president of the Explorations V board) a bold concept about what if we blow this thing out of the water and you become a different entity — you become a bigger, stronger entity,” he said. 58

Focusing on children learning through play and tactile engagement — something Carol was always working to make possible for more children — the new museum is now called the Florida Children’s Museum and it offers nearly 48,000 square feet of hands-on exploration. “This will not just draw Lakeland residents to enhance our kids’ lives, but it’s going to draw all these people who go on vacation in Central Florida,” Tinsley said. As word got out about plans for the new park, momentum started building quickly, especially in the fundraising arena. This is where the Barnett family’s influence was especially recognizable. Bunch said an initial capital campaign raised more than $25 million for the park. Wesley Barnett said the diversity of people coming to the table to open this park has been humbling and encouraging. “I think it’s probably the most well funded and, you know, donated charitable endeavor in Lakeland’s history,” he says. “You know, you get normal people that are spread across a lot of different charities, but if you, you get all of them into one charity…”

The new Resource Center will provide classes, play groups, workshops and more for parents and kids.

“YOU KNOW, YOU GET NORMAL PEOPLE THAT ARE SPREAD ACROSS A LOT OF DIFFERENT CHARITIES, BUT IF YOU, YOU GET ALL OF THEM INTO ONE CHARITY…”

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The Harrell Family Botanical Gardens will provide students a farm to table experience.

Those tight-knit bonds coupled with dogged determination have paid off, in a way that family and friends deeply wish Carol could see. The park officially opened to the public on the weekend of Oct. 22 to a rousing crowd of tens of thousands of visitors on Saturday and Sunday. National recording artists took the stage on the Allen & Company family lawn, Lakeland-centric food trucks served up delicious fare, children ran wild across a variety of playgrounds, families explored the Kiwanis Care for Kids Treehouse and so much more. The park was also awarded the Environmental Stewardship Achievement Award from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in May. “She would be thrilled. I mean this, this is Carol,” Bunch said. “What I did just needed to be done, and I’m glad we could help and have fun.” Tinsley got choked up when discussing what this part would mean to his good friend, and lamented the fact that the process could not be completed quicker, allowing Carol to enjoy it in person.

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Driving around the grounds in a utility vehicle, Tinsley is quick to show off features that directly point back to Carol. The Givewell Community Foundation Nature Center provides an interactive exploration of the local ecology and wildlife in tactile fashion that appeals to all ages and also includes a classroom space for educational purposes. “This space will drive the stories people will experience in this park,” Tinsley says. “This embodies the spirit of Carol perfectly. The Harrell Family Botanical Gardens, which include “sight, taste, sound and fragrance” gardens will provide educational opportunities, especially for underprivileged students, to learn how to plant, cultivate and ultimately harvest and prepare fresh produce. Visible from the family lawn when looking at the Children’s Museum and The Depot are some very personal touches Carol desired to see come to life. Two immense dragonfly sculptures represent her sons Nick and Wesley, and three ornately constructed butterfly sculptures symbolize her grandchildren, Zoey, Raleigh and Birdie. And maybe the thing that Carol would be most proud of is The Carol Jenkins Barnett United Way Children’s Resource Center. It will provide classes, play groups, workshops, support for parents and caregivers and more for children ages 0-6, as well as for expectant moms and dads. The award-winning, breathtaking park is a fitting representation of the fine work and dedication of three families who love the people of Lakeland like family and have gone to great lengths to ensure future generations have even more opportunities within reach. Barney, a man who is unafraid to be frank, puts it like this. “We’re just lucky David had the vision, Carol had the vision and Tinsley had retired from the city.” Carol would have surely agreed.

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“ WE ’ R E J U ST LU C KY DAVI D HAD THE VISION, CAROL HAD THE VISION AND TINSLEY HAD RETIRED FROM THE CITY.”

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WRITTEN BY RJ WALTERS PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE BARNETT FAMILY DESIGNED BY BRIANA CHENOT & JON SIERRA

Finding photos that tell the story of Carol’s life is as easy as finding a Publix in Florida, but deciding which ones to curate to create a dynamic, albeit incomplete gallery is much harder. The following pages explore some of the moments in time and timeless stories that the Barnett family was kind enough to share with The Lakelander. For friends and family, these photos will likely trigger other fun memories and take them back in time.

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For those who did not have the pleasure to know Carol and are not as familiar or familiar at all with the family, here is a little cheat sheet of who is telling the stories throughout this piece. Barney and Carol married in 1983. Her sons are Nick and Wesley. Nick is married to Ashley G. Barnett, and Wesley are married to Ashley B. Barnett.

love

Carol & Barney

Barney on meeting and eventually marrying Carol “The first time I met Carol...she would've been like 15 years old. She was at her brother David's baseball game. He was 12 and I was one of the coaches of the little league team. And so she came out there with her father. So that's the first time I ever met her. She was in high school and I was working for Publix.”

“Then years later, she got married and was working at Publix. And then that's when I got to know her and her husband. Then later on she got a divorce and I got a divorce. And then later on we started dating and then we got married in 1983. So it was great because, you know, I was already friends with her father, but still, when you marry the boss's daughter, that's always dangerous. I was just fortunate that we were able to come together and get married and have a great marriage and have two great boys. Yeah, I've been very lucky.”

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Wesley, on what his mom taught him about leadership: "I would say being present and active... setting an example for others through your actions. She really believed in the causes that she was advocating for." "(She taught us to be) present and active... setting an example for others through your actions. She really believed in the causes that she was advocating for."

"They never wanted to name things after themselves...that was not something that they liked. In fact, whenever like the George Jenkins award or the Carol award or things like that would come along, they would always actually kind of shy away from it, being like, 'No, no, no, no, name it something else.' Well, Carol got in her mind that she was gonna surprise Barney with the Barney Barnett Business School at Florida Southern. But as much as... what a wonderful thing to do, he was kind of a little bit taken back because it's like, 'We don't name buildings...Carol, why'd you do that?' Then that's when he named the Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion (for Women and Children) at the hospital."

-Ashley B.

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"I THINK fiHER GENEROSITY Th A LINK FOR US T 'CAUSE WE DID HAVE A CHANC HIM VERY WEL AT ALL. AND SO SHE CARED ABO ABOUT THE PASSIONATE FOR THAT SHE INH FATHER WH PASSIONATE ABO COMMUNITY. SO A LINK TO THAT P GENERATION TH REALLY HAVE OTHERWISE Nick on how his mom's generous spirit has inspired his own philanthropic efiorts:

"I think [her philanthropic generosity] provided a link for us to George 'cause we didn't really have a chance to know him very well, really at all. And so to see how much she cared about this community, about the things she was passionate for, you could just see that she inherited that from her father who was very passionate about this community. So it felt like a link to that previous generation that we didn't really have otherwise."

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PHILANTHROPIC PROVIDED TO GEORGE DN'T REALLY CE TO KNOW LL, REALLY O TO SEE HOW MUCH OUT THIS COMMUNITY, E THINGS SHE WAS R, YOU COULD JUST SEE HERITED THAT FROM HER HO WAS VERY OUT THIS O IT FELT LIKE PREVIOUS HAT WE DIDN'T E." I S S UE 8 1

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Carol was always up for a fun costume party, and Barney always tagged along — at least that's how he frames it.

“Carol loved costume parties and these boys like 'em too," Barney said, sitting next to his son. :I never did like them, but I had to go.” Nick fondly remembers his parents once dressing up as Gomez and Morticia from The Adams Family, and Barney surprisingly brought up an even more memorable occasion. “One time in Junior League I had to dress up in a dress and dance," he said. "It was at the Polk Theatre and we were out in the alleyway — me and Tom Petcoff with our dresses on. Two rednecks tried to pick us up.”

-Nick

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Toast Holidays TO THE

F E AT U R I N G

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S U N D AY, D E C E M B E R 4 – 2 P M P O L K T H E AT R E

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"I can remember us flying over the Grand Canyon. It was early, we were in Vegas and we had a long night gambling, but she knew I'd never been to the Grand Canyon. She rallied hard that morning and we did the Grand Canyon. We had champagne, we're in a helicopter with no air; but I mean, there was never an opportunity that she missed. She showed up, she was present...she took time with people."

-Ashley B.

The Barnett's were almost always together, whether it was in Lakeland or out of town on an adventure. Their spot of choice for the 4th of July was Telluride, Colorado, and it was a family tradition to go to New York for Thanksgiving, where they enjoyed going to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. "We have a place in Longboat Key, and we'd go there a lot. We went to Europe and visited her sister and I mean, we went places quite a bit, but I had a job," Barney said. "We actually thought one time about quitting my job and moving to Telluride, but I'm glad we didn't do that.”

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In a world where we are all busy, we are nonstop... Carol made it very, very, very important that her family came first.

-Ashley G.

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"It's kind of intimidating, I think, when you go into a family that has such a big legacy. So you hope and pray that they're genuine and down-to-earth and that you can uphold that legacy and respect that. I take it as a huge responsibility...and something I wanna instill in my daughter. She comes with a very strong legacy, not just of giving, or not just money, but of just generosity in the spirit and the importance of others — being a servant leader. I think there's a lot of times people just assume...people of a certain demographic might just have a bunch of nannies or chefs or maids all the time... and how hands on are they with their families? Sure, she might have had some people here and there to assist her along the way, but she was very hands on and present with her children. Nick told me that growing up she would sit and do homework with him, make sure he got to the places he needed to be — she always took time."

-Ashley G.

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"It will be one year (since she passed away) on December 7th and it's true, for my girls anyways, I think the way we grieve her the most is she's missing out. She just was the best grandmother, and it's piano recitals and dance and all the fun things that I know that she would be so into right now. We want them to remember Carol as a vivacious, incredible, intelligent, bright soul instead of the sick days."

-Ashley B.

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Brian was great to work with!!! He helped us every step of the way to sell our house of 27 years. He rejoiced with us when it sold !

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B y Je n

a rl a n e F c

THE CITY SHE CALLED HOME, THE CITY SHE TREATED AS HER OWN T

he life of Carol Jenkins Barnett is one marked by empathy and action. Through early childhood development, education and healthcare, Barnett paved the way for women and children to succeed through every step of life. She had a unique ability to take a bird's-eye view of an issue and create a solution, all while making everyone feel special. Carol’s legacy lives on in our community through ripples that keep inspiring.

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Fee Only Fiduciary Advisors specializing in: • Personal Financial Planning • Retiremtent Planning • Estate Planning • Tax Strategies

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". . . PR ES ER VE T HE DIGNITY A ND VA LU E O F T H E H UM A N SPIRIT IN TH E FAC E O F A DVERSITY"

Barney and Carol celebrated an improved future for Polk County mothers and children when the Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion for Women and Children opened at Lakeland Regional Health. I S S UE 8 1

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THE JENKINS LEGACY

hen Publix founder George Jenkins passed away, the responsibility to carry out his intentions for philanthropy and charitable giving rested on his daughter’s shoulders. Carol Jenkins Barnett carried out his dream to “...preserve the dignity and value of the human spirit in the face of adversity.” She dedicated her life’s work to bettering the world around her. Mr. George set the vision, and Carol ensured it came to fruition. For more than 50 years, Publix Charities has positioned itself toward Mr. George’s passions: alleviate hunger, reduce homelessness, encourage youth, support education and improve communities. “Each generation after Mr. George has done more and done better,” said Tina Johnson, Treasurer for Publix Charities. “It’s not something that’s faltered with growth. It’s only gotten stronger.” Today, Publix Charities operates with only four employees. In addition to its ongoing gifts to charities across the southeast, Publix Charities steps in during hard times. Shortly after Hurricane Ian devastated South Florida, the organization

gave $1 million to facilitate disaster relief. By the end of 2022, Publix Charities will have donated more than $50 million to community initiatives. “You wouldn’t find anyone more passionate and dedicated toward building stronger communities than Carol,” Tina said. “The good we’ve done since her passing — I believe she would be pleased.”

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GIVING EVERY CHILD a CHANCE to SUCCEED

Carol's charitable legacy proved her strong desire to educate and inspire children to become everything they were created to be.

“I met Carol Barnett in 2003,” says Penny Borgia, former Chief Operating Officer of the United Way of Central Florida. “We were on our way to a national conference where Carol received the United Way of America's highest award for Early Childhood Advocacy.” Penny worked with the United Way for 17 years before she retired in 2020. She worked with Carol the entire time and considered her a close friend. “Carol told me that when she brought her son Wesley to school on his first day of kindergarten, she was shocked to see students who could not print their names or say their name in a sentence. From that day forward, she was dedicated to giving every child a chance to succeed.” Working with Penny, Carol helped launch a program called Success By 6 in Central Florida. Success by 6 is an initiative that promotes healthy early childhood development to ensure children enter school ready to succeed. “Children who start behind, stay behind. Carol wanted to level the playing field.” Carol brought business, government, church and non-profit leaders together to identify ways to improve school readiness for all children in Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties. Penny said she witnessed business people with little interest in early education come to the table. “It was hard to say no to Carol Barnett, ” she says. And because of Carol, they learned that a strong workforce depends on quality early childhood opportunities.

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“I put my heart into saving yours.” It’s not just an ID badge. It’s a badge of honor. At Winter Haven Hospital, we give you compassionate, highquality care in a comfortable atmosphere. Our Bostick Heart Center focuses on providing a full continuum of cardiac care to the communities of central Florida. You’ll get cutting-edge heart care at our center, which can now meet the growing demand for minimally invasive procedures that include transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and WATCHMAN™. And our state-of-the-art catheterization labs and intensive care units use the latest technologies. At Winter Haven Hospital, we make sure you’ll receive the extraordinary heart care you deserve. Learn more: WinterHavenHeart.org

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TH E L A KE L A N DE R

Keep your eye out for Success By 6 stickers and logos and you will soon recognize the widespread impact of the program throughout Florida.

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“Carol’s persistence and determination taught this community that good beginnings never end,” Penny recalled. These same individuals are now early childhood advocates from the business community who continue to enthusiastically champion early childhood initiatives. Carol spearheaded community studies, which ultimately resulted in Family Fundamentals, a parent resource center. Family Fundamentals provides family services, children’s programs, teacher training and parent education. She also worked with the Early Learning Coalition at the local and state level to improve quality standards, and funded the Master Teacher program. When studies revealed that many lowincome children did not have books in their homes, Carol implemented multiple nationwide collaborations to change that statistic. As a result, 232,500 books were sent home with local children in just the last five years. “Because of Carol, hundreds of thousands of children will graduate from high school, go on to college or technical schools, get better jobs, and strengthen our community,” Penny says. “She gave talented, intelligent children living in challenging circumstances the opportunity to meet their potential. “If we stand still, we go backwards. Carol’s story inspires us to move forward. Her legacy demands that we keep working together to level the playing field.”

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GIVING MOTHERS and BABIES ACCESS to HOPE and HEALTH

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One of the inspiring factors behind the Barnett's gift to Lakeland Regional Health was Carol's admiration for her mother who was a neonatal nurse.

Carol believed in the power of good healthcare. She had a vision for a state-of-the-art facility in Lakeland — one that could support the health of mothers and their children. In 2016, she provided a transformational naming gift to the Lakeland Regional Health Foundation to charter the Pavilion for Women and Children. The gift is the largest donation received to date by the foundation. “Carol’s gift changed the way women and children can be cared for,” said Danielle Drummond, the President and CEO of Lakeland Regional Health. The pavilion gives women and children increased access to high quality healthcare. It offers a full continuum of care, from emergency to outpatient services, with 16 specialties from maternal care and fetal medicine to labor and delivery. More

than 50,000 children have been cared for in the emergency department this year alone. The pavilion houses the only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Polk County for babies that need a little extra time and specialized care. The pavilion remains the single largest extension to the hospital’s capabilities. “Carol took a keen interest in the women and children of our community. She had a real passion for improving lives and enriching wellness for our patients.” Drummond said. “And through it all, I was always in awe of how down to earth she was. She never made it about herself. But she transformed everything.”

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SETTING THE FUTURE IN MOTION

Carol and Barney are both proud graduates of Florida Southern College, and they have more than just memories to show for their time spent as Moccasin faithful. Carol wanted to educate the whole student, from kindergarten to college graduation, and throughout all elements of the college experience. “Mr. George was a major philanthropist from the beginning, and Carol carried that through,” said Dr. Anne Kerr, Florida Southern College President. Early in Dr. Kerr’s tenure as president, she met with Carol to talk about everything she wanted to see come to fruition in the next few years. “Carol took the time to understand my desires for the future of Florida Southern, and what I wanted my students to experience,” Dr. Kerr said. She honed in right away on student housing. “Carol took it upon herself to designate Florida Southern as a second home for every student. One of the first gifts she made was to fund the Barnett residence life halls.”

“ONE OF HER QUALITIES THAT I STILL REVEL IN TODAY IS HER COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE. SHE WAS ALL ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE”

TH E L A KE L A N DE R

Barney and Carol's son Nick continued the family legacy of graduating from Florida Southern and giving back to the Moccasin community.

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Carol worked with an architect to design the halls. She was involved in every aspect of the project — from architecture to wall colors to tiles. “One of her qualities that I still revel in today is her commitment to excellence. She was all about other people,” Dr. Kerr said. “She was interested. She wanted to know your story. She gave her all to the things she committed to.” Dr. Kerr said Carol had a remarkable understanding of college-age individuals. She knew how students would select a college, foster social development, and identify professional opportunities. It was true, Carol was passionate about access to higher education. The GW Jenkins Scholars Program at FSC provides students with full tuition, room and board, and international study opportunities. Five students per year are awarded the scholarship, and it is aimed toward students for whom a college education wouldn’t be possible. “Sometime later during lunch, she talked

with me about academics. Business was our largest major. We wanted to make it even better, and add specialties like finance and marketing,” Dr. Kerr recalled. Carol wanted to do something special for her husband, and granted a naming gift to the school. The Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise now offers specialized tracks like entrepreneurship, business analytics and economics. “Carol unveiled the naming to Barney at his birthday party,” Dr. Kerr said, noting she was in attendance. “It was really an act of love. In perpetuity, she could convey to Barney her love for him at their alma mater. It was a special moment.” Dr. Kerr said everyone can take a page out of Carol’s legacy on how to live a good life: spend your time on what interests you most, share your dreams and visions and celebrate with the people you love. “She was humble,” Kerr said, “She would hate me saying this, but there will never be another Carol Jenkins Barnett.” 99

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Marshall Jewelers COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL/NATURAL GAS | LP/APPLIANCES-PIPING-REPAIRS

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We are a Lakeland-based 501c3 who opened a women’s shelter in Honduras to rescue women and girls from sex-trafficking and homelessness.

Currently, we can house up to 20 women. The dream is for a safe house for 50 women. You can partner with us financially or by donating new women’s clothing, shoes, toiletries, towels, and bedding. We also accept cars, boats, and ATVs for reselling purposes. Contact information: Randy Herring • 863.660.1003 esthers-house.org • info@esthers-house.org

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James Boley 863-400-7460 3615 S Florida Ave, Lakeland geico.com/lakeland-boley ¡Hablamos Español!

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DINNER AT GEORGE'S CLUB

george's WRIT TEN BY JORDAN RANDALL PHOTOS BY DAN AUSTIN DESIGNED BY JON SIERRA

ou eat, you talk, you grow closer. Food has been connecting us since the dawn of time, and Carol Barnett was no exception to that human desire for connection. To Carol, Lone Palm Golf Club, a private club founded by her father George Jenkins in 1964, was the embodiment of community and connection. Spending time there since she was 7 years old, Carol has deep roots at Lone Palm. As an adult, Carol would frequently sit at the same corner table with her friends, and often enjoy her pan-seared halibut piccata, along with parmesan risotto and some grilled asparagus, expertly crafted by chef Karlo Brol, who served Carol for nearly eight years at Lone Palm. Like a lot of us, Carol found comfort in familiar meals, surrounded by familiar faces. But to 104

Carol, Lone Palm was more than that. It was family. Talk to any of the staff today at Lone Palm that knew Carol, and a vivid picture is painted. To members of the Lone Palm staff, Carol was as fun as she was kind but she was also inclusive, and was always longing to dip her toes into meaningful conversation with those around her. “My memory of Carol was that she loved conversation,” said Wayne Raath, manager of Lone Palm. “If you would listen to Carol, if you would give her a little bit of an audience, she was wide open. And it would always involve Mr. George. If you put Lone Palm and Mr. George in the same sentence, she would tear up.” Ever since George Jenkins founded Lone Palm all those years ago, the goal has been to make every member feel how Carol felt: comfortable and at home. Carol’s father always spoke about Lone Palm being a place where people can just relax and socialize in a beautiful atmosphere, supported by friendly staff.

And, as reiterated by members of the Lone Palm staff, Carol really believed that to her core. But that’s not just a message Carol kept confined in the walls of Lone Palm, she carried it with her no matter where she went. “She would always pull me to the side and talk to me for 10 minutes or more,” said Raath. “I was just a person who worked here. Carol and I weren't business partners or close friends who hung out on the weekends. But that’s just who she was— ask anyone. She always made me feel like her dad would be proud of the club today, proud to see all the people here enjoying themselves. And she knew that would mean a lot to me to hear.” Sure, you might imagine someone of Carol’s stature might stop through Lone Palm to eat and talk business, but anyone actually on staff would argue just the opposite. She was there to see the people she considered her extended family. She was there to talk their ears off, and enjoy her favorite meal. TH E L A KE L A N DE R

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DINNER AT GEORGE'S CLUB

Carol would frequent Lone Palm with her close friends Patty Tomlinson and Susie Jefferson, usually sitting at the same corner table. “She was so approachable,” said Raath. “If you gave her that slight listening ear she would talk your ear off. And it was always about legacy, and about vision. And Mr George, her father. But never about trivial, surface level stuff. She was a very sentimental person who valued her family and her legacy.” “She missed her dad very much,” Brol said. “She would mention to me often how badly she wished her dad could meet all of the staff today, who have kept his legacy and vision going. She always said he would have loved us.”

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Today, the Barnett family continues that legacy forward as they’ve become part owners of the Lone Palm Golf Club. They continue to explore what it looks like to carry on George's legacy at Lone Palm, something obviously near and dear to Carol's heart. “We want to preserve it “as is” as much as possible, but what that means in the long term, who knows?” said Carol’s son Nick Barnett.

TH E L A KE L A N DE R

PROVIDE D BY LONE PA LM G OLF COU RS E

4-6 oz. halibut fillets, skin removed, pat dried

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp salt

2 tbsp capers, drained

½ tsp cracked black pepper

Juice of ½ lemon

1 tbsp flour

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp olive oil

Arugula

½ cup heavy cream

Parsley

½ cup white wine (or chicken broth)

•

Season both side of the halibut fillets with salt and pepper.

•

Mix and combine flour, salt, and pepper on a plate. Coat the fillets on all sides and shake off excess mixture.

•

On a nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Sear fillets on all sides until you have a golden-brown crust, and the fish is cooked through. This will take about 3 minutes on each side.

•

When done, put fish on a wire rack and reduce heat to medium.

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Add white wine and scrape up any brown bits until it has reduced by half – this should take about 2-3 minutes. Add garlic cloves, capers and lemon juice. Melt butter and add heavy cream into the sauce and remove from heat.

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Place halibut on a bed of arugula, spoon sauce over halibut and garnish with parsley.

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TH E L A KE L A N DE R

Sliced baby Bella mushrooms 2 tbsp Dale's Low Sodium 1.5 tbsp Worcestershire Season with rosemary

Chopped romaine lettuce Thinly sliced green olives Shaved Parmesan Cheese Drizzle organic extra virgin olive oil Squeeze two whole lemons Season with garlic salt and lemon pepper Chill in a bowl before serving

Tortellini Soup 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 tbsp margarine 32oz box chicken broth 8oz package of fresh tortellinis (chicken and prosciutto tortellinis were her favorite)

10oz spinach 32oz san marzano tomatoes

Over medium heat cook garlic in margarine 2 - 3 minutes. Add broth and tomatoes, bring to boil. Add tortellini and cook 7 minutes. Add spinach and cook 5 minutes more. Top with Parmesan cheese. Enjoy.

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Family time, delivered. Get hand-selected, hand-delivered groceries right to your door in as little as two hours. So you can spend less time shopping and more time together. publix.com/shop

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HISTORY

Carol’s grandchildren lovingly referred to her as CB. The family wishes she had been gifted more time to be a grandmother, but is grateful for the memories they have. Raleigh (top hand), Birdie (middle) and Zoey (bottom) created this special piece of artwork as their contribution to The Carol Effect.

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PETERSONMYERS.COM • 863.683.6511 • LAKELAND | WINTER HAVEN | LAKE WALES

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