The Lakelander - Issue 88

Feeling under the weather? Our Urgent Care locations offer you and your family comprehensive services, like flu shots and diagnostic testing, to make sure you get back to feeling your best! No appointment needed and open 7 days a week, you can find relief for the flu, cold, sinus infections, and more. Visit us today and let us care just for you!

HOURS: Monday - Friday 8am to 8pm I Saturday - Sunday 8am to 5pm

COMMON CONDITIONS WE TREAT: OUR URGENT CARE LOCATIONS:

• Asthma

• Bronchitis

• Cough & cold symptoms

• Earaches

Urgent Care

130 Pablo Street (Near Southgate)

Pablo Campus Lake Miriam

Urgent Care

4710 Florida Avenue South

• Flu symptoms

• Minor back & shoulder pain

• Minor medical concerns

• Minor trauma, burns or lacerations

• Seasonal allergies

• Sinus infections

• Skin rashes

• Sprains

• Urinary tract infections

• Yeast infections

When it matters most, we’re here just for you.

for backyard brunches and a great book on a comfy chair. And the reality of caring for your lawn and outdoor space. Top it off with a cookout on your shiny new grill. Or add a few indoor/outdoor pillows and rugs for a laid back picnic in the shade. Regardless of what your plans look like this summer, take a look at what “&more” has to offer!

Auburndale

521 Hughes Rd. (863) 967-6602

a a

Bartow 1350 N. Broadway (US 98) (863) 533-1611

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Eagle Lake 1515 Hwy. 17 N. (863) 294-7749

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Frostproof 500 N. Scenic Hwy. (863) 635-2645

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Ft. Meade 1401 Hwy. 17 N. (863) 285-9757

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Haines City 35495 Hwy. 27 (863) 422-3144

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Lakeland - Christina 6100 S. Florida Ave. (863) 646-2921

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Lakeland - Combee 1225 N. Combee Rd. (863) 665-3111

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Lakeland - Lake Gibson 6625 US 98 North (863) 858-3866

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Lakeland - North 1409 N. Florida Ave. (863) 682-8107

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Lake Wales 126 Hwy. 60 W. (863) 676-6515

a a

Winter Haven North 1399 6th St. NW (863) 251-2039

badcock.com/seasonal

OUR FAMILY TAKING CARE OF YOUR FAMILY

“At Agnini Dental we take great pride in putting our patients’ needs first. One of the things I love most is how we treat each patient with care and compassion. Every member of our team works tirelessly to ensure our patients receive the highest quality of dental care in a relaxing and family oriented environment. I enjoy being part of a community focused office and developing relationships with our patients. We would be honored to work with you and your family to help you achieve your dental dreams.”

- Dr. Sarah

Sponsors

Miss Florida

LINDSAY BETTIS

Miss Florida 2022

MISS FLORIDA SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION & MISS FLORIDA’S TEEN COMPETITION

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Miss Florida at Prime Meridian Bank

Youkey Theatre - RP Funding Center

Build Your Dream Pool

There’s nothing quite like doing a cannonball in the deep end or sipping on a drink in the shallow end in your own backyard. Check out some exquisite pools by local builders and learn what it’s like to have them construct your dream.

Summer Drinks

With the help of our friends at Bar61 we’ve put together a collection of colorful, trendy cold cocktails for you to try when hosting a party this summer, or when you simply want to cool off and slow down.

Surviving Summer

Lakeland-born April Mucci has not only raised two boys here, but she has built an online community focused on events and activities that bring families together and create opportunities for memorable moments. See how the Lakeland Mom founder can help you make the most of your summer.

PUBLISHER

Curt Patterson

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER OPERATIONS

Jason Jacobs

EDITOR

CONTENT STRATEGIST

RJ Walters

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Jon Sierra

VP, FINANCE

Deb Patterson

GENERAL COUNSEL

Ted W. Weeks IV

ADVERTISING

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Curt Patterson | 863.409.2449

ADVERTISING SALES

Isaac Vargas | 407.619.3508

Jason Jacobs | 863.606.8785

EDITORIAL

DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCER

Jordan Randall

CONTRIBUTORS

Diego De Jesus

Victoria Bardega

CREATIVE

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Briana Chenot

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Dan Austin

Jordan Randall

CIRCULATION

CIRCULATION DIRECTOR

Jason Jacobs

DISTRIBUTION

David Heideman

THERE'S NONE LIKE YOU, SUMMER

hit my temples and I put one hand on my head—and kept sucking. About a minute later, I threw my hands, while concurrently wincing in pain. I was victorious.

My brother, Tyler, always a bit wiser at a younger age than I was—in part I believe because he had learned from my blunders—responded to his defeat matter-of-factly.

“So, you’ve got a headache, and now I can slowly enjoy my Slurpee. Cool.”

ne vividly memorable summer day, year’s past my adolescent prime, I rewound to my childhood.

When in my mid 20s, my younger brother, Tyler, and I designed a day-long “brolympics” competition, where we made sport of trying to oneup each other in a number of nostalgic competitions.

We shot pool, threw darts, had a basketball shooting contest (which I still to this day don’t know how I lost), button mashed our way through some video games, and more.

We also decided to see who could suck their way the fastest to the bottom of a 21oz cup of Slurpee. Sitting in a 7-Eleven parking lot, we counted down and it was game on.

I took a deep breath and gulped down as much frozen carbonated beverage as humanly possible within seconds. About three gulps in, a massive brain freeze

I ended up losing the brolympics that day, but gaining a memory that has stood the test of time.

Summer is about new possibilities, making space for trying the untried and making it a priority to be with those you love the most as much as you can.

In this issue, we will bring to life summer dreams, serve up some fun ice-cold cocktail recipes, give you tips to survive long, hot days with kids and show you the magic behind the smoke at a local nitrogen ice cream shop.

The summer sends its love to you, and so do we.

RJ Walters EDITOR

DR. FAEZA KAZMIER

Let your confidence shine this summer. It's important to take time for yourself, and achieve your goals by looking and feeling your best. Watson Clinic Women's Center board-certified Plastic Surgeon, will help you look as youthful as you feel with a range of natural looking enhancement options including surgical and nonsurgical treatments.

• Facial Rejuvenation (Facelifts, Eyelifts and Minimally Invasive Browlifts)

• Breast enlargement, breast implant revision, lifts and reductions

• Drain free tummy tucks and liposuction

• DaxxifyTM, BOTOX®, Dysport®, Kybella® for unwanted fat, and fillers such as Restylane®, Juvéderm®, Voluma® and RHA for the face and hands

Physician assistant Chalsey Lockhart, PA works alongside Dr. Kazmier to provide Clear + Brilliant® Touch Laser treatments, as well as Sciton® and Candela® Gentlemax Pro lasers for hair removal, and treatment of brown spots & spider veins. She also offers injectables including DaxxifyTM, BOTOX®, Dysport® and fillers.

THE BUZZ

Honored to be featured in this month’s @lakelandermag along with this Tudor home that’s hitting the market next month.

@JPPhillipsRealtor | IG

There's something in each of us. I feel so humbled every time I think of the magnitude of His love! My God is doing great things in this little town. #lovelakeland and sooo incredibly grateful to the facilitators of the 6 groups that said YES!

@Chrissanne Long | FB

COMMENTS FROM LAKELANDERS

CONTRIBUTORS

DAN AUSTIN

Growing up in the Tampa Bay area, Dan was drawn to its thriving artistic culture, creative businesses, fashion and an appreciation for the arts. His style of photography tends to lean more on the fashion / editorial side. He has been shooting portraits since 2001. His style has evolved, but his focus remains the same; he strives to capture people in their essence, a candid moment, or in a light that brings out the best in someone.

As a local Florida business owner, he has had great opportunities to collaborate on dynamic editorial projects and advertising campaigns, and to photograph artists and clients—local and abroad.

danaustinphotography.com | @danaustinphoto

LONDON WILSON

Let's see...how should I put this? I could talk about how I've been behind a camera since my early high school days or how much I love my craft more and more the older I become. Let's be real, hiring a photographer and/or videographer for your event can be scary. I picked up on that pretty quickly when I started capturing moments professionally. That's why I made it my personal mission to create an experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

My approach to photo and video is a little different than the norm. I focus on bringing out your LOVE for each other, and capturing candid moments instead of poses. I like to use posing prompts instead of poses. Less like: put your arms around each other and smile, and more like: slow dance to your favorite song, whisper in each others ears, kiss everywhere but the lips, tickle each other and run around like you're a kid again.

@londonwmedia

VICTORIA BARDEGA

Victoria Bardega is a content creator based out of Central Florida who is passionate about building community. She earned her bachelor's degree in journalism/public relations at Southeastern University, and has worked in marketing at a large non-profit and was a leader at a regional digital media company. She is gifted in photography, writing, social media and marketing.

When she's not photographing a love story or writing lifestyle pieces, she's making memories with her husband, Alan, and their sweet daughter, Valley. She loves team work, the Oxford comma, laughter, and endless cups of tea lattes!

PO OLS DREAM

When the pandemic hit, many industries and activities suddenly halted or hit a significant downturn, but construction of pools skyrocketed. Families decided to invest in outdoor spaces to stay and play, and a rise in remote work means a lot of people are spending more time than ever at home.

Not surprisingly, Central Florida is home to a panoply of pool builders who can take your online inspiration board and bring it life—as long as you have the money to match your ambition

and you understand that building your dream pool is a process.

There are pool builders for every customer in this market, but we recommend you do your homework, carefully read online reviews and consider getting multiple quotes from different builders.

Check out a curated collection of several stunning pools built by established local builders and learn more about what each company believes gives them the edge to build you the pool of your dreams.

Builder: Goldsmith Pools

Owners: Don and Diane Busing

Location: South Lakeland

Pool and landscaping design by: Ashley Vogel, www.givingtreegarden.com

Size: 44x22

Surface: PebbleTec

Tile around pool: Parallax Cyan 1x2 from NPT

Special features: Granite top coping on hot tub, 16 spa jets, pool and spa are completely automated, landscaping around pool includes native plants like Fakahatchee grass

Goldsmith Construction has been constructing stunning luxury homes in Lakeland for nearly 45 years, and after nearly four decades in business they realized they had the know-how to build pools that match.

“We always had to have someone come in and build our pools, and we weren’t always satisfied with the work,” said Dillon Hornbuckle, COO of Goldsmith Pools, who worked on the home construction side of the business prior. “So we thought, man, if we want to build these big custom homes with big cool custom pools, maybe we ought to do it ourselves.”

Goldsmith focuses on matching custom styles with high-end finishes to build pools that are gorgeous to look at, easy to maintain and connected via the newest technology. For example, all of Goldsmith’s pools have automation built in, allowing owners to control temperature, lighting, pool pumps and more, all from the convenience of a mobile app.

“I have a couple customers that have their pool here in Lakeland, and they

were actually on a trip in the Caribbean, and they had somebody watching their house and they were like,’ Hey, we wanna get in the pool, can you turn on the hot tub? And they were in the Caribbean and they said, ‘Sure, I'll turn it on from my phone.”

Goldsmith pools come with a PebbleTec finish, which Hornbuckle calls a “beautiful, lifetime” finish that comes in almost any color.

For more standard pool builds, the process can be straightforward. Goldsmith staff build out a client’s pool on 3d software, send it to them and set up a meeting at their home where they can go over the plans and provide a quote.

The larger the project, the more complex the design phase can become. Hornbuckle said for pools that are $200,000+ the company partners with Dreamscapes Pools and Spas to go through an intensive, highly individualistic process.

Standard pool builds generally take 3-4 months to complete from first dig, and larger more customized pools generally take longer.

Hornbuckle said the company is just as devoted to meeting its customer’s needs through trustworthy relationships as it is through quality products.

When a build starts, customers can track progress on an app that provides regular updates.

“We’re real people. So if you call us we’re gonna answer the phone…and if you have a problem we’re going to work through it together.”

One interesting trend Hornbuckle noted is that people seem to be building smaller pools and investing more in outdoor kitchens, furniture and entertainment spaces.

“Before, I believe it was just, ‘Hey, I wanna get the biggest…deepest pool in my yard,” he said. “But now it seems like everyone's going to smaller pools that are shallower….so , you know, they're gonna walk around with a drink in their hand.”

“We’re real people. So if you call us we’re gonna answer the phone…and if you have a problem we’re going to work through it together.”

Builder: Polk County Pools

Owners: Sam and Summer Strawbridge

Location: Hollingsworth Area

Pool design by: Polk County Pools

Size: 16'x30' with 5'x7' spa

Surface: Marquis Antigua aggregate

Tile around pool: Cinque Comiglia from Noble Tile

Special features: Spa is raised 12" with a double spillway,umbrella stand w/two bubblers on sunledge, three automated LED lights, a heat/cool system, diamond cut expansion joints on the deck

IFyou’re searching for the website for Polk County Pools, stop. There isn’t one. If you’re looking for a spectacular gallery of the 23-year-old company’s work, good luck.

But if you’re looking for the leaders of the company — owner Thomas McBride and the project manager, his son Christopher—look no further than local backyards because this duo is onsite doing quality work quickly without much fanfare, but with a lot of satisfied customers.

“Kind of what sets us apart from other companies and builders is just how hands-on we are,” Christopher said. “So I’m really able to control the quality and timeline of the projects.”

Christopher said typically projects range from 6-10 weeks from the time dirt is first turned over, and he encourages prospective customers to call around to get other quotes and timelines to find out how Polk County Pools compares.

He believes people are drawn in by their commitment to quality customer

care, and from an options and materials standpoint Christopher says, “if you see a pool in a picture, we can build it for you.” He jokes that Pinterest inspiration boards have “changed his life.”

Polk County Pools offer exposed aggregate and PebbleTec surfaces in a wide variety of colors. Christopher said currently their customers are more frequently choosing exposed aggregate because of how smooth it is.

Although pinpointing pricing can be tricky because every customer has different wishes, McBride shares that a pool they build with the bare essentials starts around $50,000, but this year alone he has 10 contracts for pools that are more than $100,000.

“Do you want a spa or do you want a sun ledge? How many lights do you want? Do you want them automated? Do you want water features like waterfalls?” he asks rhetorically.

He said he likes to determine what people’s budgets are up front and then help them build a pool with features they enjoy, as well as with the infrastructure to add other upgrades down the road.

With Polk County Pool’s building process customers are provided a 3D look at what the final product will look like on their property before they ever sign a contract.

AT

Griffin Pools the team is committed to designing and constructing one-of-a-kind pools that match the personality of their clients.

“When I walk into a person's home, oftentimes I try to look around and see their style,” says senior sales designer Charlie Downes. “Do they have kids? Do they have pets? What things do they have that stick out to me?”

Downes said that she works to make a pool’s form and functionality match the lifestyle an individual or family aspires to.

She said almost everyone wants to hear water flowing, so bubblers are essential, and luxuries like fire bowls and pillars make outdoor spaces more grand.

Every Griffin Pools client is provided a YouTube video with a 3D rendering of their pool design, just one of the many personal touches offered by the nearly 50-year-old business.

Griffin offers a lifetime warranty on its pool shells, and Downes touts the quality and durability of their builds.

“The beam itself, like the first 18 inches, we shoot it in at about 8-10 inches thick,” she said. “And we also use #7 and #5 rebar through…not many other pool builders do that.”

Builder: Griffin Pools

Owners: The Webbers

Pool design by: Griffin Pools

Surface: PebbleTec

Special features: Includes a 15'x30' sunshelf and scuppers on raised wall

SEE YOU AT THE POOL

DRINKS BY LIZ OLIVER EMERSON BAMACA

JON SIERRA

DESIGNED BY BRIANA CHENOT

PHOTOS BY DAN AUSTIN

HAIR & MAKEUP BELINDA NICOLE EMILY ADAMS MADISON WAGNER

MODELS

MISIVY REITTIE MADISON WAGNER BEN PACE

BA R 61 MIXOLO G I TS

LIZ OLIVER

"Elisabeth’s sweet personality and welcoming smile make days at 61 even brighter!" says Emerson Bamaca, beverage director for Bar61. "She has a way of making guests want to stay and share with her all evening, and she mixes a mean drink."

we can't predict the future, but we'll bet you a Don Mojito that it's going to be blazin' hot this summer. We like drinks that look fun, taste incredible and will make a guest feel like a VIP without taking your summer budget overboard. With the help of Liz Oliver, a mixologist at Bar61, we turn down the heat with some fun recipes for you to try.

INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS

1.5 oz grapefruit gin

1 oz purple corn drink

1/2 oz Velvet Falernum

1 oz fresh lemon juice

1 dash of lavender bitters

2-3 dashes of Fee Foam

1/4 oz Simple Syrup

1. 2.

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add all ingredients to shaker.

Shake vigorously for at least 15 seconds, pour slowly into a martini glass.

LA LUNA

DON MOJITO

INGREDIENTS

Juice from one fresh lime

1/2 cup guava puree

2 oz cane rum

3/4 oz simple syrup

12 mint leaves

DIRECTIONS

1. 2. 3.

Add mint leaves to the bottom of a cocktail glass, fill 3/4 of the glass with ice.

In a cocktail shaker add lime juice, guava puree, cane rum and simple syrup.

Shake until combined then pour over prepared glass.

SPICY MARGARITA

INGREDIENTS

2 jalapeño coins, seeds removed 2 ounces blanco tequila 1/2 ounce orange liqueur

1 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed 1/2 ounce agave syrup

Garnish: Tajin & chamoy

Garnish: jalapeño coin

DIRECTIONS

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Rub the rim of a rocks glass with chamoy, dip the rim in Tajin to coat, and set aside.

Add the jalapeño coins to a shaker and gently muddle.

Add the blanco tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and agave syrup, plus ice, and shake until wellchilled.

Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice.

Garnish with a jalapeño coin.

DRINKS

INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS

2 oz vodka

1 oz coffee liqueur

1 oz heavy cream

1.

2.

WHITE RUSSIAN

To a glass with ice, add the vodka and coffee liqueur.

SUMMER

SUMMER

pril Mucci’s path to becoming one of Lakeland’s biggest influencers went like this:

As a committed mother to two young boys—Jacob and Austin, now 14 and 12 respectively—April was trying to find options for summer camps years ago, but found herself in a never ending labyrinth when calling around and searching for answers online.

As a Lakeland native who is confident in her research skills, April figured not only could she solve the summer camp riddle, but she could also help other moms by posting them online.

She Google’d and YouTube’d her way through building a website—which became LakelandMom.com —that took up so much time that her husband, Matt, started nudging her to monetize her venture, especially after about two years of curating hundreds of posts on LakelandMom.com. “He would make jokes like, ‘When are you gonna start making money off this?,’” she said. “And then he would send me job listings, and I was like, ‘I have a job.’ And he's like, ‘It's a hobby.'”

That “hobby” has turned into a financial blessing for the Mucci’s and served as the foundation of a profitable website. Her site garners more than 2 million page views per year and consists of a directory of events, camps, places and experiences. Her site was also the catalyst for Lakeland Moms Facebook Group, a private community of mothers.

April is the lady behind the keyboard working diligently to promote ways for locals to spend their money and time close to home, which

is nothing out of the ordinary for her family.

Her parents, Scott and Peggy Neslund, opened Family Fun Center in 1981 when April was 1 year old. More than 10 years ago, her brother, Brian Neslund, took over the business, where he continues to provide kids and families with a family-friendly, safe environment to make memories together.

Mucci—who is a board member for Friends of Bonnet Springs Park, Florida Children’s Museum and the

business have been around for decades and there are as many, if not more, things to do outdoors than indoors.

She said her goal is to sustain an online community where there will always be a spot for free directory and event listings, and also be a premiere website for local businesses to promote their on-going and onetime offerings.

Sitting down after a nostalgic photo shoot at her brother’s business in early April, that included an intense game of air hockey with her boys, we asked Mucci her secrets to making the most of the summer months.

She will be the first to say she finds a healthy balance from chill days at home with the family mixed in with memorable outings, and it seems her boys would agree.

Jacob, who is going into 9th grade at McKeel Academy, said he is most looking forward to hanging out with his friends at the house and at fun local spots this summer, while Austin, who is set to enter 7th grade at McKeel, is excited to hit up the beach, specifically Ana Maria, with his grandparents.

Austin said his mom has taught him the importance of family by providing a loving home for he, his brother and the family dog, and Jacob agrees, with a plug for his mom’s business weaved in.

Randy Roberts Foundation—jokes that she is so deeply rooted in Lakeland that it takes extra effort to remember not everyone has grown up in a town where, for example, Publix is king, entertainment options like her brother’s

“It’s great…I mean she knows everything and always has something planned for us to do,” Jacob said. “If we’re trying to figure out something to do, she’ll be like, ‘You know what we should do? We should look on LakelandMom.’ [That] is always our solution."

What follows is a short guide of some of Mucci’s favorite ways she encourages families to enjoy Lakeland throughout the summer.

April Mucci, the founder of Lakeland Mom, enjoys some arcade game nostalgia with her sons, Jacob (left) and Austin (right) at Family Fun Center.

Places that don't get the PR, but are worth the trip

ebsites like LakelandMom.com and social media make it hard to stay out of the local spotlight for long, but April has a few suggestions for fun that might considered more “under the radar.”

MULBERRY PHOSPHATE MUSEUM

The free museum examines the impact phosphate has had locally from prehistoric times until today.

“They have a pile of rocks basically that came from the mines….with little shark teeth in it,” Mucci says about the historic spot located in the city’s original train depot. The museum also has several galleries that bring to life the history of the area, and just across the street is the Mulberry Cultural Center.

MURALS, MURALS EVERYWHERE

Lakeland is rich with artistic talent, and in recent years buildings throughout the city have become canvasses for expression for all to enjoy.

There is everything from the massive and intriguing “Watchful Woman” painting near Thom Downs Antiques to the fresh citrus-infused “Cultivate” mural near Catapult.

Mucci’s website, as well as Visit Central Florida and LAL Today combine to provide addresses and artist information on almost every mural in Swan City.

PLAYGROUNDS FOR ALL INTERESTS AND AGES

Mucci and her kids have enjoyed many of Lakeland’s fine playgrounds over the years, and everyone should heed her one unchanging piece of wisdom: “Go early in the morning or after dinner so it’s not so dang hot.”

Mucci mentioned several parks to check out that might not roll off the tongue as quickly as Common Ground or Bonnet Springs. The train playground at Woodlake Park is a favorite—and as we featured earlier this year, you can play pickleball or tennis at the facility as well.

A relatively new addition to the Lakeland play scene is McGee Park. Located off Edgewood, the car-themed playground includes tires to climb, vehicles to “drive” and a gas pump that always sells gas for the same price, alongside a number of well manicured sports fields.

And nothing makes the kids say “yo ho ho” quite like the Pirate Park at Lake Parker, where kids can run, climb towers and ride a zipline until they call mayday.

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JeffreyClementsCFP® PortfolioManager SeniorVicePresident FinancialAdvisor 225E.LemonSt. Lakeland,FL33801 +1863499-1521

Jeffrey.Clements@morganstanley.com advisor.morganstanley.com/ the-griffith-clements-group

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Courtesy of Lakeland Public Library

Children at Oscar J. Pope Elementary School cheer as they leave school for the beginning of summer vacation. Mr. Jay Erwin, principal of the school, looks on.