The Lakelander | March - April 2014

MARCH - APRIL 2014

OUT OF THE STRUGGLE / YOU ARE WANTED / BETWEEN THE PINES PURSUING FLORIDA’S OWN WILD TURKEY / A CONQUERED CLOSET

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THE LAKELANDER

YOU’VE YOU’VE SEENSEEN THE COMMERCIAL. THE COMMERCIAL. YOU’VE YOU’VE SPOTTED SPOTTED THE THE BILLBOARDS. BILLBOARDS. YOU’VE YOU’VE READREAD THE ADS. THE ADS. BUT HOW BUT HOW EXACTLY EXACTLY IS IS LAKELAND LAKELAND REGIONAL REGIONAL MEDICAL MEDICAL CENTER’S CENTER’S ER DIFFERENT? ER DIFFERENT? The entire TheERentire experience ER experience is different. is different.

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LakelandLakeland RegionalRegional Medical Medical Center isCenter Polk County’s is Polk County’s only state-designated only state-designated Level II Trauma Level II Center.

Trauma More Center. More than 95% than of our 95% 62ofemergency our 62 emergency medicinemedicine physicians physicians are Board are certified Board or certified Boardor eligible Boardand eligible all 10 and of our all 10 of our pediatricpediatric physicians physicians are Board arecertified.

Board certified.

Our emergency Our emergency department department now usesnow a pod usesconcept a pod concept to group to group patient beds patient together beds together with a dedicated with a dedicated team of physicians team of physicians and nurses andtreating nursessome treating of the some area’s of the toughest area’s toughest emergency emergency cases. cases.

LakelandLakeland RegionalRegional Medical Medical Center isCenter a not-for-profit is a not-for-profit healthcare healthcare facility that facility has that served hasLakeland served Lakeland and the and the surrounding surrounding communities communities for almost for100 almost years.

100More years. than More justthan a hospital, just a hospital, LakelandLakeland RegionalRegional Medical Medical Center isCenter ready to is serve ready any to serve medical any need medical youneed may you have. may have.

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THE LAKELANDER

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

44 MARCH - APRIL 2014

DEPARTMENTS MARCH - APRIL 2014

18 NOTE FROM THE EDITOR 20 EDITORIAL BIOS 25 EDUCATION 110 EVENTS 114 TASTE OF LAKELAND: ICE CREAM Our favorite local indulgences 128 HISTORY Pipkin’s Dairy Products and Ice Cream Shop

ON THE COVER

Out Of the struggle / You are wanted / between the pines pursuing florida’s own wild turkeY / a cOnquered clOset

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THE LAKELANDER

The stunning, light-filled entry of Christian Lee’s lovely home. The Mississippi-born interior and textile designer graciously opened up her space to us to photograph and gush over. Our entire team was completely taken with the beauty and warmth of this house — we didn’t want to leave! There was something simply magical about the combination of eclectic art, items collected from life and travels, and of course the fabrics. Oh, the fabrics! Read more about the life and work of our friend, Christian Lee, on page 44. Photography by Tina Sargeant.

IS DIFFERENT

“We take great pride in our rich history and local heritage, while offering a very progressive product line. Service and commitment are at the core of everything we do. ” Greg Littleton President and CEO

VISION

1920 2014

Offers a robust mobile and online product More than 30% of customers are dual residents and still use CB&T as their primary financial institution Created a financial literacy guide relevant for all customers hosted on our site

We feel a tremendous responsibility to our customers, our employees and shareholders. We’ve been around long enough to know that these three groups are inseparable and interdependent. We’re a third generation, family owned and operated business.

branch growth by year 2 3 1 1 3 1 1 1 98 04 05 06 07 08 09 10

45% 10,000

of our Marketing budget is allotted to philanthropic donations every year

volunteer hours are logged each year within our local communities

www.citizens-bank.com THE LAKELANDER

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

FEATURES SPORT 26 PURSUING FLORIDA’S OWN WILD TURKEY

Hunters from around the globe visit Central Florida to chase the Osceola gobbler

PEOPLE 36 IT’S JUST INSPIRING

You might find him planning vacations at Lugos Travel, raising money for area schools, or joining in a local pub run, but wherever you find him, ItsJustCharity.org’s Shane Mahoney will tell you why Lakeland is a great place to do good work

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info@FloridaPolytechnic.org

FLORIDA’S By 2018, Florida will need to fill an estimated 411,000 STEM jobs.

Florida Poly offers six specialized degrees with 19 cutting-edge concentrations in engineering and technology.

Industry partnerships provide students real-world experience and connect firms with emerging high-tech talent.

Florida Poly is designed to be nimble and responsive to changes in technology and industry, ensuring students graduate with job-ready skills and knowledge.

Florida Poly.

Engineered to be extraordinary.

info@FloridaPolytechnic.org

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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94

SHELTER

MEN’S STYLE

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OUT OF THE STRUGGLE ississippi transplant Christian Lee shares how unexpected M struggles led to beauty and hope in the life of her family

BETWEEN THE PINES weekend off the pavement opens our eyes to what A matters most

CULTURE

TASTE

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INKING A SABERTOOTH SWORDSMAN Aaron Conley and Lakeland’s very own superhero

RECIPES

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner — adventure-style

PHILANTHROPY

WOMEN’S STYLE

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YOU ARE WANTED

How Lakeland is responding to domestic human trafficking

THE LAKELANDER

A CONQUERED CLOSET

reating a functional wardrobe though inspiration C and organization

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These foundations have proven to be reputable, efficient places to invest dollars that grow to do tremendous good. In 2014, the decision was made to combine their resources and form one community foundation that is capable of doing even greater work throughout the Polk County region and beyond.

Unified and accountable with a new name and brand identity, this strengthened foundation is better equipped to give help...give hope‌give well.

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PUBLISHER Curt Patterson ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERS Jason Jacobs, Brandon Patterson Advertising ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Curt Patterson; 863.409.2449 ADVERTISING SALES Jason Jacobs; 863.606.8785 ADVERTISING SALES Brandon Patterson; 863.409.2447

Editorial EDITOR Jackie Houghton CULTURE EDITOR Adam Justice MEN’S STYLE EDITOR Mark Nielsen PEOPLE EDITOR Adam Spafford PHILANTHROPY EDITOR Brooklyn Lindsey SHELTER EDITOR Rachel Plating SPORT EDITOR Ian Nance TASTE EDITOR Logan Crumpton WOMEN’S STYLE EDITOR Courtney Philpot COPY EDITOR Laura Burke OFFICE MANAGER Deb Patterson ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Beatriz Salazar-Ruiz Design ART DIRECTOR Philip Pietri GRAPHIC DESIGNER Daniel Barcelo Photography CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Michael Nielsen, Penny & Finn, Philip Pietri, Dustin Prickett, Tina Sargeant, Jason Stephens Circulation CIRCULATION DIRECTOR

Jason Jacobs

General Counsel

Ted W. Weeks IV

Published by Patterson Jacobs Publishing, LLC Curt Patterson | Jason Jacobs | Brandon Patterson | Steve Brown The Lakelander is published bimonthly by Patterson Jacobs Publishing, P.O. Box 41, Lakeland, FL 33802. Reproduction in whole or in part without express written permission of The Lakelander is prohibited. The Lakelander is not responsible for any unsolicited submissions.

Contact Patterson Jacobs Publishing, P.O. Box 41, Lakeland, FL 33802 863.701.2707 www.thelakelander.com Customer Service: 863.701.2707 Subscription Help: jason@pattersonpublishing.com “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

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EDITORIAL

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

I

see this issue as a provoking mix of both great beauty and profound hardship. There is often a fine line between the two — as something can be both beautiful and dark all at once. Years ago I had a professor tell me that nothing of worth can exist without struggle. He was referring to the creation of art, but I think it’s a much more widely applicable notion. His words stuck with me. They rooted themselves deep down somewhere and come back into view when I’m most in need of the truth they tell.

So many of the stories we share in this issue are told from the hard places. They’re woven together in spite of, or perhaps because of, hardship. But, there is beauty in the struggle. As evidenced by the triumph of a single mother realizing her dreams, the work of a community to care for those who have been abused and discarded, and even in the success found in following an unorthodox calling. These kinds of stories are what make life really beautiful, and I love that we get to share them with you. To have the opportunity to spread beauty truly is a lovely gift.

Thanks for reading.

Jackie

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EDITORIAL BIOS LOGAN CRUMPTON TASTE EDITOR Logan Crumpton has been employed with the United States Postal Service for the last twelve years. Although he has lived nearly his entire life in the Lakeland area, he seeks out a world of food culture with the mindset of sharing it on a local level. Like many who have developed a love of food, he honed his skills in his grandmother’s kitchen, learning traditional Cuban and Italian classics.

Pursuing more of a life in food has afforded him the opportunity of co-creating the food blog Eataduck, guest writing for online publications, as well as trying his hand as a caterer and private chef.

BROOKLYN LINDSEY

PHILANTHROPY EDITOR In 2007 Brooklyn Lindsey moved to Lakeland to work as the middle school pastor and Saturday night campus pastor, alongside her husband, at Highland Park Church of the Nazarene. Wife of Coy. Mommy of Kirra and Mya. Pastor to teenagers. Advocate for giving and partnering. Community leader. Dreamer. Ideator. Over the past decade, she’s authored six books, and shared with thousands of students and youth workers locally and across the United States. She and her family love living and giving in Lakeland. Find out more on her blog: www.brooklynlindsey.com or follow on Twitter: @ brooklynlindsey

ADAM SPAFFORD PEOPLE EDITOR

Adam Spafford came to Lakeland in 1999 to attend Florida Southern College and, except for a twenty-month graduate school stint in Massachusetts, has been here since. When he’s not writing pageturners for The Lakelander, he trades stock and index options.

ADAM JUSTICE CULTURE EDITOR

Adam Justice is a Virginia native who moved to Lakeland in 2010 to become the curator of art at Polk Museum of Art. He received his B.A. in art history/ museum studies from Radford University and an M.A. in art history at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Previously he was the chief curator at William King Museum in Abingdon, Virginia, and also served as the director of the Southwest/Blue Ridge Regions for the Virginia Association of Museums. Additionally, he taught art history at Virginia Commonwealth University, Rappahannock Community College, and Virginia Highlands Community College. While being the curator of art at Polk Museum of Art, he is also an adjunct professor of art history at Florida Southern College. He currently serves on various boards, including the Downtown Lakeland Partnership, Polk Vision and Polk Arts Alliance, and is involved with various service and civic organizations.

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IAN NANCE

SPORT EDITOR A lifelong resident of Lakeland, Ian Nance lives with his wife, Carolyn, and twin children, Harrison and Cile. With a passion for the outdoors, he has hunted throughout Florida and the southeastern United States over the last twenty-five years. Ian is currently a member of Ducks Unlimited and also a member of Mossy Oak Camouflage’s Florida ProStaff.

Along with hunting, he enjoys saltwater fishing, cooking, and writing and has been published in Petersen’s Hunting and Florida Game & Fish Magazine. He is author of the blog, “A Good Hunt,” on polkoutdoors.com.

THE LAKELANDER

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EDITORIAL BIOS COURTNEY PHILPOT

WOMEN’S STYLE EDITOR For as long as she can remember, Courtney has been doodling girls in dresses on any available paper, pad, or napkin. Born and raised in Lakeland, she attended FSU, where she received a degree in sociology and then earned a degree in fashion design and marketing from the Academy of Design in Tampa. After many years helping friends and family prepare for big events, she decided to turn her knack for fashion into a business.

She created Style by Courtney, where she works as a stylist for personal clients, groups, photo shoots, and runway shows. Eventually, she wants to design her own prints to be used in her own apparel line. Until then, she plans on spending time with her husband, Bryce, and daughter, Sydney, while sharing her fashion philosophy that “You don’t need a million bucks to look like a million bucks” with her clients and readers.

RACHEL PLATING SHELTER EDITOR

ALICE KOELHER

EDUCATION EDITOR Alice Koehler is a longtime Lakeland resident, graduate of Florida Southern College, returned Peace Corps Volunteer, mother, and lifelong learner. She holds a certificate in nonprofit management as well as a B.S. in sociology and education. In 2013, she graduated from Leadership Lakeland Class 30 and began her journey as an MBA student. In her free time, she enjoys adventure seeking, memory making, joy giving, bargain hunting, community building, mind bending, knowledge acquiring, and soul filling. Since 2006, Alice has worked with and for the Learning Resource Center of Polk County, Inc. — an organization dedicated to helping all students maximize their learning potential; she is currently the assistant director.

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Rachel Plating is a Florida girl through and through. Growing up she split her weekends fishing in the many lakes of Central Florida and playing bluegrass with her family on the lawn of her grandparents’ house in Eustis. When the time came to go to college, Florida Southern swept her off her feet with its ancient oaks draped in Spanish moss and the sleepy brick roads leading to and from the lakes around town. She and her husband met at FSC, and though called away from Lakeland for a time, they just couldn’t stay away forever. Three years later saw them moving back to this special town and making a home to raise their children among the community they love so much. When she’s not writing for The Lakelander, you can usually find her spending time with her family, making delicious meals, having art time with her kids, and playing music at church. When she is writing for The Lakelander, she can usually be found at Mitchell’s.

MARK NIELSEN STYLE EDITOR Mark Nielsen moved to Lakeland at the age of 12, moved away at 21, and came back just five years later. He attributes his interest in style to his career in design, translating the aesthetics and principles of design into fashion. Mark doesn’t sit still for long, and is currently building a café racer, has shaped a couple surfboards, maintains three blogs, and pursues a hobby shooting mediumformat film. An accomplished designer, his work has been featured in such international design publications as HOW, Communication Arts, and Print, as well as the New York Times Magazine, and others.

Over the years, he has also added photography and filmmaking to his resume, winning awards for cinematography with his twin brother, Michael. Mark currently holds the role of creative director at Publix and lives in Lakeland with his wife, Jill; their daughters, Andie and Bridget; and a German shorthaired pointer, Charlie.

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3242 SOUTH FLORIDA AVENUE :: LAKELAND, FL 33803 24

THE LAKELANDER

Just South of Wal-Mart on S. Florida Avenue

EDUCATION

FIXING EDUCATION

Turning the fairy tale into reality

by Alice Koehler The last decade has been a harbinger for educational reform. Around every corner, there are whisperings of change on the horizon, people passionate about ensuring a better future for our children through education. Newspaper headlines give heed to the implications of a floundering system. Facebook and Twitter are covered with passionate posts about testing and teaching. Documentaries artfully tell the stories of education’s effects on our kids. Coffee-shop conversations draw attention to what is happening in our schools. We test, retest, and test again to gauge student progress. We redefine and reframe educational standards.

We think about how our teachers teach, as well as how we treat our teachers. We look at budgets and change curriculum. We elect schoolboard members and appoint superintendents. We encourage parent involvement and implement new programs. When it comes to education, it’s clear that we all want, and are trying to achieve, something better than the status quo. Yet, learning outcomes, at home and across the nation, remain less than desirable.

In December 2013, the Program for International Student Assessment reported that Florida’s students lag behind thirty-four countries in reading, math, and science. In Polk County, 74.8 percent of students graduate from high school as compared to 81.2 percent statewide. Only 17.9 percent of Polk County’s residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher (Central Florida Development Council, 2013). It’s because of the tireless work by this community that these numbers have steadily increased over the last few years. However, there’s still much work to be done.

Something has to change, and most everyone has an opinion about what changes will make the biggest differences: better teachers, more money, less testing, more rigorous curriculum. It’s not the teachers; they’re doing the jobs asked of them by the system. It’s not the money; America spends more on education than most developed nations. It’s not the tests or the standards themselves; they are necessary to some extent.

Our system is broken; the culture of education is flawed. The culture focuses on what we teach as opposed to how. It focuses on what kids should know, instead of how they learn and what to do with what they know. Since the dawning of “No Child Left Behind,” our schools have been asked to focus on sameness, what all kids are capable of learning.

It is this focus on sameness that, in some ways, denies our students opportunities for exploration, creativity, and growth that are necessary to true synthesis and application of knowledge. Yes, the system is broken.

And, it will take all of us, working together, to fix it.

Here’s the magic and the hope, Lakeland: You can be part of the solution. You don’t have to work in a school, for a nonprofit, have a master’s degree, or even have children of your own to contribute to better outcomes, a better future for our kids and subsequently our city.

Here’s what you can do: Give the kids in your life the opportunity to explore. Play in a park.

Investigate nature. Go to a museum. Exploration encourages questioning, and questioning is where learning to love learning begins.

Ask and answer seemingly silly questions. When curious three- and four-year-olds incessantly ask, “Why?” — respond to them. As we engage and encourage children’s curiosity, the thirst for learning grows.

Get messy and creative: paint, draw, write poetry, make up a game, climb a tree, play an instrument, tell stories, or listen to music. Creativity is good mental exercise and awakens the whole brain. Additionally, creativity and the arts allow children to experience unadulterated success, a valuable experience especially for children who struggle in the traditional school setting.

Read, every day, with a child. Regularly reading with children builds a foundation for vocabulary development, and increases language and cognitive abilities (National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, 2007).

Connect with students. According to www.polk-fl.net, when students engage in a consistent mentoring relationship with an adult, the results are staggering: 98% improve their school attendance rates.

33% have less discipline referrals.

78% state they can now say no to peer pressure.

72% say their relationship skills are improved.

Find out how to become a mentor in Polk County Public Schools here:

https://www.polk-fl.net/community/volunteers/youthmotivators.htm Find out how to become an academic tutor here:

lrcpolk.com/p/29/tutoring-jobs-Lakeland

Don’t give up; stay engaged in the conversation. Check out these resources:

takepart.com/waiting-for-superman/resources ted.com/playlists/125/tv_special_ted_talks_educatio.html parenting.com/article/help-boost-your-schools-reading-programs

At times, a prefect system may seem like a fairy tale, an impossible dream. To quote G.K. Chesterton, “Fairy tales are the truest not because they tell us that dragons exist, but that they can be defeated.” Together, we can turn the fairy tale into reality.

THE LAKELANDER

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story by Ian Nance photography by Penny & Finn

THE LAKELANDER

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o say Florida goes without a fall or winter betrays the sudden life that explodes forth in the footprints of the later months as spring arrives. The underbrush that had sneaked away in November bursts into fresh green. Aromas of budding oaks and orange blossoms sweeten the air. Melancholy refrains of whip-poorwills and chuck-will’s-widows (the only birds sounding sorrowful about the vibrancy of life in March and April) pace the dawn toward sunrise. And it is at this hour of the day when Florida hunters who take to the field during spring feel more alive as well, for nothing captures the emerging excitement and vitality of the woods than the thundering gobble of an Osceola tom.

Named after the famed Seminole chief, the Osceola, or Florida Wild Turkey, is one of five subspecies of turkeys recognized in the United States. Smaller and darker with more striking iridescence in its feathers than its kin, dedicated turkey hunters who wish to fulfill the goal of a Grand Slam — harvesting all five subspecies — visit the Sunshine State to chase Mr. Osceola. More specifically, folks — even those not yearning after such challenges — must hunt the peninsular portion of the state since the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) only recognize birds residing in and to the south of Dixie, Gilchrist, Alachua, Union, Bradford, Clay, and Duval counties to be purebred Osceolas. This makes Central

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Florida Ground Zero for Osceola turkey hunting in the world, and hunters do in fact travel here from all corners to pursue this challenging creature.

Being a generalist that adapts to various habitats and diets, the Osceola thrives in this region of diverse ecosystems. They are as at home in thick cypress swamps and blackwater river bottoms as they are in agriculture fields and prairies. All Florida native, they ride out the hurricanes, heat, floods, and mosquito clouds from year to year. The only true threat to their future — a danger to all wild things in this state — is development and human encroachment. Still, they are better suited than most as they can get comfortable in suburban neighborhoods, golf courses, and around airports provided there are roost trees nearby where they can call it a night.

Due to the limited availability of the Osceola and their mastery of Florida’s challenging terrain, this subspecies is far and away considered the most difficult to hunt. Those who do not pursue gobblers season after season fail to understand how tuned in these animals truly are. A gobbler in the open maximizes his superior hearing and eyesight to seek hens and avoid predators and careless hunters. The swamp-dwelling birds prefer stealth, suffering from extreme cases of gobbling lockjaw so as not to betray their presence to anything laying in ambush. Those who score Osceolas season after season are considered to be the best amongst the turkey-hunting fraternity.

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And the turkey-hunting fraternity is an odd, obsessed lot; crazy, even, as stories float around of hunters going so far as removing dental work to make mouth calls (half-moon shaped pieces of tape and latex that mimic hen turkeys when operated properly) sound sweeter. The ranks of turkey hunters have swelled over the last twenty-five years as the sport has grown in popularity with the rebounding numbers of turkeys nationwide. Florida’s public land Wildlife Management Areas (WMA’s) hold plenty of Osceolas but attract a lot of hunters as well.

Mulberry resident Scott Ellis has hunted Osceolas for thirty seasons. Well-known and regarded in the hunting community, he has competed in turkey-calling competitions for twenty-four years, winning over sixty titles in thirteen states, including the 2013 Grand National Head to Head Division Champion, which he considers his grand jewel accomplishment.

Furthermore, Ellis has hunted gobblers in thirteen different states and completed the Grand Slam. He feels the Osceola is not much different than the other subspecies in terms of what makes turkeys tick, but hunting pressure on these animals each year is higher due to their limited range and trophy desirability. Osceolas respond quickly to this interference.

“Many hunters are often forced to hunt WMAs. So, due to the high pressure, it makes them much tougher to hunt,” Ellis says. “Always approach an Osceola gobbler as if he’s been 30

THE LAKELANDER

hunted an entire turkey season.”

Of course, things can be different on private properties where hunters will enjoy the highest degrees of success on less-pressured toms. Still, Florida has done an excellent job of opening lands to the public. Currently, the state offers Special Opportunity and Quota Permits to provide quality hunts to limited numbers of people each season. For the Special Opportunity Hunts, applicants must select the hunt of their choice and pay a five-dollar-per-application fee.

If drawn through the lottery system, that person must pay an additional amount for the hunt.

Green Swamp West WMA in Pasco County north of 98 and west of 471 is a popular Special Opportunity hunting location.

While these hunts are consistently successful, the odds of being drawn are low, and many folks balk at having to pay the fees. Quota hunts, on the other hand, are free from application to permit, and far more properties are available under the quota system than Special Opportunity. Quite a few of them are true diamonds in the rough. The trick to unearth the potential of these properties is a little research, scouting, and luck to pull the permit.

Unfortunately, by the time Spring Turkey rolls around, these hunts are off the table as the application period typically falls in November.

On the bright side, there are tens of thousands of Central Florida public acres that do not require cash or special permits in order to hunt and explore each spring. No matter where one hunts, though, Osceolas rarely come easy.

THE LAKELANDER

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“Only call [the Osceola] enough to keep him interested and moving toward your set-up.”

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THE LAKELANDER

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Scott Ellis won the 2013 Head-to-Head contest in the National Wild Turkey Federation Grand National Calling Championships.

Ellis makes his signature mouth call

by Woodhaven Custom Calls.

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THE LAKELANDER

To get started, hunters will need headto-toe camouflage — including facemask and gloves — that matches the color of Florida’s springtime woods to hide from their jeweler’s eye. Mossy Oak’s Obsession is a perfect all-around pattern. A reliable pump shotgun is all that’s necessary to collect a mature tom. A couple of different calls, a turkey vest to hold gear and decoys, a comfy seat to guard against gnarly oak roots, waterproof boots for treks through flooded swamps, and a ThermaCELL to keep the flocks of mosquitoes at bay will round out the gear requirement for these hunts.

One thing that does differentiate the Osceola from other subspecies outside of physical appearances is their propensity for quiet whether pressured or not by hunters. This often proves frustrating to those seeking constant action and who will begin calling too much in hopes of striking up game. To be successful, Ellis

recommends taking a restrained approach.

“There is no rule book to abide by, but with the Osceola less is generally more.

Simply pique his interest and feed him enough hen-talk to keep him coming in to your set-up. Put an emphasis on creating as much realism as possible in your calling sequences. Meaning, only call enough to keep him interested and moving toward your set-up.”

If all goes right, that Osceola tom will gobble at daybreak, right about when the crows start cawing and the night critters have signed off for the night. That distinctly primal, guttural sound is an indicator to hens to come hither and rival males to keep their distance — the Man is in town. If all goes well for him, he’ll have a flock of beauties waiting for him when he flies down from his roost. The tom will strut, fanning out that gorgeous tail and puffing out his breast feathers, flexing for his harem.

But, females are fickle. Oftentimes they do not care for his boastfulness and retreat the other way. The tom Osceola, flustered by this lack of attention, hears a soft hen yelp emanating from the edge of the cypress. He sneaks closer to investigate, maybe gobbling once or twice in hopes of luring her to him. With no luck of that happening, he inches around a palmetto head and spies foam ladies propped up on plastic stakes and thinks he hit the jackpot — a fool for love.

If only it was always that easy.

Harvesting an Osceola is a truly rewarding experience for turkey hunters, considering the difficulty that is associated with catching up with one.

Whether an old hat at the game or a rank novice, those who hunt in Central Florida should feel blessed for the opportunity to chase this special upland bird across a unique part of the world.

Especially in the spring.

THE LAKELANDER

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PEOPLE

IT’S JUST INSPIRING

You might find him planning vacations at Lugos Travel, raising money for area schools, or joining in a local pub run, but wherever you find him, ItsJustCharity.org’s Shane Mahoney will tell you why Lakeland is a great place to do good work STORY BY ADAM SPAFFORD PHOTOGRAPHY BY DUSTIN PRICKETT The Lakelander: How did you come to call Lakeland home?

Shane Mahoney: Lakeland was initially a tough relationship for me. I call it home, but I’ve known so many. While not originally from Lakeland, I moved here in the fourth grade and stayed until I graduated from Lakeland High School in 1995. At the time, I thought I’d never live here again and went about my adventures. After thirteen years of living elsewhere, I’d come to appreciate what Lakeland truly offers and made my way back willingly and with verve.

Lakeland has a great mix of many desirable traits. For me, what sets it apart is the parks and recreation department’s keen attention to detail

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in beautifying the city. The result is a gorgeous town that offers a great mix of large-town amenities with a small-town feel. Lakeland also offers quick access to so much Florida has to offer, and the net effect is a clean, great place to live, surrounded by many attractions of which the world can be jealous. In the end, a large part of doing this work is borne from wanting to show up-andcoming adults that Lakeland is a great place to stay and that it’s a community that truly does care.

TL: You once related to me a story of an unfulfilling career. How does that experience influence your work — professional and charitable — now?

SM: It influences me more than any other driving force. Life is far too short to waste it not pursuing your dreams.

A motivated person with a dream is most powerful. Following my heart, and letting all other decisions flow from there, has changed my entire perspective on life and how I wish to live it. I believe in being the change I want to see. And where I’ve made mistakes, I’ve corrected them and moved on to just be better next time. I also don’t dwell on the past much, at least not when there’s so much riding on the future.

TL: Speaking of your charitable work, what is ItsJustCharity.org?

SM: It’s an event-based, youth

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education and mentoring charity designed to help in small but measurable ways. That means a lot of different things, so let me explain.

We started ItsJustCharity.org based on three principles which we use to guide us. First, we wanted it to be about kids’ education and life balance. I feel that upcoming generations will face different economic and job challenges than what we see today. Much of that is borne from the technological and scientific changes that are occurring. It’s difficult for anyone to just pick up those fields and run with them.

Our second principle was to be event based. We wanted to bring entertaining things to Lakeland, and knowing that each and every one of us enjoy going out, want to have a good time, and will gladly spend money on it, we figured why not offer events that everyone would want to attend and that just so happen to offer a great cause as the benefactor? There’s no reason giving to charity can’t be fun.

Lastly, we wanted to be sure everything we did was locally based and

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locally beneficial. Everything we raise in Polk County, we keep in Polk County.

Not that other charities aren’t deserving, but we really felt that we could be about a community helping itself.

TL: What motivates you?

SM: It started from a philosophy I’ve had for years, that where something can be done, it should. Having had personal experience with how much teachers spend per semester to educate the children of other people, and especially given how little they make, I simply felt like it was something that had to be done. We all hope that the proper amount of attention is being paid to budgets so that the best education can be had by all, but I just thought that until that happens, I’d rather fill the gap. I’d hope that if we all just pitched in a little we could all benefit. Ultimately, I feel that every dollar put into the education system today is worth multiple times the investment when compared to the cost of someone spending twenty years in our penal system.

The Masquerade Ball is a great way to support the Florida Baptist Children’s Home while letting down your hair a little. Last year marked the first time in over sixteen years since Lakeland has had one.

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TL: What makes ItsJustCharity.org so effective?

SM: Well, I suppose an argument could be made either way depending on your standards. I feel what we’ve been able to accomplish is modest, and I’m eternally grateful for the many people who have helped and continue to help, but I don’t think I’ll ever be satisfied until real change in our education system occurs. That would be a conversation for another day, though. Personally, I feel that ItsJustCharity.org operates on love and kindness, so whatever gains we make, modest or otherwise, I’m happy to see the community supporting something I feel is important.

TL: What have you learned? What advice would you give aspiring charity founders?

SM: I’ve learned that there is no halfway with this life. If you want to do it, you need to be fully committed. That being said, it’s rewarding in ways that far eclipse monetary gains. After all the work comes the reward in seeing the people we can affect, and while I may never truly know if anything we’ve done will make a huge difference per se, I think it’s more about the effort. Sometimes it’s the smallest of gestures that can have the greatest impact.

TL: What events have already happened? What ones are coming up?

SM: We built the premise around just four yearly events. For one thing, putting these together are time intensive, and for another we didn’t want to constantly be in people’s faces. We’d rather do what we do well and be like a charity treat you can indulge in from time to time.

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ItsJustCharity.org brings fun, new events to Lakeland. Bringing the community together is vital to our growth and prosperity, so help us and have a great time. Remember, ItsJustCharity.org!

The Diamonds and Pearls Masquerade Ball benefits the Florida Baptist Children’s Home which takes care of kids who need short- and long-term foster care as well as guardian ad litem. We love this event because it gives us all a chance to dress up and really go out on the town.

Later in the year we host our It’s Just Comedy Night which benefits the Learning Resource Center. We support this organization because they really do a fantastic job of supporting education in Polk County. They are locally based and independently funded.

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The Just a Lil Bit Country Event is our latest creation and our event for local classrooms and teachers. It’s how we fill the void where good teachers want to have the best ways to teach but can’t pay for it themselves. We’re hoping this event is a success, and it marks our first and only kid-friendly event. So far we’ve been able to pay for butterfly terrariums, robotics laboratories for third graders, and PE equipment for eight hundred kids.

Our last event is our signature Wine & Cigar Night which helps us address our own budgetary needs as well as plan for long-range

projects. One of my goals is to eradicate text books in favor of iPads or the like. To me, it opens so many new learning paths while saving kids from toting around thirty-ish pounds of books and the resulting health issues.

TL: What’s the best way to get involved with ItsJustCharity.org?

SM: The best part of what we do is make giving to charity not only easy, but fun! If you’d like to help, ...follow us on Facebook, go to our website, and come to our events! Take a chance and let us show you.

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Mississippi transplant Christian Lee shares how unexpected struggles led to beauty and hope in the life of her family

/// STORY BY RACHEL PLATING /// PHOTOGRAPHY BY JASON STEPHENS AND TINA SARGEANT ///

SHELTER

Christian Lee has lived a life of many contrasting experiences, all of which have culminated to bring her to this place: a single mom, business owner, and textile designer. Born and bred in Mississippi, she grew up knowing from an early age that the arts held her calling.

In 1992 she and her husband moved to Lakeland with their three boys. After a number of years, she found herself alone and responsible for the care and well-being of her three now-teenage children. This is the story of what happened next.

The Lakelander: Christian, on your blog [christianleedesigns.wordpress. com] you speak of that moment where you looked around and realized you were alone, unemployed, and responsible for the sustenance of your family. A crushing reality for anyone, and one that many women have in common with you. What got you through those dark hours? Can you say that any beauty has come from your own struggle?

Christian Lee: First and foremost, my faith saw me through those difficult years. I held close to my belief that God had a plan for my sons and me. There were many days, weeks, months, years I did not know what the plan was, but we always kept our heads just above water. I can dog paddle with the best of them. My faith, my family, and friends (too many to mention) lifted us up.

I still look back on that time and am amazed how good people are to those in hard times. I’m not special or worthy of the many blessings we received during that period, and I will never forget the blessings we received. We lost our house, car, health insurance, and any sense of security we had previously possessed. Let me be the first to say our hardships were financial. No one had a terminal illness. My boys did not become rebellious or bitter. They are the real heroes, and I look up to them. Our family motto was: “Divorce and hard times do not define you.” This is something we will get through together. We did survive, and we are a better family today.

“Walls should reflect the story of your life. On my bedroom wall I started with a larger piece of art, a gift from my dad that I’ve had since I was a child.

Two of the smaller pieces to the left are notes from my sons. The black-and-white photo is from New Orleans. I always include a piece of folk art.

Every wall needs a nod to whimsy. Also, art of a small scale always looks more powerful when grouped together.”

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Mississippi transplant Christian Lee shares how unexpected struggles led to beauty and hope in the life of her family

THE LAKELANDER

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“My First Love” (left) and “Petit Bebe” (right), felted embroidered pillows by Christian Lee Designs. There are more available on her website.

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Part of God’s plan was for us to move nine months before my husband filed for divorce. I had gotten my first job in those nine months at an interior design firm called Town and Country. A new client came in because she was building a home and needed my help. This client became my second mother, and she nudged for us to visit her church. We did, and joined the church in those nine months. How could I have been more blessed than to have a job, my sons’ school, and our church all in walking distance from home? The boys could get to me, or wherever they needed to be, at any time. This gave me a strong peace of mind. To this day it still makes me emotional. God placed us in this cocoon of love. Our community has been, and continues to be, a safe haven for us.How do you ever express that gratitude we have for so many?

Do I believe design creating comes from those difficult times? Absolutely. We all have to go through hardships to find and see beauty. If it was always easy we wouldn’t be able to see the good stuff — magic, hope.

TL: What do you think is so magnetizing about the arts for you? What inspires you to create?

CL: Creating and designing is something I have to do. It’s the air I need to breathe. We all need to remember that life is never all good or all bad at any one time. It seems it’s always a little bit of both. I can use both joy and pain to create. I bet most artists would say the same.

TL: On your website [christianleedesigns.com] you mention Ann Jacob, who owns and operates the Ann Jacob Gallery in Highlands, North Carolina, as a dear friend and mentor who has greatly influenced you as an artist and lover of art. What do you think is her greatest legacy in your life? How does the impact of that relationship continue to inform your choices today? Or does it?

CL: I am the daughter of an artist; I come by it honestly.

My father is a photographer who had great success in his art. I grew up in a photographer’s studio and darkroom.

It was a very cool playground, and there was magic being created. I wanted to be there and be a part of it. At times I’m sure I drove him crazy always wanting to be included in his work. Those are some of the fondest memories of my childhood.

During my high school years I attended Academic and Performing Arts High School (APAC). It was the first of its kind in Mississippi, and it was really a special time. I was in the drama department and loved every minute.

To be in an environment where your art, talent, and your strengths are celebrated is priceless.

After I had my first son, I painted a rocking chair for his nursery. I had painted this whole scene on the chair.

I had never seen anything like it before and neither had my mom. Everyone seemed to like it, and my mom spoke to an art dealer, Ann Jacob, in Highlands. Ann asked to see some of my work, and she put it in her art gallery

THE LAKELANDER

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in Highlands and in Atlanta. She took a chance on me and believed in my work. It was fulfilling a need in me I wasn’t even aware of at the time. But three kids later, it became too much trying to balance both. These different life experiences were the stepping stones of my career in design and textiles.

TL: So from stay-at-home mom, to dabbler in DIY, to an interior designer with clients all around Central Florida, to single mom of three teenage boys, and now, a textile designer. Whew, what a ride. Can you tell us what inspired you to get into textile design?

CL: I’m always passionate about my home and designing. How can you make it work? How can you make it better? How can you make it reflect you? I dream about

THE LAKELANDER

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From Christian’s blog: “This for most of us is the most difficult task when decorating your home. Take the time to collect pieces that speak to you. You can hire an interior decorator, but why? This is the time your house needs to reflect you, not the designer.”

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homes, decorating, color, fabrics. Design is never far from my thoughts. Always looking and wondering what you can do with a piece of fabric, furniture, or a house.

I do believe the hard times have influenced my tastes with the textiles and the repurposed furniture. Everything I use and work with are often times things people overlook or are not able to see the beauty in that is waiting to be uncovered.

The things that are beaten up and tattered usually speak to me the most. Probably because I relate to those pieces that have had a hard road, and I see hope of what it could become.

There were people who could see me when I was broken and beaten up. Those are the moments that fill my heart with joy.

Life happened to me, and that was how it all began to create something more than hanging drapes in a living room, and I knew I had a voice. Something from within me I needed to share. Every piece gets a piece of my heart, my life, my journey, and my faith.

TL: How did you achieve work/life balance as a single mom with three kids at home? Or is work/life balance just a myth?

CL: I say we can not have it all. There is always a part you will have to sacrifice. But we can have it all at different moments in life, which I don’t see as a negative. For most of my adult years I chose my sons, and then a career had to come and I sacrificed my sons to provide for their needs. Now the boys are out of the nest, and I believe it’s my time to give to art, design, and my dreams.

None of it is easy for any of us, and we all come to this life broken. What we can hope for is to be our best, ask for grace, and never stop dreaming.

TL: Your newest collection is called “Family Beginnings.”

Clearly, family is a huge part of your life, and the boys have been there right alongside you throughout your journey.

What role has family played in your business? How have your sons helped spur you on to pursue your dreams?

CL: My entire family has played a role in this journey — with love, financial investments, photography, scouting locations, web design, setting up the bookkeeping — you name it and they’ve been supportive. You asked how the boys have inspired my art. They believe, and gave me their support to dream. My Tinker Bell coffee cup was/is everything.*

* From christianleedesigns.com: “Sitting in my living room one day, contemplating life and looking at my settee with my Mississippi pillow on it and knowing that I could create something better to go with that pillow, started me thinking about designing and making pillows. I went to North Carolina to visit a friend and started purchasing fabric to make some pillows. I thought that my pillows would at least make great Christmas presents for my family and friends. I knew I was on to something when I saw the look on all three of my sons’ faces when they saw my creations. At Christmas my youngest son gave me a Tinker Bell coffee cup that said DREAM, and I knew at that moment that I had to make my dream turn into a reality.”

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Editor’s Note: Christian has recently been selected to participate in the new artisan marketplace by One King’s Lane, called Hunter’s Alley.

Part Etsy-style marketplace, part curated storefront (think West Elm’s collaboration with Etsy or Domino Magazine’s online shopping publication), it combines the experience of shopping a high-style environment with a social component — you can get to know the sellers personally.

Check it out at: www.huntersalley.com Christian’s storefront can be found at: www.huntersalley.com/profile/3156-christian-lee

THE LAKELANDER

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CULTURE

AARON CONLEY AND LAKELAND’S VERY OWN SUPERHERO ARTICLE BY ADAM JUSTICE PHOTOGRAPHY BY PHILIP PIETRI 56

THE LAKELANDER

T

he comic-book universe is no longer ruled

by Superman. The traditional standard of a white demigod do-gooder is as outdated and preposterous as his superhero tights. In fact, the new-aged underground comic-book scene is so inexplicably vast and diverse that even the more modernized X-Men are resigned to their back pills and applesauce.

A contemporary tide of emerging artists bolsters the genre into a radically new and more widely relative standing. Today’s comic books can be found in the Library of Congress, are viewed as the focus of major museum exhibitions, and have their own category on the New York Times Best Sellers List.

Comic books first gained popularity in America in 1933 as short, illustrated episodes of adventure found in metal racks at the five-anddime. Shortly after the release of Action Comics #1 in 1938, which introduced Superman, comic books became a bona fide mass medium. They were eventually incorporated into the world of fine art with the emergence of pop art in the late

1950s. By using comic books as subjects for their paintings, artists like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein catapulted comics into the arena of connoisseurship.

The growing status of comic books allowed the genre to become more sophisticated and attracted a diversity of new artists who expanded and renovated the field. Those who push the contemporary boundaries of illustrated literature are as delightfully eccentric as the genre itself. Some are seasoned die-hards who cut their teeth on the vintage classics and cover art for science-fiction novellas. Others are the first generation of increasingly curious fans that mixed their early love for comic books with Star Wars merchandise. Others are younger fans who were originally immersed in Japanese animation but eventually needed to leave the stock style for something more nuanced. Yet, many others cannot as easily be classified.

Hence, there is Aaron Conley, a Lakelander whose passion for drawing led him to a fascination with comic books. Although born

in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Conley has been a Lakelander nearly all his life. His earliest memories are of drawing, doodling, and recreating scenes of his favorite superheroes.

He graduated from the Harrison School for the Visual and Performing Arts in 1996. Following graduation, he took a hiatus from his artistic pursuits. During this time, Conley worked for Lakeland-based Woodpecker Records for seven years, graduated from the Paul Mitchell School for Hair Design in Tampa and worked as a stylist for one year, then periodically as a freelance illustrator, and for the national chain Coliseum of Comics. It was during his stint as a hair stylist when he realized his creative appetite wasn’t being fed. He returned to the studio and began working toward what then was an unknown end.

Conley began working with artist and fellow comic-book enthusiast Damon Gentry, a former Lakelander. Together they launched InvadeMyPrivacy.com, a website and blog for promoting their work and documenting their

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[CONLEY’S] ANXIOUS YET CONTROLLED LINE QUALITY GIVES LIFE TO EACH CHARACTER, CONVEYS THE ENERGY OF EACH SCENE, AND WORKS PERFECTLY WITH HIS KNACK FOR EXTREMELY DETAILED DRAWINGS.

pop cultural interests. During this time they were also sending out a barrage of material to any publisher they could contact. Eventually, they got a bite from Dark Horse Comics, the nation’s third-largest comic-book publisher.

The publisher invited Conley and Gentry to submit work for a small Myspace vignette called Dark Horse Presents, an online platform for showcasing emerging talent in the industry. So impressed by the quality of their work, Dark Horse asked Conley and Gentry to pitch an idea for a full-length book. After fleshing out ideas and producing material for the proposal, the pitch was made and accepted.

In November, Dark Horse released Sabertooth Swordsman and the Mayhem of the Malevolent Mastodon Mathematician. This attractive, hardcover, one hundred twenty-page graphic novel is illustrated by Conley and written by Gentry. It’s the story of a weak Arabian farmer transformed into a sword-wielding saber-toothed tiger by the cloud god of Sasquatch Mountain. As the Sabertooth Swordsman, he vows, “Fraternities of darkness shall know fear!” He then sets out to destroy an array of evil foes, from a herd of mutant mountain goats to a couple of sarcastic Cyclops, and rescue his wife, Joleen, from the clutches of the mastodon mathematician. His superpowers aren’t exactly typical; the Sabertooth Swordsman doesn’t have the power of invisibility, or laser vision, or transformative powers.

Instead, he fights those powers natural to a saber-toothed tiger, i.e., enhanced vision, sharp teeth, camouflaged fur, and powerful claws. The only supernatural powers he possesses are his superb swordsmanship, his ability to speak...and his fondness for wearing sweatpants (“the very definition of comfort and mobility”).

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INTRODUCING OUR FRESH PRESSED ARTISANAL JUICES

The production of the book proved more daunting than either artist had anticipated. As Gentry developed the story, Conley worked diligently on laying out and illustrating each page.

Depending on the course of the plot, Conley would spend between ten and eighteen hours per page. To retain a sense of reality during these long drawing sessions, he would listen to podcasts like This American Life, Radiolab, and Snap Judgment. He quickly learned that while drawing completely surreal subjects for hours, it’s good to tether yourself to reality by any means possible. By listening to NPR, Conley was able to create a sense of balance that allowed him to keep working.

Conley’s illustrations will hit a familiar chord with fans of John Kricfalusi, the creator of The Ren & Stimpy Show. His anxious yet controlled line quality gives life to each character, conveys the energy of each scene, and works perfectly with his knack for extremely detailed drawings. To read the book once is to miss the subtle details Conley sneaks past you on each overwhelmingly meticulous page. To read it a second time is to experience its artistry on an entirely deeper level. Combined with Gentry’s ability to write a spiraling and arresting plotline, Conley’s illustrations succeed in expanding our appreciation for the artistry of a 21stcentury comic-book culture.

Sabertooth Swordsman and the Mayhem of the Malevolent Mastodon Mathematician has been a success straight out of the

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gate. Even before being officially released, the graphic novel was receiving accolades from around the comic-book universe. In his June review titled “Buy This Book: Damon Gentry and Aaron Conley’s ‘Sabertooth Swordsman,’” Chris Sims at ComicsAlliance. com wrote:

HIGH-CONCEPT BOOKS CAN BE A PRETTY MIXED BAG. IT’S ONE THING TO COME UP WITH ONE OF THOSE COMPELLING, BIZARRE PREMISES THAT GRAB THE READER’S ATTENTION, BUT IF THE SUBSTANCE ISN’T THERE TO BACK IT UP — OR EVEN IF IT’S DONE IN THE WRONG TONE — THEY FALL FLATTER THAN JUST ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE YOU’LL FIND ON THE SHELVES. WHEN THEY WORK, THOUGH, THE RESULTS CAN BE PRETTY AMAZING, AND FORTUNATELY, DAMON GENTRY AND AARON CONLEY’S SABERTOOTH SWORDSMAN IS DEFINITELY THE KIND THAT HITS.

The momentum is likely to only increase as word of the book reaches wider audiences. As its story and artistry is so conducive to multimedia, don’t be surprised if you see the Sabertooth Swordsman unveiled in a variety of media formats in the future. In the meantime, I recommend stopping into Coliseum Comics in downtown Lakeland, congratulating Aaron Conley, and proudly purchasing your own copy of Sabertooth Swordsman and the Mayhem of the Malevolent Mastodon Mathematician direct from the artist himself. I have my signed copy.

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“I THINK MY BIGGEST INSPIRATION IS MY ABSOLUTE LOVE FOR COMICS AS A UNIQUE MERGING OF ART AND LANGUAGE. EVERY TIME I SIT DOWN TO WORK ON COMICS I WANT TO PUSH MYSELF FURTHER AS AN ARTIST, AND FIND NEW AND INTERESTING WAYS TO ENTERTAIN MYSELF AND MY AUDIENCE.”

PHILANTHROPY

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THE LAKELANDER

YOU ARE WANTED HOW LAKELAND IS RESPONDING TO DOMESTIC HUMAN TRAFFICKING STORY BY :

BROOKLYN LINDSEY & KELLY GREEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY:

TINA SARGEANT

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er voice drew us in. The message, like a current of electricity, had the power to stir up curiosity and concern.

It’s the type of awareness that doesn’t often allow us to remain unchanged.

Sitting in the Polk Theater for the first “Light the Night” gala, we listened to Dara Maclean sing: You are wanted To every searching soul, look to the rising sun If you’re lonely, hurting, gone too far To the outcast you come as you are For you, you are wanted, you, you are wanted She leaned into the subject matter with a gentle yet tenacious passion, asking each of us to do our part, asking Lakeland to say something and do something more.

It was then that I remembered she was singing to those who weren’t in the room. She was singing to the victims of human sex trafficking. It was reminiscent of another environment that I experienced years before.

I was seventeen the first time I heard about children having their futures and their physical bodies stolen from them. I was listening to a well-known speaker describe a situation that threatened the fabric of our society. He told us about young children without a voice who are oppressed in something called modern-day slavery. He continued to tell us about a time when he took a big risk by inviting two young girls he met on the street into his hotel room where he was staying. With blank stares, the girls entered the room. What they didn’t know was that he was paying for an hour of their purity. He put children’s cartoons on the television, ordered food, and invited them to a temporary refuge.

He admitted this probably wasn’t good for his reputation. But he knew he had to do something. As tears streamed down his face, he invited us to look into the future and to care about it.

THE LAKELANDER

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I said “yes” in my mind that very moment; yes to being a voice for the voiceless. But for a long time I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know how to fight human trafficking. Subtly, I began to support organizations that were able to work toward ending human slavery. But, outside of giving financially, I was aware of little that I personally could do to contribute to changing things.

When I moved to Lakeland, the subject matter was closer to me than I ever imagined.

What I didn’t see materializing was the interconnectedness of that story that called me to action as a teenager and another story that’s calling me to action as an adult in my own community. In the city of Lakeland.

I’d like to share that story with you by introducing you to my friend, Kelly Green.

Kelly is a wife and mom of two beautiful children. Her roots take her back to Syracuse, New York. Her life connected with a Lakeland life while in college which brought her here to our beautiful city. Over the years she has become more active in being a spokesperson and advocate for education and prevention surrounding sex trafficking happening in our city. She doesn’t shy away from it, because she knows it exists. She even flew to Southeast Asia to learn more about this systemic problem and possible solutions. Currently, she leads a local

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task force for an organization called LOVE146.

I could think of no one better to help tell this story.

Together we attended “Light the Night,” a fundraising gala to raise support for safe homes to be established in Lakeland. Currently there are none. We sat together, in our dresses, hair done, hearts warmed, knowing that every person in the room was in agreement. These victims are worth our time and attention.

We learned that there is need for at least one hundred seventy-six safe-home beds for young women in need of rehabilitation and restoration from lives lived in the captivity of human sex trafficking. At the time of our meeting, only twenty safe-home beds exist in our entire state.

As we listened to Dara Maclean’s philanthropic power ballads ringing through the space of the Polk Theatre, we heard the story that our community must echo with tangible actions stemming from genuine care and concern. But we have to know about the problem before we can be moved to action.

Through Kelly, I’ve learned some incredible things. She told me about a young woman standing outside a bar in the red-light district of Bangkok, Thailand, her stomach exposed, long stretch marks visible across the skin. Her appearance tells the story of her dual role as both sex worker and mother.

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She told me about a young girl in Manila, Philippines, giggling as she expresses the joy that being in school brings her. This girl glows with confidence as she talks about the possibilities of her future. Months before, soon after her rescue, this conversation could not have happened. Her wounds as a survivor of sex trafficking were too fresh.

She told me about a teenager sitting in a runaway shelter in Bartow, Florida, wondering what people would think if the truth of her past was ever exposed, her secrets revealed. Could anyone love her if they knew what she had done? Would anyone care, or would they turn the other way like so many others before? The girl sees no hope and returns to the life that has enslaved her before.

In these true stories, Kelly revealed to me that there are some commonalities between Bangkok, Manila, and Lakeland. The trafficking stories remind us of our own vulnerabilities and need for liberation, and they quietly beg for our attention.

Imagine pulling out an extra chair, sort of like the one every family has stashed for those large holiday gatherings — except this chair is for the elephant in the room, the hurting in our city that exists and often goes unnoticed.

Let us begin to muster up the courage to face the thing that no one person should ever have to face on their own.

It’s difficult to write these words. Sex trafficking, modern-day slavery, is happening right here in the United States.

In Tampa.

In Orlando.

In our own Lakeland.

It preys upon the most precious gift of any community: our children.

Even though it’s happening right under our noses, it’s still easy to miss. We may not be able to read the red flags in the body language of a young girl craving attention.

We may, with good intentions, disregard the indicators of abuse and keep going. We unintentionally make distinctions between “our” kids and “those” kids, missing the opportunity for them to be one and the same.

It’s uncomfortable learning about things like this. We admit — it’s scary. It may feel like there’s nothing we can do that will make a difference. But discomfort is a normal part of a generous and sacrificial life. Our discomfort is worth the freedom of another human being. Having a heart for those who have been exploited is important, and that heart is the gateway to action, where change can be realized.

It’s estimated that there are 199,000 incidents of sexual exploitation of minors annually in the United States.1 According to the Florida Department of Children and Families, in 2013, there were 940 Human Trafficking Hotline calls received with 720 associated with children.2 DCF also reported there were 176 confirmed cases of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) in Florida for 2013.3 What you have to know as you open up your mind to caring about this subject and the people it oppresses is 1 Hardy, Compton, & McPhatter, 2013 2 Kimberly Grabert, Statewide Human Trafficking Prevention Director of DCF 3 Department of Child and Family Services

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that there is an existing effort to fight human trafficking in Polk County. Government agencies and law enforcement have led the way in providing training to their people on how to spot trafficking as well as changing the perception of young girls caught in trafficking as victims instead of offenders. Our community has the Polk, Highlands, and Hardee Human Trafficking Task Force, which collaborates with other organizations to develop best practices and ensure communication between groups that may see cross-over in working with at-risk youth.

Florida Baptist Children’s Home is one non-government organization that is a part of this task force. In 2013 they were approached by the state of Florida and asked if they would be willing to open a safe home for girls who had been trafficked throughout the state.

There are only twenty beds open statewide for children/adolescents to receive specialized care to overcome the emotional impact of sex trafficking.4 As education becomes more prevalent and awareness grows, it is anticipated that calls for help and need for further investigation will increase. The organization immediately responded with an emphatic, “Yes.” Research began immediately and plans formed. Their vision, “The Porch Light,” will be opened in 2014 for girls across Lakeland.

Just like a parent who leaves the porch light on waiting for their little girl to return, this faith-based program symbolizes a light that shines so bright and a peace that will turn lives around. This program is still in need and actively 4 Department of Child and Family Services

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pursuing $1.2 million in order for girls to find the hope and healing that they need. Florida Baptist Children’s Home “Light the Night” gala raised $435,000 for this important program.

Kelly also told us of an important change in our Florida laws that make the need for safe homes even greater.

Consider this: While children caught up in commercial sexual exploitation should be protected by the law from prosecution, until recently, this has not been the case.

Florida is one of only eighteen states that have some sort of “safe harbor” law which protects victims from criminalization. In the past, girls caught with a “john” were arrested and faced time within the juvenile justice system.

This only reinforced what had been spoken into the hearts and minds of these young girls by their pimps — that police, in this scenario, weren’t to be trusted. This new law only came into effect in January of 2013. It not only changed the way young women were viewed by law enforcement, from criminal to victim, but also ensured that specialized services to victims would be provided.

The problem is that there are not enough beds available to accommodate all of the girls who are in need of these services. If there aren’t enough beds, then what happens to those who can’t be currently served? This is what we are working to change, here and now, in Lakeland.

It goes without saying that there is opportunity for us to do more than ever before. No matter what walk of life you are in, there is something each of us can do.

The first thing we can do is to get involved in prevention.

While caring for survivors is vital, we also want to prevent it from ever happening in the first place. Love146 Lakeland sees spreading awareness and education as one of the greatest ways to stand in the gap for young girls. It is a volunteer group of the international antitrafficking organization Love146 (visit love146. org to learn more about the origin of their name).

Right now Love146 Lakeland is focusing on prevention and protection in the hospitality industry. Since so much trafficking occurs in hotels, they believe it’s imperative that these businesses know how to spot trafficking and report it. As there are at least fifty-five hotels within a twenty-mile radius of Lakeland’s city center, it’s our goal to approach each and every one of these hotels to offer training for their staff.

Partnering with Love146 Lakeland and being a part of the education program in the hospitality industry is just one small way to help us become a community that refuses to tolerate stealing the dignity of our youth through sexual exploitation.

Next, everyone in Lakeland can be aware of the National Human Trafficking Hotline number (1-800-373-7888).

Another important task for us is to learn the warning signs of a person who is being trafficked or groomed for trafficking. You might see suspicious activity where you have the opportunity to act in someone else’s behalf by reporting it. If you interact with teenagers,

THE “LIGHT THE NIGHT” GALA RAISED $435,000 TOWARD THE $1.2 MILLION NEEDED FOR FLORIDA BAPTIST CHILDREN’S HOME TO OPEN A SAFE HOME FOR GIRLS WHO HAD BEEN TRAFFICKED THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

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there’s a good chance that you know kids who are at-risk. While runaways and those in foster care and groups homes are most often targeted, anyone craving attention is vulnerable.

Another way to get involved is to begin to educate others. Share this story and begin educating your sphere of influence.

can and become the resident expert on trafficking.

• Volunteer at an after-school program, runaway shelter, church ministry, mentoring program, etc. Invest in the lives of young people. It’s the greatest form of prevention.

• Support the Florida Baptist Children’s Home “The Porch Light” program. You can help financially (they have raised $435,000 of their $1.2 million goal to open safe homes in Polk county for girls who have been trafficked). You can also help through volunteerism. “The Porch Light” program is currently seeking female volunteers to go through training to work directly with trafficked victims. Contact: Vickie.

Belcher@FBCHomes.org. To be placed on the general volunteer list for “The Porch Light” and to learn about the training opportunities in the coming months, email Volunteer@FBCHomes.org. Please indicate in the email that you would like to volunteer for “The Porch Light.”

• Be creative. Whatever your voice is, wherever you find you have influence, raise it for the sake of others.

• Invite a Love146 speaker to come to your school, church, or after-school program. These events are springboards for discussions between teens and parents.

• Host a documentary-film screening about trafficking, with follow-up discussion.

• Read up on the subject as much as you

I appreciate knowing where to begin and knowing what to do at this important time in Lakeland’s history. Will you join us as we begin to change the story?

There is no set formula for solving the problem of sex trafficking. As one member of our community suffers, so we all suffer. We

WARNING SIGNS • Inexplicable appearance of expensive gifts, clothing, or a new cell phone with a separate line • Presence of a boyfriend/girlfriend who is significantly older • Secrecy about whereabouts • Withdrawal or lack of interest in previous activities • Truancy from school • Often sleeps in school • Unaccounted-for time, vagueness concerning whereabouts, and/or defensiveness in response to questions or concerns • History of emotional, sexual, or physical abuse

share joy, and we share pain. Our liberation is tied together with others, as what we do affects those around us. We are connected to each other as well as responsible for each other.

Knowing this story and sharing this story keeps us motivated and held accountable to stay involved, even when it seems little progress is being made.

Hopeful communities reach outward to those on the margins, even when it feels awkward. We have the potential to become active peacemakers, sowing peace within our community. Our involvement dispels the myth that these young women and men are in their situation because they want to be and like what they do. This is our desire as Love146 Lakeland, Florida Baptist Children’s Home, law enforcement, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and Lakeland’s neighborhoods and families join these efforts.

There is a great hope.

There is rescue.

There is relief.

There is restoration.

For individuals.

For communities.

For Lakeland.

That hope is inside us and works through us — reaching out with a light that leads the hurting home.

I now know that telling this story is my personal “yes” to fighting human trafficking. What will your “yes” look like? Collectively, we have what it takes to help those who have felt invisible to know that they are indeed wanted.

If you have any questions, would like to book a speaker, or for help planning events, email Love146 Lakeland: kellylove146@gmail.com.

“The Porch Light” For more information about Florida Baptist Children’s Home safe-home program, “The Porch Light,” call (863) 687-8811, or visit fbchomes.org/porch-light.

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A WEEKEND OFF THE PAVEMENT OPENS OUR EYES TO WHAT MATTERS MOST

A

s our world moves toward the future, toward so-called progress, we may not like what we see: vast expanses of asphalt, new subdivisions taking the place of farmland, and a loss of the beauty of the countryside. Are we ready to see our land disappear? To no longer see the sun rise over a nearby pasture or set over a distant grove?

In the world we live in today, empty fields are seen as a commodity rather than nature, and this trickles down into the general population. We throw away rather than recycle. Buy new instead of reuse. Houses lay desolate while new ones are built by the dozens.

The pace of progress has caught up to all of us. For our crew, our day jobs have become consuming. We work countless hours, through untold stress and frustration, grand success, and even failure. Yet as we drive home — past shopping centers, neighborhoods, and interstates — we seek adventure. Our eyes wander, and our minds quickly follow. We know there must be a detour, a diversion from this cluster around us. Not a road to nowhere, but a road to our ideals.

To get off the paved road and explore dirt roads is liberating. It transports you to a time and place that may only have existed in your imagination. But it’s there, and it’s real.

And it’s right in our backyard. No traffic, no red lights, no trains. Only dirt, blue sky, and endless possibilities. This is what we came for. To get away and yet to be right here.

Then there’s the food. For us, food is the tie that binds. It’s an impromptu cookout after a scouting session rather than dinner out. A legitimate hot lunch on the trail rather than a granola bar or premade sandwich.

Great food is such a tremendous part of our lives. We grew up in households anchored by

a home-cooked meal, and that is one legacy we each pass along to our families. A meal from scratch is always worth the extra effort, be it at home, at camp, or here on the trail.

So here we are, huddled together on a particularly frigid Saturday, going over our route and plans in the dark space between night and morning. Now as we stand and eat homemade pop-tarts and bulletproof coffee, we laugh about how we get excited over a good break of pastry, or the perfect mug for a photo. Six men with a unified purpose — to have an adventure worthy of pictures, and pictures worthy of an adventure.

After a delicious and protein-rich breakfast we quickly load up and ride out, a race for the rising sun. Two motorcycles and a truck, all off-road ready and built for this type of adventure. There’s an excitement to setting off on any sort of journey, much less one that’s been anticipated for weeks, even months, on end. It’s an excitement that can barely be matched, and we feel it immediately.

The cold cuts hard through our clothes, and the sun does little to make a difference.

Thankfully there is only one stretch of road that requires highway speeds, and we get through it quickly. By the time many are just wiping the sleep out of their eyes, we reached our first waypoint, our destination for all the dirt roads we can handle: Green Swamp Wildlife Management Area. When most Lakelanders hear of Green Swamp, they may immediately think of deer hunters and tree stands. And they would be correct. As we enter this area on the last day of general gun season for deer, we see our fair share of rifles and blaze orange.

Now we roll off onto this leg of our trip, feeling the dirt beneath our tires. We drive until we find a spot for lunch, a grassy area

with plenty of sun and a break from the wind. We set up a temporary camp with our field kitchen and cooking supplies, and quickly set to work on making a hot lunch.

Homemade vegetable soup, made from scratch right on the trail, along with Shao Bing chicken sandwiches and some much needed beverages. We enjoy our break together, standing in the sun to get warm, telling stories, talking shop, and just being guys. We also have a good time making fun of ourselves, imagining the conversations in passing trucks as they see a bunch of dudes taking pictures of each other. A strange world indeed.

After lunch we’re off to lay tracks in the dirt, enjoying the sky above our heads and the dirt ’neath our feet. As we traverse our route, making wrong turns, dead ends, running out of gas, and burning leather on hot exhaust pipes, we grow stronger in our ties. These adventures of ours become our signature, an inscription of our time on this planet and our lives together. For as much as one can accomplish alone, we know of our strength in numbers. Our wisdom lies in our collective skills. Friends joined by purpose, bonded by story and adventure, and clear in intentions. As society hurtles on in progress, creating new technologies and necessities, we are sure to enjoy what we have around us, while we have it. Be that open land, friends, or family. In our case, it’s all of those and more. Nothing can replace our time together, our time doing what we enjoy.

So while today’s road takes us to a friend’s house to meet our families and enjoy a delicious dinner spent around a campfire, tomorrow’s road takes us somewhere completely different. And that, our friends, is why we do this.

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STYLE We chose clothes we’d want to wear every day. Clothing perfect for the trail or dinner around the campfire. We didn’t want to look like we strolled in off the motocross track or walked out of a bar during Bike Week. Not that there’s anything wrong with either of those. We just preferred to be guys wearing regular guy clothes. Simple, understated, a little rugged. Boots from our friends at Danner, helmets from Biltwell, good pants, thicker shirts, and custom sweaters.

There’s a time and place for being dressed up. If you know me, you know I like to be dressed well most of the time. Usually nothing that takes an inordinate amount of effort, but just a level of attention above the 76

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norm. However, dressing up isn’t for all of us. I’ve even found it’s not for me as much as it used to be. As with any aspect of style though, if you pay attention to some of the details and make conscious choices in what you wear, your style will come through.

Like good boots, slim pants, a bandana nonchalantly stuck in a back pocket. Try some things, but overall you have to let yourself come through. I don’t ever want to tell someone they have to wear a certain brand or look a certain way. Just make sure your clothes fit, that they’re good quality, that they match at least somewhat, and that you like what you’re wearing. Because if you’re just trying to copy someone else and

you never feel good about what’s on your body — if you never feel like you — then it isn’t right, and you’ve missed the point.

I’m probably supposed to tell you that leather jackets and some sort of a biker look is “in” right now. But to be honest, none of that really matters to me. It never has. These kinds of looks work because they’ve got purpose.

Heritage. We just mix them up in a way that feels right and is uniquely us. Maybe a leather jacket isn’t for you, but I’m here to recommend at least giving it a try. And if you walk into Red Door for dinner one night wearing a motorcycle jacket and a good pair of boots, you’ll probably get some looks. But my guess is that’s probably what you were hoping for.

Shirt by J.Crew, jcrew.com Jacket and 508 Tapered Pants

by Levi’s, available at Kohl’s New Wayfarer Color Mix Sunglasses by RayBan Gringo Helmet by Biltwell, biltwell.com

Jordy Klein Collection Shirt by O’Neill Slim Chinos by KR3W, available at Tilly’s or Zumiez Jasper Paved Boots

by Dr. Martens Squire sunglasses by Raen, raenoptics.com

Sweater by Overland Empire, info@overlandempire.com for details 7” Jack Hummus Boots by Danner, danner.com

Shirt by H&M 511 Jeans by Levi’s 42-20 Watch by Nixon

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MOTORCYCLES This type of adventure calls for a specific breed of motorcycle. Some call them enduro, some dual-sport.

Whatever the case, a heavy street bike or crotch rocket won’t cut it. A relatively lightweight bike is needed, with long travel suspension and off-road tires.

We rode on a KTM 250 XCF, specially modified to be street legal and meet DOT standards, and a BMW F650.

Both were extremely capable machines that served us well.

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FOOD As we scouted our route we were nearly overwhelmed with inspiration as to what we should cook. From the newly found peach orchards, the orange groves, and blueberry farms, to the cow pastures, the brokendown cabbage truck, a side-of-the-road vegetable stand, the smell of brewed coffee in the air on that cold morning, then finally raving about our favorite restaurants on the way home, the menu was almost written for us.

Cooking the way we do, on the road, doesn’t have to be a daunting task. This menu was composed to use as few cooking utensils as possible.

If you eat your breakfast at home, you can leave all that mess behind. If you eat it by the fire, all the cookware needed is the coffee pot. The only tools we brought along were a large stock pot, a large cast-iron skillet, a cutting board, a mixing bowl, and an all-purpose knife. We weren’t sure how well the kitchen at the end of our journey would be stocked, so the best course was to count on it being bare and to have confidence we could succeed in any condition.

Everything here was prepared with only those items at our disposal and only the food we actually brought. We always seem to forget some key ingredient that could theoretically make or break a meal. When the dust settles, the tendency is that it works out in the end and we instantly forget all the hiccups along the way. To be able to create and change recipes that have already been set in your mind takes a great deal of practice. Keep in mind, most recipes are truly just strong suggestions to guide you along the path. Here is what we came up with for this adventure.

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RECIPES BREAKFAST Start by making your fillings first, as they need time to cool off. If you so choose, a store-bought pie crust will suffice. If you go that route, remember to roll the dough out very thin. But you owe it to yourself and those whom you love to make these fillings.

For the bacon jam: 1/2 pound bacon 1 medium red onion, diced 1/2 cup freshly brewed coffee Juice and zest of an orange 1/8 cup maple syrup 1/8 cup sugar 2 tablespoons malt vinegar Fry bacon on medium heat until crispy, about 10-15 minutes. Set aside. Reserve 1 tablespoon bacon grease in pan and store remainder for future use.

Sauté onion in bacon fat until translucent.

Add coffee, syrup, sugar, juice, zest, and vinegar. Cook for 5 minutes. Reintroduce bacon. Lower heat and reduce until it thickens to the consistency of syrup.

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SCRATCH POP-TARTS WITH BACON JAM AND/OR PEACH PRESERVES For stovetop peach preserves: 3 ripe peaches, chopped 1/3 cup sugar 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon Pinch of nutmeg Juice of 1/2 lemon Combine ingredients in sauté pan on medium-high heat. Bring to boil; then lower heat to simmer. Cook for 30 minutes or until mixture coats the back of a spoon.

For the dough: 1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon sugar 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/3 cup organic oil (I’ve used vegetable, canola, and sunflower. They all turn out great.)

3 to 4 tablespoons milk Whisk the oil and milk together in a separate container. Make a well in your dry ingredients for the liquid to go into; then

pour said wet ingredients in well. You can use a fork to mix everything together or just use your fingers because you’ll need those shortly anyway. Once the dough starts to make a crumbly biscuit-like texture, form it into a ball. Start squashing the dough down with your fingers or roll out with a pin until the dough is just about as thin as you can get it. Maybe 1/16-inch thick.

To assemble: Heat oven to 375 degrees.

You can either make 4-5 large pastries or 16-20 bite-sized ones. Cut dough into equalsized squares. Spread desired filling onto half of the pieces, leaving room away from the edges to seal. Place a piece of dough over the top and crimp with a fork. Line onto a buttered cookie sheet and bake 18-22 minutes. Remove and cool. If inclined, top with a simple glaze of 1/3 cup confectioners sugar, 1 tablespoon milk, and 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice.

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LUNCH Shao Bing is essentially the Chinese version of puff pastry. To make these delicate buttery purses, a decent amount of time should be devoted — we made ours ahead of time. If you enjoy the science of baking, these are for you. If a simpler approach is more your style, store-bought frozen puff pastry will work for you. Follow the steps on the package and cut the dough into 3x5-inch rectangles and bake, then skip to the assembly. For those devoted to scratch made, the recipe follows.

To make the dough: Combine flour and salt together in a mixing bowl. Add one cup of hot water in small amounts, mixing gently with a fork or your hands until a rough ball begins to form. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until a smooth ball is formed, making sure not to add too much flour, about 5 minutes. Place the kneaded dough in a lightly sesame-oiled mixing bowl, rotating to coat all surfaces. Cover with a

SHAO BING ROASTED CHICKEN GRINDERS damp cloth and let rest for 30 minutes.

While the dough is resting, make a roux by placing 1/2 cup butter with 1/2 cup flour in a medium saucepan. Heat the butter and flour over medium heat, stirring until the mixture turns a nutty brown color, gives off that same nutty aroma, and the flour has cooked through. About 10-15 minutes.

Set aside to cool.

Once the dough has rested, roll it out on a floured surface, into a rectangular piece approximately 8x15 inches. With a pastry brush or spatula, spread about one-third of the roux evenly over the surface to within one inch of the edge. There should be just a light even coating.

Starting with the long side, roll the rectangle up by folding the bottom end toward the center; then bring the top end to overlap. Pinch each end of the roll and along the seam to seal in the roux. Then fold widthwise to form a squarer piece. Flatten the dough slightly with the palm, and cut into 6 to 8 equal-sized pieces. Pinch the end of each dough segment to seal.

Roll out each dough segment to a rectangle approximately 1/8-inch thick, ration out another third of the roux over the individual pieces, then fold the bottom sealed end to the center, bringing the top sealed end over the first fold and overlap.

Roll out once more, making half the length thinner to a thickness of about 1/8 inch.

Repeat two times for each piece, but do not use more at this time.

With the seam side up, spread the remaining roux over each piece; then dip the dough segment into a shallow bowl of sesame seeds, rolling slightly from side to side to coat. Flatten gently with the palm; then roll dough once more, sesame side up into a rectangle about 3x5 inches or 1/4inch thick. Place on an ungreased baking sheet, sesame side up. Let dough rest 5 more minutes.

Just before baking, brush the top surface of each roll lightly with melted butter. Bake in a 400-degree oven for 1520 minutes, depending on the temperature of the dough.

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As the bread puffs, it will create a space inside which is an ideal locale for your favorite sandwich toppings. It is best eaten fresh, within a day. You can bake these the night before your outing, along with a simple roast chicken. Or if you’re looking to save time, another easy and effective shortcut is to purchase a preroasted, seasoned chicken from your favorite grocery, pulling apart the meat and skin, then placing in a sealed storage container for use the next day.

SANDWICH TOPPINGS 1 pulled roasted chicken 2 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced 1 bunch chives snipped into 2-inch threads 1 cup homemade mayo (see previous recipe in Jan/Feb 2013 issue) 1 cup tomato jam (1 14-ounce container crushed strained tomatoes, 1 small diced sweet onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon sugar, 1/4 teaspoon oregano, 1/4 teaspoon basil, squeeze of lemon. Place all ingredients on medium/ low heat in a small saucepan and cook for 1 hour or until thickened)

PARM SLAW FOR SANDWICH Two large leaves of green cabbage very thinly sliced 2 tablespoons canola oil or enough to coat cabbage 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese Combine mixture in medium bowl. Let sit 15 minutes so cabbage can soften.

To assemble, slice Shao Bing in half lengthwise, add a layer of mayo on the bottom layer, then chicken, tomato, slaw, chives, and tomato jam. Serve with hot soup to dip your sandwich in.

SOUP Makes about six 1-cup servings.

This soup was a seemingly happy accident. A true testament to improvisation and making the most with what you actually have. When you’re deep in the middle of nowhere, you don’t have the luxury to head to the market for anything at all. What we thought was going to be made was instantly replaced with something that ended up better and even more authentic than previously hoped for. The same goes for home cookery.

Sometimes you just don’t feel like leaving the

house. So throw what you’ve got in a big pot and make something wonderful.

2 quarts purified water 2 carrots, roughly chopped 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped 4 cloves garlic 1 cup tomato jam or 1 6-ounce can of tomato paste 4 slices bacon 1 package sliced cremini mushrooms 2 tablespoons canola oil 1/2 teaspoon rosemary 1/2 teaspoon thyme 1 teaspoon garlic powder 4 bay leaves Salt to taste 1 cup heavy whipping cream Heat oil on medium-high. Add carrots, celery, garlic, and bacon. Cook until vegetables are caramelized; then add tomato paste or tomato jam. Once tomato paste has heated through, lower the temperature. Add water and herbs. Lower heat to medium-low and reduce for 20 minutes. Add mushrooms and reduce for an additional 10 minutes.

To serve, stir in heavy whipping cream (1 ounce per serving) to add body.

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DINNER Total cooking time: about 3 hours 2 pounds beef short ribs 2 pounds beef back ribs 2 pounds oxtail 1 ring kielbasa sausage cut into 2-inch pieces 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 carrots, peeled and roughly chopped into 1-inch slices 2 stalks of celery, roughly chopped into 1-inch slices 2 leeks, sliced into 1/2-inch rings, then soaked in cold water 4 small turnips, peeled then quartered 1 medium sweet onion, sliced into 1/2-inch-thick chunks 1 head of peeled garlic 5 fresh sprigs of each: thyme, rosemary, oregano 5 whole bay leaves 1 teaspoon each: dried marjoram and tarragon Salt and pepper 90

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POT AU FEU In a shallow bowl, pour in flour, add about 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and stir with a fork thoroughly. Dredge the short ribs, back ribs, and oxtail in flour, and then set aside.

Heat a large, heavy stock pot on mediumhigh with olive oil until hot. Place short ribs in pot and brown all sides, about 1 minute per side. Remove and set aside. Repeat steps for back ribs and oxtail. Add garlic, carrot, celery, leeks, and onion to pot and let cook for about 5-7 minutes or until vegetables begin to caramelize. Add all herbs, as well as plenty of salt and pepper to taste, and fry another 2 minutes to release oils. Lower heat to medium and transfer meat back into pot. Fill with water until all ingredients are submerged, about 1/2 gallon. Bring to boil, constantly removing film and excessive fat as it rises to the top. Lower heat to simmer, cooking uncovered until ribs are fork tender, about 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Add sausage and turnips, and cook for another 20 minutes.

Remember to check the broth every once

in a while for flavoring, adding more salt or more herbs if needed. Transfer meat and bones onto a serving platter. Ladle broth and vegetables separately into individual bowls to serve as a dip for the meat. Serve alongside marrow bones, condiments, toasted bread, and raclettes.

MARROW BONES WITH SALSA VERDE AND BACON JAM The marrow bones were yet another completely wonderful unplanned triumph.

When planning dinner we thought we didn’t bring enough to dump in the pot. In all actuality, marrow bones had their invitation to the beefy pool party revoked. This cooking method easily trumped their planned usage.

If you’ve never had marrow before and you enjoy the taste and feel of well-made butter, you really have no choice in the matter but to try this simple-to-prepare dish. If you have any leftover bacon jam, now is the time to empty the jar, as it serves as a worthy supporting role in texture and in flavor contrast to the unctuous marrow. (continued)

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You’ll need: 3 pounds marrow bones cut crosswise Salt and pepper to taste Toasted baguette slices Leftover bacon jam (to make, follow recipe given in conjunction with pop-tarts) Salsa verde (see recipe below) Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Place bones with the thickest cut side down in a cast-iron skillet or rimmed baking sheet. Season each bone with salt and pepper. Roast for 15-18 minutes, depending on the size of the bones. Use a narrow spoon or the back end of a fork to scoop out all of the contents. Serve with toast, bacon jam, and a vibrant salsa verde.

To make salsa: 1/4 cup finely chopped basil 1/4 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley 3 garlic cloves, finely minced 1/8 cup olive oil Juice and zest from half a lemon 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste Pinch of dried red-pepper flakes Combine all ingredients in a small serving bowl and let sit for about 15 minutes before serving.

RACLETTES Think of it as a warm French/Swiss potato salad. Another entry in our series of dishes that shouldn’t make sense when the sum is divided from its parts, but it ended up tasting spectacular in the end. The name “raclette” is taken from the cheese that is supposed to be the top layer; however our attempts to harvest this fromage proved to not bear fruit.

Instead we went with a suitable replacement. To make this a true one-pot meal, we boiled the potatoes in the pot au feu while it cooked and then retained about half a cup of the broth to use a binder for the “salad.” If you choose to make this separately, a quart of chicken or beef stock will suffice to act as your boiling liquid.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2-pound bag of baby Yukon gold potatoes 1/2 pound sliced raclette, gruyere, or emmentaler 4 ounces genoa salami, sliced thin, then cut into small strips 1/2 cup kosher-dill petite gherkins, chopped 1/2 cup reserved broth Place potatoes in boiling liquid and cook 20 minutes. When they are tender enough to slice through with ease, remove and transfer to a shallow baking dish. Using a fork, gently smash down the potatoes until they break open but are still somewhat intact. Pour broth over potatoes. Sprinkle the salami and pickles over the top. Give one or two light stirs; then layer cheese over the whole surface. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Then remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes.

Serve immediately so that the cheese stays melted.

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STYLE

Creating a functional wardrobe though inspiration and organization story by Courtney Philpot photography by Tina Sargeant

I for one feel that the real New Year’s resolutions, the ones that actually stick, surface once “project holiday de clutter” has been achieved, the winter doldrums have come and gone, and the bulky sweaters have been packed away. For me that comes in early March when the yellow tabebuia trees start to bloom and Lakelanders get that first taste of beautiful spring weather. With the arrival of spring comes the idea of cleansing, a “spring cleaning,” if you will, of all facets of life.

While mind, body, and spirit are on the forefront during a season of renewal, I believe many people reach an optimal level of peace when their homes and personal space are in order. For some, the office, kitchen, or garage may be a higher priority when it comes to personal space cleansing. For me, it’s no surprise that I start with my closet. Tackling the things I know — the areas I enjoy first — seems to get me motivated. Maybe it’s not the most important item in the big picture, but in the interest of avoiding frustration, overbuying, and essentially taking the guesswork out of getting dressed in the mornings, I believe having an organized closet is crucial to my harmony and peace of mind.

When tackling your closet, it’s important to have a method to your madness. I work by the three Es when wardrobe planning — Eliminate, Evaluate, and Edit. If this seems foreign to you, think of it as preparing a meal for a dinner party where the prep work, ingredients, recipe, and presentation are all crucial components.

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Eliminate When prepping for a meal there’s nothing more frustrating than working in the midst of clutter. It clouds your psyche, creates a longer process, and can keep you uninspired. In terms of a closet edit, excess items can work against you in the same manner.

With that in mind, you first need to take inventory of your closet and purge into three piles: store, keep, and donate/consign. As with the contents of your food pantry, your closet items have a shelf life. When assessing each item, ask yourself, “Have I worn this in six months?” If the answer is no, what is the reason? Is it a piece that holds sentimental value? For example, your wedding dress, the fraternity social tee where you and your husband first met, a vintage family piece — these items can all go into the “store” pile.

If the garment in question is a classic piece, a seasonal staple, a cocktail or evening gown, or a specialty item that still looks great on you and works for your body type but the occasion to wear it has not presented itself, then it goes in the “keep” pile.

What if it’s in your closet because it was a designer piece you scored for seventy-five percent off at Neiman’s Last Call Clearance, but it’s completely the wrong color and style for you? Or maybe it was a spontaneous splurge with a no-return policy on a lastminute dress for a black-tie event you never ultimately attended. Cut the cord. Place it in the “donate/ consign” pile. Otherwise, these items will sit in your closet collecting dust and taking up space. Many of these guilt-inducing-type items will do well at a consignment shop such as What’s New Consignment in Lakeland. Or list your items with one of the latest consign apps such as: tradesy.com poshmark.com walkinmycloset.com shop-hers.com therealreal.com vaunte.com

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Evaluate This step is all about analyzing your closet to see what will help maximize its fullest potential. Now that you’ve purged the excess, what items can you add to your wardrobe to create the most looks without adding clutter or breaking the bank?

Go through all of the “keep” items and create as many looks as possible by mixing and matching your pieces. If the world of color, print, and accessories is nowhere near your comfort zone, don’t worry.

Thanks to the World Wide Web you will have more inspiration and ideas than you’ll know what to do with. Start with Pinterest and Polyvore to create style boards and looks to keep you seasonally inspired. Style blogs that keep me inspired and up to date include kendieveryday.com, thesartorialist.com, whatiwore. com, and style.com, just to name a few.

Once you’ve gone through your “keeps” and created looks, it’s important to make a shopping list of all the items your closet is lacking. Just as with any good recipe, it’s always smart to follow the “recommended” ingredients. The basic ingredients will get you where you where you need to be, but the recommended additions always seem to pull the dish together. For example, you have the jeans, black blazer, and white tee, but you lack the accessories needed to kick it up a notch. So on your list goes a printed scarf or a statement necklace. Be mindful that building a working closet is not a sprint; it takes time. A wellcurated closet will not happen overnight or in one shopping trip. With that in mind, be sure to identify your needs versus your wants when shopping. This is not to say you have to avoid all of your wants, but, as with anything, the needs should come first. Also, be mindful of not breaking the bank on wants, as more often than not they’re trendy items that may become part of your “donate/consign” pile within six months.

Once you’ve added the items you feel necessary to make the most out of your closet, take pictures of your “looks.” Make a style book to keep in your closet, or tape pictures of your looks around your full-length mirror. This will save you loads of time when getting dressed. Take it a step further and upload photos to a closet organizing/curating site such as Stylebook, which puts all the pieces together for you.

To show you examples of remixing, our models are pictured wearing one essential piece styled three ways.

On Kelly, I used a worn Johnny Cash tee from JCP. Jennell wears a navy schoolboy blazer from J.Crew.

1 Johnny Cash Burn-Out Tee, JCP Black Skinnies, Citizens Denim Jacket, Merona for Target Red Ikat Scarf, Stella & Dot Nude Cut-Out Booties, Chinese Laundry Copper Cuff-Vintage, local estate sale

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2 Jonny Cash Burn-Out Tee, JCP White Jeans, Level 99 Black Blazer, Gibson Fuchsia Pumps, Joan & David Beaded Rhinestone Clutch, Banana Republic Green Stone Bangle, Bourbon & Bowties-Hattie’s Branches Layered Gold Bangles, Amrita Singh Chandelier Earrings, Dillard’s

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3 Johnny Cash Burn-Out Tee, JCP Bronze Sequin Skirt, NY&Co Black Suede Peep-Toe Booties, B Makowsky Black Leather Clutch w/Gold Zipper, Lauren Merkin Layered Necklaces-Beaded Chain Gold Locket, Stella & Dot Rose Gold Initial Necklace, model’s Layered Bangles-Leopard Calf-Hair, J.Crew Gold Bangles, Amrita Singh, Vintage

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Evaluate The third and final step in your recipe to a stylish, functional closet is to “edit.” This creates the organizational flow to your working wardrobe. Just as you organize your kitchen shelves to create a practical plan for cooking, you need to do the same in your closet for dressing ease. First, we’ll work with the main contents: clothing.

To hang or not to hang? The following items should be on hangers: dresses, blouses, button downs, blazers, jackets, coats, skirts, trousers.

When hanging delicate pants/skirts, cut a small piece of tissue paper and place it over the area you’re clipping to hang. Not all hangers are created equal. Whether felt, cedar, or plastic is your preference, make sure the hanger is thin enough to maximize space. ABSOLUTELY NO WIRE HANGERS! For an aesthetically pleasing look, go for matching hangers.

These items should be folded: tees, jeans, knits/ sweaters, shorts, and anything sequin, beaded, or embellished, which should be separated with acid-free tissue paper to prevent snagging.

Organize your hanging garments into three parts: season, category, and color.

By Season. Organizing your wardrobe pieces by season allows

more room in your closet and eliminates sifting through items that are not season appropriate. If you have a walk-in closet or a substantial amount of room, you can leave your entire wardrobe in the closet and move the current season to the front. If you have limited space and can’t create a working closet with your entire wardrobe, perhaps you can work out of a guest closet or use sealed storage bags or bins. To avoid mold and mildew, make sure the bins are stored in an air-conditioned space if they’re not vacuum sealed.

By Category. Avoid grouping outfits together as this will hinder your remixing possibilities. The priority of placement for each category will depend on your lifestyle and profession. A basic category structure that works for most people consists of tops/blouses, skirts/pants, dresses, jackets, novelty/miscellaneous (this is a category for items you don’t wear on a regular basis, such as your ski jacket, team logo shirts, etc.). Tops/ blouses work best if you separate by sleeveless, short, and long sleeve. Your dresses will work better if you separate short from long. After separating items by categories, arrange these items from casual to dressy.

By Color. I always like to go from light to dark to print within each category. It keeps things uniform and easy on the eyes.

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Extras Next comes organizing the extras that are so vital to your wardrobe. Just as you need to be able to see all of your spices in order to know what you’re working with when cooking, the same goes for your accessories. If you don’t see your shoes, clutches, necklaces, earrings, scarves, and belts, you won’t wear them. And what will happen? Unnecessary spending. You know the drill — a mad dash to the mall to find the perfect pair of earrings you didn’t remember you already had.

SHOES

CLUTCHES

If at all possible, make sure all of your shoes are in sight and not in boxes. If you don’t have shoe shelves and prefer to store them in boxes, take a photo of the shoes and place it on the outside of the box. For an artful display, organize shoes by color and heel height.

BELTS

Pick up a clear plastic file-folder holder at your local Staples or Office Depot.

SCARVES

Use a belt rack that you can affix to your closet wall where you can drape your knit scarves. Hang or fold your silk and cashmere scarves.

A belt holder secured to the wall is best, but if you have many belts you can purchase a hanging belt holder.

JEWELRY

There are many options for your jewelry, and many ideas can be found on Pinterest, but whatever you do, do not put items in a jewelry box unless it is something valuable that is seldom worn. All jewelry needs to be visible. Necklaces should be hung — decorate a bulletin board and hang them by a pin or tack. Another option I use is to purchase coffee-mug holders at Target or Crowder Brothers, affix it to the closet wall, and hang jewelry from it. For earrings you can purchase a hanging jewelry holder with clear plastic pouches. You can also buy clear plastic trays to place on a shelf or in a drawer. These trays, which come in different shapes and sizes, can also hold your bracelets, pins, brooches, and rings. Bangles/bracelets can be stored on a paper-towel holder.

I hope these tips have inspired you to edit your wardrobe and create a closet that is an expression of yourself. Think outside the box. Remember that functional can still be fashionable. Create looks that are true to your style, but don’t be afraid to take risks. Fashion should be fun, so make it fun.

Get mixing.

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EVENTS CALENDAR

MARCH EVERY SATURDAY IN MARCH DOWNTOWN FARMERS CURB MARKET 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Downtown ldda.org MARCH 13–29 ERNIE Polk Theatre polktheatre.com MARCH 14–16 LAKELAND VW CLASSIC The Lakeland Center centralfloridasports.com MARCH 15 HEROES OF HOPE 5K WALK / RUN First Presbyterian Church at Lake Hollingsworth cpihaiti.org MARCH 17 BILL COSBY FAR FROM FINISHED TOUR The Lakeland Center thelakelandcenter.com MARCH 18 BOB EUBANKS AND THE NOT SO NEWLYWED GAME The Lakeland Center thelakelandcenter.com MARCH 19 DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST The Lakeland Center thelakelandcenter.com MARCH 20 THE STRAITS, FEATURING ORIGINAL MEMBERS OF DIRE STRAITS The Lakeland Center thelakelandcenter.com MARCH 22 – JUNE 7 SITE SPECIFICS: DAN GUNDERSON & BARBARA SORENSEN Polk Museum of Art polkmuseumofart.org 110 THE LAKELANDER

MARCH 23 – JUNE 22 EKPHRASIS Polk Museum of Art polkmuseumofart.org

APRIL 3–30 (SEE SCHEDULE FOR DATES) LAKELAND FLYING TIGERS Tiger Town milb.com

MARCH 23 DETROIT TIGERS SPRING TRAINING Tiger Town detroit.tigers.mlb.com

APRIL 3 AMERICAN THEATER ARTS FOR YOUTH WIZARD OF OZ Polk Theatre polktheater.org

MARCH 25 DETROIT TIGERS SPRING TRAINING Tiger Town detroit.tigers.mlb.com MARCH 27 CLASSIC ALBUMS LIVE PRESENTS VAN HALEN The Lakeland Center thelakelandcenter.com MARCH 27 DETROIT TIGERS SPRING TRAINING Tiger Town detroit.tigers.mlb.com MARCH 28 DETROIT TIGERS SPRING TRAINING Tiger Town detroit.tigers.mlb.com MARCH 29 FLORIDA MARINE RIDERS The Lakeland Center thelakelandcenter.com MARCH 29 NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM Explorations V Children’s Museum explorationsv.com APRIL EVERY SATURDAY IN APRIL DOWNTOWN FARMERS CURB MARKET 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Downtown ldda.org

APRIL 4 FIRST FRIDAY Downtown downtownlakelandfl.com APRIL 5 AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR EVENT WITH FRED KOEHLER Polk Museum of Art polkmuseumofart.org APRIL 10 FOOD TRUCK RALLY Downtown tampabayfoodtruckrally.com APRIL 12 GALA OF THE ROYAL HORSES The Lakeland Center thelakelandcenter.com APRIL 12 FLORIDA ICE CREAM FESTIVAL Sun n’ Fun Campus in Lakeland floridaicecreamfestival.org APRIL 15 IMPERIAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: MASTERWORKS CONCERT #5 AN EVENING OF BROADWAY The Lakeland Center thelakelandcenter.com APRIL 17 ONE NIGHT OF QUEEN, PERFORMED BY GARY MULLEN AND THE WORKS The Lakeland Center thelakelandcenter.com

EVENTS CALENDAR

APRIL 19 FLORIDA MARINE RAIDERS The Lakeland Center thelakelandcenter.com APRIL 26 5TH ANNUAL LAKELAND ARTISAN FAIR Highland Park Church lakelandartisanfair.weebly.com APRIL 30 – MAY 4 TOP GUN Lakeland Linder Airport franktiano.com MAY EVERY SATURDAY IN MAY DOWNTOWN FARMERS CURB MARKET 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Downtown ldda.org

FOR TICKETS OR MORE INFORMATION CALL

(863)

834-8111

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE FOR OUR FULL LISTING OF EVENTS AND PERFORMANCES!

24/7 TICKETING

TheLakelandCenter.com

888-397-0100

BOX OFFICE HOURS

Mon.- Fri., 9:30am-5:30pm

863-834-8111

Performers, prices, dates and times are subject to change without notice.

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EVENTS CALENDAR

MAY 2 FIRST FRIDAY Downtown downtownlakelandfl.com MAY 3, 8, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 31 LAKELAND FLYING TIGERS Tiger Town milb.com MAY 8 JUST BETWEEN FRIENDS SALE The Lakeland Center thelakelandcenter.com MAY 8 FOOD TRUCK RALLY Downtown tampabayfoodtruckrally.com

A NEW BEGINNING TO A 40 YEAR OLD TRADITION Serving Central Florida faithfully since 1974. Providing coffee & tea service to restaurants hotels & businesses. Please contact us for details.

863.688.3778

abccoffeecompany.com

ABC

COFFEE & SUPPLIES INC.

Todd Rich, President Steve Brown, Vice President

112 THE LAKELANDER

MAY 10–11 MAYFAIRE BY THE LAKE 2014, PRESENTED BY MIDFLORIDA Downtown polkmuseumofart.org MAY 17 FLORIDA MARINE RAIDERS The Lakeland Center thelakelandcenter.com MAY 23 60TH ANNUAL FLORIDA STATE SQUARE AND ROUND DANCE CONVENTION The Lakeland Center thelakelandcenter.com MAY 24 FLORIDA MARINE RAIDERS The Lakeland Center thelakelandcenter.com

Residential & Commercial

INTERIOR PEST CONTROL CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE AND MORE INFORMATION

Because the only good bug inside your home...is a dead bug.

$25

00

OFF YOUR FIRST TREATMENT *Offer valid with new indoor pest control contracts.

863-668-0494 www.floralawn.com INTERIOR PEST CONTROL | FERTILIZATION | IRRIGATION | LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE

Ask us about our Pet & Child Friendly Applications!

Medical Malpractice Personal Injury

♦ www.pansler.com (863) 683 - 7500

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ICE CREAM pring is here, and ice cream season has officially begun! To mark the start of the glorious warm months ahead, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite local ice cream indulgences.

Some are old standbys, and others are newcomers you will certainly not want to miss. All have been personally taste tested by our team here at The Lakelander. Rough job, eh? So when you find yourself wanting ice cream in the near future (or right this very moment), go check out some of the desserts on our list. Your taste buds will thank you.

S

Abuelo’s

3700 Lakeside Village Blvd. | abuelos.com

If you’ve never sampled a classic fried ice cream, then make your way to Abuelo’s right away.

Combining the creaminess of ice cream along with a sweet crunch, fried ice cream can be just the thing to wrap up a good meal.

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THE TERRACE GRILLE 329 E. Main St. | terracehotel.com If you were like us while growing up, you’ll love this amazing dish which blends two classics: Oreos and ice cream. In this perennial favorite, ice cream is sandwiched between crushed Oreo cookies and topped with fresh whipped cream and berries. One of the very best desserts in Lakeland, in our humble opinions. Bring a friend or a date to share. Or not. We won’t judge.

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ICE CREAM

COLD STONE CREAMERY 1615 Town Center Dr. | coldstonecreamery.com

Custom ice cream at its best. If you’ve never been to Cold Stone, then you must give this ice cream lovers’ concept a try. This is how it works: You can choose from the many wonderful favorite combinations, or customize your experience by choosing an ice cream and as many extras as you wish, including some of our favorites: cookies, graham cracker, Reese’s, and many more.

CRISPERS 217 N. Kentucky Ave. | 1568 Town Center Dr. | crispers.com

Don’t let the kids be the only ones enjoying this regionally made gelato.

Crisper’s version can be enjoyed in a few different vehicles: a cup, cone, or our personal pick — in a gelato shake.

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ICE CREAM GELATI JOE’S 3601 S. Florida Ave. | gelatijoe.com You must try one of Gelati Joe’s famous gelato and ice cream blends. People literally gush over this combination (someone once stopped us in a parking lot at 10:00 at night to tell us about it. We kid you not.) Don’t miss this refreshing blend of two favorites that will help cool you off in the heat.

GOT CANDY 115 S. Kentucky Ave. | gotcandylakeland.wix.com/gotcandy Regional creamery, Working Cow, supplies this downtown sweet shop with their ice cream, and man, is it good. We particularly love the salted caramel and chocolate peanut butter, but every flavor really is delicious. A bonus to the Got Candy experience is they also sell handmade candy, so you can pick up some yummy chocolates while you’re there.

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TWO CAN DINE FOR $16.99 *on select items.

STUFFED CHICKEN MEDALLIONS

Choose two entrées * plus your choice of dip or dessert.

AVAILABLE 3 P.M. TO 6 P.M. MONDAY—THURSDAY. 3700 Lakeside Village Blvd. • Lakeland 863-686-7500 • abuelos.com

You See Them in Movies,TV Commercials and in Magazines!

SUSAN GOODING

Disney’s Family TV Show Principal Role. 2 Publix Print Ads, $525.00.

Millennium Luxury Coaches Ad

LUKE MANLEY

Staring in Documentary on The Life of George Jenkins “Mr. George” Publix Supermarkets Founder.

JILL JONES Publix Supermarkets Print Ad and Training Films ($500 for 2 Days)

RICHALEY HARRISON RICHALEY HARRISON JULIO PADILLA RICHALEY HARRISON RICHALEY HARRISON NEFTALI A. BENITEZ Sea World National TV Commerical,

Sea World National TV Commerical, World National TV Commercial Sea WorldSea National TV Commerical, Disney World and Fantasyland Disney and Epcot Bright House Networks Bright TV Bright House House Networks TV TV House Networks TVNetworks National TV Commercials. Bright Commercial Principal Role RoleNational TV Commercials.

Commercial Principal Commercial Principal Role Commercial Principal Role Union Union TV Commercial TV Commercial Union TV Commercial

JESS ANDERSON TALENT & MODELING AGENCY ALL AGES & TYPES NEEDED • NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY • FREE TRAINING 863.683.8883 • 1037 S. FLORIDA AVE. SUITE 115 • LAKELAND FL 33803 RICHALEY HARRISON RICHALEY HARRISON RICHALEY HARRISON JESSANDERSONTALENTANDMODELAGENCY.COM LIC#1290000013 Sea World National TV Commerical, Sea World National TV Commerical, Sea World National TV Commerical, House Networks TV House TV Bright Bright HouseBright Networks TV Networks Commercial Principal Role Role Commercial Commercial Principal RolePrincipal Union TV Commercial Union TV Commercial Union TV Commercial

THE LAKELANDER 119

Don’t tackle tax season by yourself.

Jim D. Lee, CPA

full-service, locally based accounting firm.

Over 30 years experience with businesses, individuals, churches and non-profit organizations, Jim D. Lee, CPA offers a variety of high quality services to fit your needs: Accounting: • Monthly accounting • Payroll reporting • Quarterly reporting • Audited and reviewed financial statements Other: • Financial planning • CFO function • Consulting

Tax: • Federal and state business returns • Federal and state personal returns • IRS representation • Estate and tax planning

call today 863.686.7330

500 S. Florida Ave, Suite 520 Lakeland FL, 33801

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ICE CREAM PUBLIX Various Lakeland Locations | publix.com Of course, we all know Publix to be the purveyor of fine groceries and top-notch customer service. But did you know they make their own ice cream right here in Lakeland? They do, and it’s fantastic. The organic Greenwise line of ice cream is our very favorite, both chocolate and vanilla. You’ll likely find yourself late at night spooning this delicious stuff right out of the carton.

EXPERT IRRIGATION

3210 Sydney Road - Plant City, FL 33566 813.725.3300 ph 813.752.7055 fax esterlinelandscape.com

Lanscape Irrigation Maintenance

Lighting Hardscape Consulting

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ICE CREAM REECECLIFF 940 S. Florida Ave. Reececliff is a Lakeland institution with a long history of old-fashioned Southern food and charm to go along with it. Their chocolate malt is no exception — it’s the best version of an old standby. Have a seat at Reececliff ’s counter and enjoy a cold malt on a hot afternoon.

SCARPA’S ITALIAN 1831 E. Edgewood Dr. | scarpasitalian.com Local, seasonal, and house made — the trifecta of a great dessert. Ashley Scarpa is the culinary force behind Scarpa’s incredible and ever changing dessert menu. We sampled her fresh peach pound cake with homemade peach ice cream, which left us cleaning our plates and wanting more. Stop in soon to sample this sweet gem or many of their other thoughtful and delicious desserts.

SUBS ‘N SUCH 1008 S. Florida Ave. | subsnsuch.com

Classic milkshakes at their best. Old-school, handspun, amazing shakes like the good old days. Owner Dean Shimer says he makes them the way his dad taught him. You can’t argue with that now, can you?

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quality Only the finest meats, cheeses and vegetables are used to make our delicious classic italian dishes.

Come enjoy.

Il Forno I TA LI A N

R E S TAU R A N T

3615 S. Florida Ave. Suite 1310 Lakeland, FL 33801 (863) 617-9832 • ilfornolakeland.com

SINGER REPAIR CENTER

LAKELAND’S PREMIER

LLC

Veterinary Hospital

CENTRAL FLORIDA’S ONLY AUTHORIZED SINGER SERVICE CENTER Selling and servicing new and used machines, including Singer, Juki, Pfaff, Viking, Brother, Janome, Bay Lock, New Home, Simplicity and Riccar sewing machines and vacuums.

SINCE 1975

92 Coleman Rd. Winter Haven, FL 33880 863.326.3213 singersewingshoppe.com

Dr. Robert Houghton, Hospital Director Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr.

Summer Jenks Ashley Langford Kim Patrick Jessica Robinson

863.646.2995 pethospital.com 3710 Cleveland Heights Blvd.

•State of the art diagnostics •Lodging monitored by medical staff • Professional Pet Stylists & Pet Spa •Family owned since 1972 •AAHA Accredited WE ARE NOW OPEN UNTIL 10 P.M. WEEKNIGHTS

Mon.–Fri., 7:00 A.M.–10:00 P.M. Saturday, 8:00 A.M.–3:00 P.M. Sunday, 4:00–5:30 P.M. (Lodging Pick-up Only)

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ICE CREAM

TAPATIO’S 734 E. Memorial Blvd. | 6645 S. Florida Ave. | tapatiostogo.com

Sopapillas are essentially fried dough with ice cream on top. All good things in one dish. How can you say no?

What do you know about

success?

INCOME PROTECTION | WEALTH BUILDING STRATEGIES RETIREMENT PLANNING | ESTATE PLANNING

You know…

Success is providing for those who are most important to you.

Success can often depend on guidance from the right people.

Do you know Burks Financial Group?

Successful people do.

5143 South Lakeland Drive, Suite 4 Lakeland, FL 33813 863-940-4755 www.burksfinancialgroup.com

Matthew Burks, Nathan Patterson and John Travis Lillie are registered representatives of and offer securities through MML Investors Services, LLC, member SIPC. Supervisory Office: One Urban Centre, 4830 W. Kennedy Blvd, Suite 800, Tampa, FL 33609. Tel: (813) 286-2280. Burks Financial Group is not a subsidiary or affiliate of MML Investors Services, LLC. BCC3572

314

124 THE LAKELANDER

CRN201603-180799

At The Sanoba Law Firm, we offer sound and sophisticated advice on complex real estate issues our clients face.

What’s your question?

863.683.5353

422 S Florida Ave., Lakeland, FL 33801

treat yourself to

SPARKLING

WINDOWS call 863.513.4165 for a free estimate

insured•professional•courteous

20-20windowcleaning.com THE LAKELANDER 125

BRUSTER’S

955 E. County Road 540A | brusters.com

Bruster’s is well loved for their ice cream, which is made fresh every morning. You can’t go wrong with a couple of scoops in a cup, cone, or waffle bowl, but we also recommend picking your favorite flavors to make a banana split or a milkshake. Flavors at Bruster’s are also ever changing with the season.

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REC

00:00:00

insuring

3..2..1.. ..3..2..1

ownership

Capturing precious memories... for a lifetime.

• High Definition & 3D • Wedding Videos • Recitals & Theatre

• Commercials • Music Videos • All Special Events

ProVideo

Denise Brown, President at Advantage Title Services, Inc. has over 30 years of real estate experience in providing professional title insurance and closing services to our customers throughout Florida.

We specialize in COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL & MANUFACTURED HOUSING transactions and offer on site closing services to our clients around the state. Whether closing on a new home or a multi-million dollar business park, we have the knowledge, experience, and staff to serve all of your real estate needs.

P R O D U C T I O N S

44 Lake Morton Dr. Lakeland, FL 33801

44 Lake Morton Dr. Lakeland, FL 33801 advantagetitle.net 863.688.7300

863.683.6868 provideoman.com

CELEBRATE DANCE APRIL 25-27, 2014

INSTALL QUALITY COOLING & HEATING SYSTEMS FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

A Weekend of Performances and Master Classes to Mark Florida Dance Theatre’s 20th Anniversary

MASTER CLASSES

Saturday, April 26 - Sunday, April 27 $20/class or $115/weekend (9 classes) Florida Dance Theatre

SPONSORED BY:

RYALS BROS. C O O L I N G + H E AT I N G

COMMUNITY PERFORMANCE Sunday, April 27 | 6:00pm | FREE Frances Langford Promenade

GALA PERFORMANCE 863-802-0399 www.floridadancetheatre.org floridadancetheatre@gmail.com Photo ©KilbyPhoto

Saturday, April 26 | 7:00pm $50, $25, & $15 Branscomb Auditorium, Florida Southern College

RESIDENTIAL | COMMERCIAL | NEW CONSTRUCTION

863-665-8231• ryalsbrothers.com S E R V I N G L A K E L A N D S I N C E 19 6 9

Featuring the professional company of Florida Dance Theatre & guest artists from around the country.

Ryals Bros Ad2.indd 1

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10/30/13 3:14 PM

HISTORY

PIPKIN’S DAIRY PRODUCTS AND ICE CREAM SHOP One of the first ice cream shops in Lakeland was located at 1101 South Florida Avenue, the current location of Hungry Howie’s in Dixieland. Pipkin’s Dairy and Ice Cream was the first business to occupy this building that was built in 1939. Juanita Pipkin ran the ice cream shop while her sons, Curtis and Ray, provided her milk from Pipkin’s farm. In 1986, Jack Cleghorn the owner of Hungry Howie’s, purchased the building.

Pipkin’s Dairy Products and Ice Cream Shop

Hungry Howie’s currently occupies the building at 1101 South Florida Avenue.

Photo by Philip Pietri

128 THE LAKELANDER

863.644.1408 info@genevaclassicalacademy.com follow us on

A Uniquely Classical, Distinctively Christian Education for K-12.

Our graduates can think clearly and critically and they have the training to articulate their views in a persuasive and winsome manner.

"We are the Students of Geneva.

We are the Next Generation of Leaders for Central Florida."

HAPPYFROM EASTER

Marshall Jewelers 2535 S. Florida Ave. | Southgate Shopping Center LILY PULITZER BANANA REPUBLIC ANN TAYLOR PRADA RALPH LAUREN KATE SPADE ANTHROPOLOGIE & MORE!

COME FIND THE PERFECT LOOK WITH YOUR FAVORITE DESIGNER BRANDS AT GREAT PRICES

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Serving Lakeland for over 40 years

What’s New C O N S I G N M E N T

863-686-5313 • whatsnewconsignment.com 923 South Florida Ave. Lakeland Fl. 33803

marshalljewelerslakeland.com THE LAKELANDER 129

A Unique office. For a Unique Agency.

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JOIN US FOR AN

OPEN HOUSE April 24th 5pm-8pm Lakeland Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting • 4:30pm 1715 S. Florida Ave. Lakeland • 863.816.5829

olivebranchrealty.net THE LAKELANDER 131

Healthcare

Centered Around You When When itit comes comes to to your your child, child, only only the the best best will will do. do.

That’s why Watson Clinic has over 200 board-certified That’s why Watson Clinic has over 200 board-certified doctors, doctors, convenient convenient locations locations and and the the area’s area’s best best technology.

We design a healthcare plan that technology. We design a healthcare plan that caters caters to to

your your child’s child’s individual individual needs. needs. And, And, we we empower empower parents parents with online access to their medical records.

It all with online access to their medical records. It all adds adds up up to a healthcare experience unlike any other.

That’s because to a healthcare experience unlike any other. That’s because at at Watson Watson Clinic, Clinic, patients patients are are at at the the center center of of all all we we do. do.

ear ear infection infection

vaccineS vaccineS

SportS SportS phySical phySical

flU flU treatment treatment

Behavioral Behavioral conSUlt conSUlt

after after hoUrS hoUrS care care pediatric pediatric check-Up check-Up

North: North: 863.680.7337 863.680.7337 || South: South: 863.647.8012 863.647.8012 || Plant Plant City: City: 863.680.7190 863.680.7190 www.WatsonClinic.com | Follow us on www.WatsonClinic.com | Follow us on 132 THE LAKELANDER