The Lakelander - Issue 36 - 5th Anniversary Issue

ISSU E 36

5th Anniversary Issue BORROWED LIGHT THE COLLECTION SUN-GROWN SUBSTANCE DESIGN THINKING

and Mayo Clinic.

Now. Working Together For You.

Better care begins with a smarter choice.

It’s your health. It’s your choice.

It’s our Promise.

That’s why Lakeland Regional Health is now a member of the prestigious Mayo Clinic Care Network.

Lakeland Regional Health’s team of experts is joining forces with the exceptional specialists of Mayo Clinic to deliver the most advanced medical knowledge in the world to you.

Right here at home. myLRH.org/Mayo

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C O N T E N T S ISSUE 36

ON THE COVER Referred to by some as the modern marvel, take a look inside the master plan and integrated educational mission of one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. Photo

by Tina Sargeant.

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THE LAKELANDER

THE L AKEL AND GENESIS CONCERT SERIES PRESENTS

B R O A D W A Y T H R O U G H T H E Y E A R S Elizabeth Burton joins the ISO for an evening of Broadway favorites including a visit from special guest Michael McArthur. Elizabeth is a Musical Theatre actress with a BFA from Florida State University.

Saturday , October 14 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Elizabeth has been featured at Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden and the Kennedy Center.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW VISIT: IMPERIALSYMPHONY.ORG CALL: 863.688.3743

SPONSORED BY

CONTENTS

90 FEATURES

48 • TASTE

62 • DESIGN

76 • STYLE

90 • CULTURE

Sun-grown Substance

Borrowed Light An award-winning building inspires a university’s vision

The Lakelander’s Closet

The Collection

A simple meal, well done, is often the most satisfying

Learn how two of the city’s finest build their personal style

A look at Chip Watkins’ new and vintage automobiles

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lakeland, florida

CONTENTS

100 • INSIGHT

Design Thinking Strategic design hasn’t only changed the face of business, but of everyday life

76

110 • SHELTER

How The Grove Got Its Groove Back The restoration of a turn-of-thecentury bungalow

126 • PEOPLE

A Renaissance In The City Nicole Travis’ work with the Lakeland CRA fuels a city’s growing culture

138 • PHILANTHROPY

Building Their Own Future

100

After 20 years, Noah’s Ark continues to enrich the lives of locals with developmental disabilities

126

DEPARTMENTS

18

THE LAKELANDER

20 • MASTHEAD

26 • LETTERS

156 • EVENTS

22 • EDITOR’S NOTE

28 • METRO

162 • HISTORY

24 • CONTRIBUTORS

152 • OPENINGS

EMBRACE THE

UPSIDE OF RISK

With the help of local advisors and comprehensive insurance programs, you can explore the upside of your risk and turn problems into possibilities.

lanierupshaw.com • (863) 686-2113

Curt Patterson Jason Jacobs • Brandon Patterson PUBLISHER

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERS

Brandon Patterson

Kristin Crosby

Daniel Barceló

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

EDITOR

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Advertising ADVERTISING DIRECTOR ADVERTISING SALES

Curt Patterson | 863.409.2449 Brandon Patterson | 863.409.2447 Jason Jacobs | 863.606.8785 Dale Kimsey | 863.640.1129

Editorial CONTRIBUTORS

LEAVE THEM WITH CHERISHED MEMORIES,

COPY EDITOR

Tara Campbell, Jason DeMeo, Abdiel Gonzalez, Christian Lee, Adam Spafford, Robyn Wilson Laura Burke

Creative

not financial and emotional burdens.

DESIGNER PHOTOGRAPHERS

Pre-planning is one of the greatest gifts you can give your family. Plan your service down to the last detail, including financial arrangements.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

VP, FINANCE INTERN

Anushka van Huyssteen Dan Austin, Tiffani Jones, John Kazaklis, Philip Pietri, Tina Sargeant Deb Patterson Nicole Curtis

Circulation CIRCULATION DIRECTOR GENERAL COUNSEL

Jason Jacobs Ted W. Weeks IV

Family-owned and operated by the Heath family since 1959.

Issue 36 - September/October 2017 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.

Patterson Jacobs

Contact Patterson Jacobs Publishing, P.O. Box 41, Lakeland, FL 33802 863.701.2707 • thelakelander.com

Customer Service: 863.701.2707

863.682.0111 328 S. Ingraham Ave., Lakeland heathfuneralchapel.com

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“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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E D I T O R ’ S A STOP HOME

WE ARE “COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE”.

“I purchased a home that was built in 1980. The AC was installed in 2004.

I searched for a vendor and found that Thorpe had installed it. I called them, and the technician arrived with gauges in one hand and his other hand outstretched to shake. While he diagnosed the problem, we chatted. I found him to be knowledgeable about the old system.

After he finished, he spoke of future options for service. I elected to make a commitment for one of them. My AC is working well now and we have the future covered with Thorpe.”

- Mel M.

Serving All of Lakeland for 36 Years www.thorpeac.com 863-858-2577

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N O T E

About four years ago, I was driving through Lakeland. I can’t quite remember what for. If anything, it was to merely get away. At the time, I was living in Orlando, working remotely as a grant writer for the non-profit organization LifeNet International based in Burundi, Africa.

A few years before, I could say, like many college graduates of the city, I would have avoided driving through if it wasn’t for family to visit and friends to grab coffee with from my alma mater, Southeastern University. But Lakeland seemed different this time. I couldn’t put my finger on it and slightly surprised myself at my excitement to be back in town, a subtle wash through my blood and a release of a sigh to be in a place that always maintained this one trait that many other cities I had lived in seemed to miss the mark on: consistency.

It was the end of my day trip in town, and making a quick stop to grab a cup of coffee for the drive home, I came across an issue of The Lakelander. I’d heard of it before, assuming it just another city magazine.

Though I normally avidly avoided any materials that my eyes wouldn’t surely

It grabbed my attention, because it emulated the relief I had found myself returning to that day.

Kristin Crosby EDITOR

TH E L A K E L A N D E R

absorb, being a sucker for nostalgic pictures and biographies, I picked up the issue. It was “The George Issue.” I had long heard the name George Jenkins during my time in Lakeland prior and had seen the face of Publix every time I made my way through the stores. But, with this particular issue, something different grabbed my attention.

There was a character and insight. The matters of stories and people outweighed the typically ad-induced city catalogs one finds. There was intention and purpose that set it apart from anything like it even in Orlando. Flipping through the pages, I found not so much a city, but an intimate look at its people … a local publication approach, uncommon to most. It grabbed my attention, because it was able to emulate the relief I had found myself returning to that day.

Little did I know within a year I’d be turning my car around to come back. It’s amazing what some traveling and time away can open our eyes to appreciate.

We’re thrilled to present this newly designed, 5th Year Anniversary Issue to you.

And we hope it will inspire you, as your stories surely continue to inspire all of us.

“We’ve lived here since 1992, and for us there is no other place to live. Grasslands offers beautifully maintained grounds with sidewalks for walking and visiting with your friends and neighbors. In addition, you feel a level of comfort knowing that there is a security guard on duty 24-hours a day. The central location gives us easy access to Polk Parkway, plus we’re next door to Lakeside Village for great shopping and restaurants. And we have one of the best golf courses in Central Florida.

Come and join us and discover for yourself how great it is to live in Grasslands!”

TOM & PAULA GRAHAM Residents Of Grasslands For 25 Years

863.647.1100 | MON TO FRI 9-5; SAT 10-5; SUN 12-5 PAT JONES 863.581.4699 | DANI MILLER 863.255.2276

GRASSLANDSHOMES.COM I SS U E 36

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C O N T R I B U T O R S THE WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS THAT MAKE THE LAKELANDER

TINA SARGEANT

Philanthropy written by Tara Campbell p. 138

TARA CAMPBELL

Tina Sargeant has been professionally capturing the moments, events, and people of our region for the last seven years, photographing for The Lakelander since issue one. Tina’s photography is driven by the ability to suspend time and create emotion, and her work embodies a passion for anthropology – people, culture, and stories. sargeantstudios.com

Tara Campbell is a longtime Lakelander with a passion for serving others.

A graduate of Florida Southern College, she is currently the team and outreach director for Access Church. In the past she has worked as the teen development director for the YMCA of Central Florida, the outreach teacher at the Polk Museum of Art, and a classroom leader at Parker Street Ministries.

Believing firmly that only boring people get bored, Tara spends her free time mentoring middle-school girls in the Parker Street Neighborhood, teaching art lessons, and serving the community through several civic organizations, as well as enjoying all of the friends and culture Lakeland has to offer.

What got you involved in non-profit organizations in Lakeland over the past years?

It’s really just in my nature. I started working at the YMCA during college. I worked there for a couple of years and moved on to the Polk Museum of Art, Parker Street, and Access. I see a lot of value in working locally on things that matter. It’s how we do the most good.

so nervous. Now we sit back and think through “what would a cookie look like if we put bacon and cheese in it?” I love creating in the kitchen, and I love how curious our employees are to learn what and why we’re doing things. We have a blast.

How does your role at Access play into your passion for serving others?

For me, the Gospel is really simple: Love God. Love Others. I get to do that directly at Access. I’m in charge of our team, so I work with everyone who serves and I get to help facilitate them helping others.

What would you say keeps Noah’s Ark a successful NPO after 20 years?

The team at Noah’s Ark are incredibly kind and patient, and they just keep showing up. The hardest step is the first step, but when you get into the habit of taking that first step it’s not difficult anymore. You can’t ignore someone you see every day that you build a relationship with.

Studying art in college and now a baker (co-founder and co-owner of Katara Confectionery) what is it like creating as an artist in the kitchen ?

It’s so fun! I’m fairly obsessed with all levels of creativity. When we started, we were so curious but

Lastly, what is your favorite Katara macaron flavor?

Depends on the season. I love blueberry mascarpone, but our lavender, and gingerbread, flavors are really quite perfect. I’m really proud of our new butterscotch flavor too. MacaRon Burgundy is a good man.

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TH E L A K E L A N D E R

JASON DEMEO Jason DeMeo is the cofounder of We Are Curio.

Certified in Design Thinking from Harvard, Jason serves as a Subject Matter Expert in Design Thinking and Adjunct Professor at SEU. He and his wife, Hillary, have lived in Lakeland for 14 years. wearecurio.com See a list of all contributing writers and photographers on p. 20

L E T T E R S

CITY OF LAKELAND

ELECTION

COMMENTS FROM LAKELANDERS

2017

*

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

“Great @LakelanderMag story on planting roots in #lkld with Tim Rice of @trinitylakeland. Commit to stay, commit to serve.”

OCT 10

Last Day to Register to Vote

@bwmerritt // Twitter

Call 863-534-5888 to Vote by Mail

OCT 30 - NOV 6 Walk In Voting Available Elections Headquarters in Bartow Election Operations Center in Winter Haven Lakeland Courthouse Branch Office

A PICTURE OF OUR STRAWBERRY BASIL TEA WITHIN A PICTURE OF OUR STRAWBERRY BASIL TEA.....#TEACEPTION PICK UP A COPY OF THIS MONTH’S LAKELANDER TO READ THE FEATURE AND ENJOY A NICE COLD GLASS OF TEA ON OUR PATIO. IT’S FRIDAY, YOU DESERVE IT!

8:30AM - 4PM Weekdays 10AM - 2PM Saturday

@blackandbrew // Instagram

NOV 7

General Election

DEC 5

THE TASTE ISSUE

Run-Off Election

“Do not sleep on Lakeland.

If you grab the recent @lakelandermag you will get just a snippet of the talent and culture that Lakeland has to offer. There is no other place we would rather be based out of.” @wearecurio // Instagram

BAKED BLISS / LAKELAND’S FOOD INFLUENCERS / KITCHEN GADGETS FUN YOU CAN TASTE / SUMMER COCKTAILS

*THIS ELECTION IS FOR CITY OF LAKELAND RESIDENTS ONLY

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M E T R O NEW AND NOTABLE IN LAKELAND

Five years telling your stories Remembering what brought us here

A

lot can happen in five years.

A small business in the area, Patterson Jacobs Publishing had been long accustomed to the magazine world.

Incorporated on October 6, 2003, working on a number of niche publications that gained national interest, the company was ready to take on and create a local magazine with a level of design and content unlike few city magazines on the market.

When the next thing could have easily meant another national specialized magazine, the potential to uncover a rich supply of true life stories appeared to lay right in their hometown.

Publishing the first issue five years ago, since September 2012 The Lakelander has tapped into a city with a deep well of lives and dreams supported by a rich community that chooses to believe there is always room for growth.

Since the premiere issue, covering

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THTE H ELLAAK KE E LLAANN DD E RE R

BIG LAKELANDER MOMENTS

2012 - Premiere Issue The Lakelander’s first issue captured both the beauty of local life and the design and voices that quickly led our city publication to where it is today.

IF LAKELAND HAS PROVEN ANYTHING... IT WOULD SURELY BE THERE’S ALWAYS MORE TO A CITY THAN WHAT MEETS THE EYE. Kelly’s Apiaries off Old Highway 37, the magazine has set out to uncover the history this city was built upon, the progressive tastes of an ever-evolving food scene, an endless trail of people who ignite and inspire a pride of place, and the non-profit organizations that continue to stir this city’s soul of compassion.

Throughout the past five years, as quickly as it has come, The Lakelander has had the privilege of highlighting many significant moments for our city.

If Lakeland has proven anything through The Lakelander, it surely would be that there’s always more to a city than what meets the eye. Discovering the beauty of a people and place can only grow richer with time.

Over the past five years, a magazine that once questioned whether there would be enough stories of interest to cover for more than a few years, has proven this city has much left to be unlocked.

2014 - First Release Party Our first issue-release celebration, for “The Beer Issue,” launched our series of release parties open to the public.

2015 - Secret Supper Club The Lakelander hosted its first-ever Secret Supper Club. A secret location not revealed until the day prior.

Since then, the club has hosted meals at The Loggia and The Federal Building (always adding to its waiting list for upcoming special engagements).

2015 - Lakelander Made The first of an annual Christmas special issue featuring artisans’ and makers’ stories of success. From bakers to designers to woodworkers, the issue captured the entrepreneurial spirit of the city.

THE TASTE ISSUE

BAKED BLISS / LAKELAND’S FOOD INFLUENCERS / KITCHEN GADGETS FUN YOU CAN TASTE / SUMMER COCKTAILS

2017 - The Taste Issue Our largest issue ever highlighted the tastemakers of Lakeland. Featuring over 40 businesses, “The Taste Issue” covered the wide range of delicious foods and talents the city now offers.

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METRO

NEW OFFICE SPACE IN DIXIELAND The former Vito’s restaurant in Dixieland is soon to undergo a major change by the Lakeland-based Lunz Group architects. The offices, to be named “Lean Spaces,” are slated to be ready for use by January. Sam Houghton and Pete Maris plan to turn the 3,300-square-foot building into a concrete-floored, glass-walled, executive suite for those in need of superhigh-end office space. For $1,000 rent a month, these “all-inclusive” spaces will feature top-of-the-line electronics and industrial design. Potential tenants will be interviewed before accepting.

A PHILHARMONIC FALL SERIES

Urban Farm Coming To Mass Market

As Lakeland’s only completely volunteer orchestra, the Florida Philharmonia Orchestra kicks off its second yearly season with full concerts of waltzes, marches, and classical selections from Beethoven to Debussy.

Concerts are free to the public and will be performed at College Heights Methodist Church, 942 South Boulevard, Lakeland, at 7:30 p.m. on October 24, December 5, and next year on February 27 and April 24.

Teaching the resourceful art of gardening, this urban farm will make you wish you were a kid back in school again.

Construction is currently underway at Mass Market for a new upcoming urban farm, a redevelopment project in the Parker Street neighborhood. The urban farm will be used to teach Lakeland Christian School (LCS) students about gardening and producing plants, as well as a venue for community workshops.

THE FARM WILL GIVE Provided with a $63,245 grant from Lakeland STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY Community Redevelopment Authority, the farm will give students from pre-K through 12th grade the FOR A HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE opportunity for a hands-on experience of tending OF TENDING AND RAISING A and raising a garden.

GARDEN. Construction began at the corner of Plum Street and North Massachusetts Avenue in June and is scheduled to end in the fall. The farms are said to help complete the overall experience and offerings of Mass Market.

LCS students will be hands-on during development, using design thinking to create a sustainable infrastructure through trial and error that can be run by future students, says Jennifer Canady, director of LCS RISE Institute.

Officially named the Everette Taylor Urban Farm, the project will be placed in memory of a Department of Citrus auditor who shared a passion for gardening across generations. Everette Taylor passed away July 2015.

The Urban Farm grand opening at Mass Market is scheduled for 5 p.m. on October 26.

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TH E L A K E L A N D E R

CHARLIE’S MINI DONUTS & COFFEE The latest sweet spot in town, this donut shop serves up the good, old-fashioned cake donuts. With flavors like pink sprinkles, Fruit Loops, and Rice Krispies, you will gladly welcome such tastes of nostalgia.

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METRO

THE LAKELANDER’S

Fall Entertainment Guide No matter where you grew up, there’s no better time for a little nostalgic entertainment than the fall. Whether or not autumn leaves are falling, there are plenty of great moments to be had this season. Here’s a list of some of our favorites, many easily savored throughout the year but simply not to be missed this fall.

1

THE FIELD Southeastern University Football Of course, what’s fall without football? For a genuine collegiate ball experience, visit SEU for their fall lineup. Join their campus and gorgeous greens that shine like new, to savor a school game — something no fall is complete without. Enjoy all the lights, excitement, and school spirit to get you in the mood for football season. It has arrived.

1000 Longfellow Boulevard, 33801

2

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THE CINEMA Polk Theatre This gem, a historic iconic theatre and one of only a handful still existing in Florida, offers a timeless movie experience that simply can’t be matched elsewhere. Consider it your indie and cult-classic film spot, fully equipped with a grand stage to set the scene, fresh popcorn, and procession of live organ music (you know you love it) to set the screen to play. For young and old, keep your eyes out for a selection of films that will be hard to pass up on the big screen.

121 South Florida Avenue, 33801

TH E L A K E L A N D E R

3

THE THEATRE Lakeland Community Theatre This fall season, the Lakeland Community Theatre presents the musical Sweeney Todd, which you will likely love seeing live onstage if a fan of the Tim Burton version starring Johnny Depp — but it’s not for the faint of heart. For the holidays, the theatre also presents A Christmas Story: The Musical featuring the beloved film set to song, with all your favorite funny moments from the film: leg lamp, frozen lamp post, and all…

121 South Lake Avenue, 33801

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Fall Entertainment Guide

4

THE DRIVE-IN Silver Moon Drive-in Perfect as the weather begins to cool down, swing by Silver Moon Drive-in. A fixture in Lakeland for more than 60 years, this prized location is the last drive-in in Polk County and weekly features recently released films — with seven nights a week of double features … if you care to indulge yourself. Though equipped with two screens, this location is a favorite, so be sure to get there early.

4100 New Tampa Highway, 33815

5

THE OUTDOORS The Pumpkin Patch The feelings of fall may be far from reach in this lingering humidity, if it weren’t for the trusty festive pumpkin patch that arrives each year. Hosted by First United Methodist on Lake Morton, as well as United Methodist Temple across from Southgate. Search the pumpkin patch with your little ones for gourds ranging from 50 cents to $30.

72 Lake Morton Drive, 33801 2700 Florida Avenue South, 33803

6

THE COURT Lakeland Magic Kicking off their first season ever, The Lakeland Magic (Orlando Magic’s D-League team) recently released their fall schedule for games held at RP Funding Center. Opening their season at home against the Canton Charge, join their first Lakeland game November 10.

Visit lakelandmagic.com for ticket information. Group tickets are available for as low as $5 per game, and season tickets start at $8.63 per game.

701 West Lime Street, 33815

TH E L A K E L A N D E R

METRO

Q Commons A national event to engage your local community Q Commons exists to create local conversations, engaging national issues directly with our community. For the past two years, Lakeland has hosted Q Commons and returns this year with a third and possibly the most city influence. This two-hour event, based on the theme Healing Our Divided Nation, features a noteworthy CREATING LOCAL round of national and local speakers. Throughout CONVERSATION, the evening’s schedule, ENGAGING NATIONAL ISSUES live national speakers are televised across the globe to hosted commons, and live local speakers present, following thoughtful and engaged conversation with each speaker.

National speakers this year include Cultural Commentator for The New York Times David Brooks, author Kara Powell, and artist and activist Propaganda. Local speakers will discuss topics on Education and Opportunity in our city, Creating Healthy Community, and Our Future - Government and Culture.

Join thousands of attendees in hundreds of international cities, to be equipped on how to engage this unique season for our nation.

Q Commons Lakeland, Thursday, October 26, from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. at Haus 820, 820 North Massachusetts Avenue.

GOSPEL INC. GALLERY A PART OF THE COMMUNITY FOR YEARS NOW, Gospel Inc. exists to actively restore health and life to the homeless. Gospel Inc. has created a working home for men in need, assisting with housing and employment. There are also opportunitiesfor the women of the community to make a little income in their studio, where they learn art skills such as sewing, painting, repurposing

furniture, and jewelry making.

This October, Gospel Inc. and Repurpose Art Studio present their first “Friendsraiser” where art will also be displayed on bid for the evening at the ART/ifacts gallery.

To view their gallery, opening at ART/ifacts October 15, contact Brain Seeley at 863.808.9440.

And learn more about ways to serve with Gospel Inc. at gospelinc.org.

Members of the Gospel Inc. and Repurpose Art teams

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NEW THEATRE COMPANY TAKES THE STAGE A nontraditional theatre company opening this fall seeks to bring a modern and immersive local stage theatre to fresh, new audiences. Rogue Stage performs original produced works, unique concepts, and unexpected theatrical experiences. The company will present plays in unconventional local spaces, venues unlikely for the theatre.

Rogue’s first performance premieres the debut of Moonlight After Midnight, an interlace of love, loss, memory, and mystery.

Presented on November 2nd at Lkld Live, 202 North Massachusetts Avenue.

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TH E L A K E L A N D E R

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PRESERVING A LOCAL OAK TREE A local oak tree, long beloved as “The Lover’s Oak,” has recently been deemed decaying by the city, and officials have decided to remove it. What was once two towering oak trees

by Lake Morton, over the years has grown into one large stoic oak. This year, after a branch fell on a car, the city made its final call. Upon the news, local resident and grandson of Publix founding owner, George Jenkins, Gregory Fancelli has offered to pay for the tree trimming and cleaning of the moss, with the hopes that this would ensure the tree’s safety and longevity for the city.

RP FUNDING HOTEL IN THE WORKS After the renaming of The Lakeland Center to the now RP Funding Center, local investors are considering the possibilities of an RP Funding Hotel. The development is hoped to create and encourage convention interest at the center. City commissioners have approved the agreement, contingent on the city selling the property at $400,000, and the hotel developer guarantees the hotel move forward as part of a high-quality hotel chain. Moving forward with Springhill Suites, part of Marriott hotels, the RP Funding Hotel is set to open early 2018.

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Yacht Club Groundbreaking AT

the end of August, in anticipation of the great new changes soon to come, The Lakeland Yacht & Country Club held its official groundbreaking, making way for future developments.

Long centered on the iconic landmark of Lake Hollingsworth, Mayor Howard Wiggs, Kim Ruthven, and Ron Clark spoke on the importance of this historic location. Dignitaries, members, and families gathered to take hold of the golden shovels and dig their way into the ground.

The new Lakeland Yacht & Country Club is set to be complete in Fall 2018.

TH E L A K E L A N D E R

IN ANTICIPATION OF THE NEW CLUB Board member Ron Clark thanks members and all involved in the direction and rebuilding of the new club.

2017 HOME SCHEDULE Sep 2 Sep 16 Oct 7

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METRO

CANDIDATES AT A GLANCE Mayor Patrick Shawn Jones Bill Mutz Christopher Diaz James Green

Southeast District Scott Franklin Sandy Toledo

Southwest District Michael Dunn Larry Durrence Jorge Fonseca Pablo Sologaistoa

THERE ARE PASSIONATE DEBATES ON BOTH SIDES — FROM THE COMMITTEE FOR A STRONG LAKELAND, TO THE NO BOSS MAYOR GROUP.

Election Update

At Large-Seat 1 Kathy Smith Barsotti Stephanie Madden Jim Malless (incumbent)

Laurel Pullo Ricky Shirah

There may seem to always be a chance to vote, but as we well know, each one counts.

The November election for Lakeland mayor and three city commission seats is quickly approaching. Since the deadline for the candidate Q&A in our July issue, three additional people have filed paperwork to run. You can read their responses to the same questions, as well as review the other candidates’ answers on our website, thelakelander.com.

In addition to the offices that will be filled, Lakelanders will be deciding a critical ballot issue regarding the structure of our city government.

Known as the Strong Mayor initiative, if passed, it will change the role of Lakeland’s mayor from someone who leads the city commission and is otherwise largely ceremonial, to someone who manages the day-to-day operations of the City of Lakeland. Currently, the day-to-day operations are handled by a city manager who is hired by and serves at the pleasure of the city commission. There are passionate debates on both sides — from the Committee for a Strong Lakeland, which introduced and supports the ballot initiative, to the No Boss Mayor group, which opposes the change. In addition to the groups’ websites and Facebook pages, there will be a number of opportunities to hear from both sides at forums and other events between now and election day.

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FROM OUR ELECTION FEATURE read online at thelakelander.com

TH E L A K E L A N D E R

ONLY WEEKS AWAY, THE LAKELAND city commissioner and mayoral races are under much debate. The qualifying date for the November 7, 2017, election ended late September. Our previous issue featured 12 candidates in the race from early on. If the three city commissioner seats and the race for mayor weren’t enough, a change to the city charter will also be on the November ballot. Commonly known as the “Strong Mayor” initiative, if passed, it would change the structure of Lakeland’s government. A special Q&A with the candidates for mayor and city commissioner featured the controversial thoughts and discussions from electors on the topic.

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METRO

The majority of us are used to the stress that comes with financial planning, but there are some seasons in life we can ensure money won’t be a burden. Especially for our loved ones.

How do we find the value of a life? This is a common question in my line of work, and being a recent participant of this reality in my world with the loss of my fatherin-law, I was a witness to the other side of the table.

Immediately after my fatherin-law passed, the hospital room was overwhelmed with silence. It was so loud in its very quiet way.

Like you could hear a vacuum in the void of our lives. We sat in that silence weeping and praying. As our lives stood still in that moment, we began to talk about memories and thoughts of the last couple of hours. We sat there to capture that moment and to honor a great man.

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M E E T WI T H

A FINANCIAL ADVISOR

ASSESS YOUR AREA OF RISK Have an advisor review your life insurance to be certain the benefits can meet all your needs.

Then, just as our lives stopped, they started again. With what felt like a greater velocity, we started to plan the next steps. My in-laws had done a wonderful job of planning by preparing their legal documents, accounts, and arrangements to make sure there would be no question of their wishes. Even with all of that planning, life finds a way to sneak up. From the planning of his memorial to the day-to-day needs, every decision seemed amplified. The week of his passing, their house showed the absence of its handyman: the toilet broke, the boat’s fuel sensor malfunctioned, and the yard was in desperate need of attention. With all the things he had tended to, we found ourselves one set of hands short. We witnessed firsthand a daily expense tied to the cost of serving his memory well.

A risk we live under in this life is creating a dependency on ourselves, from parents that provide for dependent

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children to retirees that rely on each other’s income. Dependency is not easy to lose in the moment of death, no matter the situation. We do not create it overnight, and it is not easily replaced.

However, risk can be mitigated with proper planning.

Your wishes are so important even when you cannot speak for yourself.

Life will change, and your plans need to follow, so keep adjusting your plan with your family.

So what’s the reward? Your family will be allowed time to grieve with dignity.

That family and property will not be left in disrepair. That lives could learn to be whole after being dismantled. That our communities would be laden with love rather than burdened financially.

That the generosity you show others could be a legacy left many years after your passing. Showing true love to your family and your community would be the reward.

“YOUR WISHES ARE SO IMPORTANT EVEN WHEN YOU CANNOT SPEAK FOR YOURSELF. LIFE WILL CHANGE, AND YOUR PLANS NEED TO FOLLOW, SO KEEP ADJUSTING YOUR PLAN WITH YOUR FAMILY.”

TH E L A K E L A N D E R

LIFE INSURANCE An easy way to cover your income, which could be your most valued asset.

CREATE A PLAN Plan your funeral, and clearly communicate your wishes so others do not have to make difficult decisions.

MEET WITH AN ATTORNEY to review the needed legal documents so that you and your family are not lost in the throes of legality.

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Since 1988 Clark, Campbell, Lancaster & Munson, P.A. has been committed to protecting business and family assets through the work of dedicated, caring attorneys. Experience the difference that Lakeland’s most trusted legal team can make.

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TASTE

S U N - G R O W N S U B S T A N C E Beautifully plated food doesn’t always have to be airy and delicate.

Sometimes a hearty meal is all our eyes are seeking to behold.

Written by Robyn Wilson / Photography by Tiffani Jones Styled by Lisa Malott

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S E P TE MB E R 2 01 7

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OH,

Hawaii. You glorious place, you. I am writing this while getting some R&R on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, back on the island for the first time in 10 years and spending time in the little country neighborhood where I grew up. I have missed it so much.

I had a wonderful childhood in my little sun-shiny jungle wonderland. Being back has been the loveliest reminder of the beauty of the island and the ridiculously tasty and culturally rich food.

Hawaii has all the ingredients for an amazing food scene. Rich soil that brings amazing local produce, people living here from many different cultures, and an overall sense of aloha (Hawaiian for love) that you can definitely taste in the food.

For me, the perfect meal is super soulful and full

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of flavor. The more rustic, the better. These recipes, inspired by my childhood home, are just that. More focus on flavor than fancy. The famous plate lunches there which are traditionally made up of two scoops of sticky white rice, Hawaiian-style macaroni salad, and a super flavorful protein are a great example of simple and soulful. Often served on a paper plate, piled high.

No frills, no fuss. Perfect, really.

Hawaii is a melting pot of so many different cultures, and this is definitely evident in the wide variety of food found on the islands: Hawaiian, Japanese, Korean, Thai, just to name a few.

Try these out. Mix them up. Throw them in a bowl or pile high on a plate. The beauty of these recipes is that all of the components which originally come from different cultures all taste fantastic both separate and together. Like a lovely food melting pot that is filled with aloha, just like my sweet little hometown.

TH E L A K E L A N D E R

RECIPE

KALBI SHORT RIBS 3 pounds cross-cut short ribs For marinade 1/2 cup soy sauce 1/2 cup water 1/4 cup brown sugar 2 tablespoons honey 1/4 cup mirin 2 tablespoons sesame oil 1 can Korean pear juice* *(locally found at Gigi’s market in Lakeland or at any Asian grocery)

1/2 medium onion, grated 2 tablespoons minced garlic 1 teaspoon minced ginger 1â „2 teaspoon black pepper For garnish 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds 3 scallions, thinly sliced

Begin by soaking the ribs in cold water for 20 minutes. This soaks out the old blood and makes for much better flavor, and allows the meat to marinate more effectively. Mix all of the marinating ingredients in a bowl. Add the drained short ribs.

Marinate for 6 to 8 hours or overnight. Grill on medium high heat and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and scallions.

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TH E L A K E L A N D E R

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RECIPE

SESAME SPINACH 3 bunches of spinach, cleaned 2 1/2 tablespoons sesame oil 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds 2 greens onions, bulb only, sliced 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic salt 2 fresh red chili peppers, thinly sliced

Blanch the spinach in boiling water.

Be very careful not to overcook.

Immediately soak in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.

Hand squeeze the water out of TH E L Aand K Eplace L A N DE the spinach in aRbowl. If needed, cut the spinach in smaller pieces using kitchen shears. Toss the spinach with sesame oil, sesame seeds, chili pepper, onion, and season with garlic salt.

RECIPE

SO ONO SPICY POTATOES 3 medium red potatoes, peeled and sliced 1 onion, thinly sliced 1 tablespoon Korean hot chili powder* *(locally found at Gigi’s market in Lakeland or at any Asian grocery)

3 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce 1 1/2 cups water

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First, soak the potatoes in a bowl of cold water for 20 minutes. This makes the potatoes less starchy. Then drain and add the potatoes to a saucepan along with all the other ingredients. Cover the pan and cook for 7-10 minutes over medium heat until very little moisture remains. Watch closely, especially at the end to avoid burning.

TH E L A K E L A N D E R

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Don’t overlook these simple steps and extra ingredients for this tasty sauce.

Trust us, it is not to be missed.

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RECIPE

THAI GLASS NOODLE SALAD 1 package glass noodles, also called Japchae 1/4 napa cabbage, thinly sliced, about 1/2 inch 1/2 head romaine lettuce thinly sliced, about 1/2 inch 5 green onions, thinly sliced 2 radishes, thinly sliced (easier to do using a mandolin) 1/2 hot-house cucumber 1 handful fresh cilantro, chopped 1 tablespoon sesame oil 1/2 tablespoon sesame seeds for garnish Lime wedges for garnish For sauce: 1-inch piece of ginger, peeled 2 small garlic cloves 1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter 2 tablespoons Korean soy sauce 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 1 teaspoon honey 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil 1 heaping tablespoon sambal 1/3 cup water

Cook the glass noodles in boiling water for 6 minutes until al dente or according to the package.

Cooking time depends on the noodle. Immediately rinse with cold water and toss with 1 tablespoon sesame oil to prevent the noodles from sticking.

While the noodles are cooking, place all of the ingredients for the sauce in a blender. Turn on the blender and slowly add water until smooth.

Toss the cooled noodles in the peanut sauce. Prepare a bowl with the napa cabbage and lettuce mixture. Place noodles and other veggies on top. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onion.

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S E P TE MB E R 2 01 7

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RECIPE

SHOYU CHICKEN 4 pounds bone-in chicken thighs with skin 4 cups chicken broth 1 1/2 cups shoyu (soy sauce) 1 cup light brown sugar 1 bulb of garlic, peeled and smashed 4-inch piece of ginger, sliced 4 tablespoons of corn starch dissolved in 4 tablespoons of water 4 green onions, thinly sliced for garnish

RECIPE

Combine all of the ingredients, except for the green onions and cornstarch, in a pot and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce to low, and cook for about 35 minutes or until the chicken is nice and tender. Remove the chicken, then skim the fat from the sauce. Strain the sauce, then bring to a boil. Whisk in the cornstarch until the sauce thickens. Pour the sauce over the chicken, then garnish with green onions.

6-AND-A-HALF-MINUTE SHOYU EGGS 6 tablespoons warm water 1 tablespoon brown sugar 2 tablespoons mirin or rice vinegar 3/4 cup soy sauce* *(My favorite is Korean; it is less salty than normal soy sauce and has great flavor. It can be found locally at Gigi’s Oriental Market or at any Asian grocery.)

6 large eggs Maldon salt and fresh-ground pepper for serving

MORE RECIPES can be found online at thelakelander.com

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In a medium bowl, whisk together the water and sugar to dissolve the sugar, then stir in the mirin and shoyu.

TH E L A K E L A N D E R

Bring the water to a boil, then place the eggs carefully into the boiling water. Cook for exactly 6 and a half minutes. Fill a large bowl with ice and water. Transfer the eggs immediately to the ice bath.

When cool, carefully peel them, then place in the sauce and marinate for 2 hours. Make sure the eggs are completely submerged in the sauce so that they marinate evenly. A small plate works great for this. (You are using the plate to submerge the eggs in the bowl of marinade.) When serving, cut and season with a little Maldon salt and fresh-ground pepper.

FitCrowdLakelanderHalf.pdf 4 9/20/2017 8:25:21 AM

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DESIGN

Written by Kristin Crosby Photography by Tina Sargeant

TH E L A K E L A N D E R

he master plan for Florida’s 12th and newest state university, Polytechnic University, was trusted in the hands of Santiago Calatrava for more than just his famed, artistic eye for design. Calatrava’s multifaceted abilities as an artist, an architect, and an engineer were the ideal fit for a building that would need to serve, as well as embody, a multifaceted academic mission.

Recently, the school completed its final legislative mandate and reached regional accreditation in June 2017, affirming a solid head start for the STEM University.

World-renowned for designs of global landmarks such as the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge in Dallas, Texas, Calatrava’s most recent works also includes the World Trade Center Transportation Hub. His architectural designs resemble a neo-futurism quality, a kind of grand-scale human life character.

“The greatest thing about Calatrava,” says Maggie Mariucci, director of external affairs and interim director of communications at Florida Polytechnic University, “is he’s an artist and an architect and an engineer. And it’s been said that is why he’s been able to create buildings such as this. The moving elements of the building are somewhat of a feat.”

Surrounded by metallic arched pergolas pooling in stately elements of light, its elliptical design paired with energy-efficiency, seems to rival anything Calatrava has touched before.

As it was being built, it was already hailed as “the modern marvel.”

For its latest addition of state schools, Florida looked to world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava to design a college campus that would be set apart as an integral and innovative culture of learning … and frankly, one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.

MOVING ELEMENTS “This being a new campus, a new university with the focus of STEM being the core curriculum, the study of the students, we have a unique opportunity for our buildings and facilities to represent some of the newest technology,” says David Calhoun, the director of facilities and safety services.

“I think it’s fair to say that, in the design, the approach for sustainable initiatives through the design, the incorporation of natural elements that are consistent with Florida — concrete being an architectural component in the building as well as a structural component, natural lighting — all of those things were taken into consideration through the design and through the construction. And I think that also lends itself to be what most would consider a technologically

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Reflective of the school’s mission of interdisciplinary teaching and collaborative learning, design of classroom and study space creates an intimate and inclusive environment.

advanced building, through the air conditioning controls all the way down to water consumption, lighting components, etc. So the design really enhanced the idea that this is a STEM school.

“The facilities also have an opportunity to encompass that and be really high level with the most technologically advanced systems of its time.”

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS The property, originally donated back in 2005, moved ahead with the completion of the institution and the design from 2007 to 2012. Upon completion, the campus and academic building quickly began to gain recognition for its sheer beauty and detail of design.

Since the building was raised, acclamation for its state-of-the-art design and execution continues to pour in, from the 2015 Innovative Design in Engineering and Architecture with Structural Steel (IDEAS2) Award, the 2015 International Architecture Award by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, The European Centre for Architecture, and most notably Engineer News-Record’s best of projects globally for 2015 and record for the state of Florida in 2015 as well as the SE region and nationally. And if that’s not convincing, for the past two years Business Insider has named it one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.

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TH E L A K E L A N D E R

AN ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENT In terms of architectural design, we’re mostly accustomed to traditional buildings, walls and stairs, ceilings and floors, often presented as a blank canvas for interior additions to be the finishing component. Yet in Calatrava’s design for Florida Poly, the art lays within the very bone structure of the building.

“The structure of this building, as well as the structure of the causeways, is all an architectural element,” notes Calhoun.

“When you go into this building, it doesn’t have colors, and that’s by design, because it wants to draw attention to the architect, the shadows cast on the walls, the craftsmanship in structure, whether concrete or steel. So when your structural components become architectural in nature, it is a big challenge in and of itself. But it also makes the building a piece of art, as opposed to bringing art to a building.”

Stepping into the academic facility is something like a heavenly ascent, the stairs cast in placed concrete, escalating toward streams of natural light. Within the first floor exist labs and classrooms, the second floor consisting of a large classroom surrounded by faculty offices. The beams are all uniquely shaped, leading the hallway. Even throughout the steel members supporting the operable louver arms, the shape isn’t typical. “Everything is atypical, because the structure is the architecture,” says Calhoun. “I think that was the idea of the design team early on, that the building itself would be a piece of art, because [through the design] the structure becomes the architecture.”

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A GLASS HOUSE The real challenge, Calhoun readily admits, is that everything on the building is on a radius. “With the structure being the architecture, that brings a challenge to a lot of different elements. The glass, the slope glazing, the operable louver arms.” There is not a straight piece of glass throughout the building. All of it had to be rounded out.

“The majority of the glass is done with a cold bent process, and that provides a radius of the glass that was done on site,” says Calhoun. “With some of the more drastic radiuses, it was a heat-bent process where they actually bend it off-site and bring it on. So there is no square to it.

“The requirement for perfection was very high,” Calhoun adds. “When construction teams see a design that is very unique, as this design was, I think it’s a compliment to a lot of great people working together and taking it head on to meet some of these challenges.”

Generally the operable louver arms remain about four to five inches apart, meaning the slightest change from the design can cause one arm to run into another. The louvers, those great white arms that continue to morph the building into new shapes by the hour, remain contingent upon the weather, making for an interesting relationship given that Florida is the lightning capital of the United States. The arms do not operate when weather isn’t ideal. “There are some primary movements,” says Calhoun. “We can adjust the arms with the sun.”

The louvers are programmed to reorientate about every 10 minutes. Adjusting a degree and a half with the sun throughout the day, the louvers create an All Up, taking to the similar shape of the school’s mascot, the Phoenix, then move to horizontal, and then to close.

“But there’s the possibility for us to operate them however we would like to,” says Calhoun. “Each arm is independent of an adjacent arm, so we could essentially do the wave if we wanted to. (But we’ve never done the wave.)”

“Plus,” inserts John White, Polytechnic’s campus architect, “it takes about 10 to 12 minutes from close to open.”

On a given day, the louvers are in sun tracker mode.

Turned on in the morning, the louvers track the sun for the entire day. Since the roof consists of slope glazing (a roof system entirely made of glass) those inside can also track the hourly changes of the louvers. As the arms move while the sun moves, shadows cast on the ceiling constantly morph to new shapes. Shadows at 12 o’clock differ from those at 2 o’clock, even 3 o’clock. It never looks the same.

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Within the eliptical design of the building, there is not one piece of straight glass. Each piece had to be rounded out to fit the master plan to perfection.

TH E L A K E L A N D E R

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Santiago Calatrava, Spanish architect, engineer, and artist, is widely known for his breathtaking bridges, railway stations, stadiums, and museums across the globe. But he has certainly left his mark here in the U.S.

Milwaukee Art Museum Milwaukee, Wisconsin Completed 2001

Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge Dallas, Texas Completed 2012

World Trade Center Transportation Hub (Oculus) New York City, New York Completed 2016

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Each element of design was placed to enhance the architecture and also stand as a direct reciprocator for energy efficiency.

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DAYLIGHT HARVESTING Three levels of the building’s roof allow direct light to cascade onto the floor and grounds. Each element of design was placed to enhance the architecture and also stand as a direct reciprocator for energy efficiency.

“There is this whole concept of daylight harvesting that allows you to turn down your lights because you have natural light coming through the walls.” says Calhoun.

“Again, with our air conditioning system, it’s kind of a state-of-the art, as well as an air displacement, system.

It depends upon very slow-moving air moving in across the floor. As soon it hits an object, it goes up and begins to cool that object. And that enhances the architecture but also is a direct reciprocator for energy efficiency. The more natural light you have, the less lighting you need. So that element ties into the concept of sustainability as well as energy efficiency.”

Part of the multi-faceted purpose of the Florida Poly design, the very reason Calatrava was appointed to the task, was to create a building that would embody leading innovation and design, form a conducive setting for professor and student engagement, serve the educational mission of this STEM university, and set the precedent for the kind of work for which students and academics are drawn to the campus.

AN EDUCATIONAL MISSION Reflective of Florida Poly’s model, classrooms remain very small. Holding only two lecture halls, called the Aula Magna, the building was designed to be hands-on between students and faculty. On average, a classroom holds 30. The design of the building was heavily influenced by what was clearly a core of the university’s vision of the school long before they broke ground.

Supporting the idea of project-based curriculum, architecture throughout supports this vision.

“The whole idea of the Florida Poly model is the idea that there’s a lot of interdisciplinary teaching,” explains White, “so that the engineering students and the information technology students are studying similar things and working together on projects. As the curriculum expands, the same kind of effort will be carried forward, that many different groups studying different things are coming together to learn. The professors there are not just dumping information on the students; the professors are helping the students find the information.”

Where a design can shed light on such a collaborative culture and progressive vision, truly stands a modern marvel.

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STYLE

THE LAKELANDER'S CLOSET featuring

Mr. Tim Cox Ms. Chloe Carpenter Personal style may appear to come easier to some more than others, but it is accessible to all. Step inside the closets of these local style enthusiasts and take note on how to build your wardrobe this fall.

Written and Styled

by Abdiel Gonzalez

Photography by Dan Austin

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T

he Florida fall style conundrum has crippled many locals for years, and understandably so.

Retailers feed us wool pants, chunky sweaters, and pea coats beginning in August completely oblivious to the fact that it’s 80 degrees through December. It’s torture really.

We flip through the pages of our favorite magazine’s special September Fashion issue and want so bad to layer with an Allsaints leather biker jacket or Ralph Lauren cable knit sweater too, but we’re quickly slapped back to reality by Mother Nature.

Rather than adding salt to the wound or doing the annual “Florida Fall Style Guide,” I thought we’d try something different by stepping into the closets of two of my favorite local style gurus who live normal lives like you and me. So, for a practical style guide, we’ll take a look at their go-to fall fashion looks, hear what inspires wardrobe choices, and allow them to debunk a few style myths to get you ready to conquer your fall closet battle.

“Keep it simple. This influences my decisions and behavior in nearly every area of my life.”

— Tim Cox

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I think if a person puts time and love into the way they look, they have style.”

—Chloe Carpenter

What do you do for a living, and how long have you been a Lakeland resident?

TIM: I’m the director of creative services for Publix, and I’ve been a Lakeland resident for 37 wonderful years.

CHLOE: I’m a first-grade teacher at Philip O’Brien Elementary. I have been in Lakeland for seven years, four of those being in school at Florida Southern College, and back and forth to my hometown in Minnesota.

How would you define “style?”

TIM: Style is a form of individual expression.

CHLOE: Style to me is putting in effort and caring about one’s appearance. Of course, everyone has (and deserves) lazy days, but I believe if you take care of the way you present yourself, it shows a lot about how one feels about oneself. I think if a person puts time and love into the way they look, they have style.

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How would you describe your style?

TIM: Simple. Classic with a bit of an edge.

CHLOE: I would say exotic-chic. I’m all about wearing something nobody has ever seen before. I love bold, ornate, and eye-catching pieces with vibrant colors, intricate details, and fascinating prints. I usually like to pair something bright and patterned with something a little more subdued, or with a complementary color. I don’t have a large collection of jewelry, but I love stand-out pieces like K. Scott [Kristy Scott’s line sold at 5th and Hall].

Where do you go for style inspiration? Is it a person, place, blog, publication, etc.?

TIM: I often get inspired by the unexpected, so I’m always observing.

But I routinely check out blogs like The Sartorialist and A Continuous Lean.

And I always pay attention to Sid Mashburn and David Coggins.

CHLOE: I get style inspiration from so many different avenues, it’s hard to pinpoint. I don’t spend any time on Instagram or Pinterest. I seek inspiration mostly from real people I see in person. My style tends to change based on who I’m spending the most time with. I also like to get style inspiration from old shows or movies, and I’m always looking on Vogue Australia’s website to see what they’re wearing since they’re always two seasons ahead of us.

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What style motto do you live by?

TIM: Keep it simple. This influences my decisions and behavior in nearly every area of my life.

CHLOE: Wear what makes you feel good.

What item in your closet can you not live without?

TIM: I could live without any of them.

But my favorite is probably my Alden Indy boots.

CHLOE: My soft, butterscotch-colored, knee-high leather boots What three things should every guy/girl have in his wardrobe?

TIM: 1. A good pair of classic leather shoes with leather soles. Lace ups.

Oxfords, derbies, or brogues 2. A navy blazer that is properly fitted 3. A light-blue, button-down-collar Oxford CHLOE: 1. One chosen outfit that makes you feel your best, even if you’re having a bad hair day 2. Something you’ve put away that is suitable to wear for a wedding/fancy dinner/event, so you never show up underdressed 3. Something cashmere

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“You don’t have to chase the latest fashion trends to have style. I think it’s way more interesting when someone puts together a look that is uniquely theirs. That, to me, is style.”

— Tim Cox

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What style myth would you like to debunk for everyone?

TIM: Regarding clothing, style shouldn’t be confused with fashion.

Although one’s “style” may be to wear the latest fashion, the two aren’t necessarily the same. In other words, you don’t have to chase the latest fashion trends to have style. I think it’s way more interesting when someone puts together a look that is uniquely theirs. That, to me, is style.

Something else to consider: chasing trends or fads can get expensive, not necessarily a good investment as you often end up with throw-away clothes.

I’ve developed an appreciation for buying better-quality classics that will last. I don’t aspire to be described as trendy.

CHLOE: “Polka dots and stripes don’t go together.” Mixing patterns is a great way to show individuality!

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For Nathan, real-world business experience took many forms while he was earning his MBA. Besides an internship in Vienna with OPEC and another with The Mortgage Firm, he worked with Swiss beverage company Rivella to develop a hypothetical market-entry strategy into the U.S. In the classroom, MBA students like Nathan learn from professors who combine scholarship with business experience. “The faculty brings a practical perspective to everything they teach, and the benefits are tremendous,� Nathan says.

To start your Florida Southern MBA success story, visit flsouthern.edu/mba

What is your favorite place(s) to shop?

TIM: Sid Mashburn in Atlanta CHLOE: I love to shop at vintage and consignment stores. Some of my favorites are Top Buttons, What’s New Consignment, and 360 Unlimited in Lakeland. I don’t have any qualms about wearing used clothing at all. I love finding things that are from a different era or a different season because they are most likely to make a statement, versus ontrend styles that come and go so rapidly. I also love local boutiques, like 5th and Hall, and Hattie’s Branches in Lakeland.

What fall trend are you most excited for?

TIM: Although I pay attention to trends, I can’t say that I get excited about them. As I said, I don’t really invest much in trends. But I am looking forward to cooler weather and being able to wear some layers. And cords!

CHLOE: Leather, wool, opaque tights, boots, and deep jewel tones — all in one outfit.

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CULTURE

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Written by Adam Spafford

Photography by Philip Pietri

Urban legend has it that in the early 1960s, a still-in-progress I-4 stood as an open strip where Buz Watkins and other car enthusiasts gathered to drag race Mustangs, Corvettes, and other four-wheeled beasts. Buz was also the owner of a 1969 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, now owned by his son, Chip. Here, Chip gives us a rare look at this collection, including that Ford Shelby Mustang GT500, still in mint condition.

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is one of the most iconic muscle cars in automotive history and, for car buffs and movie boosters at least, creates an awe-inspiring presence. Did Buz Watkins, of Lakeland’s erstwhile Watkins Motor Lines, know that he was purchasing a legend when he was on Lakeland Ford’s lot in the late 1960s? One can only imagine, but one thing’s certain: the 1969 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 with the huge 428 Cobra Jet engine was King of the Road. [Editor’s Note: The 428 engine came to be known as the Shelby GT500KR, or King of the Road.]

But it wasn’t Mr. Watkins’ first Mustang.

In fact, on Thursday nights in the early 1960s, before the section of I-4 running through Lakeland was completed, Watkins and his kindred car enthusiasts in town would access the interstate from a ramp driving their Mustangs, Corvettes, and other four-wheeled beasts and put pedals to metal. It was an open dragstrip, an internal-combustion adrenaline highway, and it’s now part of our city’s lore.

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That Buz Watkins’ Shelby GT500 still exists in pristine condition — with just a revolution or two over 35,000 miles — in the town in which he bought it is a perfect epilogue to the story. His son, Chip, now cares for and occasionally drives the urban legend his dad purchased when Chip was just eight years old.

“I’ve always been into cars and mechanical things, most likely from working in our tractor shop at Watkins Motor Lines when I was young,” says Chip.

First owning several cars around 1996, Chip further expanded his collection in 2004.

A car collection of this caliber certainly strides past a mere hobby. Chip gladly admits if there’s anything he likes to own in multiples, it’s antique and rare collectable vehicles. “It’s what I’ve always been interested in owning.”

“[Cars] are a reflection of history ... of people’s personalities.”

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Except for a paint job and a couple rebuilt components, it’s the same car Buz drove home almost 50 years ago.

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With a father who liked cars, boats, military vehicles, and airplanes, Chip has long appreciated the history of cars and how their invention has affected where we are today. “I like the designs of cars and how styling and technology reflect the time period the U.S. and Europe were going through at the same time,” he says. “They are a reflection of history ... of people’s personalities.”

The oldest car in Chip’s collection is a 1958 Corvette and the newest a 2017 Corvette. But, when it boils down to it, the owner does have his favorites. “There are two cars and one model of car that mean the most to me personally.

The 1969 Shelby Mustang (featured) was my father’s car. It was purchased right here in Florida in 1969 and still looks the way it did when it was new.”

But for the road, Chips favorite remains the 1966 Shelby AC Cobra. “The car was so over-built, fast, and nothing could touch it for

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that time period. A lot of engineering from the mid-to-late ’60s was ahead of its time. It’s still considered a fast car by today’s standards.”

Still, Chip holds his highest regard for the Corvette, in production since it was first introduced in the ’50s. “The Corvette has pushed performance over many decades,” he says.

Since the Watkins first owned the 1969 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 it’s had a paint job and couple components rebuilt, but byand-large it’s the same car Buz drove home almost 50 years ago. Its three-speed automatic transmission and air conditioning were unusual for muscle cars — or any cars — of the day. In fact, the Marti Report, a meticulously detailed description of a car’s manufacturing date and optioning decoded by VIN, shows that only six cars were made with the exact permutations as the Watkins’ Shelby.

All hail the King of the Road.

TH E L A K E L A N D E R

DESIGN

Embrace the Unknown.

Dig Deep

Hack the System

Re-imagine Play Collaborate Diversely

DESIGN THINKING

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In recent years, the likes of Tim Brown and Roger Martin altered the role of design in the place of business from a noun to a verb. From CEOs to the classroom, the effects of design

thinking have changed the way we work.

But design isn’t only for creative types and entrepreneurs. It plays an intricate role in many facets our daily routines. And with the

TH E L A K E L A N D E R

Human Behavior Immerse Act

Mind-Mapping

right tools, design thinking just may improve our everyday lives.

Written by Jason DeMeo Illustration by Anushka van Huyssteen

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science WHAT IS DESIGN?

THIS

is not an article on design. At least not in the sense that you might typically think.

If I were to ask you to picture a designer in your mind, what would you think?

What comes to mind for me is either an eclectically dressed 20 something, or the superchic, all-black-wearing “creative,” maybe a graphic designer, fashion designer, art director, or interior designer.

Maybe you thought of people like the Eameses, Jony Ive, Coco Chanel, Pharrell (personal favorite), Frank Lloyd Wright, Massimo Vignelli, or any number of other incredible designers whose work we have had the joy of interacting with.

You may not have thought of a person, but perhaps you thought of the objects designers have made: furniture, clothing, art, cars, ceramics, music buildings, graphics, etc.

I’ve always been intrigued with how these designers’ ideas become the physical forms that we marvel at. It almost seems like magic. And, because it seems like magic, we tend to relegate design to a select group of special people that we gaze upon like superheroes.

It's time we made design more accessible.

Design holds the key to a better future.

And...

Design is for everyone.

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I love objects. Well-crafted, interesting physical forms have always drawn me in. For years, I sold “curios” on Etsy.

Curio: a rare, unusual, or intriguing object There was something functional but also emotional about these objects that spoke to me. I couldn’t always put my finger on it, but I seemed to have a knack for recognizing the underlying intentionality of the design. I always loved the show American Pickers, and as I began my side business, I got addicted to the hunt of finding these diamonds in the rough (and still do).

I was yard saling in Anna Maria Island when I came across a bag of vintage cameras that stood out to me. They were aesthetically pleasing, and I knew that I could sell them as props, but they also had a look of integrity and quality about them. They were a brand called Leica.

I debated paying the 35 dollars that they were asking and finally pulled the trigger. I was glad I did. Leica is a world-renowned German camera brand that is highly sought after.

These beautifully designed cameras ended up being from World War II, and I sold them for $2,500!

These Leica cameras were an example of the good design that I seemed to be intuitively chasing as I went to Salvation Armies, antique shops, and places like Renninger’s in Mount Dora. (You need to go.)

So what is design anyway?

I believe that good design is the intentional collaboration between art and science. We call it the design spectrum, and it holds these two seemingly opposite disciplines in a dynamic tension that we believe makes for some of the most satisfying designs.

Steve Jobs built his company on this idea, and most of us are personally still benefiting from his design work. He said in a 2011 keynote address that, “Technology alone is not enough. It’s technology married with the liberal arts and humanities.”

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logical rational sequential function truth

“OUR WORLD IS FACING SOME SERIOUS CHALLENGES. WE DON’T JUST NEED MORE LEADERS TO SOLVE THEM, WE NEED MORE DESIGNERS.”

art intuitive emotional holistic form beauty

FROM DESIGN TO DESIGN THINKING SC I EN C E + A R T //////\//////////////\// LOGIC + INTUITION /////////\/////////// FUNCTION + FORM /////\///////\/////// HEAD + HEART //////\///////////\////// DESIGN IS BOTH. ////\////////\/////////

The appreciation for physical design, mainly furniture and architecture, led me to study the people behind it. The work of Ray and Charles Eames, the Knolls, Eero Saarinen, the Bauhaus Movement and its leaders like Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius really began to shape me.

I found a book called Arts and the Man by Irwin Edman (written in 1928; excuse the misogyny) at a yard sale for

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a quarter, and it started to shape my thinking about art creativity and design, broadening it from just objects to ideas.

“The measure of a civilization is exactly to be estimated by the extent to which its characteristic activities have the quality of art, its characteristics have the free and stimulating peace of enjoyment.”

I am a big believer in following your nose, and after reading book after book about art, creativity, and design, I came across something that has significantly

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anthropological

Even Jay-Z needs design thinking. I mean, I have not personally been updated on the situation, but I believe he still has 99 problems lingering that need to be solved.

So if you are reading this Jay, the We Are Curio team is available.

Really, we all need design thinking, because at its core it’s a problem-solving framework.

Here is our definition of design thinking: “Design thinking is a problem-solving framework that consistently leads to innovative, human-centered solutions.”

It’s anthropological because it focuses on deeply understanding people first before looking to design any solutions. This is done through empathy, listening, research, and dialogue with the stakeholders involved in the design challenge.

It’s collaborative because it enlists stakeholders and cross-discipline teams to participate in the design process. This idea of designing with not for is rooted in the Scandinavian concept of Co-Design.

It’s’ integrated because we have to bring our whole selves to the problem-solving process. Like we said earlier, the overlap of art and science, logic and intuition, rationality and emotion are what lead to great solutions.

It’s action oriented because design thinking is actually as much about doing as it is thinking. Idea people turn

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collaborative

THE BASICS

action oriented

shifted my approach to creativity and leadership: design thinking.

I found it by way of the Stanford d.School, which, along with the design firm IDEO, represents kind of ground zero for design thinking.

“The main tenet of design thinking is empathy for the people you’re trying to design for. Leadership is exactly the same thing — building empathy for the people that you’re entrusted to help.” - Tom Kelly IDEO This focus on empathy made sense to me. I never have really liked leadership much, but design thinking gave me language for the way I typically try to solve problems. I dove head first into design thinking, read everything I could get my hands on, took classes with IDEO, flew up to Harvard for a Design Thinking certificate, and began practicing, experimenting, and learning.

Long story short, we started We Are Curio in January of 2016 to help people and organizations “Expand What’s Possible.” Our focus is to make innovation and design thinking accessible through identity, ideation, and strategy.

We love what we get to do.

integrated

B

basics

This pretty much frames everything we do. A guide through the messy work of design or really any problem you may be facing.

Dig deep.

Embrace the unknown.

Re-imagine play.

Collaborate diversely.

Prove it.

Hack the system.

Leave it better.

Design is for everyone.

Unlike common business approaches, collecting data that doesn’t tell them what future customers wll want, or make risky bets based on instinct instead of facts, Design Thinking is a strategy-making process that avoids these mistakes, borrowing tools from the world of design and shifting the focus to human behavior.

Harvard Business Review

“INSIDE EACH OF US, THE SPARK OF DESIGN WAITS TO BE UNLEASHED. IT’S YOUR JOB TO CREATE THE CONDITIONS FOR YOUR INNER DESIGNER TO COME ALIVE.”

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phases of approaching problem solving and idea generation

immerse

expand

design

act

Focuses on deep empathy. If we can’t understand the identity of the problem and the stakeholders we are building a solution for, we will ultimately miss the mark and have to revisit this phase again.

Looks for uncommon ideas and solutions to the problem.

Is where we begin the iterative process of prototyping and testing.

Builds a strategy for taking the prototype live and executing on the design.

MINDSETS

MINDSETS

MINDSETS

“Re-Imagine Play” and “Collaborate Diversely”

“Prove it” and “Hack the System”

“Leave it Better” and “Design is for Everyone”

MINDSETS “Dig Deep” and “Embrace the Unknown.”

MAIN TOOLS

MAIN TOOLS Sticky Notes, Sharpies, Brainstorming Rules, Mind-Mapping

MAIN TOOLS

Prototyping, Feedback Grid, Storyboard

MAIN TOOLS Gantt Charts, OGSM, Storytelling/ Pitching

Empathy Map, Dialogue, Journey Map

into designers when they begin prototyping, testing, and iterating their way forward. Think 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0. Live in Beta.

PROCESS, MINDSETS, AND TOOLS

While there is a certain aspect of creative genius behind each of the designers we admire, there are also mindsets, processes, skills, and tools that they rely on to make the magic happen.

We say that every idea needs an IEDA. IEDA™

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is the process that we use to move all of our ideas to action. The only problem with a process is that if you don’t have the right mindsets and tools during the process, you won’t get the results you are looking for. Kind of like taking someone on a date with no money and expecting it to be a success. Doesn’t work well.

Our approach (above) pretty much frames everything we do. It isn’t always linear, but guides us through the messy work of design. You can literally

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lay it over any problem that you may be facing.

What I love about design thinking is that it is not limited to the creative disciplines. We have watched this framework guide people to humancentered innovation in city government, education, start-ups, non-profits, churches, and established businesses.

Our world is facing some serious challenges. We don’t just need more leaders to solve them, we need more designers.

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EXERCISES TO DEVELOP YOUR INNER DESIGNER design on a table At dinner with friends or family, have everyone bring an object that communicates something to them emotionally. Put the object in the middle of the table and take turns describing the design and how it impacts you both logically and emotionally. Do you like the design? Why or why not?

We love working with people who are dissatisfied with the status quo. Most designers are. Instead of just becoming a cynic, take a journal with you throughout the day and write down all the things that frustrate you (like Norman doors ... look it up). Take some time to think about how the design could be improved. Could you be the one to make the change?

START DESIGNING Actually, you probably already are designing, just unconsciously.

For instance, I assume you have a morning routine. Some of you are proud of it; some are embarrassed by it. No matter how you feel about it, we are all trying to get to coffee with minimum casualties along the way.

Every single person’s routine is different, and that is because you have designed it. You have taken into account your emotions, your logic, and made something that hopefully works well for you.

Design is all around us. Any time you step out of the unintentional and into the intentional, you

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redesign your morning or night routine

dissatisfaction journal

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Take a moment to write down your morning or night routine. What are the great parts and what are the flaws? How could you make it better? This is a design that you typically have full control over, so if it’s not yielding the results you are hoping for, what could you do to make it better?

are choosing to design. What you are choosing may not be good design every time, but nonetheless you are designing.

You can design a better present and a better future for yourself. The more seamlessly you merge form and function, utility and beauty, emotion and logic, art and science, the better your designs will be.

Inside each of us, the spark of design waits to be unleashed. It’s your job to create the conditions for your inner designer to come alive.

If you have never thought of yourself as a designer, you should.

Design is for everyone.

SHELTER

GROVE HOUSE HAS ITS GROOVE ON

written by Christian Lee photography by Tina Sargeant

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Preserving and restoring the history of a home shouldn’t mean sacrificing style or aesthetic. Nay, it can only add to it. Contributor and interior designer Christian Lee guides us through the restoration and redesign of Fred and Robin Lopez’s home.

The citrus industry has been an enormous part of the story of Florida since the earliest explorers planted the first trees in the 16th century. Our soils and tropical climate provide ideal growing conditions for an industry that has steadily expanded since 1915 when production first reached 10 million boxes. By the ’70s, the citrus harvest was over 200 million boxes. Florida has historically produced more oranges than anywhere else in the world, with the exception of Brazil. With an economic impact measured in billions of dollars, the industry touches us all. It’s no small wonder the orange was officially designated the state fruit in 2005. Over 400,000 Florida acres are planted in fruit, and some 45,000 jobs are tied to the citrus industry in one way or another.

Historically, Florida citrus growers often lived in the midst of their groves. The farms operated as family businesses, and the owners needed to live close to the land.

After all, as President Lyndon Johnson said, “The best fertilizer for a piece of land is the footprints of its owner.” Florida farmers have always had to cope with just about everything: droughts, floods, pests, and diseases. The closer they lived to their crops, the quicker they could respond to whatever nature or life was delivering to them.

In 1910, a very groovy bungalow style wood-frame house was built near Lake Hollingsworth in the heart of a citrus grove. The grove has long since disappeared, but the house found its own rhythm and is thriving in a revitalized neighborhood not far from the First Presbyterian Church.

Fred and Robin Lopez bought the house after Fred noticed it while walking Lake Hollingsworth with a friend. The house was in the middle of renovations and much work had already been done: drywall, plumbing, rewiring, and new roof. Fred approached the owners, James and Fabi Stewart, to see if they might have an interest in selling

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it and in the process learned a bit about the house and its fascinating history. The house had belonged to Peggy Boatwright.

Her parents had built the house. It was the first house in the neighborhood, and it was surrounded by groves Mr. Boatwright worked. The Stewarts acquired the house from Ms. Boatwright and had been taking their time carefully bringing the house back to life. After several visits and some negotiations, a deal was reached and the Lopez family had a new project.

Robin and Fred Lopez both grew up in Lakeland. They met in the 10th grade at Lakeland High School and have been together ever since. They went to Alabama’s Troy University and married the summer of their junior year in Lakeland.

Fred is a certified financial planner and vice president with Allen & Company, Florida’s oldest investment firm. “It gives me great pleasure knowing my clients feel good and secure about the advice our firm

“The best fertilizer for a piece of land is the footprints of its owner.”

President Lyndon Johnson

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The Lopezes relied heavily on local artisans and craftsmen to help restore their turn-of-the-century bungalow.

delivers,” Fred says when asked about his work. “In a world of uncertainties, they love our consistency and longevity.” Robin has been both a homemaker and a school teacher, including two years at her high school alma mater, Lakeland High School. She also has a background in accounting, the mortgage and lending industry, and has served as their church’s secretary for five years. She and Fred have three adult daughters: Emily, Ashley, and Katherine.

Robin and Fred have seen and experienced many changes in Lakeland over the years. “It has become community focused,” Robin says. “It’s a beautiful place to live, work, and play, and we love the public places and recreational opportunities. It’s a safe place to exercise and enjoy being outside. We like the sports, parks, lakes, and the variety of people. It’s very important to us that our community is diverse and welcoming.”

The Lopezes also credit church and school for making the community such a positive experience for them.

They were members of Covenant Presbyterian Church when, along with 10 other families, they planted Trinity Presbyterian Church in the mid-1990s. They later helped plant Christ Community Presbyterian Church and are current members. Robin and Fred have both been involved as teaching professionals in the school system, and their children have attended both public and private schools. “Schools and the school system as a whole have always been very important to our family,” Robin says.

In January, Robin and Fred asked me to help them complete the renovations of their turn-of-the-

This home is about half the square footage of their previous Scott Lake house.

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century bungalow. We all viewed the project as a creative collaboration between the homeowners, designer, and the professional craftsmen and artisans that would be doing a lot of the work. I am always amazed at the depth, talent, and skill of the people in the Lakeland area. And from the start, the Lopezes shared my commitment to resourcing businesses from Lakeland and the surrounding community as much as possible to accomplish the restoration work necessary to rehabilitate their home. I have always felt that the community grows because of our willingness to celebrate and support each other, and not look elsewhere for goods and services we can find right here at home. People respond and appreciate the opportunity to participate in a worthwhile project, particularly one that adds value to the community and its historic neighborhoods.

The Lopezes are experienced home renovators. “We have always been interested in buying homes that are deteriorating and fixing them up,” Fred says. “We like the challenge, the before and after of home construction projects. We love old houses, and I just knew this house could be something special.” They have remodeled everything from beach houses to rental property, so they were ready for the sometimes

Tongue-and-groove natural oak flooring fills each room on the first floor for an open concept.

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This hundred-year-old grove house now has a revitalized, modern heartbeat.

difficult business of home renovation. “Most of the time it’s great, especially when I just listen and say, ‘Yes dear,’” Fred adds with a smile.

The kitchen is equipped with hip, retro-cool Big Chill professional appliances. Robin drew inspiration from memories of her grandmother’s traditional Ohio farm kitchen. We then combined open shelving with more traditional, conventional closed cabinetry to give the kitchen a historic feel.

We commissioned a custom blue lacquer island with vertical brass bollards, open shelves, and butcher block countertop to both fit the space and contrast with the nostalgic look. The perimeter countertops are quartz, shot through with sparkly glass in homage to the popular decorative Formica work spaces of the ’50s and ’60s. Bar stools add to the island’s functionality and provide a gathering space for informal meals and conversation. The island is finished with a large, modern Thomas O’Brien pendant lantern Robin and daughter Emily found on a buying trip to Savannah.

We installed new, recessed lighting and fabulous tongue-and-groove natural oak flooring throughout, enhancing continuity and flow to the

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A custom blue lacquer island, vertical brass bollards, open shelves, and butcher block countertop fit the space comfortably.

Paired with conventional closed cabinetry and storage, inspiration for the kitchen was drawn from Robin’s memories of her grandmother’s traditional Ohio farm kitchen.

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“We love old houses, and I just knew this house could be something special.”

An unused attic was transformed into an apartment, with stairs added to connect the spaces.

largely open floor plan. A soft-aqua-blue front door opens into a living room balanced between a festively patterned, painted brick fireplace and an entertainment area anchored with an English rolled-arm sofa with down cushions and nail head detailing. A focal point in the living room is a pair of oil paintings by Lakeland artist Mary Witte over a transitional, square-arm sofa with matching twin ottomans. The living room pours into the dining room followed by the kitchen beyond, separated by a vintage honey oak dining table, ornamental spindle back dining chairs, and a jute basketweave rug. A vintage candelabra-style crystal chandelier is suspended over the table. The dining room buffet is original to the house cabinetry with an added Carrera marble top. Matt Kent of Lakeland’s Kent Made imaginatively remade an original hutch into two hanging glass front cabinets to showcase crystal glassware. The interior walls are a soft grey white, offset with grey/blue trim, creating a light, airy feel to the spaces. Thibaut Ikat wallpaper covers the powder room walls and ceiling, framing an antique mirror over a new vanity. The room is finished with woven black and white floor tile and subway wall tile surrounding a traditional bathtub-shower combination.

One of the concerns Robin and Fred shared was a lack of closet and storage space. Their new home would be about half the square footage of their previous Scott Lake house. And older homes often relied on free-standing cupboards and armoires and did not include closets. So we converted a paired-down guest bedroom into a closet for the master bedroom and required all of the furniture throughout the house to include some form of additional storage space.

An unused attic was transformed into an 800-squarefoot apartment for daughter Katherine and granddaughter Stella. Stairs were added to connect the spaces, and a beautiful custom stair rail, child safety gate, and bannister were created by Matt Kent, proving you don’t have to sacrifice design for function.

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The project was a creative collaboration between the homeowners, designer, and professional craftsmen and artisans.

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THE PEOPLE WHO PUT THE GROOVE BACK IN THE GROVE The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce encourages us to support local businesses that support the community: “Buy Lakeland. It makes good cents.”

James Stewart, JP Stewart Repairs and Remodeling Steve Davenport BRICK AND STONE Alvaro Cruz, Cruz Brick and Stone, Inc. WOOD FLOORING Ray Shelton COUNTERTOPS Roger Atherton, Counter Effects PAINTING Kevin Corcoran, Kevin Corcoran Painting, Inc.

With vision and imagination, Robin and Fred finished the work lovingly begun by the Stewart family. The end result is a timeless, open, and welcoming home preserving a historically traditional aesthetic: a hundred-year-old grove house with a revitalized, modern heartbeat.

The renovated house is a perfect fit for a family grounded in Lakeland. “We really wanted a home that would reflect our love of Lakeland and Florida,” Fred says. “We really believe in our

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community. Our friends and neighbors trust and invest with us every day. Like the Stewarts, we wanted to invest in the community.”

And how are the Lopezes doing now that they have finished easing their renovated grove house back into its old groove? Well, they love each other, their family, and the community, and they love the old grove house that now has its groove back. So, you might say, they have a “Groovy Kind of Love.”

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The city’s three redevelopment plans focus on increasing the quality of life in the Dixieland, Downtown, and Midtown districts. Meet the woman spearheading this initiative.

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REN AISSA NCE Written by Adam Spafford

Photography by John Kazaklis

in the city A few areas of Lakeland have lagged behind the city’s economic and social vigor. The Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency’s Nicole Travis tells us how her team is breathing new life into those blighted areas and making them fertile for growth.

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The CRA’s largest redevelopment projects include Lincoln Square (pictured), the completion of Mass Market and the LCS urban farm, and the North Lake Mirror site.

The Lakelander: How did you come to this role as redevelopment manager of the Lakeland CRA? Nicole Travis: I have always had an interest in real estate development, with a bachelor’s degree in architecture and a master’s in business administration. I worked as a project manager for private developers and the City of Tampa Growth Management and Planning department prior to coming to Lakeland. In 2010 an opportunity became available to work in community redevelopment as a project manager, and I was promoted to CRA manager in 2015.

TL: What’s the main charge of the department?

NT: The primary objective of the redevelopment agency is to eliminate blight and prevent recurrence of deteriorating conditions within the City of Lakeland’s three redevelopment areas. Each district has its own unique challenges and opportunities. We encourage private investment, business activity, and job creation within the CRAs. TL: You mentioned in a previous conversation that you strive to break the conventional image of a

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government bureaucracy that’s difficult to conduct business with — how are you doing that?

NT: It is often perceived that there is a lot of red tape when doing business with the City of Lakeland even though we are more customer service oriented as an organization than ever before. That doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. We, the CRA team, are conscious of this criticism and recognize that communication and transparency is everything in building relationships. I recognize that we all have different communication styles; my approach is generally direct. However, I try my best to match the style of the customer I am working with.

The goal is to know the next steps on how we can get a project to the next milestone. It also helps to have fun communicating with the public via social media. We don’t take ourselves too seriously in the office.

TL: What can you tell us about the community redevelopment projects that are in progress?

NT: Oh my. There are a couple large projects that most people are familiar with: Lincoln Square single-family residential development, the completion of the Mass Market and LCS urban farm project, and the North Lake

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Mirror 10-acre redevelopment site. There are lots of projects that are smaller in scope and cost, but equally as challenging and time consuming. A number of unopened alleys in the northwest area of Midtown are a nuisance to adjacent property owners because of illegal dumping and overgrowth. We are vacating a few of those alleys to eliminate the abandoned property behind the houses. East Main Street Design District is the center of our CRA brainstorming sessions lately, as we try to attract technology businesses and artisans to the area. Fix-It-Up is a fairly new program that we are offering in two of our districts. This program assists homesteaders with grants for exterior repairs and maintenance. The houses are looking so good!

TL: What’s important about facilitating/encouraging ownership/homesteading?

NT: In Lakeland we have a significant number of rental properties and absent landlords. Homeownership is a critical tool in stabilizing and revitalizing neighborhoods that have suffered from disinvestment. Jane Jacobs wrote a book that I love and refer to often, The Death and Life of Great American Cities. One of the points in the book is the value of having “eyes on the street.”

This concept advocates increased street traffic as a deterrent for criminals, thereby creating a safer environment. Homeowners are invested. They want to protect their property values and have peace of mind about where they sleep at night. There is a certain level of pride with homeownership.

TL: What areas are slated for future redevelopment, and how do you choose?

NT: The City of Lakeland has three redevelopment districts and corresponding redevelopment plans. Every project, activity, and initiative that we take on is outlined in the redevelopment plans. We manage over 5,000 acres within the central city. That is a lot of ground to cover, but we focus our efforts on projects and areas throughout the districts to make a greater impact. The CRA team does a great job of listening to the needs of the community and trying to respond accordingly by building partnerships with the private sector, city departments, and other governmental agencies. It’s a difficult job because every acre, every street, every neighborhood needs attention and would benefit from additional resources.

CRA’S UP-AND-COMING PROJECTS While each district throughout the city presents unique challenges and opportunity for development, the CRA’s focus on empowering the underprivileged areas of Lakeland has spurred on new developments, and leads the way to new and exciting opportunities for the city.

// LINCOLN SQUARE

// LCS URBAN FARM PROJECT

Lincoln Square is a brand-new, single-family residential development of 21 uniquely designed homes between downtown Lakeland and the I-4 corridor.

The CRA has made it possible for homesteaders ready to build in Lincoln Square to qualify for a down payment assistant grant of 20 percent.

A part of the Mass Market redevelopment, the urban farm is a Lakeland Christian School project created to teach students about food production and become a venue for community projects.

A new program that is offered in two of Lakeland’s districts, which supplies homesteaders with grants for exterior repairs and maintenance.

// MASS MARKET Aimed to transform the downtown area, Mass Market includes Haus 820, ART/ifacts Studio, the Your Pro Kitchen, and much more. Its annual market, event venue space, and community initiatives work to gentrify what had long been a neglected area of the city.

TL: How do you see the Lakeland CRA’s role evolving in the coming years?

NT: I don’t envision the CRA boundaries expanding or any new CRA districts in the near future. The CRA will continue to make a diligent effort to reach the goals outlined in the redevelopment plans of each district. We have accomplished a lot in the past 15 years, but there is so much more to do.

TL: What are some changes you are most eager to see take place through your role in Lakeland?

NT: I wouldn’t say that I am “eager” about the changes I would like to see take place in Lakeland. I am hopeful. Hopeful for

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The CRA annually presents to the City Commission regarding updates and activity on the three redevelopment projects.

“I am hopeful. Hopeful for continued growth of the community as a place where quality job opportunities, housing, education, and lifestyle are available to all who want to become contributing citizens of this community.�

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continued growth of the community as a place where quality job opportunities, housing, education, and lifestyle are available to all who want to become contributing citizens of this community.

Lakeland is a beautiful city, and I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to serve.

TL: If readers want to stay apprised of the Lakeland CRA’s work, how can they do that?

NT: The best way to keep up with our work is via our recently updated Lakeland CRA website and social media. We are making a serious effort to tell our story, which includes our successes and opportunities in redevelopment. The CRA also presents to the City Commission annually about

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“The primary objective of the redevelopment agency is to eliminate blight and prevent recurrence of deteriorating conditions within the City of Lakeland’s three redevelopment areas.”

the activity in the three districts. With that presentation, we publish an annual report that highlights the work of the redevelopment agency. And of course, they can always stop by city hall and chat with us. Our doors are always open!

TL: Any final thoughts?

NT: Redevelopment takes time, patience, and dedication. I work with the most incredible team of professionals on the CRA team, and these projects are made a reality because of the partnerships with the various city departments. Redevelopment requires teamwork!

Managing over 5,000 acres within the central city, the CRA partners with private sectors, city departments, and government agencies to reach goals planned for each district.

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building their own Through patience and perseverance, Noah’s Ark is rewriting the future of Lakeland’s residents with intellectual development disabilities

future

Written by Tara Campbell / Photography by John Kazaklis

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I’ve

always been an advocate for putting your money where your mouth is, both literally and metaphorically.

Too many times we have a heart for something, and we think the best thing we can do for an issue is to talk about it or vote for it every four years. If all else fails, at least we said something, right?

But real transformation happens by patiently putting in healthy effort and slowly turning the wheel of change.

In the 10 years I’ve spent involved in the non-profit world of Lakeland, and the three years I’ve written for The Lakelander, I’m not sure I’ve seen a place do this as well as Noah’s Ark. Noah’s Ark is a heavily invested, multi-campus organization that serves people with developmental and mental disabilities. Made up of Noah’s Nest (a

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three-home “in-town” initiative that’s home to 13 people) and their newest community, Noah’s Landing (a 56-acre compound that’s home to 146 residents with room to grow to many more), they’ve gotten to where they are through years of hard work and learning.

“We’ve changed laws,” Jack Kosik proudly states while we stand in his office discussing Noah’s Ark. There are places to sit but no time to sit down. There are things to do, and Kosik’s desk is covered in paperwork, the sign of someone who is deeply engaged in his work.

And the people at Noah’s Ark have to be engaged in their work. There are 26,000 people with mental and developmental disabilities and no money to help them.

I met with Kosik, the executive director and co-founder of Noah’s Ark, along with Margaret McNutt, one of the other founders of Noah’s Ark. Kosik, McNutt, and the rest of the founders met nearly 30 years ago in a support

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“IN THE 10 YEARS I’VE SPENT IN THE NON-PROFIT WORLD OF LAKELAND, I’M NOT SURE I’VE SEEN A PLACE DO THIS AS WELL AS NOAH’S ARK.”

The first home built in 2001, each part of the residence was donated.

group for parents with kids with special needs.

When the group would meet, the parents began to think about what would happen to their children after they passed away. Where would they live? How would they socialize? The Polk County School system takes ESE students from ages three to 20, but after school there aren’t many options for people with disabilities to socialize or get involved in a community.

So, Kosik, McNutt, and a few of the other parents formed Noah’s Ark and started showing up to everything they could and getting involved in anything that could help their children. One of the first groups to help them were the people of First United Methodist Church in Lakeland.

“First United Methodist had a parishioner that needed a solution, and they gave us a plot of land, and we needed to get a house built,” McNutt explains during our first meeting. So, she, her son, and other members of the group started getting involved with Habitat for Humanity.

“At the time, Habitat for Humanity built a house every other year, and some of the guys and I started showing up at the job sites and helping. I didn’t know how to do anything, but they showed me how to build window frames, and we just kept showing up.”

After helping build five houses, McNutt and her team got their first house built in 2001, and every single part of it was donated. Over the next few years, they built two new houses on that property and established Noah’s Nest, all through the help of the community.

“I have to say this,” McNutt explains.

“I grew up in New York, and I’ve lived in Birmingham, but I will absolutely live here the rest of my life. I’m blown away by Lakeland and their sense of community, and I don’t care if you’re talking about us or anybody else that does charitable work. I’ve never lived in a place that was that community minded.”

They didn’t stop with Noah’s Nest though. They had big dreams and goals, and knew where they needed to go next — straight to the state capitol.

For 10 years, residents of Noah’s Ark worked as pages while the Florida State

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Legislature was in session. In between working as pages, McNutt and the residents would knock on lawmakers’ doors and talk to them about their campaign to change laws for people with special needs. Local representative Kelli Stargel and her husband, former representative John Stargel, were incredibly helpful in the fight and helped pass Senate Bill 1166 in 2010.

The bill changed the rule on community residential homes, allowing

“I’M BLOWN AWAY BY LAKELAND AND THEIR SENSE OF COMMUNITY. I’VE NEVER LIVED IN A PLACE THAT WAS THAT COMMUNITY MINDED.” - MARGARETT MCNUTT

them to be within 1,000 feet of each other and challenging the idea that any given area’s population couldn’t be more than 10 percent people with disabilities.

It took nine months and four public hearings to get the bill passed, but it paved the way for the next phase of Noah’s Ark: Noah’s Landing.

Opened in 2016, Noah’s Landing is a 56-acre compound in North Lakeland and currently home to a loving community of 146 residents. Three fulltime resident advisors live on campus as well, on call when the Noah’s Ark staff aren’t in the office.

Because it’s a mix of single homes, duplexes, and apartments, Kosik and the rest of the staff had to change even more rules to build a mixture of housing on the same property. The staff at Noah’s Ark wanted everything to be as

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inclusive as possible. They didn’t want to create a culture of have and have not by separating living styles. All homes face in toward one another, creating a safe, walkable pathway from the homes to the clubhouse, making the entire area feel quaint and community minded.

Photographer John Kazaklis and I had the privilege of visiting Noah’s Landing recently. We were greeted by

McNutt and several residents, one of whom had accidentally locked himself out of his home. McNutt and two of the residents kindly and patiently helped the young man call the number on the phone of the RA on call to help him get back into his apartment. As we waited, I couldn’t help but notice how the small village of Noah’s Landing is so charming and peaceful.

TH E L A K E L A N D E R

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Noah’s Ark by the numbers:

20 years 146 10%

144

serving Lakeland families

residents on campus

of residents are from other states

TH E L A K E L A N D E R

The center of the community is the clubhouse, complete with pool area, a place for cookouts, basketball courts, a dining hall, classrooms, TV, game rooms, and the Noah’s Ark offices. Residents have the option to have dinner every night at the dining hall, and some even help cook and prepare the food.

These life skills that the residents learn at Noah’s Ark can help lead to bigger things in their lives. Before we toured the kitchen, one resident told us that she got a full-time job with benefits working in a cafeteria at a Polk County School. These kinds of opportunities are exactly what the families of the residents of Noah’s Ark are hoping for.

At night, the dining room becomes a gathering place where residents play games and spend time together.

None of the staff have encouraged this to happen — the residents do it all themselves. As we walked the area, we were invited to a party. One of the young ladies had made tacos and turned music

Fiduciary . Independent . Trust . Integrity [Let us show you the CPS difference.]

Noah’s Ark is helping serve the whole person when it comes to their residents.

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Find Your Handful of Happiness!

Fresh Produce • Organics Fresh Farm Eggs & Chicken Local Honey • Dried Fruits Artisan Breads & Baked Goods Herbs • Sauces • Spices Seafood • Granola Earth Friendly Gifts Leather & Fiber Goods Rustic Decor • Woodworks Candles • Soaps Local Art & Crafts Jewelry & Rocks • Books Plants & Flowers Pet Products • Live Music & MORE!!

.

.

LakelandCurbMarket.org Saturdays 8am-2pm N. Kentucky Ave

Residents are eager to stay involved in the community, either by volunteering locally or by hosting neighborhood events on a regular basis.

on and invited her friends over … and everyone was invited. The residents are friends that love and care for each other like family.

There have been plenty of learning moments over the past 20 years of Noah’s Ark, but one of the things the staff learned is how to know what’s an emergency and what is an opportunity to become a teachable moment. When something goes wrong, the staff helps encourage the residents and come alongside the parents to provide them with what they call “soft landings” and learnable solutions for their problems. Their goal is for the residents to be self-sustainable and independent.

They also make sure that the residents stay busy and involved, either with work at Noah’s Ark or by holding jobs in the community or by volunteering at other local non-profits. They help serve at

Wings of Eagles ministries three times a week and have helped cook meals for local food bank ElderPoint Ministries.

Noah’s Ark is helping serve the whole person when it comes to their residents, and the families of the residents are more than thankful for the good work they’re doing to secure and improve the future of the people who live there.

“Noah’s Ark takes up prime real estate in my heart,” Katie McNutt says. Her aunt is Margaret McNutt, and she spends a lot of time with her cousin Jared, also known as “Joy Boy,” and his friends.

“Jared is an absolute blessing to my family and binds us together in ways others may not understand,” says Katie.

“Knowing Jared has the opportunity to live in a community with his friends, enjoy activities catered to his abilities, and be cared for and loved on by everyone

involved with Noah’s Ark is an answer to years of hard work and heartfelt prayers.”

The people at Noah’s Ark know that to create change for their families and friends with mental and developmental disabilities it takes a long time and a lot of hard work. Sitting on Kosik’s office shelf is a wooden sign that says, “Never give up. Never ever give up.” They’ve accomplished a lot, but they still have plenty to do.

Kosik says, “Noah’s Ark is a 1,000-piece puzzle, and 40 percent of the puzzle is in place. We keep showing people the pieces that they can own.”

Noah’s Ark is a community of perseverance supported by a community that perseveres with them. It’s quintessential Lakeland and one of the brightest spots in our non-profit community.

GET INVOLVED: n oahsarkflorida.org If you would like to be involved in Noah’s Ark by volunteering, or have a loved one or family member that is interested in living at Noah’s Ark, you can visit their Facebook page or their website.

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Foundation of Faith.

Instruction for Life.

Since 1972 We’ve treated them like family.

• Comprehensive Medical Services • Professionsal Grooming & Stying • Comfortable & Spacious Lodging • AAHA Accredited

Polk County Catholic Schools PRE-K - 12 • polkcountycatholicschools.com

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Marshall Jewelers 2535 S. Florida Ave. | Southgate Shopping Center

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RE/MAX Paramount Properties www.PolkCountyHomes.com 863-680-3322 Each office independently owned and operated.

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863.686.8211 2202 S. Florida Ave. Lakeland, Fl 33803

O P E N I N G S OPEN

JERSEY MIKE’S

COB & PEN

Location: 3801 U.S. 98 North Jersey Mike’s is known nationally for its tasty subs and quality service. If you’re looking for an affordable and delicious lunch spot, check it out.

Location: 1221 South Florida Avenue The stately Tudor house in Dixieland is a gathering place for the city. Serving craft beers and fine food, this smoke-free bar is all about keeping good company.

CONCORD COFFEE Location: 1037 South Florida Avenue Concord Coffee has expanded their shop to roast their own coffee, giving locals a look into the roasting process.

LAKELAND ESCAPE ROOM Location: 308 East Pine Street If you’re an avid gamer, always up for a challenge, this latest entertainment destination just might be the thrill you’re seeking. Part game, part storytelling, part team-building, the Escape Room is a logic-based, real-life game. Solve mysteries and escape a room in a set timeframe.

TOP BUTTONS UPSCALE THRIFT BOUTIQUE Location: 236 North Kentucky Avenue A nonprofit organization purposed to promote positive body image, healthy self-esteem, and modesty among young women. Top Buttons programs offers styling services, confidenceboosting educational sessions, and a wardrobe of properly fitted attire to at-risk girls in our community. All of the proceeds from the boutique go back into this nonprofit organization. Open for public shopping EVERY SATURDAY from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations may be dropped off at the boutique during public shopping hours.

ZARZA LATIN FOOD & GRILL DUKE’S BREWHOUSE Location: 4960 South Florida Avenue Sports bar, restaurant, and a live music venue all in one, Duke’s has the largest Craft Beer selection in Lakeland.

LKLD LIVE Location: 202 North Massachusetts Avenue LKLDLive is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to enhance and engage local artists. Come out and enjoy the diverse styles and performances hosted by the new venue.

Location: 4648 Cleveland Heights Boulevard Located in the Shoppes at Hallam plaza, Zarza specializes in grilled chicken, steak, and seafood, as well as arepas, black beans and rice, fajitas, and yucca fries.

COMING SOON EXPLORATIONS V CHILDREN’S MUSEUM Location: 109 North Kentucky Avenue With their brand-new music and sound-studio exhibit, Explorations V Children’s Museum is the perfect place to bring your kids.

FLORIDINO’S Location: 804 East Memorial Boulevard In addition to delicious pizzas and wings, Floridino’s offers a variety of Italian favorites, including pasta, calzones, salads, and more.

POSTO 9’S ROOFTOP LOUNGE Location: 215 East Main Street Enjoy live music, cocktails, and great food while overlooking the beautiful city of Lakeland on Posto 9’s rooftop lounge.

PREMIER REALTY NETWORK INC. Location: 1301 Grasslands Boulevard, Building 100 Premier Realty Network has expanded to a second office in the Grasslands area. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, looking to sell, or wanting to relocate, they can help.

HAUS 820 Location: 820 North Massachusetts Avenue HAUS 820 stands as a unique venue capturing the diversity of Lakeland by hosting a variety of events, including weddings, corporate parties, and markets.

HILLCREST COFFEE Location: 119 Hillcrest Street In this beautiful, remodeled Dixieland historic home, order your favorite drink and enjoy live music performed by local artists.

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PUBLIX FIELD AT JOKER MERCHANT STADIUM Location: 2301 Lakeland Hills Boulevard The Detroit Tigers have been an important part of Lakeland for years. Holding their Spring Training here has added to our city’s economy, but seeing them play at this world-class facility is more exciting than ever. With a $40-million renovation that took over 15 months to complete, it is sure to be a great experience for the team’s fans.

TH E L A K E L A N D E R

BEYA

Location: Lakeland Square Mall Date: 2017 Lakeland’s newest accessory haven. With walls lined with color-coordinated accessories ranging from earrings to scarves, adding elegance or color to your wardrobe at an affordable price has never been easier.

CRANE’S CROSSING Location: 1037 Florida Ave S. Lakeland, FL 33803 / Date: to be announced Chef Michiyo Crane will be serving international cuisine from all over the world, working with a chef from France to create an incredible menu.

They deserve the best, because they’re family too.

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2 1 1 7 H A R DE N B O U L E VA R D • L A K E L A N D , F L OR I DA 3 3 8 0 3 • 8 6 3 . 8 0 2 . 5 0 0 0 A rural school house on the Lakeland-Auburndale line in Florida. It was a fairly large structure for such relatively small community.

Photo Courtesy of Special Collections, Lakeland Public Library

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 nonprofit organizations, Jim D. Lee, CPA offers a variety of high-quality services to fit your needs: • Federal & State Personal Tax Returns • Federal & State Business Tax Returns • IRS Representation • Estate & Tax Planning • Financial Planning

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E V E N T S RECURRING EVENTS EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT FITNICHE PUB RUN AT BOSKO’S CLUBHOUSE GRILL 6 p.m. lakelandrunnersclub.org/othercommunity-runs/ EVERY WEDNESDAY DIXIELAND TWILIGHT MARKET 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

EVERY SATURDAY MORNING MITCHELL’S COFFEE HOUSE RUN Long Run 6 a.m. lakelandrunnersclub.org/othercommunity-runs/ EVERY SATURDAY MORNING BLACK & BREW FUN RUN 8 a.m. lakelandrunnersclub.org/othercommunity-runs/ EVERY SATURDAY DOWNTOWN FARMERS CURB MARKET 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

OCTOBER OCTOBER 12 THURSDAY SQUARED FOOD TRUCK RALLY 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. downtownlakelandfl.com/events

OCTOBER 25 - 27 2017 LAKELAND BOARD OF DIRECTORS PLANNING RETREAT “BUILD THE FUTURE” 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. register at lakelandchamber.com OCTOBER 26 Q COMMONS 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. qcommons.com/lakeland OCTOBER 27 DIXIELAND’S LAST FRIDAY 6 p.m.- 9 p.m. business.lakelandchamber.com/events OCTOBER 28 33RD ANNUAL MUNN PARK GARDEN EXTRAVAGANZA 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. business.lakelandchamber.com/events OCTOBER 28 KARAOKE AT 801 E MAIN 9 p.m.- 11:55 p.m. facebook.com/801emainst OCTOBER 31 TRINITY CHRISTIAN CENTER FESTIVAL 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. facebook.com/trinityagoutreach OCTOBER 31 6TH ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. facebook.com/justcaresinc

OCTOBER 19 SEU PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT 6:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. seu.edu/arts OCTOBER 21 KARAOKE AT 801 E MAIN 9 p.m.- 11:55 p.m. facebook.com/801emainst OCTOBER 24 FLORIDA PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA 7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. floridaphilharmonia.org

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TH E L A K E L A N D E R

Organic Natural Products for Bath, Body & Home

DIVICIOUS Deli & Coffee Shop

863.940.9779 128 E MAIN ST LAKELAND, FL 33801

244 North Kentucky Avenue, Lakeland ScoutandTag.com; RafaNatural.com

All Creatures Animal Clinic NOW ACCEPTING PATIENTS!

Saturday, November 4th REGISTER TODAY to save and impact lives in our community by participating in this family-friendly, fundraising event!

awcwalk.com ∙ 863.683.2341

Welcome to your “other” family doctor!

All Creatures Animal Clinic has worked hard to not only gain the reputation of being an exceptional medical facility, but also to become an integral part of the families we serve. We are committed to always making time for our clients and providing compassionate care in a cutting-edge medical environment. In addition, we also offer alternative medicine options which include chiropractic care, laser, and a hydrotherapy pool. Our clinic recently earned AAHA accreditation, a distinction awarded to the top 12-15% of animal hospitals in the United States and Canada. We are also a certified Cat Friendly Practice. Pets are our passion, and keeping them healthy is our #1 priority.

HOURS: Mon & Thurs - 7am - 7pm / Tues, Wed, Fri - 7am - 5:30pm / Sat - 8am - Noon

(863) 646 - 5683

1019 W PIPKIN RD LAKELAND, FL 33811

NURTURING THEIR TRUE POTENTIAL REGISTER TODAY FOR YMCA SUCCESS AFTERSCHOOL 2017-2018 Opportunities through hands-on, active exploration include:

YMCA of West Central Florida Locations:

Homework Mentoring Character Development Arts & Crafts Board Games Dramatic Play Science Exploration Math Enrichment

Lakeland Family YMCA (South Lakeland) 3620 Cleveland Heights Blvd.

863-644-3528

Literacy Music & Movement Sports & Physical Fitness Enrichment Classes Afternoon Snack Holiday Camps AND MORE!

Fontaine Gills Family YMCA (North Lakeland) 2125 Sleepy Hill Road 863-859-7769 YMCA Par 3, Home of The First Tee of Lakeland 1740 George Jenkins Blvd.

863-577-0236

M A N NY NI KO L AID IS OW NE R O F M A N N Y ’S C H O P H OUS E S HOPS W H E R E T H E P RO’S SHOP. PUBLIC WELCOME TO SHOP TOO. Thank you to Lakeland Restaurants for 35 years of Business: Applebees, Beef ‘o’ Brady’s, Manny’s Chophouse, Fresco’s, and many appreciated others.

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“TRUST” IS A PRIVILEGE As a long-time Lakeland resident and member at Grasslands, Huck cares about the families and businesses in his community.

GEAR GATOR UP

STILL CHOMPING AFTER 21 YEARS!

“I’m a member of The Tampa Bay Trust Company team, because the firm’s values and perspective in client care align with my own. ” We’re not in money management – we’re in wealth management.

Experience the difference.

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PROUDLY OFFERING APPAREL LINES: COLUMBIA, ANTIQUA, COLOSSEUM, LEVEL WEAR, 47 BRAND & TOP OF THE WORLD

Roi IS BACK! STOP IN AND SAY HI! 863.683.3434 // 700 S. FLORIDA AVENUE. LAKELAND, FL 33801 MON-SAT 10AM-6PM // SUNDAYS 12PM-4PM

HISTORY

A NOTE OF THANKS Celebrating five years of The Lakelander simply wouldn’t be complete without thanking all who have taken part in making this magazine the stunning, award-winning publication it is. Developed over the years, since its premiere each issue has been a combination of countless Lakelanders who’ve dedicated their talent, time, and simple love of the city to present you a wealth of compelling visuals and stories. Giving us a deeper insight, each photographer, writer, stylist, and designer continues to broaden the rich scope and appreciation of all this city holds.

Our thanks simply couldn’t match the countless hours sacrificed, the attention to detail, and the selfless devotion poured into the finest of city magazine publications existing today.

Thank you to all who have been a part of The Lakelander, in any way, since its beginning. It would not be what it is today without your dedication and profound contributions.

FIVE YEARS OF THE LAKELANDER

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69

years of

EXPERIENCED MINDS handling

COMPLEX MATTERS Since 1948, Peterson & Myers has provided experienced legal advice to help our clients’ innovative ideas become a reality.

We believe each client deserves attorneys who create learned, practical, individualized solutions in a constantly changing and complex environment. Please call us or visit our website today for more information about our time-tested legal experience.

SS U E 3 6 PETERSONMYERS.COM • 863.683.6511 • ILAKELAND | WINTER HAVEN | LAKE WALES

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Comm i t teE

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Your lakeland.

Your leader.

Your choice.

A Stron R o f

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lakeland deserves the right kind of leadership for its future:

A people’s mayor for the strong neighborhoods of Lakeland.

Stronglakeland.com paid by committee for a strong lakeland