The Lakelander - Issue 54 / Lakelander Made

ISSU E 54

ROBERT BERGANZA TWENTY SEVEN HONEYCOMB BREAD BAKERS DUGOUT MUGS JUNE TAYLOR

FINANCIAL PEACE OF MIND IN RETIREMENT? It’s Possible at

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Our Residents Say It Best: “For us, there is a great deal of peace of mind knowing that our investment at The Estates is actually protecting our estate as we grow older.”

Edgar & Louise Lee

“We love our spacious apartment, the abundance of activities, the good selection of food, the friendly residents and the availability of transportation offered for our convenience.”

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Paul & Marge Kozak

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“I found many opportunities here I would never have found otherwise: opportunities to travel near and far; opportunities to attend special events here and elsewhere; opportunities to find new friends.”

Vivian Pemberton

DECISIONS. DECISIONS. At The Estates, Every Day Brings New Choices & Adventures!

We take care of everyday hassles and worries, so your biggest decision is what to do today – and what to save for tomorrow!

• Create a masterpiece in our art studio – or sharpen your skills in the woodworking shop • Perk up with a latte in the bistro – or entertain family and friends in our private dining room • Enjoy a fitness class – or shape up in a session with our personal trainer • Refresh in the pool with water aerobics – or indulge at the beauty salon • Stay informed in the technology center – or be enlightened at a cultural event • Get into the swing on the putting green – or bond with your pet in our dog park • Go for a local shopping trip – or check out attractions in nearby Tampa or Orlando • Play cards with friends – or relax in the comfort of your modern 1-, 2- or 3-bedroom apartment home

Your Carefree & Confident Retirement Begins Here.

Call today to schedule a visit or visit us online to view our expansive social calendar!

UNCOMPROMISED RETIREMENT LIVING The Estates is a Life Plan Community offering a vibrant independent living lifestyle where you can LIVE without worry for the future!

863-588-7284

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

MICHAELA MCLEAN AT GLAM SALON WEARING KARIBERRYPOSH >>>

I SS U E 5 0

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C O N T E N T S ISSUE 54

ON THE COVER Local woodworker Robert Berganza designs and creates well-crafted furniture and wood installations.

Photo by Dan Austin

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CONTENTS

62 FEATURES

40 • EDUCATION

50 • STYLE

62 • SHELTER

75 • SPONSORED

Growth Through Wonder

Six Party Looks That Just Wanna Have Fun

A Retrofitted Scene

The Holiday Shopping Guide

WonderHere builds up and resources local families through their schoolhouse style of education

With the holiday spirit in the air, we look to this season’s top trends to inspire the ideal festive fit

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A peek inside the Coxes’ downsized home and how they turned a featureless condominium into a sophisticated stunner

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Filled with unique gifts from some of our city’s most beloved local shops to help you tackle your holiday shopping right

CHANGE YOUR LIFE WITH DENTAL IMPLANTS NEARLY HALF OF THE ADULTS LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES HAVE MISSING TEETH. At Walding and Associates, we understand the difficulty if you are missing one, several, or all of your teeth. We can help you get your smile back as well as make it easier to eat. Let us help you enjoy eating and smiling again.

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Old Highway 37

Call today to reserve your appointment!

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444 W. Pipkin Rd.

W. Pipkin Rd.

444 W. Pipkin Road | Lakeland, FL 33813 37

CONTENTS

lakelander made

86 • L I F E S T Y L E

Dugout Mugs

From the dugout to a growing business

9 8 • F O O D & D R I N K

Honeycomb Sweet as honeycomb

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1 0 8 • H O M E

Robert Berganza Woodwork that speaks for itself

1 1 8 • A R T

Twenty Seven

Spreading whimsy around like confetti

1 2 8 • E D I T O R ’ S C H O I C E

118

June Taylor

Form meets function with these artful furnishings

DEPARTMENTS

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16 • MASTHEAD

20 • CONTRIBUTORS

24 • METRO

18 • EDITOR’S NOTE

22 • LETTERS

138 • HISTORY

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Give yourself some

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2019

Curt Patterson

Jason Jacobs

PUBLISHER

•

Brandon Patterson

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERS

Annalee Mutz

Daniel Barceló

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Advertising ADVERTISING DIRECTOR ADVERTISING SALES

Curt Patterson | 863.409.2449 Jason Jacobs | 863.606.8785

Editorial CONTRIBUTORS

COPY EDITOR EDITORIAL INTERN

Sally Barceló, Victoria Bardega, Caite Hamilton, Sam Hepler, Nichole Jones, Charmaine Patterson, Jordan Randall Laura Burke Sam Hepler

Creative DESIGNER PHOTOGRAPHERS DESIGN & PRODUCTION INTERNS STYLISTS

Nate Chappell Dan Austin, Jordan Randall, Jason Stephens Hayden Gotch, Tiffany Kulas Lisa Malott, Keila Rivera

Digital DIGITAL MARKETING DIRECTOR DIGITAL MARKETING INTERNS

Sally Ibarra Barceló Ansley Blackwell, Katherine Stanford

Circulation CIRCULATION DIRECTOR VP, FINANCE GENERAL COUNSEL

Jason Jacobs Deb Patterson Ted W. Weeks IV

Issue 54 The Lakelander is published ten times annually by Patterson Jacobs Media Group, P.O. Box 41, Lakeland, FL 33802. Reproduction in whole or in part without express written permission of The Lakelander is prohibited. The Lakelander is not responsible for any unsolicited submissions.

Contact: Patterson Jacobs Publishing, P.O. Box 41, Lakeland, FL 33802 863.701.2707 • thelakelander.com Customer Service: 863.701.2707 “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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The kitchen is the heart - Samantha Walker of our home.

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E DITO R ’ S N OTE WAKE UP WITH PURPOSE

A couple of months ago, I faced a traumatic life event that rattled my everyday routine at home for a few months. After my husband incurred a near-fatal accident, he was bedridden, and I was trying to figure out how to navigate life as a full-time caretaker while balancing a full-time job.

During the day, it became increasingly more difficult to feel productive. It felt like I was failing to accomplish anything with work and providing my husband with the care and support he needed. I would wake each morning feeling like I did not have the right skills to balance it all and began to feel increasingly defeated with each passing day.

I knew something had to change in my routine in order for me to accomplish the balance I longed for in my home and work. So I began a new routine of getting up every morning at 4 a.m. As soon as the alarm went off, I refused to hit snooze and would jump out of bed to work on my most daunting work tasks immediately so I could spend extra time caring for my husband when he woke up a few hours later.

I don’t know if I can tell you that the best articles were written during that time or if I produced my best work in general. But I began to wake up each day feeling way more purposeful. I began to believe that I could do more than I was allowing myself to initially believe, and that gave me the courage to keep moving forward – and instilled in me a new confidence in other areas of my life, too.

Winston Churchill once said, “Success is not final; failure is not fatal.

It is the courage to continue that counts.”

When I think about the local makers featured in this Lakelander Made issue and previous ones too, this quote comes to mind. I’m always inspired

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by our Lakelander Made issues of the magazine because it showcases everyday individuals who put the hard work into making their dreams come true.

What inspires me even more are the stories behind each of their successes.

They are filled with bright and creative individuals with varying skill sets, but what remains consistent among them all is that they had the courage to push through even when they were not sure what the final outcome would be; they created purpose without always seeing the fruits of success.

I don’t know if I’ll endeavor to start a business, but I think there’s still something we can take away from each of their stories regardless. For me, it’s a reminder that having purpose makes it easier to bounce back in challenging times by providing perspective, stability, confidence, and determination. It’s much harder to be defeated when you are passionate and purposeful about your journey.

I also don’t know if consistent 4 a.m. wake-up calls will make me successful in the long term, but the ability to wake up each morning and remind myself that I can do more than I think has made all the difference.

Annalee Mutz

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

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

It’s much harder to be defeated when you are passionate and purposeful about your journey.

Call today to schedule a FREE CONSULTATION (863) 450-4060

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offices: Lakeland and Celebration

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

SALLY I. BARCELÓ

“Spreading Whimsy Around Like Confetti” Photographed by Jordan Randall, pg. 118

Through a variety of creative career experiences including news anchoring, Sally Barceló developed a passion for digital marketing. She uses her creative eye and knowledge in video, photography, and journalism to increase brand affinity by creating inspiring content, developing strategies, and launching campaigns as The Lakelander’s digital marketing director. @sallyibarcelo

JORDAN RANDALL Jordan Randall is a 24-year-old freelance photographer/writer from Upstate New York and a recent graphic design graduate from Southeastern University. In his career, Jordan has photographed Sadie Robertson, Bastille, and Andy Grammer, amongst others. He also maintains a passion for film and pop culture, contributing pieces on such to The Lakelander and on his own platform, @watchwhatyoucan.

For Jordan, it’s about embracing culture and creating community. He has a sincere passion for stories that matter and for capturing fleeting moments. imjordanrandall.com

VICTORIA BARDEGA How did you first get into photography?

I started selling shirts that I designed in college and needed better photos for the website, so I used the money I made from the shirts to buy a decent camera. Then I ended up liking the photo thing more than the shirt thing, and now I’m here.

Tell us a bit about Watch What You Can. Watch What You Can is my hub to talk about movies online. The Instagram @watchwhatyoucan is where I post trailers and movie news while also contributing my own reviews and scores for movies I go see in theaters or on streaming services. I used to do all of that on my main page, but I decided that a separate hub would be a better way to get everyone who loves talking movies together. I also post podcast reviews with my friend Ashley on there once in a while; she’s way funnier than me. So,

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if you like movies and pop culture, consider joining the conversation and following along.

You’ve also contributed numerous articles for TheLakelander.com. What has been your favorite article to write to date?

The piece on Stranger Things I wrote back in July for Season 3 was really fun. I really connect with those characters, and the story they’ve been telling for three seasons now, so it was sort of cathartic to write about those heroes in Hawkins.

Top five 2019 movies. Go! This is tough because I’m about to see a few of what might be my favorite movies of the year in the next few weeks. But as of right now: The Farewell, Once Upon A Time… in Hollywood, Knives Out, Marriage Story, and Us.

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Victoria Bardega is a content creator and proud Lakelander. She finished her bachelor of science in journalism/public relations at Southeastern University and avidly contributes to Darling Magazine and The Everygirl. When she’s not photographing a love story or writing lifestyle pieces, she’s filling up the pages of her passport. vbardega.com See the masthead on p. 16 for a list of all contributing writers and photographers.

L E T T E R S COMMENTS FROM LAKELANDERS

“THIS WAS A VERY FUN READ!” Kelly Rairick Fain // Facebook

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MESSIEH ORTHOPEDIC CLINIC Leader in anterior hip replacement in Central Florida since 1991 Less-invasive surgery for the active patient looking for a quick recovery and a quicker return to work

Two Locations 1601 Sixth Street SE Winter Haven, FL 33880 863.419.9301 3200 Physicians Way Sebring, FL 33880 863.471.9700

M E T R O NEW AND NOTABLE IN LAKELAND

The power of believing in yourself

W With entrepreneurs all around us, business advice is abundant and the inspiring literature is overflowing. There’s an endless source of books and articles on the top tips to succeed. Entrepreneurs and business owners everywhere are seeking to gain more knowledge in their areas of expertise and acquire more assets to see their business flourish.

But what if the biggest difference between those who succeed and those who don’t doesn’t necessarily lie in their intellect, opportunity, or resources?

This is not to say that those are not important factors to the equation, too.

Steve Jobs once said, “Life can be much broader, once you discover one simple fact, and that is that everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you. And you can change it, you can influence it, you can build your own things that other people can use. Once you learn that, you’ll never be the same again.”

It seems that in addition to practically being set up to succeed, one of the largest contributors to the success of an entrepreneur starts with what lies within the individual themselves. It is the fact that they just did it, which was catapulted by the belief that they could make their goals happen.

TA L K I N G T O O N E S E L F CAN RECONDITION THOUGHT PROCESSES, E S P E C I A L LY W H E N OVERCOMING T H E I N E V I TA B L E FA I L U R E S T H AT P L A G U E

Simply put: Successful people believe in themselves.

Steve Jobs is one of many highly successful individuals who benefited greatly from their self-confidence.

However, it’s not simply the confidence alone but the emotional resilience during difficult times. These individuals had the willingness to get up again when they failed (oftentimes more than once); they did not allow setbacks to stop them on their pursuits.

But how exactly does one develop such resilience?

Author Jon Gordon has said, “Talk to yourself more than you listen to yourself.”

The science behind self-talk is limited, but it does show that it shapes our perceptions. The words we say can change how we see the world around us. This is different than just thinking positive and empowering thoughts. Talking to oneself can recondition thought processes, especially when overcoming the inevitable failures that plague entrepreneurship — or just life in general.

One must first believe in themself before they can convince any other.

Perhaps we don’t need more intelligence or opportunity or resources. What we simply need is a belief in ourselves. Those who we have seen succeed all understand the incredible power of belief. The ability to simply believe in yourself can change everything.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP — OR JUST LIFE IN GENERAL.

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METRO

Giftful: The Gift That Keeps Giving

A Lakelander Made update on one of our 2018 Feature Makers

Written by Charmaine Patterson

he phrase, “You think you know someone until it’s time to buy them a gift,” rings true every holiday season. The hustle and bustle of selecting the perfect gift in just the right size and color can overshadow all things holiday cheer.

That’s where the Giftful app comes in. Fresh off of a brand-new launch, the app makes it even easier to take the guesswork out of giving.

Giftful founders, Cono and Hannah Onorato, felt the pain of every holiday shopper with good intentions, and developed the chance for givers and receivers to create the ultimate digital wish list.

“We had family members that would make Amazon lists,” says Hannah. “On Amazon, you can see when someone buys you a gift. We didn’t like that it wasn’t a surprise for our family. That’s truly the main reason we created Giftful, so we can have organized lists and be surprised.”

Users can create their wish list by adding a link to an item from any website. The Giftful app will pull all of the information that comes with the item from the price, the size, and the color.

T

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“Your friends and family can see what items you want, and claim them, so there are no duplicates,” Hannah says.

In true holiday fashion, the person who created the list won’t see which gifts were purchased for them, keeping the element of surprise in full swing for Christmas morning.

Givers and receivers are getting on board as Hannah and Cono, who launched Giftful in 2017, have seen lots of growth since this time last year.

“Last holiday season we probably had around 500 users, and we had 1,000 wish lists posted,” says Cono. “This time, we’ve grown to around 13,000 people, and we’re expecting thousands of wish lists this year.”

The app has expanded and can be used for birthdays, baby showers, and weddings.

Now, users can enjoy what’s truly important as they take advantage of all Giftful has to offer.

To learn more about Giftul, check out their 2018 Lakelander Made feature, “The Joy of Giving.”

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THE BALANCE CULTURE MOVES DOWNTOWN The Balance Culture celebrated its four-year anniversary by announcing their big move from Dixieland Village to a new location in downtown Lakeland. This popular all-women’s fitness studio has become a staple within the community, and co-owners, Ruthie Tait and Kirstin Czernek, have been planning the move for the past year. Within the new space, The Balance Culture is excited to offer more class styles and new amenities like locker rooms and shower. The new location will be located on the first floor of the new Heritage Plaza in downtown and plans to open in Spring 2020.

METRO

The Mixologist A series of seasonally inspired cocktails in collaboration with our friends over at Revival

RECIPE No. 3

THE DUCKIN DINNER at-washing is a cocktail clarification method that “F leads to savory cocktails without the mess. To fatwash your cocktail, add a liquid like bacon fat or melted butter to a spirit at room temperature. Let it sit until it gets the flavor you’re looking for. Throw in the freezer and chill until the fat solidifies and can be skimmed off. The spirit retains the fatty flavor without making a mess in your drink.”

– Jeannie Weaver, owner of Revival

Revival 119 South Kentucky Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33801 863.606.6090 • revivallakeland.com

INGREDIENTS 2 ounces Old Forester 100-Proof Bourbon (Fat-Washed) 1/2 ounce maple-ginger syrup 2 dashes of Angostura bitters 1 dash of cranberry bitters TO MAKE THE COCKTAIL Mix all ingredients and garnish. Express an orange peel over the drink to release the oils, and then rub oils on the rim of the glass.

Skewer the orange peel along with some fresh cranberries.

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NEW YEAR, NEW SMILE

Nancy’s main goal was to have a natural smile with great function to improve her eating abilities. With Dr. Nofallah and New Teeth Now, she now looks and feels her very best!

Embarrassed to smile? Have broken or missing teeth?

Struggling with periodontal disease? Been told you do not have enough bone for implants? New Teeth Now may be the procedure for you!

A full set of non-removable implant-supported teeth can bring your health and happiness back. Not only will you have an improved appearance, you will have the full-functionality of natural teeth — improved speech and comfort, with no palate coverage. Those foods you couldn’t eat this holiday season? Now you can.

Your fully-customizable teeth are created to look, feel and function as close to natural teeth as possible, and designed to last a lifetime. Improved oral health leads to improved health all around. No more dentures, partials, or root canals. This is a permanent solution.

Nancy made the trip from St. Pete, but we are right in your backyard! We’re entering a new decade. It’s time to take back your health and happiness with the help of Dr. Nofallah and New Teeth Now.

Take back your health and happiness.

863-648-5338

MakingLakelandSmile.com 3624 Harden Blvd, Lakeland, FL

METRO

New Music THE LATEST NEWS ON SOME LOCAL ARTISTS AND THEIR MOST RECENT MUSIC RELEASES

Unwholly Bikes

Color Theory

by Foxhall Foxhall released their first EP titled Color Theory, an indie-pop dreamscape that begs you to dance along. The EP is also a testament to the depth of support they have from the community.

In August, the boys launched a Kickstarter to fund the mixing and mastering of the record, and in less than a month they were fully funded.

Since the release of the EP, Foxhall’s music has collectively reached over 20,000 streams on Spotify. @foxhallband

To read more on Foxhall, check out their feature “The Early Years” in Issue 45

A LAKELAND CHRISTMAS, VOL. 1

by The Vanguard Room Recorded and produced in Lakeland, The Vanguard Room released Lakeland’s first-ever Christmas album, A Lakeland Christmas, Vol. 1. The album includes brand-new arrangements of 10 Christmas songs, ranging from holiday classics to all-time pop hits.

Featured artists include MrENC, Tim Steiner, Emilie Weiss, Dan Sharrett, Michael McArthur, Van Plating, Dan & Nick Rivera, Bobby & Kenzie Walker, Emily Jones, and Aaron Marsh. @thevanguardroom

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Lakeland native Will Shaffer is building community, one DIY bike at a time.

Written by Caite Hamilton

ight years ago, Will Shaffer set up a bike shop in the back of Evolution Records. Open to the public and completely DIY, it was, as he puts it, “punk rock-run.” It turned out to be a beta test for the nonprofit he’d open less than a decade later.

But first, he needed to strategize. He asked two friends, Mac Masters and Tyler Fox, to help him run the business side and turn the idea for his new and improved version, Unwholly Bikes, into something legit.

“Despite how passionate I am,” says Shaffer, a lifelong tinkerer and self-taught bike mechanic, “without the two of them, this whole thing collapses.” His new partners were also an excellent case study for the viability of the business. As Shaffer says, before asking them to get involved, neither Masters nor Fox could tell the difference between a wrench and a screwdriver. Now they’re bike mechanics in their own right, which is exactly what Unwholly Bikes is all about.

“Our focus is on those who have a willingness to learn cycling mechanics and a willingness to participate to empower themselves,” Shaffer says.

To do that, the bike shop takes unwanted, abandoned, and abused bikes by donation and puts them in the hands of folks who want to know how to fix them.

Ten hours of sweat equity or a $50 donation

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gets you a year-long membership: a starter bicycle, access to the shop and its tools, one part for your bike per week, and free entry to all of Unwholly Bikes’ events, like its monthly Church of the Unwholly Bike, where volunteers can participate in a community cleanup, take a group ride, and then share a meal. Shaffer says getting out into Lakeland proper is a huge part of the business.

“Listen,” he says. “I have ‘Swan City’ tattooed on my knuckles, OK? They’re gonna spread my ashes in Lake Mirror.” That is to say, Shaffer loves Lakeland and saw an opportunity here to make an impact for years to come — and for the next generation. His sons are already reaping the benefits. Ryland, 11, is on his fifth custom bike build, and Bryant, 8, just finished his third. The kids are in the shop most weekends, teaching volunteers of all ages.

The dream of Unwholly Bikes is not just to put bicycles in people’s hands, but to be a self-sustaining, volunteer-run organization that builds up the community.

And they’re doing it. Last month was the first that the business was able to pay for itself, with no contribution from the founders’ own pockets.

“We wanted to have a reason to hang out, meet new people, give something to the city that was gonna be productive,” Shaffer says. “We’re just the stewards of the parts and the place.”

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METRO

COMING SOON TO A TV NEAR YOU A breakdown on the four new streaming platforms Written by Jordan Randall

The Golden Age of streaming is behind us.

At one point, there was only Netflix.

And it had everything from shows like The Office and Friends to your favorite Disney-owned properties like Marvel movies and Star Wars. Soon, though, nothing will be the same. Big brands like Disney, Apple, HBO, and NBC will be taking their content and putting it on their own individual streaming services. The result? Cable 2.0. With all the major companies splitting up and charging a monthly fee to access their content, you need to know what each one of them is offering for the price and what you can expect if you decide to sign up. Here’s the breakdown:

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DISNEY+ Cost: $6.99 a month Launched: November 12 Out of all the forthcoming streaming services, Disney’s seems to be the most essential.

With over 60 years of content to pull from, Disney’s got the largest library of movies and television series of all the streaming services. Want the classic animated movies like Peter Pan and Cinderella? Check.

What about the entire Pixar collection? Check. All of Star Wars? What about the Marvel movies? Check and check. Maybe you’re craving some classic Disney Channel shows like Even Stevens, That’s So Raven, or Hannah Montana? Consider it done. Not only will Disney+ have pretty much everything ever produced by Disney, but

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it will also be the exclusive streaming home to the entire catalogue of The Simpsons since the company’s acquisition of Fox earlier this year. It will also have National Geographic and ESPN content too, due to Disney’s ownership of those brands. And on top of having the largest back catalogue to pull from, Disney+ will also feature new shows from top properties like Marvel and Star Wars, such as Falcon and The Winter Soldier (dropping late 2020), and The Mandelorian (November 12). Obviously, Disney+ is stacked. And at $6.99, you’d almost be foolish not to sign up. The service is available November 12 and will slowly be adding most of the Disney library over the next year. So don’t be alarmed if every Marvel movie isn’t available at launch.

Patience!

EMERGENCIES ARE UNEXPECTED. BUT WE’VE GOT THE CARE YOU EXPECT. No one expects it. But in an emergency, count on the Winter Haven Hospital Emergency Department (ED) to be ready to care for you completely. From our highly trained, compassionate team members to the advanced technologies we use, we’re ready to treat your emergency with the personalized attention it deserves. And our ED was designed to be the most efficient it could be, including quiet, private rooms to make you as comfortable as possible. You can expect expert emergency care here. For more information: WHHEmergency.org

OUR NETWORK:

BayCare Behavioral Health • BayCare HomeCare • BayCare Laboratories • BayCare Medical Group BayCare Outpatient Imaging • BayCare Surgery Centers • BayCare Urgent Care OUR HOSPITALS:

Bartow Regional Medical Center • BayCare Alliant Hospital • Mease Countryside Hospital • Mease Dunedin Hospital • Morton Plant Hospital Morton Plant North Bay Hospital • St. Anthony’s Hospital • St. Joseph’s Hospital • St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital • St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital St. Joseph’s Hospital-North • St. Joseph’s Hospital-South • South Florida Baptist Hospital • Winter Haven Hospital • Winter Haven Women’s Hospital BAYCARE.ORG 19-779694-0519

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METRO

APPLE+ Cost: $4.99 Launched: November 1 Apple’s attempt at streaming seems to be a simpler venture than the rest. Full of original new shows for you to stream, Apple is focusing on pulling you in with interesting, new content rather than acquiring the rights to any major properties.

If you head over to Apple+ right now, you’ll be able to see Jennifer Aniston in her first TV outing since Friends, in her new original The Morning Show, starring alongside Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carell. Also coming to Apple+ are original shows like Dickinson, See, and For All Mankind. At $4.99, Apple+ seems to be worth the investment if you like the idea of original new shows starring some of the biggest A-list celebs. And if you purchase a new Apple product, you get Apple+ free for a year.

So that’s cool.

HBO MAX Cost: $14.99 Launches: May 2020 HBO is responsible for paving the way for premium television shows with series like Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, The Wire, and others. Now, HBO Max is their streaming service that’s set out to continue creating original premium television while also maintaining a library of mega-hits. HBO Max will be home to TV hits like Friends, The Big Bang Theory, Sesame Street, Looney Tunes, and others. Some of the original content coming to the streaming service includes a Grease spinoff, Anna Kendrick- and Ansel Elgort-led projects, a new Gossip Girl, and a Green Lantern show, amongst other live-action DC Comics’ series. At $14.99 a month, HBO Max is the priciest of the upcoming streaming services, but there’s still a bit of time before it launches in May of 2020. We’re sure to hear some new announcements before the service drops, and maybe they’ll convince you to subscribe by then.

PEACOCK Cost: TBD Launches: April 2020 Little is known about NBCUniversal’s streaming service at this point. We know it will be home to beloved shows like The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Saturday Night Live. They boast that the service will launch with more than 15,000 hours of content to stream, and that it will feature original new series from creators like Mike Schur (The Good Place, The Office). The service will also feature a catalogue of blockbuster and critically acclaimed films from Universal Pictures, Focus Features, DreamWorks Animation, Illumination, and other studios. With not much more info than that, we’ll have to wait and find out if Peacock is worth the investment.

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METRO

THE LAKELANDER MADE TOUCH

Expert advice from our past Lakelander Made Feature Maker on how to restore a piece of furniture

estoring old or antique furniture is a popular hobby that has seen growing interest in recent years. DIYs are a fun, creative project that anyone can complete. When Nikki Hunt, owner of Scout & Tag, began using chalk paint to restore furniture, it was simply a hobby. She later started selling her refurbished furniture pieces at the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market. This hobby quickly grew, catapulting her business to what it is today.

Now, Hunt is sharing some of her best tips for restoring a piece of furniture.

R

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

CLEAN YOUR PIECE. You have to make sure all the dust and old polish is off. You can use water and vinegar to get your piece clean. Not only does it make it look better, but it also gets rid of any barriers between the wood and the paint.

ANNIE SLOAN C H A L K PA I N T. This is the original chalk paint. It is latex-free, meaning you don’t have to sand down your piece of furniture, saving you more time.

Annie Sloan Color “Aubusson Blue”

S E A L I T W I T H WA X .

It’s like putting lotion on your hands. You rub it in if it doesn’t absorb, and you wipe it off with a cloth.

You paint on the wax and wipe it off as you go. After that, buff it. It helps the wax shine.

E V E RY P I E C E T U RN S O U T DI F F E RE N T. Have fun with it! There are 45 shades of chalk paint and different color waxes. You can mix and match to give your piece personality.

SCOUT & TAG 244 North Kentucky Avenue Lakeland, FL 33801 863.225.2426 scoutandtag.com

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OUR FAMILY TAKING CARE OF YOUR FAMILY “One of the most important things my dad, Dr. Mike, taught me was to put the patient first. This will always be our #1 priority. We strive to provide our patients with the highest level of comprehensive dental care and prevention, using the most advanced cutting-edge technology. Our focus is listening to our patients’ concerns and coming up with a solution that best fits their desires. We love our patients, we love Lakeland, and we’d love to meet you.”

Dr. Drew

South Lakeland Office

North Lakeland Office

2410 S. Florida Avenue Lakeland, FL 33803 863-682-1500

1805 Lakeland Hills Blvd.

Lakeland, FL 33805 863-682-1500

AgniniDental.com We accept CareCredit

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EDUCATION

growth through WO N D E R

DERH

RE

W

N

E

O

Written by Victoria Bardega Photography by Dan Austin

Through individualized learning and parent partnerships, learn how this licensed private academy is building up and resourcing local families and children through their schoolhouse style of education.

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f

From their charismatic imaginations to their intrinsic personalities, our children uniquely have a way of shaping our perspective with their desire for adventure. Their unmatched curiosity has oftentimes existed as a reminder to us … to remember to appreciate life’s simplicity and to never lose our own sense of wonder.

More than ever, children are living in a high performance– driven culture, which has piqued disorders such as anxiety and depression in children at ages as young as three years old — according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). With an overemphasis on standardized testing and a onesize-fits-all learning style, some children are finding school to be more negatively challenging than enriching.

Local moms and entrepreneurs Tiffany Thenor and Jessica Zivkovich found themselves questioning this method of teaching for several years before establishing WonderHere. This year, they are celebrating three years of serving more than 100 families through their personalized school curriculum and wholesome teaching methods.

“We’d been friends for a while and together shared a common lack of joy for teaching in the public school setting,” says Thenor as she

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recalls where it all began for them.

“Jessica and I shared common concerns in that we didn’t want to be part of the constant complaining and negativity of the public school.

Our concerns led us to problem solve and dream together on my couch in the living room.”

Dreaming out loud for Thenor and Zivkovich grew into a powerful vision — one that would explode into an opportunity for both moms to create a completely different learning experience for children and local families in Lakeland. With a focus on building a fun, healthy teaching space, both Thenor and Zivkovich created WonderHere, a licensed private schoolhouse-style academy, with the idea of fostering a significant and wholesome childhood through positive teaching methods and unique development strategies for their students.

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

One of the biggest focuses at WonderHere is teaching students according to their personal strengths and weaknesses.

DISCOVERING THE VISON AND THE WHY Some of the challenges within the public school system are what sparked the desire for an innovative, educational alternative for Thenor and Zivkovich.

“When it comes to the public school system, oftentimes there is overemphasis on high-state testing, which can create a culture of stress and anxiety for children at a young age,” says Zivkovich. “As well, we found there was a lack in individuality amongst students — a one-size-fits all perception.” Both Thenor and Zivkovich believe setting the same benchmarks at the same time for all students is an unrealistic move educationally, which is why one of the biggest focuses at WonderHere is teaching students according to their individuality — their personal strengths and their

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personal weaknesses.

While one student may be able to excel at a certain level, there are several students who may struggle or need extra assistance in learning the subject at their own pace.

Children are a beautiful part of the bigger picture, and as they grow and learn, they have the opportunity to explore, play, learn, and nurture their wonder through Thenor’s and Zivkovich’s teaching methods.

EUROPEAN-INSPIRED EDUCATION “When we were building and dreaming up WonderHere, we found so much educational inspiration from other advancing places around the world — like Reggio Emilia, Italy, and the country of Finland,” says cofounder, Thenor. At an advanced level, these countries are leading

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Tiffany Thenor and Jessica Zivkovich (left to right) created WonderHere, a licensed private schoolhouse-style academy.

in the educational field and tend to honor childhood by believing in the power of play and creativity at work. By creating a well-balanced schedule with intentionally crafted curriculum, Thenor and Zivkovich have paved the way for children at WonderHere to lead certain educational activities, design with their hands and imaginations, and socially interact with other students from all diverse backgrounds.

While class sizes tend to be larger — oftentimes pushing more than 20 to 30 children per classroom — WonderHere caps their student count at around 12 so teachers can individualize each student’s learning within the classroom setting.

As well, students are placed in grades according to their comprehensive level, not their age. Both younger and older children are mixed together within the same-level classes to ensure diversity and to create learning environments that cater to the individual student.

In their curriculum, they nurture seven key elements in the children’s learning experience: art, play, music, phenomena, nature, community service, and literature.

From artistic activities to giving back to the community, the WonderHere team enriches their students’ learning with meaningful and practical lessons daily. While the public school system

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PEOPLE SERVING PEOPLE

2020

SEE WHO WE Here at home, Lakeland REALTORS® works to provide its REALTOR® members opportunities to support local charities in a variety of capacities. Come See Who We R. www.SeeWhoWeR.com

619 East Orange Street Lakeland, FL 33801

LakelandRealtors.org

Ph: (863) 687-6111 Fx. (863) 688-8253

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

“Our goal is to be able to serve the community by allowing the possibility for children to be scholarshipped to attend WonderHere Academy.” may focus on a more rigorous working schedule, children at WonderHere have the opportunity to slow down to enjoy their lives and learn through the perspective of a healthy, stress-free environment.

“Our [students’] parents have inspired us so much,” says Thenor. In fact, one of the qualities that has made WonderHere so collaborative and unique is the pertinence of parent-involvement within their students’ learning. “Quarterly, we host focus groups with parents to hear what students are communicating about their classes — what’s been the most helpful in their students’ success and what could we work on together to improve. Feedback is powerful and helps shape the next quarter for the students so much,” Thenor says.

Parents are required and encouraged to volunteer a minimum of two hours per month in partnership with the WonderHere team. “Parents do life with us! Each month we have a parent lead a club activity for students, such as beads and bracelets, kids’ yoga, any nonacademic hobby, etc.,” Zivkovich says.

The children also have the opportunity to adventure and explore during monthly field trips, such as going to Legoland, the Lakeland Community Theatre, and the local movies.

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Since opening their space off of South Florida Avenue, they have grown from ten full-time students to an educational hub for over 100 children.

LOOKING AHEAD Though this passionate business duo didn’t grow up in Lakeland, they instantly fell in love with the warm, welcoming culture of our swan city. “After interning at a local elementary school in Lakeland for seven years, my husband and I found ourselves with a deep desire to grow roots, and we couldn’t have picked anywhere better than Lakeland.

There’s nothing like it,” Thenor recalls. She and Zivkovich met at Southeastern University while both were completing their undergraduate degrees in education.

“We’re not sure if we could have ever opened WonderHere in another place. We reached out to so many local friends who championed us from the very start. With the support of Lakeland’s entrepreneurial spirit, we found home,” says Zivkovich.

The last three years have been filled with much growth and expansion for the local school, and they believe this is just the beginning.

Since opening their space, located off of South Florida Avenue, they

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have further built out their studio space. During their first year, they started with 10 full-time students; and currently, the children’s studio is now an educational hub for over 100 children. “It’s fun, crazy and awesome all at once. With having grown in our enrollment, we’ve also grown qualitatively, as well,” shares Zivkovich. “As business-minded owners, we’ve learned through trial and error, and we strive to keep growing.” With the genuine desire to bless more families across Polk County, both Thenor and Zivkovich continue to dream big for their licensed private academy.

In 2019, WonderHere officially launched a non-profit foundation, known as the WonderHere Education Foundation. “Our goal is to be able to serve the community by allowing the possibility for children to be scholarshipped to attend WonderHere Academy,” says Thenor.

“We are doing everything we can to create an educational incubator where many other parents, teachers and kids can be resourced through innovative curriculum and workshops.”

Both Thenor and Zivkovich continue to move forward as advocates for qualitative childhood and education in Central Florida through hosting several events open for the community to join.

“The difference starts with us,” says Zivkovich. “Our desire is to see local families no longer underserved.”

Creating a safe, stress-free space where children can learn and grow freely allows them to develop their creativity, their ability to lead, and their ability to problem solve at a young age.

IT’S BEEN A

GREAT

YEAR AT FLORIDA POLY, AND WE’RE

PROUD TO BE #LAKELANDMADE

FLORIDAPOLY.EDU/LAKELANDMADE

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STYLE

six party looks* that just wanna have fun

Because, much like the Cindy Lauper classic, these ’80s-inspired looks are here to stay, and they will steal the show at your next holiday get-together. * And the girls.

The girls wanna have fun too.

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

Blazer Zara Shoes Christian Louboutin

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STYLE

Written and styled by

Sally Ibarra Barceló Photography by

Dan Austin Hair and Makeup by Patricia Uiterwyk, Kayla Judy, Kayla Whitehurst, Peyton Ahern, Giselle Oliveras, Amanda Lewis, Jason DeShazo, Alex O’Brian-Rothman, Amy Lewis. Jessica Ray of Venue Salon Models: Vivi Tai Fox Jasmine LaGrant - BMG Models Natalie Feliciano - BMG Models Gabi Berhel - Benz Models Janna Chowdhury - Modern Muse

There’s a good chance you have another holiday party (or three) on your calendar this weekend — plus maybe a wedding, a birthday party, or even just a dinner date.

This time of year, everything just feels much more festive. If you’re like me, it’s an opportunity that mustn’t go to waste. So get creative and feel dazzling for any and every occasion.

You don’t necessarily need to pull inspiration from the “hot” social media trends that fill your feed, including that midi satin animal-print skirt every blogger is wearing.

Let’s dig deeper.

Winter 2019-2020: a season that swings from one end of the pendulum to the other.

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On one end, designers are celebrating extravagant French bourgeoisie, and on the other, punk spirits and androgynous styles. Designers have paired bold shoulders, ruffles, sequins, and other elegant details with edgy elements for a mix that feels resemblant of couture and street style. These opposing styles share a common message — they celebrate the woman of today.

Across the board, we saw the influence of the late ’70s, early ’80s, and nostalgic ’90s, into the 2000s. From Balenciaga to Burberry, designs were an ode to the return of a style code with elegance, refined silhouettes, and tailoring.

One of the best parts?

Saint Laurent and Alberta Ferretti both featured exaggerated ’80s-inspired shoulders and plenty of glitter. Gold, velvet, pearls, and crystals are all over the accessories of the fashion season.

As Vogue writer Nicole Phelps puts it, “These collections represent the final season of the 2010s — the end of a decade.”

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

1.

2.

TURN HEADS AND GO FULL ’80S. A tweed blazerdress and red bottoms: this look is feminine, confident, and powerful. (previous spread)

GO ALL-OUT GLAM. The holidays only come around once a year, and for most of us it’s the only time we can go all-out glam.

All that glitter is a holiday classic. A sequin dress paired with clear strappy heels that elongate your legs and classic Hollywood curls to take on the evening can pull off the ideal look.

3.

TEXTURES AND DETAILS CAN TURN YOUR LOOK FROM DAY TO NIGHT. Add a fur vest to a simple ’90s-style slip dress, and elevate the look with a padded and jeweled headband.

Sequin Dress Gianni Bini Heels Steve Madden Dress Stylist Closet Fur Vest CUPCAKES AND CASHMERE Headband Zara Shoes Gianni Bini Bag Kate Landry I SS U E 5 1

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FLOWER POWER The perfect addition to any holiday party – add a unique floral design to elevate the overall look. Special thanks to Uli Floral for this festive arrangement. @Ulifloral

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The holidays only come around once a year, and for most of us it’s the only time we can go all-out glam.

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Dress Zara Shoes Gianni Bini Belt Zara

4.

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DON’T BE AFRAID TO MIX STATEMENT ELEMENTS, AS LONG AS IT IS ALL IN GOOD TASTE. Let your accessories and shoes be the heroes. Leather: classic but fresh; edgy but minimal.

The leather minidress in a shift silhouette paired with a gold chain belt and mixed animal-print heel is fire. On that same note, we went with a metallic crop top and a mid-rise sparkly trouser; perfect for an office holiday party or for those who prefer a pant look over a skirt or dress.

DED ICAT E D TO Q UA L I T Y A N D COMP E T I T I V E P RI C I N G

We Work With Insurance & Give Free Estimates Owners Matt Coyle & Nathan Patterson

RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • SHINGLE • METAL • TPO

863-409-2447 residentialroofingdepot.com

2

0 1

9 -

HOME

2

0 2

0

DECEMBER

SUN. DEC 1

BLUE COATS | 3PM

FRI. DEC 6

SAT. DEC 7

TUE. DEC 10

*FLORIDA BLUE

*PUBLIX

MAD ANTS | 7PM

SWISH’S BIRTHDAY

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

SWARM | 7PM

FRI. DEC 13 GO-GO | 7PM

SWARM | 7PM

TWO FOR TUESDAY

SUN. DEC 15 NETS | 3PM

JANUARY

THU. JAN 2

CHARGE | 7PM

FRI. JAN 10

SAT. JAN 11

TUE. JAN 14

*MTN DEW

*BARTOW FORD

BLUE COATS | 7PM

ORLANDO MAGIC NIGHT

HONORING OUR HEROES

KNICKS | 7PM

THU. JAN 16

SAT. JAN 18

*ADVENTHEALTH

*RP FUNDING

SCHOOL DAYS GAME

BULLS | 11AM

KNICKS | 7PM

TWO FOR TUESDAY

YOUTH BASKETBALL WOLVES | 7PM

FEBRUARY

SAT. FEB 1

FRI. FEB 7

GO-GO | 7PM

*SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

BLACK HISTORY CELEBRATION

SUN. FEB 9

SKYHAWKS | 3PM

FAITH AND FAMILY NIGHT

FRI. FEB 21 HOOPS FOR A CURE NETS | 7PM

905 | 7PM

MARCH

TUE. MAR 10 TWO FOR TUESDAY

BAYHAWKS | 7PM

THU. MAR 12

SAT. MAR 14

*LAKELAND ELECTRIC

DRIVE | 7PM

SWANS NIGHT SKYFORCE | 7PM

TUE. MAR 24

WED. MAR 25

RED CLAWS | 7PM

*RP FUNDING

TWO FOR TUESDAY

ART NIGHT

FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT RED CLAWS | 7PM

*PRESENTING PARTNER

TUESDAYS: $2 TICKETS, BEERS, HOT DOGS, AND PEPSI FOUNTAIN DRINKS SUNDAYS: $4 MIMOSAS

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW VISIT LAKELANDMAGIC.COM OR CALL 863.825.3258 FOR MORE INFORMATION

5.

THE EVENING PANT IS PERFECT, especially when it comes to getting ready for multiple festivities during the holidays.

Mix and match metallics with a bold heel for a head-to-toe party look.

Top Zara Pants Habitual Shoes Gianni Bini

I SS U E 5 4

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LEARNING. LEADERSHIP.

FOR A LIFETIME. Master of Arts (MAT) in Transformational Curriculum and Instruction Master of Education (MEd) in Transformational Curriculum and Instruction Master of Education (MEd) in Educational Leadership Doctor of Education (EdD) Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership

Apply Now! flsouthern.edu/sage call 863.680.4914 text 863.225.8405

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6.

PAIRING THE PERFECT FESTIVE FIT We were drawn to a top that combines bold shoulders, an animal-print pattern, an oversized bow, and the feminine element of sheer — one of the most daring trends this season. This top, paired with a semimetallic pleated skirt and monochromatic nude heel , was the perfect festive fit.

Top Zara Skirt Zara Shoes Jessica Simpson

SHELTER

A RETROFITTED A peek inside the Coxes’ downsized home and how they turned a featureless condominium into a sophisticated stunner.

Written by Annalee Mutz Photography by Jason Stephens

SCENE

THE CONCEPT OF DOWNSIZING — trading potential excess to better accommodate newer priorities in life — is one that is not necessarily unheard of. For Tim and Becky Cox, they were interested in setting themselves up for their next season of life.

“The last couple of years, we started toying with the idea of downsizing,” says Becky. “Tim has been doing yard work for 39 years, so he was just getting tired of that,” she jokes.

As empty nesters, the two were looking for ways to better situate their lives to be able to travel more easily, especially with their two daughters, son-in-law, and two grandchildren, all living in Los Angeles.

“It just seemed to make a lot of sense with

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the condo. We can just lock the door and go. We don’t have to worry about anything exterior.” says Cox. So with that in the forefront of their minds, the two decided to downsize from their 3,000-squarefoot Lake Hollingsworth home to a 1,650-square-foot condominium in the Bluffs of Christina.

The Coxes asked their realtor to check into condos for them, when they came across the ones listed at the Bluffs. They toured two or three places for sale, when they finally walked into what would be their future home and instantly saw the potential of it.

After closing on the space in November of 2018, Becky went all in with home renovations that would last around eight months. “It was a lot of work, and it probably took a lot longer because I did a lot of it myself,” says Cox.

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

After closing on the space in November of 2018, Becky went all in with home renovations that would last around eight months.

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

– BECKY COX

“IF SOMEBODY TELLS ME I CAN’T DO IT, THAT’S WHEN I’M GOING TO PROVE THEM WRONG.”

Becky is not new to home renovations.

Besides hiring out subcontractors for projects like plumbing, electric, and floor installation, she decided to take on a lot of firsts herself with this recent project, including framing and installing pocket doors and scraping the stucco texture off all the ceilings — no small feat as the ceilings in this home are 19 feet high.

“I’m kind of in a lot of ways fearless about things like that. Like, if somebody tells me I can’t do it, that’s when I’m going to prove them wrong. So, Tim was like, ‘Oh, you can’t. You can’t do those ceilings.

That’s just too much.’ So I was set to prove him wrong.”

Before even stepping foot in the home, you’ll encounter Becky’s handiwork. She took the original, bright-red door and cut out the traditional solid wood panels, replacing them with glass and simple square trim to create a new 4-lite modern door. She finished it off by painting it a striking teal color. It definitely is revealing to the mid-century modern style that exists within the home as well.

The master bedroom is entered through a beautifully crafted barn door, also created

by Becky. The room feels extra spacious because of the large windows that bring

The centerpiece to the kitchen is a nine-foot hood vent that Becky designed and built. She called upon Tim to help with the install, which proved to be one of the most difficult tasks of the whole renovation, but the design it adds to the kitchen makes it well worth the effort.

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Classic southern is always in season!

Classic southern is always in season!

Holiday Catering Available Holiday Catering Available

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The staircase leads to a loft that’s immediately noted for its contrasted, angular wall, similar to the accent wall in the master bedroom.

extra natural light. Your eye is then instantly drawn to the dramatic contrast from the dark, angular accent wall. A great deal of work went into repairing this wall too, which was previously damaged as it is a firewall that is shared with the Coxes’ neighbors. As they began to peel off the old drywall, they discovered the cinder block that laid beneath the water damage. “Once I started peeling that off, I was like, ‘I love this! Yeah, I don’t want to put drywall back on it,’” recalls Becky. So they painted over the cinder blocks, and it has become an area of the room they love the most.

In addition to lightening up the room (which was previously dated with dark wallpaper and blue carpet), Becky also changed the layout to create a more practical entryway that separates the entrance from their spacious walk-in closet and bathroom to the rest of the room. “So now Tim can come and go in the mornings while I’m sleeping, without having to come back into the bedroom to gather stuff.”

The kitchen is lined with both white and black Ikea custom cabinets, assembled by Becky and her sister. The white cabinetry is accented by gold fixtures that complement the beautiful (also gold) gooseneck faucet that is installed in the inset sink. The marble counters also transition seamlessly to a modern backsplash that is then contrasted by custom-built wood shelving made by Cambers Custom Design.

From the kitchen is an entrance to the enclosed back patio. French doors previously framed this entryway. “I just heightened it and made it more of a real opening; made it wider,” says Becky.

In addition to stylistic changes done

to this space, they were also able to add additional air conditioning to this area of the home, increasing the overall square footage and allowing the room to be more useable year round.

Throughout the house, Becky retrofitted areas to better utilize the full capacity of their space. Under their staircase laid

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DISCOVER THE

LANDS OF YOUR FAITH After touring the Lands of the Bible by motorcoach or cruise ship, you and your group will return home with a refreshed faith and memories to share. Our expert guides will provide meaningful insights for you and your group as you explore your favorite Biblical sites, and award winning accommodations will give you a great night’s rest with breakfast and dinner included.

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Sea of Galilee

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– BECKY COX

“THERE’S JUST SUCH A GREAT SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT WHEN YOU DO SOMETHING YOURSELF.”

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Becky and Tim Cox sit on their recently renovated staircase which leads to their updated loft.

dormant a large area that could be utilized for storage but lacked access. They added a door and have now put good use to this previously unused space. It also sits next to a cozy home-office space.

The laundry room came with decent storage but only included uppers. Becky added Ikea shelving to this area too to increase the usage of this room. “It’s really a lifesaver having some extra storage,” she says.

The final big project took place at the stairs that lead to the upstairs loft. Becky cut new risers out of the thin underlayment.

She priced out what it would cost to replace them with regular, clean treads, but grew a fondness for the existing wood. The wood was long, builder’s grade, and still had holes from where the carpet previously existed, but Becky decided she was going to make it work. “Worst-case scenario: I’ll either paint them all black, or I’ll come back and rip them out later. But I’m really happy with how they turned out,” she says.

She picked out a stain for the stairs that really ties the look together, and then filled in the gaps and finished the trim herself. However, the sharp and modern look of this staircase wouldn’t be complete without the matte-black railing which was fabricated by Moore’s Welding. “This was just a huge, huge difference,” she says.

The staircase leads to a loft that’s

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immediately noted for its contrasted, angular wall, similar to the accent wall in the master bedroom. “So we kind of reconfigured and redid all of the storage units up here,” says Becky. Made complete with a collection of vinyls, retro clocks, and a few prized possessions like an autographed baseball bat, the room is now deemed to be “Tim’s hangout.”

Becky and Tim have surely made great use of their downsized home without losing their personal style in the process.

“We didn’t know if we would like condo life. We didn’t know if we were ready for it,” admits Becky. Their new location is further south in comparison to their central, Lake Hollingsworth home. “We miss our old location,” says Becky.

But they both have enjoyed the transition, especially benefits like minimal outdoor maintenance. “Tim enjoys his weekends, which is really important to me at this stage. He’s worked hard for many years, and it makes me happy to see him be able to have his weekends,” says Becky.

TThe renovation wasn’t an easy one.

“But it was a fun, creative process,” says Becky. With taking on much of the work herself, the project was definitely a labor of love. “Some days were really hard, and the work was physically exhausting. But when the dust settled and all the projects

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completed, we both are so happy with the results. There is such a great sense of accomplishment when you do something yourself, and you will never know what you are capable of until you try,“ says Becky.

The Coxes’ mid-century condominium is noted for its extensive renovations and stylistic touches throughout, but what sets this home apart the most is the work put in by the homeowners themselves and the ability to believe they could do more with less.

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DER BRO W S. RO C 2 Lakeland Locations Southgate Center | 2633 S. Florida Ave. | 863-683-6702 Sandpiper Plaza | 6549 N. Socrum Loop Rd. | 863-859-9909

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year — until you near Christmas morning and the shopping list is still looming. With unlimited possibilities but limited time to sort through the right option for each person on your list, The Lakelander has come to the rescue and curated a holiday shopping guide filled with unique gifts from some of our city’s most beloved local shops to help you tackle your holiday shopping right.

Aerial Photopgraphy by Rut Patel

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Central Lakeland Downtown offers the ideal variety of shops all within walking distance from one another.

DOWTOWN LAKELAND

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HOLIDAY-SCENTED BATH & BODY PRODUCTS

SILVER BAR SET This bar set is the ideal gift for those who love to host — or who just love to make a serious cocktail. These bartending essentials will not only aid in crafting artisanal spirits, but they will also be a stunning, picture-perfect arrangement to display in the home.

112 South Tennessee Avenue Lakeland, FL 33801

Create all the ambiance of winter coziness with Rafa Natural’s winter collection of body washes, lotions, and room/body sprays. Their Noel and Farm Fresh Christmas Trees winter-scented products evoke the warmth and comfort of Christmas tradition while conditioning the skin with the finest organic ingredients.

gainesjewelers.com

244 North Kentucky Avenue Lakeland, FL 33801

GIFT CARD

LEATHER WRISTLET A wristlet that fits it all! This is a great gift for those who are on the go but like to keep it minimal. Top Button’s leather wristlet is the perfect combination of fashion meets practicality.

236 North Kentucky Avenue Lakeland, FL 33801

rafanatural.com

Because it’s hard to pick just one treat when stepping into La Imperial Bakery. With a wide range of flavorful Latin dishes, pastries, and coffee, give a gift card to someone you love so they don’t have to choose just one item off the menu.

topbuttons.org

830 East Main Street Lakeland, FL 33801

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imperiallakeland.com

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BLACK & BREW LOGO MUG

MILKHOUSE CANDLE CO. SWEET WOODS CANDLE Bursting with woodsy balsam and sandalwood and accented with a hint of smoky spice, Amelia Paige’s Milkhouse Sweet Woods Candle is one of the brand’s most popular candles. It not only smells fantastic while burning, but it also has a unique look making it a great glassware piece to reuse well after the candle is gone.

223 North Kentucky Avenue Lakeland, FL 33801

Nothing beats the feeling of a warm coffee mug in your hands on a cold winter morning. Giving a mug is a simple gift that they’ll treasure for years to come, and Black & Brew’s specialty mug with their new logo is the perfect companion to a gifted Patriot Coffee Holiday Variety Box!

ameliapaigeboutique.com

205 East Main Street Lakeland, FL 33801

100 Lake Morton Drive Lakeland, FL 33801

LEATHER BAGS

CUSTOM STATIONERY Custom stationery is one of those gifts that will be cherished for a long time — it’s both thoughtful and useful. Stationery Loft & Gift Boutique offers stunning paper and impeccable service to help personalize each set to the unique style you’re looking for.

230 North Kentucky Avenue Lakeland, FL 33801

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blackandbrew.com

Scout & Tag offers a wide variety of home goods, but our pick this holiday season are these vegan leather handbags in an array of colors and sizes. They’re beautifully constructed, sturdy, and ready for any occasion.

stationeryloft.com

244 North Kentucky Avenue Lakeland, FL 33801

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scoutandtag.com

L A K E L A N D FAV O R I T E S you can only taste together in one place.

Fresh coconut caramel beignets with an ice-cold Rome City IPA

801 E MAIN ST LAKELAND FL POORPORKER.COM @THEPOORPORKER I SS U E 5 4

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Central Lakeland In addition to charming shops filled with old relics, Dixieland offers food, drink, and even spa gift options.

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HOLIDAY VARIETY BOX

GIFT CARD

Highlighting the different tasting notes of coffees around the globe, this pack is complete with some of the Patriot team’s favorite coffees. Included in the box is an information card that offers brewing recommendations and a suggested holiday dessert pairing.

Give the gift of a unique experience for the palate!

Keep the Good Thyme rollin’ by giving a gift card to one of Dixieland’s favorite fast-casual eateries. You know they’re already planning on eating there regularly, so help chip in for one more mouth-watering biscuit sandwich or poke bowl.

119 West Patterson Street Lakeland, FL 33813

patriotcraftcoffee.com

DIXIELAND RELICS

CUSTOM-PAINTED FURNITURE

ANTIQUES

An ode to the relics of yesteryears, Dixieland Relics is filled with hidden treasures like this detailed brass teapot paired with vintage Libbey highball glasses. If you’re looking for a unique and timeless gift, this is your spot.

949 South Florida Avenue Lakeland, FL 33803

goodthymelkld.com

For those looking for a one-of-a-kind piece to complete a home, June Taylor not only offers quality furniture, but also custompainted pieces to offer a whimsical touch as unique to the home it will soon inhabit.

863.559.8356

1216 South Florida Avenue Lakeland, FL 33803

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junetaylorshop.com

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SWAN CANDLE, ORNAMENT, AND FIGURINE

BAKER’S FLOUR T-SHIRT Who doesn’t love a soft and comfy graphic tee? It’s even better when it includes a well-crafted, timeless design that celebrates one of our city’s favorite bakehouses. Born & Bread Baker’s Flour Shirt is the right fit for those who can’t wait to indulge in their weekly cruffin.

1113 South Florida Avenue Lakeland, FL 33803

Nothing says “Lakeland” more than an iconic swan. Bungalow Boutique has the perfect assortment of Lakeland-centric gifts that pay homage to our majestic birds. A subtle way to add our city’s identity to any home.

bornandbreadbakehouse.com

1026 South Florida Avenue Lakeland, FL 33803

STEMWARE

SKINMEDICA GIFT SET

It’s 5 o’clock somewhere, and Cob & Pen is ready to set you up with the right glassware to serve your favorite happy-hour drinks. Their staple glassware, complete with their engraved swan logo, is the perfect addition to a homeware collection 1221 South Florida Avenue Lakeland, FL 33803

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facebook.com/bungalowboutiqueandgifts

Give the gift of good skincare this holiday season. Viva Vitality offers some of the best-rated, dermatologist-approved products to bring the spa experience home. Packed with powerful aloe vera and jojoba, their SkinMedica Gift Set helps create healthy and flawless-looking skin.

cobandpenlakeland.com

1035 South Florida Avenue #208 Lakeland, FL 33803

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viva-vitality.com

Be

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At LCS, we teach students that challenges are not roadblocks, but rather moments for lifelong learning and transformation. That’s why an engaging curriculum is a priority. Sharpening minds while shepherding hearts – the proven LCS approach for your child’s success.

Visit our website, then call Julie Rice, Director of Enrollment, for a tour.

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1111 Forest Park Street, Lakeland | 863-688-2771 1111 Forest Park Street, Lakeland • 863-688-2771 • lcsonline.org

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South Lakeland With a variety of shopping centers encompassing this area, South Lakeland offers many options for retail and boutique shopping for the holidays

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CUSTOM CHEVRON TABLE AND BENCH

ROLEX

A truly classic and timeless piece that will be sure to impress for years to come, a Rolex from Munchel’s Jewelers is perfect for those looking to commemorate an important milestone or create a family heirloom.

Rolex continues to be one of the best watches to give as a gift.

3227 South Florida Avenue Lakeland, FL 33803

Vintage Factory’s custom-made chevron table with metal legs and a bench is made of solid pine wood that is either stained or painted. The chevron pattern’s modern spin on a classic style is a great way to gift some mid-century appeal for a loved one.

munchels.com

1020 West Pipkin Road Lakeland, FL 33811

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LUNE 8 AND MINI LUNE

DENIM Give the gift of denim this holiday season. This timeless fabric has proven its versatility from jackets to jeans to skirts, and Kari Berry Posh offers some of the best quality and a wide variety to suit any style.

Nacre watches are built to last and get better the more you wear them, making them a great timeless piece to gift. With a quick-release attachment, Nacre makes it simple to switch up the style of each watch. It’s easy to take your look from day to night in an instant!

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We keep our process as simple and stress-free as possible for our clients and offer free quotes and consultations for all their projects. Offering step-by-step guidance as well as extensive design work, we love to help our clients first envision the finished outcome of their project before the contract is signed to ensure they receive exactly what they’re wanting.

CALL FOR ESTIMATE AND D E S I G N C O N S U L TA T I O N

Ralph Pagnucco and Nick Pagnucco

863.899.8039 • ihsbclakeland.com CBC 1261284

lakelander made

LI F ESTY L E / FOO D & D RI N K / A RT / H O M E / E DITO R ' S C H OIC E

MEET OUR MAKERS

2019

chose this city as their base and inspiration. These businesses enlarge our identity as a community, add to our flavor, and change the way we eat, shop, work, and live as a city. To celebrate the crafted goods these entrepreneurs create, The Lakelander proudly presents its FOURTH year of Lakelander Made.

LAKELANDER MADE

#lakelandermade

In recent years, Lakeland has welcomed some incredible homegrown businesses that

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While In The Dugout D U G O U T

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WRITTEN BY NICHOLE JONES PHOTOGRAPHY BY JASON STEPHENS

Dugout Mugs started out as a vision while sitting in the dugout and has grown to be a successful and rapidly growing company with no plans of slowing down anytime soon.

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Being more of a creative mind, Thompson had some initial struggles with expanding his business, making Dehnert a seamless addition to the company.

Thompson had many ideas that preceded the original Dugout mug, but he knew that this idea was different, which caused him to pursue turning his personal project into a fortified venture.

Randall Thompson, a Florida native, has had an irrevocable love for baseball since the age of five. Beginning with T-ball, Thompson made his way through the ranks until he played at a professional level pitching for the Toronto Blue Jays, when his time within the game came to an early end. Retirement was not enough to diminish his passion, though. After his personal career playing the sport, Thompson began coaching at the Florida Institute of Technology.

In July of 2014, Thompson sat in the dugout during a game while his team’s hitting coach advised the players to always focus on their hands. To drill the point, he went so far as to cut a bat in half, leaving the far end of the instrument to the side. Though Thompson had

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played the sport for 20 years, he had never seen this tool that had been such a prevalent part of his life the way he did in that moment: a potential drinking mug.

Following the game, Thompson created his first sketch of what is now the Dugout Mug. Thompson had many ideas that preceded the mug, but for whatever reason, he knew that this idea was different. He began the process of turning his personal project into a fortified venture. In the earlier stages, Thompson even established a partnership that unfortunately went awry over time. It was not until 2017 that he found a new partner in Kris Dehnert.

Being more of a creative mind, Thompson had some initial struggles with expanding his

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Thompson conceptualized making a drinking mug out of a bat after watching his hitting coach cut a bat in half in order to demonstrate a point to always focus on their hands.

business, making Dehnert a seamless addition to the company. Dehnert is also a Florida native that, prior to Dugout Mugs, began and expanded six companies, including the Gold’s Gym found in Lakeland.

Dehnert had expertise that not only helped Dugout Mugs grow, but also overcome hardship. Thompson’s first partner held enough stake within the initial project that, even after splitting, was legally able to continue creating the patented product, despite it being Thompson’s original idea. The company was forced to endure strain, including false advertising and petty lawsuits, but through the new partnership found in Thompson and Dehnert, the decision was made to “play

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on the company’s growth. Cornelius has streamlined the mug and other product creations to the point that custom-designed drinkware can be created and shipped within 24 hours of ordering.

Dugout Mugs has no plans of slowing their expansion, with several projects in the works including influencer campaigns, league affiliations, charity efforts, and a potential

to win, [instead of ] playing not to lose.”

Though the previous partnership continues to lend occasional tension, the new team has experienced development like never before.

In 2017, Dugout Mugs was considered roughly a $50,000 company. As of October 2019, the company’s worth is closer to $5 million. A rapidly growing company constitutes a rapidly growing team. Currently, Dugout Mugs has 22 employees living throughout the U.S., working in offices and remotely. Dehnert explains, “If [the company’s] picture and vision are clear enough, a bad day won’t cause team members to quit but instead double down to see what’s on the other side.” One employee, Jono Cornelius, another previously professional pitcher, stands out for having a great influence

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“If [the company’s] picture and vision are clear enough, a bad day won’t cause team members to quit but instead double down to see what’s on the other side.”

- Kris Dehnert

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baseball business incubator that allows previous players to create careers which still incorporate their passion for the sport.

Both Thompson’s and Dehnert’s hopes for the future of Dugout Mugs are to offer premium products at a lower-than-premium price, continue flourishing a team that reflects the comradery found on the field, and to never stop giving back to the game.

DUGOUT MUGS 866.457.6847 dugoutmugs.com @dugoutmugs

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Simply put...we care.

For more than fifty years, we have had the pleasure of caring for the vision of our community. Our highlytrained staff is committed to offering unrivaled vision care with the kind of service our patients deserve.

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Several convenient locations to choose from

We specialize in caring for your special eyes.

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1 BLOOM SHAKALAKA Florals Lakeland’s flower dreams have come true through the “funky fresh blooms” offered by Bloom Shakalaka. After years of making arrangements at Ashton Events, Bloom Shakalaka owner, Laura Helm, caved to the requests of her clients and started an artisan flower shop specializing in daily blooms. These creative floral arrangements are available to order online utilizing their bloom menu, and they will also have a storefront located at The Joinery, Lakeland’s newest 12,000-square-foot food hall. bloomshakalaka.com | @bloom.shakalaka

2 FA R M E R W I L L ’ S C O O K B O O K Cookbook This past fall, Farmer Will and Robyn Wilson launched their first cookbook, Farmer Will: The Cookbook. Wilson is a long-time Lakelander, foodie, entrepreneur, and frequent Taste contributor to The Lakelander.

Farmer Will (Crum) is known for his organic produce and Lakelandbased farm. Compiled and written by Wilson, the spiral-bound cookbook includes more 40 recipes, many of which are inspired by Wilson’s upbringing and are now enjoyed regularly out at Crum’s farm.

The book also includes farming tips and simple ways to add organic ingredients to dishes, all accompanied with music suggestions. crumbrothersfamilyfarm.com/csa/ | @mz.bearcat

3 JESHAUS MADE Earrings Jes Lewis crafts vibrant and custom, handmade clay earrings all from home. Lewis bakes, hand cuts, and assembles each piece.

Believing that a gorgeous accessory should be easily accessible, Lewis is passionate about creating jewelry that reminds those wearing it that they are worthy of feeling beautiful despite not being able to afford big-brand designs. JesHausMade earrings are not only stunning but also super lightweight and comfortable. jeshausmade.com | @jeshaus

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WRITTEN BY VICTORIA BARDEGA PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAN AUSTIN

With a beautiful array of breads, pastries, and warm pastries, Honeycomb Bakery offers our city a delightful experience tethered by an ambiance that puts visitors at ease. Learn more behind the start of this bakery and how owner Benjamin Vickers brought his vision to life.

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Sweet, subtle aromas of coffee and freshly made bread embrace the air as visitors make their way to the back of the store on 213 East Bay Street. With welcoming smiles and cozy corners, you walk into the perfect addition to our charming city, one that allows you to take in the beauty of simplicity and community.

Honeycomb Bakery made its debut this fall alongside the Twenty Seven shop in a quaint, historic brick-and-mortar across from NOBAY apartments.

Founder and owner of Honeycomb Bakery, Benjamin Vickers, remembers a very different Lakeland than the one he knew as a child.

As a native, he shares, “The reason young people leave

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is that they don’t believe that Lakeland can be improved, and they seek better opportunities elsewhere; but that couldn’t be further from the truth.” After moving away from his hometown almost 10 years ago, Vickers found himself back in Lakeland and impressed with all the entrepreneurial growth and creative innovation he discovered in the town he grew up in.

“Lakeland can evolve, but it’s up to the people to do the work of improving it. I have hands, I have a head, and I have a heart. I want to use them to build a better future for Lakeland,” he says. With a passion for baking that began at a young age, Vickers set out to bring a unique, nostalgic concept to Lakeland through

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Founder and owner of Honeycomb Bakery, Benjamin Vickers (pictured above), standing in the store’s historic brick-and-mortar located across from NOBAY apartments. The storefront made its debut this past fall.

Each dish is intentionally crafted as an experience, with an unforgettable warmth and flavor.

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Honeycomb Bakery.

“Our menu focuses on simple preparations of fresh, wholesome ingredients. Our Country Sourdough is made of as little as three ingredients, and we specialize in natural sourdough fermentation to promote complex flavor and good gut health,” explains Vickers. In addition to their creative variety of breads, Honeycomb Bakery features sit-down classics such as The Lox on Rye, Heirloom Caprese Bruschetta, and Baked Brie and Apple Butter. Each dish is intentionally crafted as an experience, with an unforgettable warmth and flavor.

With such a rich and delicious selection, Vickers gives credit to two major creative elements that inspire Honeycomb Bakery’s palate: nostalgia and nature.

“Many of our most beloved breads and pastries are reimagined versions of classic loaves and pastries. Bread making has been practiced for literally thousands of

years, but there is something deeply rewarding about putting your own spin on it, adding to the traditions of our ancestors.”

Vickers recalls baking with his sister and his mother for the first time as a child in the comfort of their home in Lakeland. From meringues and birthday cakes to biscuits and hushpuppies, his love for the art and passion for professional baking was birthed out of his familiarity with traditional home-made goods.

After the hobby developed further, Vickers enrolled in culinary school to refine his craft.

With so much passion and love for the Lakeland community, the best is yet to come for Honeycomb Bakery. As for future goals, Vickers shares: “We are almost finished with building our wholesale production bakeshop, which will allow us to move out of Catapult’s shared kitchen and grow our ability

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“We just want to use our skills as artisans to make our beautiful city a better, yummier place.”

to serve the local restaurants and cafes of Lakeland.” There are also plans for lunch services to be added at Honeycomb Bakery’s brick-and-mortar, including the addition of soups and salads.

While the local shop continues to buzz with excited new visitors, Vickers and his team remain rooted in what they call their purpose. “We just want to use our skills as artisans to make our beautiful city a better, yummier place.”

HONEYCOMB BAKERY 213 E. Bay Street Lakeland, FL 33801 863.816.3143 honeycombbread.com

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We’re bullish on the future. Yours.

The world is changing fast. While change can provide opportunities, it also raises questions about the future. Through honest conversations about your life and your priorities, we’ll find out what you want your future to look like, and develop a strategy together to help make it happen.

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Merrill Lynch 100 South Kentucky Avenue Suite 100 Lakeland, FL 33801

863.680.5471

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Merrill Lynch Wealth Management makes available products and services offered by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, a registered broker-dealer and Member SIPC, and other subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation.

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100 E Main St & 2109 East CR 540A Lakeland, FL (863) 683-2228 | 32313 Broadway Street Suite 101 Sebring, FL (863) 385-5171 LAKELANDER MADE

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1 ETHOS ROASTERS Coffee With a passion for making a difference in the lives of small coffee farmers, Ethos Roasters roasts specialty craft coffee from the best ethically sourced coffee beans. They pride themselves in providing high-quality coffee beans that are shipped directly to the customers’ doorsteps — immediately after roasting! What sets Ethos Roasters apart, though, is their belief that quality coffee can support the people who grow it and provide a business model that rewards quality and sustainability.

2 K RA Z Y KO M B U C H A Organic Beverages

@ethosroasters | ethosroasters.com

Krazy Kombucha serves up the finest ingredients in their live probiotic teas. Their kombuchas come in an array of flavors, including ginger, mango, berry, and organic strawberry — and, of course, their signature Krazy Kombucha made with organic cultures of bacteria and yeast (called a SCOBY) and blended with organic oolong, China black gunpowder green, and white peony teas, and then sweetened with organic cane sugar. A few of the local spots they can be found at include the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market, and on tap at Swan Brewing, Lakeland CBD Wellness, and Good Thyme. krazykombucha.life | @krazykombucha

3 STUFFED LAKELAND Signature Baked Goods Stuffed Lakeland is taking the guesswork out of dinner. Made with fresh, wholesome ingredients, Stuffed Lakeland’s savory, ready-to-bake pies and pan dinners are delivered directly to customers’ doorsteps. Their pies are delivered fresh and uncooked so they can enjoyed at any time — all the deliciousness with none of the prep work. Their popular Traditional Pie is a creamy chicken pot pie filled with all-white-meat chicken, fresh vegetables, and red potatoes. Stuffed Lakeland offers an array of flavor combos but is open to suggestions on their website. stuffedlakeland.com | @stuffedlakeland

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BLUE DOG CRAFT BARBECUE American Style Briskets Blue Dog Craft Barbecue is a meat-lover’s dream. Owned by Max Miller, Blue Dog offers a variety of barbecued items, including smoked meat like brisket, spare ribs, pulled pork, and sausage. In addition to their barbecued items, they also offer sides like macaroni and cheese, potato salad, coleslaw, collard greens, beans, fire-roasted chile creamed corn, kale salad, and cucumber salad. Finish off the meal with one of their dessert selections, including cookies, banana puddings, and tres leche cake. Blue Dog Craft Barbecue can be found weekly at the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market. bluedogbarbecue@gmail.com | @bluedogcraftbarbecue

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Robert Berganza is a local woodworker who designs and creates furniture and wood installations. From the simple beauty of a well-made coffee table to the uniqueness of a made-to-measure reading chair, it is clear that the pieces speak for themselves.

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“All of the decisions I make and how to make them is me considering what the piece would want and knowing just what its personality is,” says Berganza. Before this piece, Berganza didn’t know that he had woodworking skills, not to mention an innate creativity that he has yet to fully understand.

Berganza’s creative process is seemingly indescribable; even he doesn’t know where the ideas for his pieces come from. All he knows is that the pieces originate from somewhere inside of him, and each piece brings with it the urgency of getting it just right and making the piece the way it wants to, and should be, made. “I choose to believe that the intention, emotion, everything that goes into creating something like that stays with it. When I look at one of the pieces that I’ve made and everything that I’ve put into it, it feels like it has a soul,” says Berganza.

Three years ago, Robert Berganza had no idea that he was a creative person let alone a skilled woodworker. What began as a personal therapeutic activity has since bloomed into a business focused on creating pieces that are made intentionally and responsibly. When he created his first piece, he designed it for himself.

The completely Eastern black walnut coffee table that is currently sitting in Berganza’s living room has a personality that is specifically tied to his own. The same sense of intentionality can be found in each of his pieces, although each personality is different.

Each piece of furniture that Robert Berganza creates is meant to elicit a specific feeling or emotion in the space that it occupies.

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“I choose to believe that the intention, emotion, everything that goes into creating something like that stays with it.

When I look at one of the pieces that I’ve made and everything that I’ve put into it, it feels like it has a soul.”

He strives to avoid the lifeless feeling of factory-produced furniture, believing that the work that goes into the piece is just as important as the piece itself. A key characteristic of his work that exemplifies his creative philosophy is the decision to exclude the use of any hardware or metal, so as to avoid contaminating the piece. What comes from this philosophy are pieces that consist of interlocking and connecting parts that come together to create furniture that is made exactly the way it was meant to be created.

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By striving to create furniture that is more than its appearance, Berganza is able to create pieces that come to life.

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Believing that the work that goes into each piece is just as important as the piece itself, Berganza creates intentional and responsibly-made furniture.

Potentially his most impressive piece literally came to Berganza in a dream: the reading chair.

This custom-fit, 100%-wooden chair is made specifically as an ode to the ritual and act of reading, made just for the reader. “I want the people who own these to feel when they sit in this, they just feel like, ‘This is perfect, this is me,’” says Berganza. However, he found that there was something missing beside the chair.

He was then faced with the task of creating a table that still aligned with this tribute to reading. What came of the challenge was a table that perfectly fit a book and a drink, preserving its original purpose.

Each piece that Berganza creates is meant to elicit a specific feeling or emotion in the space that it occupies. By striving to create furniture that is more than just its appearance, he is able to create pieces that come to life.

ROBERT BERGANZA 863.866.8882 robertberganza.com instagram.com/robertberganza/

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1 4 T H D I M E N S I O N A R T & FA B R I C AT I O N Coffee Table Florida native and craftsman Keith Williams is the face and founder of 4th Dimension Art & Fabrication. He creates sustainable custom home decor, lawn and garden pieces, sculptures, and personalized gifts. A particular piece of his art, a giant metal dragon installed on Dixieland Alley, has found a permanent home, bringing a little more magic to Lakeland.

4thdimensionfab.com | @4thdimensionfab

2 BROOKE WILSON Side Table Brooke Wilson is an interior designer with a mid-century, bohemian style. As a stay-at-home mom, she realized the impact of creating an environment where people can come and relax in a space that feels like their own. Wilson now uses her own creative abilities to help other people discover their own personal style. brookemborso@gmail.com | @brookemwilson_

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SPREADING WHIMSY AROUND LIKE CONFETTI T W E N T Y

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WRITTEN BY SAM HEPLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY JORDAN RANDALL

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Lakeland native Jenna O’Brien has turned a creative outlet into a business focused on spreading awareness about mental health and positivity in the community and beyond.

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The early stages of Twenty Seven consisted of four or five months of selling wall hangings, magnets, and other items at local markets.

Jenna O’Brien decided to start selling her illustrations, which has since become the heart of her business, after attending a class at Catapult.

From selling products at local markets to owning her own brick and mortar, Twenty Seven owner, Jenna O’Brien, has taken Lakeland by storm with her whimsical illustrations and retro style, making our city a little brighter. “It has grown faster than I thought or dreamed,” she says.

When O’Brien started Twenty Seven in 2017, she had yet to discover the impact that her art was going to have on her life and the community. Going from creating art as a way to feel mentally healthy to selling her illustrations and creating a business focused on mental health was not something she had expected.

The early stages of Twenty Seven consisted of four or five months of selling wall hangings,

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magnets, and a variety of bits and bobs at local markets. It wasn’t until O’Brien attended a class at Catapult that she considered selling her illustrations, which has since become the heart of the business.

Over the course of the last two years, Twenty Seven has expanded in Lakeland as well as online. When the space that previously housed Lakeland BBQ Company opened, O’Brien decided to get the building as a permanent location for the business, teaming with Benjamin Vickers, owner of Honeycomb Bread, in the process. The only issue was that they needed money to secure the space and get the storefront up and running.

The two business owners launched a

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After launching a Kickstarter to fund the project, Twenty Seven was able to launch their brick-and-mortar store in the building that previously housed Lakeland BBQ Company this past year.

Kickstarter campaign, an all-or-nothing crowdfunding platform for creators. Due to the exponential success of the two local businesses, they were able to raise over $12,000 in less than five months with the support of Lakelanders and people from out of state as well. “It has grown, like I don’t understand. I think where I am right now is where I hoped I would be when I was like 40,” says O’Brien.

Twenty Seven has accumulated a substantial online following, giving O’Brien the platform to not only share her illustrations, but to also be able to share her story. She has premenstrual dysphoric disorder, a mood disorder that causes severe irritability, depression, or anxiety. Due to the lack of information and clarity about PMDD, many women don’t typically seek treatment or are misdiagnosed.

“It has grown, like I don't understand.

I think where I am right now is where I hoped I would be when I was like 40.”

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However, O’Brien’s transparency with her own experience has helped to shed light on the disorder. “I’ve gotten a lot of messages throughout the last three years of people saying they went to see a doctor and figured out they had PMDD. It’s just kind of like a light-bulb moment for people because I’m being honest about it.”

Although O’Brien created the foundation of Twenty Seven, it would not have been possible without her dedicated support system. Her husband, Connor, has been by her side since the beginning of Twenty Seven, carrying her stuff to every market. O’Brien’s best friend, Shelby Martin, attended most markets with her. And Scout Hunt, to this day, is O’Brien’s one and only photographer. Not to mention, a number of other local business owners have encouraged her throughout this journey. Most notably is Sarah Kent, owner of Penny Made, who was the first person to buy anything from O’Brien. Kent now creates the whimsical window displays in Twenty Seven’s storefront.

Twenty Seven has accumulated a substantial online following, giving O’Brien the platform to not only share her illustrations but her mental-health journey.

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Twenty Seven has become a staple within the community, spreading whimsy around like confetti (both literally and figuratively). Being a business owner has allowed O’Brien to share her illustrations to connect with many people.

The biggest takeaway, however, is that none of it would have happened without her taking the chance to do it, which should serve a lesson to other aspiring creators.

As O’Brien says, “I think the best advice I can give is just to do it. Even if you’re scared or even if you don’t have it all figured out, just say, ‘OK, I’m going to try.’”

TWENTY SEVEN 213 E. Bay Street Lakeland, FL 33803 twentysevenlkld.com

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1 J A S PAC E Original Paintings Jason DeMeo is an interdisciplinary artist that creates eclectic paintings with bold color, composition, and emotion. His unique creations are a fresh addition to the Lakeland art scene. His unique perspective on canvas is influenced by artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Mark Rothko, and Franz Kline. jaspace.squarespace.com | instagram.com/jaspace_______/

2 HOCUS POCUS COMICS The Imaginary Voyage of Edgar Allan Poe In 2009, Rebecca Kirkland discovered one of Dwight MacPherson’s comics in a local comic book shop, a discovery that brought the couple together. Almost 10 years later, this husband-and-wife duo created Hocus Pocus Comics, fueled by their passion for the value of comic books in education. The independent publishing company strives to create timeless tales that equip readers inside and outside of the classroom. hpcomics.net | @hp.comics

3 GABY’S ART GALLERY Fine Art & Prints Recent college graduate Gaby Escalera has taken Lakeland by storm with her variety of physical and digital art. Her art is available in various local pop-ups, most notably The Shop Across The Street, a vintage relics shop located in Dixieland. Escalera plans to open her own storefront complete with a collection of prints and postcards. gabysartgallery.net | @gabysartgallery

4 VA N P L AT I N G Van Plating Album Throughout 2019, Rachel Van Plating has released multiple singles. Van Plating’s music makes you feel like you’ve been transported to another world full of pain, love, healing, and growth, fully immersing you in her folk pop melodies. She showcased her new album with a concert hosted at Yard on mass. The album is now available to stream on all music platforms. @vanplating

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June Taylor has grown significantly over the past five years. Their recent endeavor took great risk and found themselves in a storefront in the heart of Dixieland, selling one-of-a-kind furniture, designs, and pieces while continuing to inspire an appreciation for the whimsical.

WRITTEN BY ANNALEE MUTZ PHOTOGRAPHY BY JORDAN RANDALL

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Venturing into June Taylor’s storefront is like being transported to a Far East bazaar.

With artwork lining the walls and the spaces in between being filled with thoughtfully restored relics, June Taylor is a spot that visitors can easily get inspired by the whimsical. As you walk all the way to the back of the store, visitors will find a sign hanging next to the restrooms that reads a classic Mary Oliver quote: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” The resolve to such a question is what would catapult Kelly and Bill Riley to venture out and create what June Taylor is today.

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The process of starting June Taylor was, more or less, unintentional.

“It wasn’t something I was looking to do,” admits shop co-owner and founder, Kelly Riley. When Kelly had the desire to purchase a very specific blanket, she spent time tirelessly searching to no avail. So, she just decided to make it herself. The process of making the blankets became so therapeutic that she eventually set up shop and started selling them at a few local spots.

“I started small,” says Kelly. She would have her blankets displayed by hanging them on antique ladders at stores like Scout & Tag.

“There are a lot of things out there that can be updated and made into abstract pieces of art that are functional."

This eventually led to setting up pop-ups across the city and selling at local markets.

From there, June Taylor found itself at markets all over Central Florida.

From occupying these larger spaces, Kelly began to fall in love with decorating her display for the markets. “There are a lot of things out there that can be updated and made into abstract pieces of art that are functional,” she says. This led her away from selling only blankets, and more toward finding, restoring, and retailing vintage goods.

As June Taylor grew, the business then spent about two years occupying a space in The Shop Across The Street, where Kelly and Bill would focus on selling vintage finds and restoring old treasures for clients. However, after two of their three children graduated from high school, Bill posed a career change that would require a big leap of faith.

“It was now or never,” Kelly recalls. She and Bill would quit their full-time jobs and go all-in with their business.

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On June 6, 2019, June Taylor hit a huge milestone with the opening of their own vintage shop in the heart of Dixieland.

On June 6, 2019, June Taylor hit a huge milestone with the opening of their own vintage shop in the heart of Dixieland. Not focusing on a specific style, the store houses a mix of unique pieces that create a distinct look. “When people come in here, they express that it feels like home,” says Kelly. “I want them to be able to take that with them — make their house a

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home and just have elements they really love.”

They’ve been asked, “Why a storefront?” With many similar businesses operating solely through their digital presence, Kelly felt that the online world would not accurately portray the heart behind the business. “I wanted to not only be an online entity, but to have a space where people can see all of the pieces and design their own art.”

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Photo Courtesy of Special Collections, Lakeland Public Library

Their tagline, “Fibers & Finds,” pays homage to June Taylor’s beginnings. “Because I was making blankets — which I don’t really do anymore — that was the fibers,” explains Kelly. “I love textiles, and I feel like homes need textiles and textures too.”

The heart and mission of June Taylor is evident: to find good fibers and textiles that add a unique and whimsical touch to each customer’s home.

Bill and Kelly have been married for 21 years and have found great joy as business partners and journeying through the growth of June Taylor together. For those looking to take a similar leap of faith with their own business, the June Taylor shop is a perfect example that it’s never too late to do what you are passionate about with your one wild and precious life.

JUNE TAYLOR 1216 South Florida Avenue Lakeland, FL 33801 863.670.2154 junetaylorshop.com @junetaylorshop

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HISTORY

A view of the business district on Main Street in Lakeland, looking east toward Lake Mirror. The high-rise building visible in the distance is the Lakeland Terrace Hotel.

Date: Circa 1950s Photo courtesy of the Lakeland Public Library

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A healthy tomorrow begins today.

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