The Lakelander | Weddings 2016

WEDDINGS 2016

A CUT ABOVE / BEHIND THE SEAMS / PUT INTO WORDS / LOVE BLOOMS HOMEGROWN WEDDING / TOPPING IT OFF / FOODIE FUN

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THE LAKELANDER

A promise made is a promise kept.

So, what does this promise mean for you?

It means a dedicated and compassionate team will be there for you through life’s most important moments.

Our exceptional primary and specialty care physicians and their teams are inspired and ready to become your family’s partners for a lifetime of wellness.

Your health is our highest priority, and caring for you is our greatest privilege.

Call today to make an appointment.

863.284.5000 + myLRH.org

Atrium R

Lakeland-Lake Gibson 6625 US 98 North (863) 858-3866 Lake Wales 126 Hwy. 60 W. (863) 676-6515

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

Eleven Polk County locations to serve you

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

Frostproof Ft. Meade 500 N. Scenic Hwy. 1401 Hwy. 17 N. (863) 635-2645 (863) 285-9757

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

Auburndale 521 Hughes Rd. (863) 967-6602

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

Haines City 35495 Hwy. 27 (863) 422-3144 1350 N. Broadway (US 98) Bartow (863) 533-1611

Morenci Everything you need

to make a house a home!

Hefner

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THE LAKELANDER

June 28th - July 2nd

2016 Miss Florida Preliminary

Miss Florida Preliminary

Tuesday, June 28, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Adult: $35.00 | Youth (2-12): $15.00

Wednesday, June 29, 2016 – 7:30 p.m Adult: $35.00 | Youth (2-12): $15.00

Miss Florida Preliminary

Miss Florida’s Outstanding Teen Preliminary

Thursday, June 30, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Adult: $35.00 | Youth (2-12): $15.00

Friday, July 1, 2016 – Preliminary # 1 – 4:00 p.m.

Preliminary # 2 – 8:00 p.m.

Adult: $40.00 | Youth (2-12): $20.00 Note: Same ticket is good for both events.

Finals – Miss Florida’s Outstanding Teen Pageant Saturday, July 2, 2016 - 4:00 p.m.

Finals – Miss Florida Pageant Saturday, July 2, 2016 – 8:00 p.m.

Adult: $85.00 Youth (2-12): $40.00 Note: Same ticket is good for both events.

Tickets can be purchased: 1. www.thelakelandcenter.com 2. 24/7 Phone: 888-397-0100

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL TALENT Siobhan Gale- Miss Heart of Florida 2016 Courtney Jones- Miss Largo 2016

GET INVOLVED - MISSFLORIDA.ORG

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THE LAKELANDER

MARY-KATHERINE FETCHEL MISS FLORIDA 2015 >>>

THE LAKELANDER

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

34 WEDDINGS 2016

DEPARTMENTS 22 NOTE FROM THE EDITORS 24 EDITORIAL BIOS 28 PHOTOGRAPHER BIOS 126 EVENTS 130 THANK YOU

ON THE COVER Vera Wang says it best: “I want people to see the dress, but focus on the woman.”

The most important thing when choosing the perfect dress, and all of the details for your special day, is YOU.

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THE LAKELANDER

C E L EBRAT E

at the Club at Eaglebrooke

LAKELAND’S #1 EVENT VENUE

The Club at Eaglebrooke, conveniently located in south Lakeland, offers a selection of both charming and grand banquet rooms for any special occasion. From our private, intimate dining room for 20 guests to our exquisite ballroom for 300, we have elegant spaces to make your event unforgettable. We’re the premier venue for weddings, banquets, parties and more. Please call our Special Events Director for a consultation and tour.

JENNIFER WHITE • SPECIAL EVENTS DIRECTOR • 863-701-0101 EXT. 23 • JENNIFER@EAGLEBROOKE.COM • EAGLEBROOKE.COM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SPECIAL FEATURE 30 MAXIMIZING LOCAL TALENT

Our top 10 tips for hosting your wedding in Lakeland

STYLE 34 BEHIND THE SEAMS The dress, the look, the lesson

DÉCOR 50 PERSONALLY YOURS Wedding trends are becoming less about tradition and more about personality

PHILANTHROPY 56 YOUR WEDDING IS A GIFT How to use your wedding to make the world a better place

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Rydell High’s senior class of 1959: duck-tailed, hot-rodding “Burger Palace Boys” and their gum-snapping, hipshaking “Pink Ladies” in bobby sox and pedal pushers. Head “greaser” Danny Zuko and new girl Sandy Dumbrowski try to relive the high romance of their “Summer Nights” as the rest of the gang sings and dances its way through such songs as “Greased Lightnin’”, “It’s Raining on Prom Night”, “Alone at the Drive-In Movie” recalling the music of Buddy Holly, Little Richard and Elvis Presley that became the soundtrack of a generation.

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863.603.PLAY www.lakelandcommunitytheater.com is a proud sponsor of the Lakeland Community Theatre 231 N KENTUCKY AVE • STE 217 • LAKELAND, FLORIDA 33801

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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CULTURE 62 PUT INTO WORDS Adorning your nuptials with the art of lettering

FLORAL 76 LOVE BLOOMS Wild and woodsy floral trends

PEOPLE 88 A CUT ABOVE

Jonathan Wilson, vice president of Wilson Diamond Brokers, tells us about the precious gemstones and WDB’s unique business model

TASTE 98 TOPPING IT OFF Wedding cakes inspired by the lakes of Lakeland

120 FOODIE FUN Surprise your guests with these local foodie pop-ups

SPECIAL FEATURE 106 HOME IS WHERE YOU START FROM Locally curated wedding ideas

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www.lanierupshaw.com

MOVE UP After 75 years of continuing improvement and success, we are increasing momentum and reaching new heights for our company—and more importantly, our clients.

How do we do it? We explore challenges, embrace the upside of risk, and elevate results.

Discover the upside of your risk and turn problems into possibilities.

PUBLISHER Curt Patterson ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERS Jason Jacobs, Brandon Patterson Advertising ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Curt Patterson; 863.409.2449 ADVERTISING SALES Jason Jacobs; 863.606.8785 ADVERTISING SALES Brandon Patterson; 863.409.2447 ADVERTISING SALES Nathan Patterson; 863.409.0267 Editorial EDITOR, DIRECTOR OF CONTENT Alice V. Koehler EDITOR, DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Tina Sargeant STAFF EDITOR

Kristin Crosby CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Danielle Calhoun, Shawna Carpenter, Mercedes Grainger, Caprie Grisham, Laura Helm, Adam Spafford COPY EDITOR Laura Burke OFFICE MANAGER Deb Patterson ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Kristin Crosby Design CREATIVE DIRECTOR Daniel Barceló DESIGNER Emily Vila Photography CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Evan Dell, Tiffani Jones, Esther Louise,

Dustin Prickett, Hunter Ryan Photo,

Philip Pietri, Regina as the Photographer, Tina Sargeant, Jordan Weiland INTERN Alexandra Restrepo Circulation CIRCULATION DIRECTOR

Jason Jacobs

General Counsel

Ted W. Weeks IV

Published by Patterson Jacobs Publishing, LLC

Lakeland’s Premier COFFEE HOUSE & CASUAL EATERY

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

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

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THE LAKELANDER

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EDITORIAL

NOTE FROM THE EDITORS Thorpe AC Testimonial: Joel and Bobbie Elmore Bobbie and I have been clients of Thorpe Heating and Cooling for many years. From service technicians and installation, to the owners and the staff, we have always found them to be professional, courteous, and fair.

As a business owner, I have always said, “Attitudes, values, and commitment to the customer drives any organization. It always has and it always will.” I find this to be true of Thorpe.

What sets Thorpe apart from the rest in the business is their level of expertise, quality of service, and attention to detail. Bobbie and I believe a great reputation is created slowly by repeating acts of integrity, focusing on commitment to excellence in all actions. Close attention to details and service to others is what makes an operation first class.

Thorpe is a first-class business that you can trust with peace of mind. We will always use Thorpe for all of our heating and cooling needs.

Joel and Bobbie Elmore

Serving All of Lakeland for 34 Years www.thorpeac.com 863-858-2577

Alice Koehler

Tina Sargeant

This very special issue of The Lakelander has been in the works for quite some time, months actually. It came to be for one simple reason: we love our city. And we thought, What better way to highlight love than to feature weddings? We had tons of fun developing the stories in the pages that follow. We delight in the aesthetic beauty that surrounds us. We take great pride in the abounding talent offered here. Yes, Lakeland has everything you need to have a beautiful wedding.

And yet, as we wrap this issue on June 12th, here we sit, overcome with outrage and sadness after the biggest tragedy our country has seen since 2001. This editors’ note was supposed to be one about the best day of one’s life, the beginning of a glorious adventure with the person you love most.

But, just one hour east of us, 50 lives have been lost. Some of these warm souls won’t get to say, “I love you” again. Some hadn’t

had the chance yet. We sit, overwhelmed and verklempt.

As we process the day’s events and grieve with our neighbors, this Weddings issue has grown in meaning. It isn’t just about beauty and romance on a perfect day anymore. It’s also about love in the struggle. It’s about finding ways that the first day of the rest of your life can make a difference in this world. It’s about looking out at your community and knowing that those very same people will be the ones who rally around you when the struggle is at your doorstep beating down your door.

It’s about knowing that the person you promise to love and cherish in joy is also the person who will see you through the sorrow.

It’s about celebrating love. All the time.

No matter what.

There is not room for hatred here, only love and light.

Loving Lakeland, Alice and Tina

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THE LAKELANDER

For over 25 years, Grasslands has offered exceptional homes and lifestyle to its residents.

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EDITORIAL BIOS ALICE V. KOEHLER

EDITOR, DIRECTOR OF CONTENT Alice Koehler is a longtime Lakeland resident, graduate of Florida Southern College, returned Peace Corps volunteer, mother, and lifelong learner. In 2013, she graduated from Leadership Lakeland Class 30. In 2014, she added MBA to the end of her name. Today, Alice is currently a senior market manager for the American Cancer Society where she gets to see more birthdays celebrated every year by supporting and implementing efforts that help our neighbors get well and stay well, find cures, and fight back. In her free time, she enjoys adventure seeking, memory making, joy giving, bargain hunting, community building, mind bending, knowledge acquiring, and soul filling.

KRISTIN CROSBY ASSISTANT EDITOR Originally from the North, Kristin Crosby first made her way to Lakeland to study at Southeastern University where she graduated with a music degree.

Through an array of career experiences, including the role of commuter coordinator at SEU and a short-lived stint as a yoga instructor, a passion for writing emerged. Kristin’s publication and editorial work includes grant writing for the nonprofit organization LifeNet and various positions held at Relevant Media Group. To see more of Kristin’s work, go to kristincrosby.com and vitalmagazine.com where she is a frequent contributor.

ADAM SPAFFORD PEOPLE EDITOR

Adam Spafford came to Lakeland in 1999 to attend Florida Southern College and, except for a 20-month graduate school stint in Massachusetts, has been here since. When he’s not writing page-turners for The Lakelander, he trades stock and index options.

MERCEDES GRAINGER GUEST EDITOR

Ever since she was old enough to pick out her own clothing, fashion has always held a special place in Mercedes Grainger’s heart. One of her favorite challenges is transforming budget-friendly pieces to make them look like they came from a high-end department store. Mercedes currently works as a producer for Journey Box Media, a local film company, and writes for her own style blog, Forever Fashioned, in her spare time. Native to Michigan, Mercedes has called Lakeland home for only a few short years and has really grown to love the city where she met her husband, Chris Grainger. She truly enjoys seeing Lakeland flourish and loves being a tiny part of it all.

PLANNING A WEDDING? PICTURING AN EVENT TO REMEMBER? MASS MARKET COULD BE THE PLACE TO MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE.

COMING SPRING 2017 info@massmarketlkld.com 863.834.6011 24

THE LAKELANDER

LAURA HELM GUEST EDITOR

Laura Helm is the owner of Ashton Events, a full-service event planning, design + floral company. After graduating from Indiana Wesleyan University, she found herself leaving her home state and following her oldest brother and his half-pint wife to Lakeland. She quickly fell in love with its local charm, character-filled homes, and gracious community. She is passionate about Lakeland’s entrepreneurial network and loves connecting people to the talents offered by this unique community. Ashton Events specializes in creating artistic celebrations tailored to a client’s heritage, memories, and futures.

Laura recently established Haus Management and is excited to be bringing a new, large-scale event venue to the city in 2017 in the new Mass Market Lakeland development. ashtonevents.com; laura@ashtonevents.com

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THE LAKELANDER

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EDITORIAL BIOS DANIELLE CALHOUN GUEST EDITOR

Danielle Calhoun, wedding photography turned humanitarian, speaker, and socially conscious wedding blogger, founded Black Sheep Bride in 2014. After traveling to several developing countries to photograph nonprofits, orphanages, and social impact projects, she often came home conflicted about the wedding industry she was supported by. Black Sheep Bride was born to highlight the amazing people in the wedding world that use their love to serve others and the environment. With roughly 1.2 million socially conscious couples within the big pool of millennials getting engaged, Black Sheep Bride couldn’t have been launched at a more opportune time. In under two years, they have gained over 160 vendors across the nation, including many influential social enterprise brands, and 12,000 followers on Instagram. blacksheepbride.com

CARPET CLEANING AND WATER DAMAGE RESTORATION

SHAWNA CARPENTER GUEST EDITOR

2 Sisters Events & Design started out as two best friends sharing their talents and love of weddings and design. With over 25 years of experience, 2 Sisters Events continues to grow in creating unique floral and decor designs for every occasion.

2sistersevents.com; Shawna@2sistersevents.com

CAPRIE GRISHAM GUEST EDITOR

Caprie Grisham is a seventh-grade Lakelander who hopes to one day become a journalist or author. She was born and raised in Lakeland, and loves to take photos of the beautiful scenery here. She loves all types of art, including music. She plays the ukulele and guitar, and loves to read and write (especially poetry). As a school assignment, Caprie spent a day in May job shadowing us at The Lakelander.

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THE LAKELANDER

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3 3 3 3 C L E V E L A N D H E I G H T S B LV D . • S A L O N S A LVA T O R E D AY S P A . C O M • 8 6 3 . 6 4 6 . 9 9 9 0 THE LAKELANDER

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PHOTOGRAPHER BIOS TINA SARGEANT

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

JORDAN WEILAND A longtime Lakeland resident, Jordan Weiland graduated from Florida State University with a degree in studio art and has worked in the field of photography since 2008, with the majority of her work in the field of weddings. She has a passion for the community of Lakeland, its development, and the people within it. Her husband and daughter reside with her in the historic district and enjoy walks around the FSC campus, local restaurants, First Friday events, and swinging on their front porch. jordanweiland.com

TIFFANI JONES Growing up, Tiffani Jones could never get lost in the wonder of a storybook. Then one day she realized she could let her mind imagine a wondrous story through imagery. Photography gives Tiffani a tangible voice with her audience. After a wonderful 15-year nursing career, she left the art of nursing for the art of creating.

She’s a life-long Lakelander where she raises three energetic children with her husband. iamtiffanijones.com

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photos by Ailyn La Torre Photography

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www.rockinghevents.com rockinghevents@gmail.com 863.581.1710

SPECIAL

MAXIMIZING L O C A L TA L E N T WRITTEN

BY

LAURA

HELM

OF

ASHTON

EVENTS

Our top 10 tips for hosting your wedding in Lakeland and highlighting its best features, thanks to our city’s unique flexibility.

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L E V E R A G E L O C A L A R T I S T R Y. Don’t be afraid to reach out to local talent for custom artwork for your invitations, programs, and more. The artists’ creations will be a fantastic introduction to Lakeland for your guests and serve as beautiful keepsakes for their homes (and yours, too).

PA C K A P U N C H .

Welcome bags are always a sweet, hospitable gesture for your traveling folks. Publix bottled water, Florida oranges, an issue of The Lakelander, a few sweet local treats, and a map of the area (maybe custom drawn by a local artist; see above) make a nice welcome gift for your out-of-towners. Most local hotels will distribute the bags for you; just make sure the bags are generic!

L O O K I N T O C I T Y - O W N E D A N D - O P E R AT E D V E N U E S .

The City of Lakeland offers some amazing venue options, and they do a phenomenal job with staffing and maintenance. We especially love working at the locations around Lake Mirror. You’ll meet with a staff person to walk through the space and clarify any last-minute details. An added bonus: you really can’t beat the view for the price!

2 Lakeland Locations Southgate Center 2633 South Florida Avenue (863) 683-6702 Sandpiper Plaza 6549 North Socrum Loop Road (863) 859-9909

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 32

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I N C O R P O R AT E U N I Q U E R E N TA L S .

Lakeland has an amazing number of rental companies that offer completely unique selections for your wedding. Being able to customize all of the rentals at your event, whether it’s inside or outside, adds a personal touch to your special day. From the vintage treasures at WISH Vintage Rentals, to A Chair Affair’s vast selection, to Premier Party Rentals’ glossy white tents, you can find something spectacular for your wedding.

B E L LY U P T O T H E B A R .

Many of the nontraditional venues allow clients to supply alcohol to a licensed bartender for a customized bar list. Working hand-in-hand with Tucker’s Southside or Al Hanif at Grapevine Fine Wine & Spirits, couples can select craft brews, specialty cocktails, and delicious wine without breaking the bank.

THINK SMALL. Lakeland is chock full of budding entrepreneurs and small businesses with outstanding talent. Take advantage of these local companies when planning your event. Companies that provide planning services, photography, and even late-night reception snacks will add something quite special to your wedding.

LISTEN IN WITH LIVE MUSIC. Lakeland is teeming with musical talent. Whether you hire a string quartet from Harrison School for the Arts (or one of Lakeland’s dynamite colleges), or the Brian Sutherland Band, the Dan Signor Project, the Munn Park Saints, or one of many other talented groups, you’re sure to give your guests and your betrothed a night to remember!

C U S T O M I Z E Y O U R FAV O R S .

Ink offers custom-printed apparel. Rafa Natural whips up soothing organic body products and candles. Patriot Coffee roasts their beans locally. These companies and more offer novel additions for you to consider in the planning process.

GET SNAPPY WITH LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHERS. There’s no need to travel to a neighboring city to find the perfect photographer to capture your wedding story. Start your search at home. Actually, start your search in the pages of The Lakelander.

DRESS UP THE DRESS REHEARSAL. Gone are the days when rehearsal dinners were confined to the banquet room in a restaurant. Think outside that box! Why not host a picnic at one of Lakeland’s beautiful parks, have your rehearsal dinner catered by one of Lakeland’s many fine chefs, or rent out a smaller restaurant for an intimate dining experience with all the people who love you the most?

New homes.

New beginnings.

In 2015, Publix Super Markets Charities announced a donation of $4 million to Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the Southeast. Now, we’re excited to share that you will be able to follow the progress as new homes funded by this donation are built.

Where possible, Publix Super Markets associates will participate in building the homes during the Publix Serves campaign, an opportunity for Publix associates to gather together to make a difference in their communities. Publix will also fill the pantry of each new home with food as a housewarming gift for each of the families who will be moving in and making new beginnings.

Follow the progress at publixcharities.org

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STYLE

Anna Campbell “Eloise” gown from Malindy Elene

hair: Maggie Hall of Tracy and Company makeup: Yolanda Floyd and Melissa Kinsey of Salon Salvatore prop stylist: Lisa Malott of WISH Vintage Rentals wardrobe stylist: Mercedes Grainger floral designs: Laura Helm of Ashton Events models: Kimberlee Howe & Madeline Brand – BMG; Jacqueline Hoag – Modern Muse 36

THE LAKELANDER

behind the seams THE DRESS, THE LOOK, THE LESSON

written by Mercedes Grainger photography by Jordan Weiland

the dress Maybe you spent your youth dreaming about what you would wear on your wedding day. Or, perhaps it never crossed your mind. Either way, shopping for the perfect wedding dress can be the most fun and exciting part of planning a wedding. Aside from the decor, the food, and the music, the dress is a way for you to express who you truly are on one of the biggest days of your life. But as important as the dress is, what’s more important is to let your beauty and love shine through.

This is the day you will keep and hold

in your heart forever. In pictures and in memories, you want to look back and remember how beautiful you felt, inside and out.

the look Dreamy, classic, delicate, intricate, thoughtful. By choosing one of these attributes, or combining a few, you will most definitely create a look that’s personal and unique to you.

the lesson Less is more. Keep it simple with clean silhouettes, while still adding

detail by incorporating lace, beading, and stitching. Avoid anything too revealing, over the top, or distracting.

Add fun and flair with a glam pair of earrings, and use your shoes as a way to bring a funky aspect to your look.

A few perfectly placed flowers in the hair or vintage-looking hair pins can also pull everything together with an understated elegance.

Vera Wang says it best: “I want people to see the dress, but focus on the woman. ” The most important thing when choosing the perfect dress for your special day is YOU.

THE LAKELANDER

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Alvina Valenta #9551 from Malindy Elene

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THE LAKELANDER

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1400 Lakeland Hills Blvd. | Suite B | Lakeland www.WatsonClinic.com/Kazmier THE LAKELANDER

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Anna Campbell “Eloise” gown from Malindy Elene Alvina Valenta #9551 from Malindy Elene Daalarna Couture from The Bride Tampa

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THE LAKELANDER

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In pictures and in memories, you want to look back and remember how beautiful you felt, inside and out.

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Olivia Gray Designs (a Lakeland designer); oliviagraydesigns.com

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Casablanca #2141 from Robyn Lynne

GATE ARTY & the Group

GateArty.com

Gate Arty, originally born in Bangkok, Thailand, has called the great city of Lakeland home since 1980. Arty has established strong roots within Lakeland and has always desired to serve its residents. Today, Arty is a well-known, and respected, Lakeland business leader. He is both humbled and proud to partner with a growing and successful group of young real estate professionals at Gate Arty & the Group at Keller Williams Realty located in Downtown Lakeland.

“My Group solves real problems for our community and neighbors.

Every single day we are a part of life-long dreams coming true. What could be a better way to spend your career? And where better than my hometown of Lakeland?”

While Arty continued to enjoy helping Lakelanders with their real estate transactions, his commitment to Lakeland was about to reach an all-time high.

In October of 2015, he was privileged to have his longtime girlfriend, Chastity Dusaban, accept his proposal for marriage. In December of 2015, Arty took his fiancée to Thailand for a shared time of touring, introductions, and celebration with much beloved family and friends.

Today, Dusaban and Arty continue to plan for their future. Like many engaged couples, they find this to be an exciting time. Immediate goals on the horizon include wedding planning and purchasing a new home. Never far from Arty’s mind are the benefits of home ownership, and especially how couples experience increased financial benefits from being married.

According to Arty, home ownership should be the initial major step in wealth-building, and financial planning.

“Our futures have the best possible opportunity once knowledge, planning, and dreams are aligned.”

Dusaban and Arty share some of their thoughts and insights, as they relate to the benefits of homeownership as a married couple.

Mortgage Interest Deduction When purchasing a home, private mortgage insurance is required if the buyers are unable to make a down payment of at least 20% of the purchase price. This insurance protects the lender in the event the buyer defaults on their loan.

If a single owner’s income falls under $54,500, this amount may be tax deductible. Married couples enjoy twice the limit at $109,000. To a married couple’s benefit, this remains true even if only one partner is employed – as long as the working partner’s income does not exceed the current published limit for married couples.

Annual Loan Interest It may be possible to enjoy a tax deduction of paid annual loan interest and property taxes. A single owner may deduct interest up to $500,000 of mortgage debt. However, a married couple may enjoy a deduction of loan interest up to $1 million dollars’ worth of home ownership debt.

Capital Gains Shelter Single homeowners are capped at $250,000 of gain on the sale of a home. However, married couples can exclude up to $500,000; suggesting a potential of a half million dollars completely free of income tax. This may be one of the most generous provisions in current federal tax law.

“I BELIEVE CULTIVATING TRUE RELATIONSHIPS AND FORMING STRONG BONDS IS CRITICAL TO HAPPINESS AND SUCCESS…” Gate Arty of Gate Arty & The Group, Keller Williams Realty

Retirement and Security Married couples may look to a home as future security. Paying a mortgage in full may take years and is a considerable investment.

Traditionally a home has been seen as a long-term investment; to be made available for shared retirement, a provision for the remaining spouse, or inheritance for children.

Joint Tenants Unmarried partners may also enjoy some benefits of homeownership when purchasing a home as Joint Tenants. As such, both partners can tap into the equity in the home if needed. Additionally, home ownership can provide significant tax benefits to the couple. These benefits can, however, be more complicated. An unmarried couple, planning to purchase as Joint Tenants, should practice their due diligence by seeking a professional’s full disclosure on how to navigate their business partnership. Extra effort would ensure they will enjoy the full abundance of deductions made available to Joint Tenant status.

Family, Community, Memories, and Heritage While tax, IRS, and real estate law are guaranteed to change to accommodate economic ebb and flow; the intrinsic value of homeownership for a married couple and/or long-term partnership, is the value that is earned by making a house a home.

Couples enter into a commitment to a specific neighborhood and city when they commit to a mortgage. Personal changes to the property can include adding family traditions in the form of styling or decorating. Favorite trees, plants, and cuttings

can be transplanted to add familiarity and joy to landscape and curb appeal. Repurposing items from a childhood home, even brick or wood, can add to a sense of well-being and belonging.

Personalized, outdoor living areas can become a favored location for building memories to last for generations to come. For many couples, the home and yard become a work in progress.

Memories and relationships can be enhanced, over the years, as they accomplish visions and projects. Home is where we create our heritage, an essential part of our present day – and what we create for our future.

Their Future Dusaban and Arty look forward to their future, and the future of their family and business. They love Lakeland, and enjoy meeting new friends when out in the community. Their shared loved of animals, and an active, outdoor lifestyle, keeps them both front and center at many local events and fundraisers. Both Dusaban and Arty look forward to growing their professional family, as they grow their presence and contribution for the betterment of Lakeland’s bright future.

863-680-9988

DÉCOR

PERSONALLY

YOURS WEDDING TRENDS ARE BECOMING LESS ABOUT TRADITION AND MORE ABOUT PERSONALITY

WRITTEN BY SHAWNA CARPENTER In recent years, Pinterest has been the most widely used source to search, create, and share ideas for brides and their weddings. It’s clear, however, that as we move through 2016, couples are turning from the internet craze and are instead looking within themselves to personalize their wedding day.

More and more, couples are pursuing a style all their own by weaving who they are as a couple into the décor and design of their wedding. By combining their personalities, the traditional look of a Southern wedding can broaden and add a personal touch and a variety of elegance and artfulness that extends a unique experience for guests to enjoy. In this current trend, wedding planning has become all the more exciting with opportunities to push aside the assumed sit-down dinner and create experiences most loved by couples on their way down the aisle. Dessert receptions are making a comeback, as are small, intimate, more personal exchanges of vows, shared only with a few family and friends.

Don’t get me wrong. There are still those who want the large party extending into and throughout the whole weekend, or an evening of dancing celebrated with a couple hundred friends. No matter the size and scale of the blessed event, it is clear that couples are setting aside assumptions and expectations of the past in favor of making lasting memories on which to build their future.

ELEGANCE IS SIMPLE

2sistersevents.com

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TOP COLOR TRENDS FOR 2016 Brides often look to Pantone, the foremost authority on color in fashion, for inspiration when choosing the shades of their weddings.

Featured here are Rose Quartz, Serenity, and Lilac Gray, some of Pantone’s top picks for 2016.

Rose Quartz Pantone 13-1520

FLOWERS AND CENTERPIECES

Serenity Pantone 15-3919

Lilac Gray Pantone 16-3905

Today, au naturel is more popular than ever as brides focus more on what’s in season rather than on a specific flower.

Boho brides and farm-to-table brides alike tend to lean toward the “messy garden” look and away from a sculptured design. Nature-inspired bouquets and arrangements using a wide variety of greenery and mixing mature garden flowers with fruits, veggies, and even herbs are becoming more and more popular. Tablescapes have replaced the basic flower arrangement in a vase. Elegant décor provides a focal point for a table’s centerpiece. A ginger jar with pops of color paired with pillar candles and peony blooms are a beautiful addition to a wedding reception. Don’t be afraid to combine three to five different looks within a single space.

Metallics are also making a comeback and crossing all genre of design as they appear on containers, provide accents with gilded leaves, or even in icing on a cake. Metallic accents are staying on top of the popularity chart.

photo by Tina Sargeant

photo by Jordan Weiland

photo by Jordan Weiland

LINENS

Mixing and matching color-coordinated fabrics for guests’ tables, cake displays, chair covers, and napkins is one way to bring a personal touch and pops of color to a wedding. In recent years, the linen industry has introduced beautiful textures and patterns that, when combined, create looks all their own for every event.

Pair them with the beauty of candlelight and you’ve finished off a space every couple would love to have at their wedding.

photo by Hunter Ryan Photo

photo by Jordan Weiland

DÉCOR

The traditional reception layout with its sea of banquet tables is going by the wayside. Today, wedding receptions tout vignettes of lounge-like seating arrangements and areas to inspire casual conversations. Mixing and matching couches and loveseats for the pre-reception cocktails or next to the dance floor is a trendy must! Using different-shaped tables throughout a space can also create a comfortable and inviting experience for guests. Try placing feasting tables beside square and round tables for guests’ seating for a fresh take on the wedding reception.

LIGHTING As in interior design, lighting is extremely important in the mood of a wedding. Now more than ever, couples seek to cast an ambience over their event. Creating this, though, doesn’t always require a 20-count giant chandelier. Think smaller. Fun pendants, whimsical lights, and lamps placed strategically throughout a reception can create a unique look all their own.

Couples are pursuing a style all their own by weaving who they are as a couple into the décor and design of their wedding.

photos by Tina Sargeant

RENTALS

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When the word “rentals” comes up during the wedding-planning conversations, the first things that come to mind are the obvious — tents, tables, chairs, and china. Go beyond the boring basics and welcome an array of trendy elegance that can take your wedding to the next level.

• chairs and china - from A Chair Affair; chairaffairrentals.com • high-peak tents and unique ways of hanging fabrics - from Premier Party Rentals; premierpartyonline.com • dance floors over pools - from 2 Sisters Events and Design; 2sistersevents.com • unique plants - from Johnson Plant Rental; 863.698.6148

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PHILANTHROPY

GIFT HOW TO USE YOUR WEDDING TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE WRITTEN BY DANIELLE CALHOUN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY REGINA AS THE PHOTOGRAPHER

When you think of the word “wedding,” what generally comes to mind? Love. New beginnings. Luxury. Party. Once in a lifetime.

Magical. Romantic.

When I think of weddings, this comes to mind: Waste. Drunken groomsmen. Leftovers. Unreachable standards. Lofty etiquette. Fake relationships. False expectations. Misplaced values and intentions.

Call me a buzz kill, if you must, but I have seen my fair share of weddings. I was a wedding photographer for six years. I played the role, attended the events, met with brides and grooms every week, and heard all the fancy plans. But one thing was always missing: genuine intentionality. No one seemed to care about where the thousands of dollars of flowers would go after their big day, or the leftover catered meals, or how their wedding consumer choices would impact others or the environment. It depressed me regularly how far off we had taken “wedding” intentions.

To most people, I am an extreme case, wired “wrong” from birth, I suppose. You see, at the age of 19, in the midst of pursuing my education in fine art for photography, I had the opportunity to teach and photograph in the townships/squatter camps in Cape Town,

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South Africa, and it completely transformed the way I would live my life throughout adulthood. Fast forward 10 years later, and I have been to Jamaica; Costa Rica; Dominican Republic; France; and Burkina Faso, West Africa, with my camera in hand, photographing various travels and humanitarian projects that were near and dear to my heart.

It was on my first trip to West Africa, in 2013, that I realized the wedding industry that was supporting my family wasn’t for me. I wanted out. I came home from the airport and went to the grocery store with my husband and two children, and fell into sobbing tears the instant we walked into the produce section. I had just came from a trip helping feed orphans and refugees on the Burkina/Mali border who had no hope for where their next meal would come from. I was overwhelmed with reverse culture shock, and shortly after that episode I told my husband I didn’t want to be supported by an industry that has all the money in the world to impact thousands but chooses to selfishly hoard it all for the “finer things” in life. He quickly reminded me that our business fed our children, and we needed weddings to survive. He made a good point, so I took a step back and reflected.

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I had a problem, and I needed a solution. Instead of thinking about what was wrong with the wedding industry, I began a journey of discovering what was right with it.

Shortly after that breakdown in the middle of Publix, I began an online wedding publication, Black Sheep Bride, devoted to highlighting wedding stories, couples, vendors, and products that focused on giving back and sustainability.

What started as a frustration-based passion project actually began to catch momentum with a rapidly growing online audience and social media presence. In the past two years, we’ve watched our little baby blog grow and have seen the true impact it has made on the wedding industry. We have shown people it is okay to stand out and give back with your wedding day. We have had tough conversations with wedding designers in NYC during Bridal Fashion Week, asking them about their manufacturing processes. We have educated vendors on how their skills and services can be impacting others in their own communities and how wedding waste can be less wasteful. It has been an amazing roller coaster, and engaged couples are hopping on for the ride and saying, “We can make a difference, too!”

What we quickly recognized was when couples were given the opportunity and awareness to make a difference with their wedding day planning, they jumped at the chance. There was a growing majority of couples that just plain and simple weren’t being reached or catered to — the couples that were nonprofit founders, or civil activists, or community outreach programmers, the ones elbows deep in doing good for others and who didn’t think there was a place for their wedding vision — quickly

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realized they were appreciated and encouraged to use their weddings to stand out and make a true impact.

So, how do couples make a difference with their wedding planning, you ask? It’s really quite simple, and it can be as creative or streamlined as desired. Here are a few ways to use your BIG DAY to impact others:

1 INVEST IN VENDORS THAT GIVE BACK:

The average U.S. wedding costs nearly $30,000. With over 2.6 million weddings performed in the United States annually (and growing), that’s a lot of wedding dollars! But what if the vendors you choose for your big day all donated 10 percent to charity?

Wouldn’t that lift a little bit of the burden in your planning process, knowing you’re investing in wedding professionals that value helping others, too? (Black Sheep Bride has a national directory of vendors that give back — wink, wink, nod, nod.)

2 SUPPORT SOCIAL IMPACT BRANDS: In today’s culture of world-changing millennials, it’s not hard to find consumer products founded with a mission of giving back: The Root Collective, Sevenly, Feed, Warby Parker, Lush, and the list goes on. The same socially conscious rules apply for wedding consumerism.

There’s a whole world of socially conscious, consumer-minded, and wedding-related products out there at your disposal. With a little

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digging, you can find really amazing, high-quality wedding-day swag with a super-big purpose. Examples include Celia Grace Wedding Gowns, Purpose Jewelry, Purse and Clutch, The Cookie That Gives, and Hotels for Hope.

3 ADVOCATE FROM THE HEART:

“Go Big or Go Home” is our motto at Black Sheep Bride.

Reflect on what you and your significant other are most passionate about and incorporate it into your Big Day. If you aren’t truly passionate about something, then there’s no reason to blindly support it, so really align yourselves in this process. Maybe it’s rescue dogs, disaster recovery, human rights, faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, veterans, education, human trafficking, homelessness. Whatever the passion, share your heart with your guests. Here are few ways:

. .

Open a fundraising registry (or crowd funding page) via: So Kind Registry, Heartful.ly, I Do Foundation, or Go Fund Me. Incorporate the Giving Back theme into your wedding design. For example, if education is your passion, add books, apples, and chalkboards to your decor.

4 AFTER-PARTY WITH PURPOSE:

We don’t often think about it, but there is a lot of waste/excess that goes into a wedding celebration. Reduce that waste by donating your leftovers, not just food either, to help others. Here are few ways to help:

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. . . . .

FLOWERS: Donate leftover flowers to Random Acts of Flowers, or Repeat Roses. They will be delivered to nursing homes, hospitals, etc. the next day.

FOOD: Find a homeless shelter willing to take your leftover meals, or contact a Zero Waste Food chapter in your area.

DUPLICATE GIFTS: Halfway houses are always in need of home goods.

RECYCLE WHAT YOU CAN: Paper goods, glass, metal, and plastic can all be put to use. Also consider Wedding-Recycle.com.

CONSIDER DONATING YOUR DRESS to a consignment store or organization that assists a cause, like Brides for a Cause.

Now that you have the knowledge, I challenge you to run with it, let it resonate deep inside of you. As you plan the most important day of your life, consider ways to think about others along the way.

Not only will this thought process alleviate some of the stress and burdens on yourself, it will also change the path of so many others, just by making conscious choices to use your wedding dollars (and leftovers) more intentionally.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT JOINING BLACK SHEEP BRIDE AS AN ENGAGED COUPLE, VENDOR, OR SOCIAL ENTERPRISE PRODUCT, VISIT BLACKSHEEPBRIDE.COM.

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY FOR ADVENTUROUS COUPLES

ExclusiveCruisePlanners

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CULTURE

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Ador ning you r nup tia ls with the a r t of letter ing w r itten b y Kr istin Cr osb y phot og r a p hy b y Tina Sa r g ea nt

y grade school, most of us were scribbling our ABCs on broken midline wide-ruled paper, though not necessarily by choice. Learning to write, let alone learning to write in cursive, may not have come easily for some of us. We may have avoided it, whined about it, wondered why such a tedious practice was a necessary addition to our skillset. Despite our best efforts to print our way into adulthood, we managed to learn to write in cohesive and legible script.

Once upon a time, it was thought that fluid penmanship would be the sole form of communication most essential to us as we aged. But, through the years, we’ve managed to put our paper and pen aside for more convenient ways of communication. In turn, beautifully fine-tuned penmanship has become a rarity. Yet the desire for handwritten designs and lettering, in both classical and casual forms, has made a strong return in recent years. As our personal, daily need of it has declined, its appeal to mark the rare and special moments in life has only heightened.

The art of lettering holds a kind of nostalgia that seems attainable, the way Julia Child’s beef Bourguignon seems attainable: we know we are capable of cooking it, but actually cooking it is an entirely different story.

Crafted penmanship can appear quite feasible yet equally enchanted and elusive; that is precisely what makes it an art. If French is a romantic language, the art of lettering must be its scriptural counterpart. And weddings may just be the setting where this art form comes the most alive.

Through a harmony of scripts and proportions, inks and paints, the art of lettering is a feast for the eyes.

Styles that have evolved through the years are as diverse

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your moments

your story

T i f fa n i J O N E S

T i f fa n i J O N E S

your forever.

Photographer for the stories of your life. iamtiffanijones.com

tiffanijonesphotography

as the weddings they grace today. Whether it be elegant or modern, bold or polished, stately or quirky, these handwritten designs are a sure way to capture one’s attention.

For these two local self-taught artists, wedding season is their time of highest demand. When it comes to the big day, no matter what approach a couple may prefer to display their love, somehow these two ladies know just how to put it into words.

CROSBY CALLIGRAPHY When taught cursive in the first grade, Pam Crosby began perfecting her knack for lettering as she took to a broad-tip pen nib to begin learning old English-style calligraphy. Even through raising four kids and her role as director of academic success at Southeastern University, her artistic hand continued to develop diverse styles of calligraphy. In 2009, through the help and encouragement of Heidi Campbell at the Stationery Loft, Pam opened Crosby Calligraphy.

She has since been adorning wedding invitations and more throughout Central Florida and even nationwide.

Working with a variety of events and styles that seek anything from traditional to modern fonts, Pam crafts letters to fit each individual’s taste.

Using the traditional calligraphy fountain pen, nib, and ebony ink, Pam sketches out modern fonts that evolve with the current styles and even matching fonts per request.

Still, her mainstay script is the classic font that keeps many coming back for her timeless penmanship. With a style that could easily be mistaken for a renaissance transcript, the ink flow from her pen has a way of romancing every page it stains.

In the past year, as interest has grown in the art across the globe and locally, Pam began teaching calligraphy workshops for all skill levels in downtown Lakeland, inside the lovely Simple Vintage and Scout & Tag. Since its first class, the shop has hosted several Calligraphy & Cupcake workshops (the latter part of the workshop title refers to the delicious, sweet treats her daughter Kandace bakes, which all students

receive as a sugar-hit bliss of motivation). Each class is fully supplied with an original workbook and all the tools to get any novice on their way to becoming a skilled calligrapher.

In addition to wedding products and services, Crosby Calligraphy offers custom designs for a variety of requests, including announcements, certificates, original poems, hand-painted globes, and more. Pam’s lettering has also been featured in the popular wedding blog 100 Layer Cake. And there will be more opportunities to join her Calligraphy & Cupcake workshops in downtown Lakeland.

JULIET GRACE DESIGN Juliet Grace Lapham has always been drawn to fanciful designs, particularly with a paintbrush. After an internship with Anthropologie in Charlotte, North Carolina, and graduating college, her artwork quickly evolved into Juliet Grace Design.

After being featured in several wedding blogs, Juliet’s whimsical way with words and watercolors were in high demand. Launching her business from Florida, her designs have been requested for weddings across the globe, including England, Italy, and New Zealand (for the former Miss New Zealand). Juliet Grace Design has been featured in The Knot Magazine, Southern Weddings Magazine, and Magnolia Rouge.

Along with the wedding essentials (invitations, menus, RSVPs, etc.), Juliet offers unique products such as her floral costumed crests and quirky, illustrated, city maps that give out-of-town guests a visual guide to a city’s finest attractions.

Juliet Grace Design offers lettering options to fit any

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found You’ve

the one.

The one you trust. The one who listens. The one who can help make your wedding day dreams come true.

Publix is the one place for everything from gorgeous floral bouquets to fine foods to the fabulous finale— your wedding cake. You can count on variety and quality in all of it— from seafood selections to delicious Publix Deli platters of every description.

And you can count on any Publix location to come through for you.

Choose the one who makes the most of your once-in-a-lifetime day.

THE LAKELANDER

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UNITY.

Tying the knot brings big changes for both you and your new spouse. As both hearts and financial accounts merge, it’s important to discuss past burdens and future dreams, in relation to finances. Start now by allowing Wall Titus to assess your current financial situation and define a plan to reach your goals. It’s never too soon to begin planning your financial future with Wall Titus.

CALL TODAY FOR HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

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themed wedding. In addition, Juliet also has an Etsy store full of prints featuring inspiring quotes from famous writers and films, as well as crests and lively illustrations. (Of special note are her print illustrations of Lakeland, currently available for sale in her Etsy store.)

For your every wedding design and lettering need, both Juliet Grace Design and Crosby Calligraphy have all the ink, paint, and artistry to far exceed your bridal expectations.

For design and lettering for any special occasion, contact: Crosby Calligraphy at crosbycalligraphy@gmail.com Juliet Grace Design at julietlapham@gmail.com and etsy.com/shop/julietgracedesign Special thanks to the Waller Construction & Design Center for use of their event space

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FLORAL

Wild and woodsy floral trends written by Alice V. Koehler photography by Tina Sargeant arranged by Laura Helm and Heather Taylor prop stylist: Lisa Malott of WISH Vintage Rentals

C

laude Monet once said, “More than anything, I must have flowers always, always!” For eight years, through high school and college, I lived and breathed flowers while I worked at a small, but widely respected, flower shop. After school, during summer and winter vacations, I spent my days arranging bouquets and corsages, tying bows on pews, and delivering the beauty, color, and romance that fresh flowers bring to any occasion, especially a wedding.

That was the 1990s. The florals we see today carry a much different tune. Gone are the days of tightly gathered and sculpted bouquets. Now, brides seek loose, organic, free-flowing shapes that inspire whimsy and delight. This season’s florals take a cue from the current color trends that “transport us to a happier, sunnier place where we feel free to express a wittier version of our real selves” (pantone.com). Ribbons will continue to add their personality to bouquets. Subtle hues in rose and peach will play with bold greens and yellows, and wild, woodsy arrangements filled with seasonal blooms will abound.

Here, two local floral geniuses beautifully translate these trends and show us just how delightful florals can be.

Monochromatic, cascadestyle bridal bouquets make sweeping impressions. This bouquet is designed with white garden roses, lysimachia, French tulips, leucadendron, and assorted greenery.

ARRANGED BY HEATHER TAYLOR

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This ideal Southern bouquet (tied with raw silk ribbon from Adorn) is filled with peonies, tulips, limonium, spray roses, Queen Anne’s lace, antirrhinum, lisianthus, and spirea.

ARRANGED BY LAURA HELM

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A Lifetime of Memories…

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Today, brides seek loose, organic, free-flowing shapes that inspire whimsy and delight.

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Ideal for a lively, garden-style bridal bouquet and perfect for an outdoor wedding, this arrangement is filled with lilacs, gerbera daisies, protea, boronia heather, blue thistle, and assorted greenery.

ARRANGED BY HEATHER TAYLOR

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“Your spouse’s jewelry should be as unique as they are...”

MASTER CUSTOM DESIGNERS || FINE JEWELRY EXPERT CUSTOM REPAIR IN LAKELAND SINCE 1947

2 3 0 6 S . F LO R I D A AV E L A K E L A N D, F L 3 3 8 0 3 | 8 6 3 . 6 8 7. 0 8 76 | O A K L E YJ E W E L E R S .CO M

A kaleidoscope of color and texture, this modern, colorful bouquet features Coral Charm peonies, copper roses, butterfly ranunculus, rose hips, coxcomb, and clematis.

ARRANGED BY LAURA HELM

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You choose your doctor.

You choose your hospital.

Now choose VITAS as your hospice specialist.

You and your family have made so many tough decisions. When it comes to hospice care in Lakeland, the choice is easy—VITAS. Serving Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties.

Proud Sponsor of:

SINCE 1980

For more information, please call 800.723.3233 or visit VITAS.com

CHRISTMAS inJuly SALE July 17th–July 31st

O WE EKS ONL W Y! T ONE-HOUR

MASSAGE or

FACIAL

GIFT CARD $ 95

39

*

AN $89.95 VALUE!

Lakeland | 863-940-4789 4750 South Florida Ave. Lake Miriam Square

®

MASSAGE AND FACIAL SPA

*Valid for one-hour massage or facial service gift card. Limit 2 per customer. Valid at participating locations. Offer valid 7-17-2016 through 7-31-2016. ** Sessions include time for consultation and dressing. Rates and services may vary by location.

Independently Owned & Operated. ©2016 Hand & Stone Corp. MM33122/CE9998685.

THE LAKELANDER

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PEOPLE

A CUT

A B OV E

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JONATHAN WILSON, VICE PRESIDENT OF WILSON DIAMOND BROKERS, TELLS US ABOUT THE PRECIOUS GEMSTONES AND WDB’S UNIQUE BUSINESS MODEL WRITTEN BY ADAM SPAFFORD PHOTOGRAPHY BY JORDAN WEILAND

The Lakelander: Please tell us the history of Wilson Diamond Brokers.

Jonathan Wilson: Established in 1977, Wilson Diamond Brokers is a third-generation, family-owned diamond and jewelry company. Our grandfather, Alvin Walter Wilson, started by becoming a certified watchmaker in 1951. With humble beginnings in rural Louisiana, Alvin and his brother Frank opened their first retail store. The stores grew in both size and locations as the Wilson family pioneered catalog showroom retail in the United States. In the midSeventies, we moved the headquarters to Central Florida, opening six stores along the I-4 corridor.

As the catalog showroom evolved, Clay Wilson went back to his roots in diamond and jewelry by officially opening Wilson Diamond Brokers.

TL: You’ve replaced the typical diamond shopping experience with an interesting business model.

How does that work?

JW: We have attempted to change the way typical diamond and engagement ring shopping is perceived.

We feel that engagement ring, anniversary, and wedding band purchases can be very personal and emotional by nature. For this reason, we meet with customers by appointment to ensure that they can take their time in a private, one-on-one setting. Also, we create all of our engagement ring and wedding bands to fit each unique customer (unlike most jewelry stores that try to sell items that they carry in stock). This allows the customer to customize any ring to fit their tastes and preferences, instead of being limited to what we have in our store. Lastly, due to our long-standing connections and relationships overseas in the diamond market, we are able to buy diamonds at a much lower price than a retail jewelry store. In turn, we can provide customers with a much better price than is typically offered in a jewelry store.

TL: A diamond’s quality is determined by what are called the 4Cs. What are the 4Cs? JW: Color: The grading scale for diamonds begins with the letter D, representing colorless, and continues in increasing presence of color to the letter Z. Diamonds are color-graded by comparing them to stones of known color under controlled viewing conditions.

Each color grade represents a different range in color.

Cut: Refers to how the proportions and finish of a diamond affect its overall appearance and quality. The Cut grade incorporates the diamond’s brightness, fire, scintillation, proportions, polish, and symmetry.

Clarity: Refers to internal features (inclusions) and surface characteristics (blemishes) within or on a diamond when viewed with 10x magnification under standard viewing conditions. The Clarity scale includes 11 different grades ranging from flawless to I3.

Carat Weight: Refers to the standard unit of weight for diamonds and other gemstones. Carat weight is measured by a highly precise electronic scale, rounded to nearest hundredth of a carat.

TL: To what do you attribute the longevity of Wilson Diamond Brokers?

JW: A few things: 1. Customer Service. We go out of our way to make sure that our customers are more than satisfied with their purchases and interaction.

2. Our unique approach to the overall experience of buying an engagement ring, wedding band, and jewelry.

3. Quality of Product. We only produce pieces of jewelry that are of the highest quality.

4. Fair Pricing. Most times, jewelry stores have exceptionally high markups. We feel that if we provide a great product at a great price, we will not only make a sale, but create a lifetime customer.

W I LSON DI A MON D BROK ER S CR E AT ES E NGAGE M E N T R I NGS A N D W E DDI NG BA N DS TO F I T E ACH U N IQU E CUSTOM ER .

TL: What are your biggest challenges — economic, supply chain, etc.? What keeps you up at night?

JW: The tough thing about our business is educating people on quality of product. The internet has helped quite a bit by providing information for people to research before they buy. However, there is so much to digest about diamonds and jewelry, it’s hard to grasp everything you need to know.

LAW OFFICES OF

TED W. WEEKS IV, P.A. LAWSUITS & DISPUTES | CORPORATE & BUSINESS LAW

2 1 1 7 H A R DE N B O U L E VA R D • L A K E L A N D , F L OR I DA 3 3 8 0 3 • 8 6 3 . 8 0 2 . 5 0 0 0

The city-owned Magnolia Building, located on Orange Street, opened in 1938 as the Lakeland Community Center. It was designed by noted architect Wilbur Talley and served as the longtime home of the Lakeland Tourist Club until its dissolution in 1998. The building was extensively renovated in 2002 and continues to be heavily used for wedding receptions and for meetings and events staged by a variety of civic and cultural organizations.

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Photo Courtesy of Special Collections, Lakeland Public Library

“Your Pets, Our Pets”

. Wellness Plans . Advanced Medical Care . Laser Surgery . Chinese Medicine . Exotic Pet Care . Boarding and Spa Services

863.646.3669

www.floridavet.com

2225 Drane Field Rd. Lakeland

Find us on Facebook THE LAKELANDER

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TL: What are the advantages of doing business in Lakeland?

JW: Lakeland is a great small town. It feels like everyone is connected in some way, shape, or form. We believe that if you take care of customers with great pricing, products, and customer service, word spreads quickly.

W I LSON DI A MON D BROK ER S 210 SOUTH FLORIDA AVENUE, SUITE #150 LAKELAND, FL 33801

863.686.6060

WDBDIAMOND.COM

Jonathan Wilson (left) and his father, Clay Wilson

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LAKELAND’S NEW WEDDING VENUE

The Waller Center Full Service Wedding Venue

Cassie 863.688.8870

TASTE

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TOPPING IT OFF WEDDING CAKES INSPIRED BY THE LAKES OF LAKELAND

Written by Kristin Crossby • Photography by Tiffani Jones • Prop Stylist: Lisa Malott of WISH Vintage Rentals

Is a cake essential to a wedding reception?

Absolutely.

Does it have to be traditional and white? Not necessarily.

In recent years, baking has made incredible leaps and bounds, veering from its conventional ways, especially in the world of wedding cakes.

The Lakelander challenged a few local

bakers to capture our attention and taste buds, while also baking a bit of Lakeland into their cakes. Providing only the lakes of Lakeland as inspiration, they all far exceeded our expectations.

Beyond tasty flavors and pretty designs, these cakes were inspired by some of Lakeland’s most romantic spots and can be replicated for your own wedding day.

CHEF DANI BOROW BUTTERCUP GOURMET BAKERY This Lake Hollingsworth-inspired cake reflects the architecture that surrounds it. The bottom tier mirrors Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs found throughout the Florida Southern College campus, while the middle tier displays Wright’s stained glass murals and organic structures.

The white velvet cake — a merging of red velvet and traditional white wedding cake — is the bakery’s best-selling flavor. Buttermilk, laced with fragrant Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans, creates a tender crumb texture. Imported French raspberry preserves rest between the layers, presenting an array of blush tones with each slice.

4122 South Florida Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33813 863.940.0993 • buttercuplakeland.com THE LAKELANDER

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PUBLIX Who doesn’t love a Publix cake? Birthdays are no longer the only occasion to have a delicious and unique cake catered from this beloved supermarket.

Inspired by Lake Mirror, colors and textures reflect blue waters and clear skies. The threetiered cake is iced with a smooth marbled fondant and can be filled with any choice of flavor. publix.com

100 THE LAKELANDER

Kids Eat Free Monday & Tuesday Dinner

*Offer limited to children 10 and under. One regular priced adult MarketTable(tm) purchase required per 2 free children meals. Not valid with any other offer or discount, regardless of separate checks. Dine in only THE LAKELANDER 101

JAIME HAYDEN J’AIME CAKES Reminiscent of one of Lakeland’s lesserknown lakes, this four-tiered mural of confection draws its inspiration from Lake Hunter.

Wrapped in wild purple fondant irises, it takes a fresh spin on the traditional trimmings.

Dressed in a rich royal icing to create a rough finish, the cake is painted using an ombre effect in washes of iridescent watercolors. Tucked underneath this lustrous topping stands a mainstay of the South: a caramel cake filled with golden sweet frosting and studded with salted roasted pecans.

863.450.6654 facebook.com/JaimeCakesLLCFlorida

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Get started on your path to success… call today!

604 S. Central Avenue Lakeland, FL (863)499-2835 WestAreaAdult.com 

Adult Basic Education



Citizenship Class



GED Preparation



Low Cost Tuition



English Classes

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CHERYL CULLIVAN THE DESSERTERIE Inspired by Lake Morton, this enchanted creation captures a bit of Lakeland’s trademarks as well as its beloved charm. Embellished with chocolate, fondant, and sugar-like confection, the cake recreates the scenic lake and wildlife on an elevated display. Airbrushed and sculpted designs reflect the lively details of this lake that is home to many of the city’s swans.

This diorama cake is almond-flavored and layered with fresh strawberry filling.

863.940.4166 • thedesserterielakeland.com

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

Come enjoy.

Il Forno I TA LI A N

R E S TAU R A N T

3615 S. Florida Ave. Lakeland, FL (863) 607-6030 • ilfornolakeland.com Mention the Lakelander for today’s special!

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Expertise combined with personalized service

863.802.8291 fmcpas.com n

Accounting and tax services Business planning and consulting Tax planning Personal and business clients

Farnsworth & Mullins, P.A., C.P.A.s 1623 Harden Blvd.

Lakeland, FL 33803

Expertise Combined with Personal Service Accounting & Tax Services | Business Planning & Consulting | Tax Planning | Personal & Business Clients 162 3 H A RD EN B O U LE VA RD | L A KEL A N D, FL | 33 8 03 | 8 63 . 8 02 . 8291 | FMCPA S .COM THE LAKELANDER 105

SPECIAL

IS WHERE YOU START FROM L O C A L LY C U R A T E D W E D D I N G I D E A S

written by Kristin Crosby When we think “buy local,” we typically think of small, everyday tasks: shopping for produce, a fresh beignet and a cup of coffee, or maybe dinner out. But why not consider it for the bigger things, too? You can also buy local for your wedding day!

Lakeland weddings have never offered more enchanting possibilities. From the talented services to the striking and quaint historic venues, picturesque weddings are busting at the seams right here at home.

Curating the many facets of your wedding day through local vendors and services enables the nature of your charm and love to shine through in ways that will set your day apart from all the rest. Perhaps you imagine a wide-open venue for a large celebration, or an intimate ceremony at a secluded hideaway. Maybe you envision a festive setting with a photo booth and ice cream sandwiches under the sun, or simply a traditional reception under a lush white tent on the green grass. However you picture it, whether on a grand or modest scale, the possibilities of an unforgettable local wedding in this land o’ lakes are endless.

T.S. Eliot once wrote, “Home is where you start from.” Why not start the journey of all your tomorrows together at home?

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STARLIT SUPPER Venue: Rocking H Ranch Planning, Design, Florals: Ashton Events Furnishings and Décor: WISH Vintage Rentals, A Chair Affair, Kate Ryan Linens Cake: Hands on Sweets photos by Hunter Ryan Photo

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P L AN NI NG , D ESIG N + FLORALS

863.940.9639 | ashtonevents.com

JO Y FRO M B EG IN N IN G TO F OREVER THE LAKELANDER 109

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ALEX & RICKY Venue: The Loggia at Lake Mirror & The Terrace Hotel Planning, Design, Florals: 2 Sisters Events & Design Banner at Reception: Ashton Events Invitations, Menu, Guest Signage: Eleven Note Designs DĂŠcor and Furnishings: WISH Vintage Rentals, A Chair Affair, Johnson Plant Rentals, Premier Party Rentals photos by Jordan Weiland

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Your Bridal Body Fit Plan will include a carefully crafted 30-day Fitness & Nutrition Plan to help you feel and look

DOWN GOWN With Our Bridal Body Fit Plan

your best on your big day. You only get one day _ make the most of it!

BRIDAL BODY FIT PLAN INCLUDES: + Weekly + Yoga

Training

Classes

+ 3 - Day

Elixir Juice Cleanse

+ Nutrition

Plan

+ Motivation

& Support

For More Info Call 863.646.3036 or Visit Us Online at

LakelandHealthClub.com/GetBridalFit

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BREANNE & CLIFF Venue: Lake Mirror Planning and Design: Ashton Events Furnishings: WISH Vintage Rentals Bar: Grapevine & Good Food Catering Signage: Eleven Note Designs photos by Dustin Prickett

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McKARA & BRANDON Venue: North Kentucky Avenue and Pine Street Planning and Design: Ashton Events Furnishings and Décor: WISH Vintage Rentals, Kate Ryan Linens, Signature Event Rentals Florist: FH Weddings Coffee and Tea: Mitchell’s Coffee House photos by Esther Louise

116 THE LAKELANDER

treat yourself to

SPARKLING

WINDOWS call 863.513.4165 for a free estimate

insured•professional•courteous

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DRAG-GONE SLIDING DOOR REPAIR

CATALINA & DAVID Venue: private estate Planning and Design: DIY Furnishings and Décor: WISH Vintage Rentals, A Chair Affair, Premier Party Rentals VW Photobooth: DIY Florist: Taylormade Floral & Event Décor photos by Tina Sargeant

Specializing in repairing residential, commercial, and boat sliding doors.

If your sliding doors drag, bump, grind, squeal, or are hard to open, now is the time to get them fixed!

CALL US FOR A FREE ESTIMATE

863.999.5422 DRAGGONESLIDINGDOORREPAIR.COM

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Celebrate

the life of your loved one – WITH A –

VERY SPECIAL RECEPTION Share meaningful memories with friends and family in the welcoming atmosphere of our Tribute Center. Host an intimate gathering or a larger, fully-catered event. We’ll handle the details, so you can focus on what matters most.

Family owned and operated by the Heath family since 1959.

328 S. Ingraham Avenue Lakeland 863-682-0111 •

www.heathfuneralchapel.com

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surprise your guests with these local foodie pop-ups written by Caprie Grisham and Kristin Crosby

photo by Tina Sargeant

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photo by Philip Pietri

a cow named moo Everybody loves ice cream and cookies. Patrick and Sarah Mulcahy would know — they make small-batch, handcrafted ice cream sandwiches from locally sourced ingredients. Sarah uses her grandmother’s cookie recipes to make the delectable cookies, and organic dairy is used to make the ice cream. Using a threewheeled truck, Patrick and Sarah sell the sandwiches outside Concord Coffee every Wednesday, and around town at some specialty shops and special events.

photo by Hunter Ryan Photo

FACEBOOK.COM/COWNAMEDMOO | 863.614.1888

nook bakery From brownies to cakes to cupcakes, Nook Bakery creates all things reminiscent of our homemade childhood favorites. Owner and baker, Kandace Crosby, makes familiar and modern recipes from scratch, with a bit of luscious nostalgia baked right into every bite. Nook’s baked goods put a playful spin on classic homestyle desserts with options like naked rustic blueberry cake, lemon tart cupcakes with fresh lemon curd baked inside, and key lime pie in a jar. Nook Bakery will surprise your taste buds with vibrant local flavors in a way that (respectfully) takes Grandma’s infamous recipes up a notch.

FACEBOOK.COM/NOOKBAKERY | 863.370.6930

photo by Tina Sargeant

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photos by Tina Sargeant

tonic by creative juices Tonic by Creative Juices creates immunity-boosting carbonated orange juice drinks that have the city abuzz. A perfect addition to your post-wedding brunch, Tonic is available for hire! During a normal week, they can be found pedaling their product at the Downtown Farmer’s Curb Market on Saturdays, thinking up new recipes at Catapult Lakeland, and have also been known to pop-up at shops and restaurants around town, like the Red Door and Simply Vintage.

FACEBOOK.COM/TONICLAKELAND114 | 704.657.9552

the root The brainchild of Logan Crumpton, The Lakelander’s original Taste editor, The Root uses organic ingredients (when possible) to create hand-cut fries and homemade sauces served up from their mobile fry cart. The Root is committed to creating an ever-changing menu that keeps taste buds guessing with unique flavor combinations. photo by Tina Sargeant

FACEBOOK.COM/THEROOTFRITES | 863.206.6304

the hip lion (coffee pop) The Hip Lion Coffee Company believes in reimagining what already is. They’ve taken cold-brewed coffee and the craft-brewed beer process and merged them to create Coffee Pop, a delightfully different taste-bud experience. Coffee Pop uses only the highest-grade coffee and is available from the tap or chilled in a bottle. What’s more, Coffee Pop is carbonated caffeine with a purpose! A portion of their profits are used to help feed people who are hungry both locally and around the world. They work only with carefully chosen charities, so they know the money they give is actually doing something to make a difference.

THEHIPLION.COM | 863.808.2807 photo by Evan Dell

Since 1972 We’ve treated them like family.

WEDDING AND EVENT PLANNING CENTRAL FLORIDA 863.430.4448 TAMPA 813.842.9182

EVENTS@CHANTILLYCHICCELEBRATIONS.COM CHANTILLYCHICCELEBRATIONS.COM

CHANTILLY CHIC CELEBRATIONS

• Comprehensive Medical Services • Professionsal Grooming & Stying • Comfortable & Spacious Lodging • AAHA Accredited 3710 Cleveland Heights Boulevard 863.646.2995 pethospital.com

Now Delivering

Little Squares of Heaven. (and pretty much everything else on the menu, too!)

SOUTHSIDE Tuckers

FIN

2306 E. Edgewood Dr. | 863-450-2986

PACKAGE &LOUNGE

EW

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&S

PIR

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BEVERAGE CATERING IS OUR SPECIALTY! 863-683-4703 1122 South Florida Avenue Serving Lakeland Since 1963

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

863.682.4725

More than an event, the Summit is a resource to be leveraged for community transformation.

Leaders are discovering that by attending the Summit and utilizing its content and tools, their teams are increasing their impact. In fact, independent research shows that 83% of leaders who attended the Summit in consecutive years feel improved teamwork increased job satisfaction and productivity.

REGISTER TODAY AT WILLOWCREEK.COM/SUMMIT Hosted at Highland Park Church, 4777 Lakeland Highlands Rd, Lakeland, FL 33813

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marshalljewelerslakeland.com

photo by Tina Sargeant

katara confectionary Katara Confectionary has quickly become a Lakeland favorite. Kat Burns and Tara Campbell whip up unexpected, yet brilliant, flavor combinations in their homemade macarons. Some of the unique flavors featured are Fruity Pebbles, Lavender, Pomegranate, and MacaRon Weasley Butterbeer. Katara Confectionery’s macarons are available at Concord Coffee and also by special order.

FACEBOOK.COM/KATARA-CONFECTIONERY-460245530840724/

I insist on being involved in the decisions.

Though Cornerstone care is available in many assisted living facilities or in one of our Hospice Houses all over Central Florida, most patients like Marjorie still prefer in-home care. But no matter where she needs us, our professionals will be in her corner, ready to provide her with all the comforts of home.

866.742.6655 // cornerstonehospice.org Cornerstone is committed to caring for all hospice patients regardless of payer source or ability to pay. 100% covered by Medicare & Medicaid

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EVENTS CALENDAR

RECURRING EVENTS

EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT PUB RUN @ RED DOOR LAKELAND 6:15 p.m. - 7 p.m.

EVERY WEDNESDAY DIXIELAND TWILIGHT MARKET 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

EVERY SATURDAY MORNING MITCHELL’S PUB RUN 7 a.m. - 8 a.m.

EVERY SATURDAY MORNING BLACK & BREW FUN RUN 8 a.m. - 9 a.m.

EVERY SATURDAY DOWNTOWN FARMERS CURB MARKET facebook.com/FarmersCurbMarket 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

JULY

JULY 1 FIRST FRIDAY: FAMILY REUNION downtownlakelandfl.com 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

JULY 2 MISS FLORIDA PAGEANT 4 p.m. - Miss Florida Outstanding Teen Pageant 8 p.m. - Miss Florida Pageant (One ticket valid for both events) thelakelandcenter.com

JULY 2 FAMILY ART WORKSHOP polkmuseumofart.org 10:30 a.m.

126 THE LAKELANDER

Mary Katherine Fechtel - Miss Florida 2015

The Perfect Combination of Cake and Art .

863-940-4166 thedesserterie@gmail.com www.thedesserterielakeland.com

Wedding Check

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Buying, Selling, or Renting? Better Call the Experts!

863.802.5262

CentralFloridaExperts.com 4110 S. Florida Ave., Suite 110, Lakeland, FL 33813

EVENTS CALENDAR Lakeland Community Theatre Presents Grease

JULY 9 DEAN JOHANSEN MUSIC frescoslakeland.com 7 p.m.

JULY 13-24 SUMMERTIME SKATING thelakelandcenter.com

JULY 14 LAKELAND FOOD TRUCK RALLY 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. facebook.com/lakelandfoodtruckrally

JULY 15 - 24 LAKELAND COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS GREASE lakelandcommunitytheatre.com

AUGUST

JULY 15 CREATIVE YOGA AT POLK MUSEUM OF ART polkmuseumofart.org 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.

AUGUST 2 2016 POLITICAL HOB NOB PRESENTED BY LAKELAND AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & SUN ‘N FUN facebook.com/events/1523685274598571/ 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.

JULY 17 FREE CURATOR TOUR polkmuseumofart.org 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.

AUGUST 5 FIRST FRIDAY: BACK TO SCHOOL downtownlakelandfl.com 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

JULY 21 ACCESS ART: MAKING ART ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA polkmuseumofart.org 2 p.m.

AUGUST 11 FOOD TRUCK RALLY 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. facebook.com/lakelandfoodtruckrally

JULY 23 LE PETIT FANCY FLEA VINTAGE HOME & GARDEN MARKET thelakelandcenter.com 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

JULY 29 - 31 THE LAKELAND BOAT SHOW thelakelandcenter.com

AUGUST 19 CLASSIC ALBUMS LIVE PRESENTS BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN BORN TO RUN thelakelandcenter.com 8 p.m. - 10 p.m.

AUGUST 20 ROCK THE BLOCK thelakelandcenter.com 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Handmade Artisan Gifts

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Future Family Heirlooms

Online Bridal Registry with customization available $25 gift certificate when you register two months before your wedding date

Mon-Fri 10 AM- 6 PM

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Sat 9 AM- 5 PM

863.688.6844 223 N. Kentucky Ave. brookepottery.com

gain

Call Our Team To Learn How To With Your New Mortgage!

863.701.2000 WWW.GAINEQUITYMORTGAGE.COM 4175 SOUTH PIPKIN RD | SUITE 201-202 LAKELAND, FL 33811

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THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR SPECIAL SPONSORS

A Chair Affair

Mass Market

Eleven Note Stationery Design

Premier Party Rentals

A Fine Press

Johnson Plant Rentals

Olivia Gray

Stationery Loft

The Terrace Hotel

Waller Construction

& Design Center

Special Thanks to Lisa Malott of Wish Vintage Rentals Shawna Carpenter of 2 Sisters Events & Design and Laura Helm of Ashton Events

BRANDING & DESIGN NOW ACCEPTING CLIENTS 863.701.2707

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C A R I VAU G H N PH OTO G R A PH Y.CO M 863.581.7566

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years of

EXPERIENCED MINDS handling

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

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

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

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A Legacy That Matters They’re the memories we carry with us for a lifetime. Our first love.

That walk down the aisle. The birth of our children. The togetherness of family.

At Watson Clinic, we also value these moments. For 75 years, we’ve worked to care for generations of families in our community, and inspired many more healthy and happy memories to come.

Our tradition of healthcare excellence continues.

www.WatsonClinic.com | 863-680-7000 | Follow us on: 132 THE LAKELANDER