Soup’s on 🍲

Bowls of pho noodle soup from Pho Tan in Lakeland, FL

What are you waiting pho? | Photo by LALtoday

You’ll find it on most restaurant menus: The soup of the day. Since each day looks different in Lakeland, try these five soups curated to fit your daily vibe.

🌧 For a rainy day: Pho Tan, 2920 S. Combee Rd.
Find shelter from stormy weather with a bowl of pho — a Vietnamese soup made with rice noodles, meat or tofu, and vegetables. City Editor Connor’s favorite is the Pho Ga (chicken soup topped with Thai basil).

💼 For a workday: Terrace Grille, 329 E. Main St.
Ready for a lunch break? Try the Terrace Soup — a classic French onion — or take a chance on a rotating selection of soups from the chef. Order the Terrace Special during lunch to pair your soup with a salad or sandwich.

Bowl of pork ramen noodle soup on tray at Sabu Ramen in The Joinery in Lakeland, FL — Take your Sabu Ramen to-go or cozy up on The Joinery’s patio.

🛍 For a day on the town: Sabu Ramen, 640 E. Main St.
Pop by The Joinery after your farmers market trip to order ramen from this stall. We recommend the pork belly tonkotsu ramen or spicy chicken shio ramen. Pro tip: Order extra broth for a soupier ramen.

🌡 For a sick day: Black & Brew, 205 E. Main St.
If you’re not feeling your best, City Editor Rilee swears by the Fire Roasted Vegetable soup at Black and Brew. Stop by the downtown location, the only one serving soups, to grab a bowl to-go — and a coffee wouldn’t hurt either, right?

Bowl of green soup with moon and star design. — Spinach gives this celestial soup its bright green hue.

🏠 For a day at home: Make your own soup
Feel like getting crafty in the kitchen? Whip up your own batch of famed Lake Wales restaurant Chalet Suzanne’s soup that went to space on the Apollo 15 mission — just follow along with our recipe.

Of course, these aren’t all of Lakeland’s soup-er options. Tell us your favorite place to get a bowl any day of the week.

EVENTS

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Wednesday, Nov. 9

“A Siren’s Peril: Underwater Portrait Retrospective” | Wednesday, Nov. 9-Friday, Nov. 11 | 12-5 p.m. | ART/ifact, 820 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | Free | Browse this gallery of underwater photography featuring zombie-esque mermaids and mermen.
Line Dancing & Karaoke | Wednesday, Nov. 9 | 5 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 Florida Ave S, Lakeland | Free | Learn some new moves from 5-7 p.m., then sing your heart out starting at 8 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 10

Posh Purse Party | Thursday, Nov. 10 | 6-8 p.m. | Grasslands Golf & Country Club, 1600 Grasslands Blvd, Lakeland | $10-$25 | Raise money for Pace Center for Girls by participating in a silent auction of purses and more items.
T-R-I-V-I-A | Thursday, Nov. 10, Thursday, Nov. 17, Thursday, Nov. 24 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | The Joinery, 640 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Show what you know to win prizes while enjoying deals on beer, wine, and cocktails.

Friday, Nov. 11

2022 Veterans’ Hometown Heroes | Friday, Nov. 11 | 11:11 a.m. | Bartow Civic Center, 1250 S. Floral Ave., Bartow | Free | Honor our military members at Bartow’s official Veterans Day luncheon — veterans and a guest get in free.
The 39 Steps | Friday, Nov. 11-Sunday, Nov. 13 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Lakeland Community Theatre, 121 S Lake Ave, Lakeland | $20-$26 | In this comedic play, a man with a boring life is followed by a mysterious organization after meeting a spy.

Saturday, Nov. 12

Girls Inc. of Lakeland Father Daughter Dance | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 6-9 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $35-$50 | Father figures and girls in grades K-12 can enjoy an evening of dinner, dancing, entertainment, and more together.
Live Green Lakeland EcoFest | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Munn Park, 201 E Main St, Lakeland | Free | Learn more about how you can get involved to help the environment with local vendors and children’s activities.

Sunday, Nov. 13

Paul Cataldo Duo w/ Uncle Bucky’s BBQ | Sunday, Nov. 13 | 2-5 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W Pine St, Lakeland | Free | Stop by for live music with the Paul Cataldo Duo and delicious bites from Uncle Bucky’s BBQ.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

76º | Scattered showers | 70% chance of rain
With a state of emergency declared on Tuesday, Polk County is preparing for Tropical Storm Nicole. The storm is expected to bring heavy rain, which could flood areas of Polk still recovering from Hurricane Ian. Polk County Public Schools will be closed Thursday, Nov. 10. ⛈ (WTSP + The Ledger)

Civic

First things first, props to you for making your voice heard this year. You exercised your right to vote + now you’re probably wondering who won the 2022 election. Check out the latest results from the Polk County Supervisor of Elections site here.

Number

120,000. That’s how many calls the Polk County Fire Rescue responded to in 2021. Newly appointed fire chief Hezedean Smith, who started in his role this week, is working to add at least 40 firefighters to the force to keep up with the number of calls. (Fox 13 News)

Cause

Get ready for Stars Under the Stars, a gala benefitting Dorothy Jean’s Dream Initiative — an arts and culture nonprofit led by Harrison School for the Arts alum Jaret Landon. Don’t miss it on Saturday, Nov. 19 at Streamsong Resort in Bowling Green — guests include actor Denzel Washington. 🌟

Deal

Put the petal to the metal and don’t miss the Fall Plant Sale hosted by UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Master Gardener Volunteers. Head to the City of Lakeland Nursery (4620 US Hwy 98 S.) this Saturday, Nov. 12 from 8-11 a.m. to fall in love with some Florida-native plants. 🌿

Sports

Coming off of a winless season in 2019, the Polk State College women’s soccer team has rebuilt its way to the NJCAA National Tournament — a feat it hasn’t accomplished since 2009. The team will head to Georgia for the tournament, which runs from Nov. 13-19. Go Eagles. (WFTS)

Arts

Celebrate public art at Platform Art’s annual Artful Bowl party, Saturday, Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. at Mirrorton Apartments (600 E. Bay St.). Your ticket includes entertainment, food and drinks, a handmade ceramic by local artist Randy Glotfelty, and admission to the “One Wall" pre-party. 🏺

Active

On your marks, mark your calendars for the Lakeland Runners Club’s Running Festival coming up on Jan. 21, 2023 at George Jenkins High School. The festival will feature music, food, and four running events for adults and kids, including a T-rex race.

Health

Did you know? There are just three things women need to do to improve their health. See what they are.*

Finance

About to swipe your card for yet another piece of holiday decor? Ask yourself these Q’s before making a purchase to figure out if it’s a smart buy. 💸 *

Wellness

Did you know? BetterHelp is the world’s largest online therapy platform. Getting started is easy: Take a quick quiz and get matched with a licensed therapist within 48 hours. Join over 3.5 million others and sign up today for 25% off (read: save up to $75). 📲 *

Fact or Fiction

Smoking weed can cause hair loss. Find out if this is Fact or Fiction.*

Featured Deal

Payne Air is offering Cool Cash rebates on new Carrier Systems now through Sat., Nov. 19. Get up to $1550 off new systems plus 36 months of no interest with approved credit. Snag the deal.*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

COMMUNITY

Become a South Lake Morton expert

A crane flies over the shore of Lake Morton while several cranes stand under a palm tree.

Lake Morton wildlife at sunset | Photo via @thehikerdad

Charming, quaint, and full of history, South Lake Morton continues to grow as the “#7 best neighborhood to live in Lakeland.” Since its early days, this neighborhood has quickly become a local’s favorite part of town that attracts families. If you haven’t explored, it might be time to rediscover why so many people — maybe even you — love to call it home.

Things we love

Stop by the Polk Museum of Art on Saturday, Nov. 12 to see its newest exhibit, “Lauren Austin: Life in Quilts.”
This neighborhood is the perfect area for taking lakeside walks. Here are landmarks to look out for: Lover’s Oak and the Water Dome by Frank Lloyd Wright.
A delicious meal is never far off. Try Mister Fish or Red Door for a taste of Lakeland.

Feeling like you love this ‘hood too? Would you ever consider changing neighborhoods? Let us know.

READ THE FULL SOUTH LAKE MORTON GUIDE

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Connor.

Editor’s pick: Just when Ian was in the rearview mirror, Nicole has decided to pay Florida a visit. Hurricane season lasts until Nov. 30, and it’s never too late to prepare. Check out our hurricane preparedness guide to make sure you’re ready for whatever happens.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? See 45+ local developments recently completed and coming soon, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Rilee Delgado, Connor Keith, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Kaylee Holland, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Kailey Burke | Advertise with us.

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