These treats are to pie for 👀

Overhead shot of five pumpkin pies with whipped cream dollops

Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie | Photo via @bornandbreadbakehouse

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, there’s no time to waste, so we’ll cut to the chase. We present: five local spots to buy your Thanksgiving pie, plus a few other local favorites.

🥧 Born and Bread Bakehouse, order online | $36-$38 | Order ahead to impress your Thanksgiving guests with a classic pumpkin pie, brown butter apple pie, a very Florida-esque Key Lime pie, or a gluten-free + vegan cherry crumble pie. All pies are 10 inches.

🥧 Honeycomb Bread Bakers, order online | $30 | Try a spin on the classics with Honeycomb’s cinnamon pecan pie, American apple pie, and pumpkin tamarind pie. Pre-orders are open until Sunday, Nov. 20.

An overhead shot of Bandidas' Concord Grape + Apple pie — Bandidas’ concord grape and apple pie is sure to please any crowd.

🥧 Bandidas, order online | $36-$38 | If you’re looking to bring something to the dinner table that will keep your guests talking, order one of Bandidas’ unique creations. Their concord grape + apple pie, spiced plum crumble, and gluten-free chocolate banoffee pie are available for pre-order until Sunday, Nov. 20.

🥧 Mitchell’s Coffee House, 235 N. Kentucky Ave. | $27 | Order a pumpkin, apple, or triple-berry pie from this downtown Lakeland staple. Pro tip: Request the cinnamon bun crust for an extra sweet surprise. You can place your order in the store or by giving them a call at 863-680-2944.

🥧 Reececliff Family Diner, 940 S. Florida Ave. | Prices vary | Did you know the same expert has been crafting Reececliff’s iconic pies for more than 50 years? Head to the diner to order one of their classic pies for your Thanksgiving table this year — we recommend the pumpkin, sweet potato, apple, or pecan.

Did we miss your favorite dish? Don’t crumble — just tell us about it so we can add it to our roundup (and our seasonal shopping list).

EVENTS

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Monday, Nov. 14

Winter Haven Tastes of the World Food Tour | Monday, Nov. 14-Friday, Dec. 30 | 2 p.m. | Downtown Winter Haven | $45-$95 | Follow your tastebuds around Downtown Winter Haven as you try delicious dishes and learn their history.
Auditions: Five Women Wearing the Same Dress | Monday, Nov. 14-Tuesday, Nov. 15 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Lakeland Community Theatre, 121 S Lake Ave, Lakeland | Free | Try your luck on the stage at auditions for this 1993 play written by Alan Ball.
Lunch Pop-Ups at Catapult: Bandidas | Monday, Nov. 14 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Catapult, 502 E. Main St., Lakeland | From focaccia sandwiches to specialty pastries, enjoy a meal from Bandidas’ ever evolving menu at this fall lunch series.*

Tuesday, Nov. 15

Fun Run and Music Bingo w/ Big Baby Bitez | Tuesday, Nov. 15 | 6:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W Pine St, Lakeland | Free | Join in a fun run at 5:30 p.m. before playing music bingo at 6:30 p.m. with grub from Big Baby Bitez.
Tasty Tuesday | Tuesday, Nov. 15 | 4:30-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | $25 | Dine through downtown by purchasing tasting tickets from local restaurants — get 10 samples for $25.
Story Time at the Florida Air Museum | Tuesday, Nov. 15 | 10-10:30 a.m. | Florida Air Museum, 4175 Medulla Rd., Lakeland | Free | Junior ACEs ages 2-5 can hear a story and take part in an interactive learning experience.

Wednesday, Nov. 16

Musical Animals and Nature | Wednesday, Nov. 16 | 7:30 p.m. | Branscomb Auditorium, Robert Davis Performing Arts Center, Florida Southern College, 1100 Johnson Ave., Lakeland | $5-$10 | The Florida Southern College Orchestra will perform pieces inspired by animals and nature.
Line Dancing & Karaoke | Wednesday, Nov. 16 | 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. 17

Zen Awakening Festival 2022 | Thursday, Nov. 17-Friday, Nov. 18 | 1-11:45 p.m. | Zen Meditation Fields, 2505 W. Bella Vista St, Lakeland | $88-$333 | Visit this four-day music and arts festival to connect with performances, meditation, yoga, and 100+ workshops — on-site camping is available.
T-R-I-V-I-A | Thursday, Nov. 17 | 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.

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

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ACTIVE

7 years of movement and metabolism-boosting workouts

Orangetheory instructor guides workout class attendee

Get moving, Lakeland. | Photo provided by Orangetheory Fitness Lakeland

If you feel stuck doing the same old workout routine day after day, we feel you. Fitness should be fun — that’s why Orangetheory Fitness Lakeland aims to stray from the status quo.

What’s different about Orangetheory? It’s a group workout class that focuses on heart rate-based interval training. Each class combines rowing, cardio + strength training exercises to boost participants’ metabolism and burn calories and fat. Think: a heart-pumping cardio + muscle-strengthening party.

Love data? Members get a special OTbeat™ Heart Rate Monitor to track their heart rate throughout class (read: real-time results and progress you can see). There’s even an app to keep track of your progress long-term.

Bonus: To celebrate its 7th anniversary, Orangtheory Fitness Lakeland is offering one month free to new members who sign up for the elite or premier membership + purchase the OTbeat™ Heart Rate Monitor. Who else is ready for a fitness class that’s actually fun?*

NEWS NOTES

Weather

79º | Mostly sunny | 10% chance of rain

Civic

The Polk County Planning Commission voted against more “park models” at The Resort at Canopy Oaks in a 6-1 vote. Limiting the expansion allows for continued fighter pilot training in the area. The Polk Board of County Commission will weigh in next, but a date is still TBA. (The Ledger)

Development

HCA Healthcare has rescinded its request for a 60-bed hospital at County Road 540-A and Harrell’s Nursery Road. HCA Healthcare still owns the 29 acres — which are currently zoned for residential use — under the name June 35 LLC. Check back here for more updates on this development from The Ledger. (The Ledger)

Number

$25 million. That’s how much FEMA has distributed to 23,046 Polk County residents following Hurricane Ian. Those numbers could still change, but so far, Polk staff has assessed 20,704 residences for damage. Lakeland’s damaged buildings included the RP Funding Center, City Hall, Lakeland Electric’s administrative building, and more. ⛈ (The Ledger)

Festival

The Florida Strawberry Festival has announced its 2023 concert lineup: Artists like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Train, Wayne Newton, Willie Nelson, and more will be performing live from Thursday, March 2-Sunday, March 12. Tickets go on sale Thursday, Dec. 8 at 8 a.m. 🎸

Holiday

Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc. is giving away free turkeys at three Polk County locations — including Lakeland’s Lakes Church (1010 E. Memorial Blvd.) from 1-2:30 p.m. — on Saturday, Nov. 19. The organization is partnering with Lake Wales-based organization The Freedom Tour to provide food during the holidays. 🦃

Eat

Divicious Deli’s featured winter sandwich is ready to order. Ask for the Winter Wonders — prosciutto, rosemary ham, herbed turkey, smoked gouda cheese, cream cheese, and jelly served on pressed Cuban bread — to get in the holiday spirit. The sandwich starts at $7.99.
Trying to increase your veggie intake? Celebrate meatless Monday at Publix GreenWise Market with $1/lb off at the hot and cold bar. 🥗 *

Real Estate

Looking to maximize your time outdoors with your next home? Meet The Adventurer by Hulbert Homes — a 3, 4, or 5 BD, 4 BA stunner with a three-car garage, den, and flex space along with a pool + lanai that’s perfect for starting or ending the day. 🏡 *

Health

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is here, which means it’s time to ask yourself a big question: keep your coverage, or change it? Fidelity Medicare Services can help. Fidelity’s licensed Medicare advisors provide customized advice based on your situation — and if you choose a new plan, they’ll help you enroll.*

Learn

Meet Morning Brew, a free daily newsletter that covers the latest news across business, finance, and tech, written in a fun and witty tone that makes reading the news actually enjoyable. 4 million people are already subscribed — it’s 100% free and takes just 5 minutes to read.*

Featured Deal

Payne Air is offering 0% financing for 36 months with approved credit on new Carrier systems now through Sat., Dec. 31. Snag the deal.*

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

WEATHER

City

Rainbow over the Sorosis Building | Photo via @aftonlorenz

Polk County braced itself for round two of hurricane season when Tropical Storm Nicole reared its head on Florida’s east coast on Wednesday, Nov. 9, but it seems that the county was largely spared this time around.

Nicole’s wind speeds picked up to 75 miles per hour — making it a Category 1 hurricane — before making landfall at around 3 a.m. on Thursday morning. By the time it was over Polk County, wind speeds decreased to the low 50s, re-categorizing it as a tropical storm.

Lakeland Electric reported 5,000 customers who lost power during part of the day. During Hurricane Ian, 63,500 lost power. Swan City prepared for 3-6 inches of rain, but records indicate we saw 2.1 inches.

Hurricane season runs through Nov. 30, so while it’s a little late in the game, stay prepared for anything using our hurricane season guide.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Rilee.

Editor’s pick: Did you have a good weekend, Lakeland? We dropped a Saturday itinerary on our Instagram, but we want to hear about your perfect downtown morning. Tell us how you’d spend your ideal weekend in Swan City.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? We scored the details on your favorite Lakeland spots to watch sports, here.

Connect with us.

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

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

Sales: Kailey Burke | Advertise with us.

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