Calling all history buffs 🗣

Step inside the Lakeland History Room to meet with expert historians. | Photo by LALtoday

If you’re anything like us, you love Lakeland history. Luckily for you, the Lakeland History and Culture Center is hosting a History Lecture Series this spring, featuring four expert speakers.

Without further ado, mark your calendars for the following lectures to learn more about Lakeland’s history and some of its major players:

🏘 Communities of the Kathleen Area | Wednesday, Jan. 25 | Hear from historian and author Lois Sherrouse-Murphy, a past president of the Kathleen Area Historical Association, about the Kathleen community’s early residents.

🚂 Henry Bradley Plant: Unexpected Friends, Long-Forgotten Dreams & Surprising Twists and Turns | Thursday, Feb. 23 | Author and Florida historian Dr. Canter Brown, Jr. will educate the public on the “King of Florida” — Henry Plant, known for putting Lakeland on the map with a stop on his railroad.

🧊 We Freeze to Please — The Lakeland Ice House | Thursday, March 30 | Come chill with William Lloyd Harris, an author and local historian, to learn more about the Lakeland Ice House.

🎖 Buffalo Soldiers — Those Men That Came Before | Thursday, April 20 | Historian, re-enactor, and president for Buffalo Soldiers Florida, Inc., Richard Wilder, will explore the history behind the Buffalo Soldiers, who were recently memorialized in Veterans Memorial Park.

All events take place in the Lakeland Public Library’s Lakeland History Room (100 Lake Morton Dr.) from 5:30-7 p.m. The series is free, and no registration is required.

POLL

What Lakeland history topics do you want to read about in LALtoday?

A. Settlers and developers of early Lakeland
B. Historic buildings in downtown Lakeland
C. Historically significant communities and neighborhoods

Don’t see your idea on the list? Click below to send us an email with your hopes for future history stories.

VOTE FOR A, B, OR C

EVENTS

Click here to have your event featured.

Thursday, Jan. 5

Free Yoga for Wellness — Weekly Classes | Thursday, Jan. 5 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | The Cloven Hoof Farm, North Lakeland | Free | This donation-based yoga class focuses on the holistic well-being of the mind, body, and spirit.
Shawn Rahn w/ Jimmy’s Famous Seafood Express | Thursday, Jan. 5 | 7-10 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free | Chill out with cold beer, live music, and fresh food truck bites.

Friday, Jan. 6

Florida Tropics SC vs. Harrisburg Heat | Friday, Jan. 6 | 7:05 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $7-$23 | Don’t miss a moment of the action at this indoor arena soccer game.
The Australian Bee Gees Show: A Tribute to the Bee Gees | Friday, Jan. 6 | 7:30-10:30 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $44.50-$77.50 | Show off “How Deep Is Your Love” for the Bee Gees at this award-winning tribute show.

Saturday, Jan. 7

Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market | Saturday, Jan. 7 | 8 a.m.-2. p.m.| Downtown Lakeland | Free | Find fresh produce, plants, and locally handcrafted items at this outdoor farmers market.
Winter Haven Farmers Market | Saturday, Jan. 7 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Winter Haven Farmers Market, 250 Magnolia Ave., Winter Haven | Free | Shop Winter Haven’s farmers market for plants, handmade goods, produce, food trucks, and more.

Sunday, Jan. 8

Paul Cataldo Duo w/ Billy’s Roadside Grill | Sunday, Jan. 8 | 2-5 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free | No “Sunday scaries” at Swan Brewing — stop by for live music by Paul Cataldo Duo and food from Billy’s Roadside Grill.
“Legally Blonde The Musical” | Sunday, Jan. 8 | 7:30-10 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $66-$86 | Bend and snap your way to this Broadway musical rendition of the famous rom-com movie.

Monday, Jan. 9

New Yoga | Monday, Jan. 9 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Simpson Park Community Center, 1725 Martin Luther King Dr., Lakeland | $5 | Bring your mat and some water to this yoga class for all levels focusing on breath, alignment, balance, and strength — must be 16 or older.

We have a calendar filled with events and 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

BIZ

This billion-dollar startup wants to help you retire

Portrait of businesswoman standing against a wooden wall in office.

SmartAsset’s no-cost tool makes it easy to find vetted financial advisors who serve your area. | Photo by Dean Mitchell

This Princeton grad’s startup raised $161 million to help people plan for retirement. 👀

If you’re one of the whopping 110 million Americans over age 50 — or a wise Millennial looking to get ahead — SmartAsset’s no-cost tool makes it easy to find vetted financial advisors serving our local area.

In just a few minutes, you can get matched with up to three financial advisors, each legally bound to work in your best interest. Now that’s service.*

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NEWS NOTES

Weather

75º | Scattered thunderstorms | 60% chance of rain ⛈️

Biz

Assure Infusions — the new medical fluid manufacturer coming to Bartow — is facing building delays. Founder Alex Lucio hopes to have the building up by this fall, which will pave the way for machinery deliveries. Once complete, the building will bring over 100 new jobs to the area. (The Ledger + Business Observer FL)
The Chapel — a new bar and event space proposed for the vacant church at 417 N. Massachusetts Ave. — needs approval from the City Commission. A public hearing and vote is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 17. Read more about the business proposal, zoning changes, and the city commission’s initial thoughts here. (Bay News 9 + LkldNow)

Open

Hana Tea House is now open at 4525 S. Florida Ave., Unit 6, in Alamo Plaza. The biz serves up boba tea, fruit smoothies, flavored lemonades, spring rolls, crab Rangoon, and more. For more foodie developments coming soon to Swan City, check out our list. 🧋

Number

$1.9 million. That’s the value of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office’s new helicopter, which will replace its existing older model. According to Lt. Paul Wright of the Bartow Air Base, the unit’s helicopters are most often used for locating missing persons to reunite them with their families. (The Ledger)

Sports

Lakeland High School’s head football coach of 47 years, Bill Castle, has retired after 52 years with the Dreadnaughts. Bill holds the record for the most career wins of any high school coach in Florida history with 473 wins, eight state titles, and two national titles. 🏈 (The Ledger)

Closing

Craft + Kitchen, formerly Beer Rev, is shutting its doors on Saturday, Jan. 7. If you want to wish the biz farewell, stop by the 3234 S. Florida Ave. storefront on Friday night for live music with Dan Pepin, or on Saturday from 12-11 p.m. for fresh drafts and menu items.

Arts

Talk about the perfect night in Swan City. Head to the Polk Theatre tonight for “Swan Lake,” presented by The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine. In case you’re unfamiliar, the 1870s ballet follows Odette, a woman spelled into a swan, set to the music of Tchaikovsky. Buy tickets online. 🦢

Community

Polk State College is hosting its 19th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on Wednesday, Jan. 11 at 12 p.m. at 999 Ave. H NE, Winter Haven. The free community event will feature a keynote address from Polk County Fire Rescue Chief Dr. Hezedean A. Smith, lunch, and entertainment.
InnerAct Alliance is presenting its Annual Own The Upside Prevention Summit on Tuesday, Feb. 21 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the W.H. Stuart Conference Center (1702 S. Holland Pkwy., Bartow). The event will educate school professionals and stakeholders about watching for and preventing drug use in youth.

Edu

Attend the grand opening of WonderHere Farm — the new expansion of the nonprofit early education center — on Saturday, Jan. 28 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at 5120 Colbert Rd. RSVP online for the event’s farm tours, petting zoo, family activities, food trucks, bounce house, and more. 🍎

Featured Deal

Ayan Wellness is offering a New Year Weightloss Membership at $399 per month (valued at $850 per month) through Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023. Members can lose unwanted weight and build muscle to help create a healthier life.*

Travel

How does Scott’s Cheap Flights work? Sign up for free, follow up to five airports, and Scott’s will notify you when flights are 40-90% off. Bonus: You can browse deals immediately after signing up (like a $300+ round trip to St. Croix). 🌴*

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HOLIDAY

It’s time to say goodbye 🎄

A Christmas mug with a lit Christmas tree in the background

After all, they can’t stay up forever. | Photo via @robertpeddyphotography

Personally speaking, our Christmas trees were put away on January 1. If yours is still hanging on and starting to look a little worse for wear, check out these ideas for recycling your tree in Swan City. ♻️

Natural feeders — Make a natural bird feeder complete with edible ornaments (think: Orange-apple garlands and peanut butter pine cones). If your property includes a private pond or lake, toss in your tree to make a natural reef.

Make your own mulch — Home Depot has mulchers for rent to shred your own tree, and falling needles can be spread in garden beds or over the lawn.

Take it to the curb — The city will collect and recycle your tree for you. Bring it to the curb on your neighborhood’s usual pick-up day, just make sure you remove the tinsel, garland, tree stand, and ornaments first.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Rilee.

Editor’s pick: If you don’t follow us on Instagram, you’re really missing out. Check out our page for stunning photos and videos of Lakeland landmarks, local events, and the occasional picture of my dog. 📸

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Learn where you can make your voice heard about upcoming developments in Swan City — from city commission meetings to public forums and more — here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Rilee Delgado, Connor Keith, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Kailey Burke | Advertise with us.

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