Q: What’s your writing routine like? A: I love the idea of this sexy space with candles and chai teas, but that’s just not my life. I’m writing in the car at pickup, getting my kids from school. It’s not romantic or anything, it’s very utilitarian.
Q: What do you think is a common misconception about poetry? What would you tell people to help them understand it more fully? A: The idea that you have to be good. As soon as we tell ourselves we have to be good at something, we are prohibiting ourselves from being real about it. You don’t have to be good to say things that are important.
Q: You also host community groups. Can you speak to those? A: Small group creative spaces can really open the floodgates to a lot of things we have inside that we haven’t been able to carve space for. Creating the workshops was an invitation for you to create the space for yourself.
Upcoming workshops + events
Feeling inspired? Join Diana for one of her upcoming events:
Poetry Workshop with Orange Blossom Poems | Friday, April 21 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Pressed Lakeland, 213 E. Bay St., Lakeland | $25-$50 sliding scale | Attend this poetry workshop focusing on the subject of spring and blossoming.
Get Lit with Orange Blossom Poems Book Club | Tuesday, April 25 | 6-7 p.m. | Revival, 119 S. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | $15-$30 sliding scale | Meet and discuss “Corazón” by Yesika Salgado.
Four-week virtual poetry workshop | Thursday, May 4-Thursday, May 25 | 7-8:15 p.m. | Virtual | $60-$100 sliding scale | This four-week workshop will focus on the theme of motherhood — send Diana a message on her Instagram for more information.
Alzheimer Association’s In-Person Caregiver Support Group | Tuesday, Apr. 11 | 12-1 p.m. | Hawthorne Inn, 6150 Lakeland Highlands Rd., Lakeland | Free | Connect with other caregivers at this group that meets on the second Tuesday of each month.
Molly’s Musicians Showcase | Tuesday, Apr. 11 | 9 p.m. | Molly McHugh’s Irish Pub, 111 S. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | Free | Support local musicians at this free open mic night.
Wednesday, April 12
Yoga for Beginners | Wednesday, Apr. 12 | 10-11 a.m. | Simpson Park Community Center, 1725 Martin L. King Jr. Ave., 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.
Trivia Night | Wednesday, Apr. 12 | 7-9 p.m. | Union Taproom, 245 W. Central Ave., Ste. 102, Winter Haven | Free | Pour your own drinks and enjoy fresh pizzas at Union Taproom while showing off your general trivia knowledge.
Thursday, April 13
Environmental Lands Management & Tour | Thursday, Apr. 13 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Circle B Bar Reserve, 4399 Winter Lake Rd., Lakeland | $50 | Learn about preserving Florida’s resources, cattle grazing, and invasive plant management — price includes lunch and a handbook.
Spring Pop-Up Series: Plates on Deck | Thursday, Apr. 13 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Catapult Lakeland, 502 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Home cooking and fine dining meet at this lunch pop-up with elevated soul food bites.
Friday, April 14
“The Sweet Delilah Swim Club” | Friday, Apr. 14 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Lakeland Community Theatre, 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | $20-$26 | Watch this play about five Southern women who rely on their friendship to get through the challenges of life.
Spring Wine Dinner | Friday, Apr. 14 | 6:30 p.m. | Publix Aprons Cooking School, 4730 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $75 | Watch as expert chefs prepare a spring surf and turf dinner paired with wines.
Saturday, April 15
Snapology Parents Night Out | Saturday, Apr. 15 | 5:30-9:30 p.m. | Sharkey’s Cuts For Kids, 4814 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $40 | Drop the kids off for a night of robotic builds, pizza, treats, games, free builds, and activities — children must be ages five and up.
Night at the Museum | Saturday, Apr. 15 | 7-10 p.m. | Florida Children’s Museum, 600 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | $55 | Enjoy an adults-only night at the museum with games, drinks, small plates, and music.
Bank of Central Florida’s Commercial Relationship Manager, James Garner, with Business Owner, Drew Barthle. | Photo provided by Bank of Central Florida, MEMBER FDIC
Early on, visionary entrepreneur Drew Barthle(owner of A1 CDL) knew he needed a bank to support his business banking needs.
He met Commercial Relationship Manager James Garner at a previous bank and they struck up a friendship. When James moved to Bank of Central Florida, Drew came with him.
“It’s the perfect balance of convenience and relationship,” Drew says. “When I want to make a deposit from home, it’s easy. When I come into the office, everyone knows my name.”*
The intersection of Griffin Road and US 98 North will undergo construction starting Saturday, April 15. Crews will replace 600 feet of sewer pipes. The $1.97 million project is expected to take roughly eight weeks with crews working 24/7. View lane closures and the project map here. (LkldNow)
Civic
The City of Lakeland and Talbot House Ministries are considering reopening Talbot House’s Day Center, which closed in recent years. The center would give individuals experiencing homelessness a shady place to eat, charge phones, and more. (LkldNow)
The Department of Environmental Protection approved a high-voltage power line in Polk County last November, but Lakeland has challenged the decision on grounds of protecting Lakeland’s water supply. Learn more here. (WUSF)
Real Estate
Many homebuyers are purchasing homes in Polk County cities like Lakeland, Winter Haven, and Haines City, rather than in larger markets like Tampa and Orlando. This change — known as homebuyer migration — has made Polk Florida’s fastest-growing county. (Bay News 9)
Opening
Shop for your favorite plant-based dishes at Vegetation Cafe & Kitchen, the brick and mortar location for Vegetation Plant Food opening at 1439 E. Gary Rd. The biz is opening its doors on Saturday, April 15. Stop by from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. for the grand opening.
Shop
Calling all small businesses — Dixieland Relics is looking for vendors to participate in the Dixieland Relics Pop-Up Market on Saturday, May 13 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Interested in selling your goods? Send a message to Allyson on Instagram.
Feel Good
Geraldine Gimblet of Lakeland won $2 million from playing the lottery at a Polk County gas station. The best part? Geraldine bought her lucky ticket the day after her daughter rang the bell to celebrate being cancer free. Talk about a good week. (WFLA)
Arts
After 55 years of professional guitar playing, Robert Phillips is retiring from his post at Harrison School for the Arts. Celebrate Robert’s career at tonight’s Spring Guitar Concert at 7 p.m. (The Ledger)
Network
Head to the Lake Eva Event Center in Haines City on Wednesday, April 12 for the Spring Job Fair, hosted by CareerSource Polk and Haines City. More than 25 employers in industries ranging from healthcare to manufacturing are looking for part-time and full-time employees. (The Ledger)
Today Is
Today is National Pet Day. Celebrate your fur babies with our brand partner, Hannah Chloe Co. From bandanas to bows, your adorable pet will appreciate these gifts. Shop now.
Find this 100-ft Blinky playground at Florida Children’s Museum. | Photo by @lkldlense
Happy National Pet Day, Lakeland. In case you forgot, Lakeland once had something of a communal pet in the form of a one-eyed, three-legged alligator named Blinky in the 1970s.
Blinky, or as some locals liked to call him, “One-eyed Joe,” freely roamed downtown Lakeland. With frequent pats on the head and treats delivered right to him, Blinky was considered a relatively harmless member of the greater Lakeland family. He was, after all, as much of Lakeland’s mascot at that time as our ever-beloved swans are today.
Children frequently visited him at his Lake Mirror home to feed him table scraps, but his favorites were reported to be marshmallows and popcorn.
Like all good things, Blinky’s downtown occupancy eventually came to an end. Click below for the rest of his story.
Meet Eve and Ruby, the pets of LALtoday. | Photos via Connor Keith (left) and Rilee Delgado (right)
Meet ours, Eve and Ruby. Now it’s your turn — click below to send us a photo of your furry (or scaly, feathery, etc.) friend. We might just feature them in an upcoming newsletter.
I’ve loved meeting with and learning about all of our Q+A participants. Do you know someone we need to talk to? Send in your suggestion for our next Q+A subject.
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