Building the Wonder House

• There were no blueprints for the house — it was completed using only Conrad’s imagination.
• He was known for collecting unique trinkets and oddities for display — think snakes in jars, taxidermy, and a real coffin.
• The kids used chisels and hammers at Conrad’s request despite newer tools being available.

Later owners

The Wonder House today

• Saturday, June 10 | 2 p.m. | $25
• Saturday, June 17 | 12 p.m. | $25
• Sunday, June 25 | 2 p.m. | $25

• Festival Insights with Charles Hulin | Thursday, June 8 | 5-6 p.m. | Harrison School For the Arts, 750 Hollingsworth Rd., Lakeland | Free | This local pianist, composer, and music professor will present on the works guests can expect to hear at this year’s Swan City Piano Festival.
• Lakeland Food Truck Rally | Thursday, June 8 | 6-9 p.m. | Munn Park, 201 E. Main St., Lakeland | Price of purchase | Head to Munn Park for live music, scavenger hunts, and bites from your favorite local food trucks.

• Moxie Le Femme Presents: Block Party | Friday, June 9 | 7-11 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $15-$20 | This cabaret and burlesque variety show will premiere its latest performance.
• Dixieland Night Market | Friday, June 9 | 6-11 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Price of purchase | Shop from local artists and makers, grab a bite from a food truck, and enjoy live entertainment at Union Hall and The Pink Piano.

• Antique Fair Along Main Street | Saturday, June 10 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Main Street, Bartow | Price of purchase | Search for a treasure among antiques, collectibles, and vintage items.
• Early Learning Coalition of Polk County Family Fun Day | Saturday, June 10 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Early Learning Coalition of Polk County, 115 S. Missouri Ave., Lakeland | Free | Kids can enjoy free food, face painting, and entertainment, plus a treasure to take home from this pirate-themed community event.

• Lakeland Flying Tigers vs. Tampa Tarpons | Sunday, June 11 | 1 p.m. | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland | $6-$32 | Enjoy an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet and let the kids run the bases following the game.
• Rustic Haulin’ Spring Truck | Sunday, June 11 | 12:30-2:30 p.m. | Painting with a Twist, 3670 Harden Blvd., Lakeland | $41-$47 | Who wouldn’t want a vintage truck stuffed with fresh blooms — paint your own at this guided workshop.

• Hip Hop Fitness | Monday, June 12 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Simpson Park Community Center, 1725 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | $5 | Pop, lock, and drop in this upbeat fitness class for ages 16+ — bring your own water, towel, and mat.
• Trivia Night | Monday, June 12 | 7:30 p.m. | Cob & Pen, 1221 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Enjoy happy hour deals all day and test your knowledge with trivia.

• What majors lead to great careers?
• How do I navigate college financial aid?
• How do I set up a campus visit?

• If you spot an unusual barge on Lake Hollingsworth, here’s why: Between 30-50 tons of non-native vegetation will be harvested from the lake each day. The city has opted to harvest it using a machine — similar to an “aquatic lawn mower” — in lieu of herbicides to improve water quality. (WTSP)

• The Polk County Voters’ League and NAACP Lakeland Branch are hosting a free forum series ahead of November elections at The Well (114 E. Parker St.). The first forum — “Civics 101: Why Should I Vote?” — is on Thursday, June 15 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. (The Ledger)

• Sleepy Hill Middle School’s step team, Taken By Surprise, claimed their fifth national title at the 2023 High School National Stepping Championship. The team is the first all-female team to be crowned grand champions. (Bay News 9)

• The Swan City Piano Festival kicks off today at 5 p.m., when Charles Hulin will introduce the artists and pieces coming down the pipeline. Before you go, brush up on your knowledge of the festival’s founder — Patrick Fleitz — and his Juilliard graduate son, Robert. (The Ledger)

• $32.6 million. That’s Lakeland Electric’s anticipated utility dividend for fiscal year 2023. The dividend is a contribution to the city’s General Fund that funds public safety, parks and recreation, and more. (The Ledger)

• Do the shuffle. Head to the Lakeland Shuffleboard Club in Lake Parker Park on the second Friday of every month from 6-8 p.m. to play shuffleboard with LKLD Magazine and Destroyer Events. Tickets are $5 and all equipment is included — instructions will be given on-site for new players.

• The Lakeland Public Library has even more rewards in store for young readers during this year’s summer reading program. Stop by any location to pick up a Reading with the Rays game card — by logging their reading hours, kids can earn Tampa Bay Rays tickets.

• Nojito. An alcohol-free, “safe for work” version of a mojito (think: Muddled fruit, minty, limey, coconut-ty goodness). Black & Brew Coffee House and Bistro just released its summer menu, featuring a nojito craft soda, cereal milk shaken espresso, dragonfruit matcha lemonade, and more. Order yours.

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