07.19.2023

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Today’s Forecast

77º | Light thunderstorms and rain | 90% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:20 a.m. | Sunset 5:49 p.m.

Meet me at the Roto-Sphere

Lakeland’s most iconic landmarks

Lakeland neon rotosphere sign above parking lot at night

Lakeland’s roto-sphere is one of only four still operating throughout the country. | Photo by @paulhavranek

We’ve all been there: Someone’s trying to give you directions by describing 10 lefts, 20 rights, and a jumble of cardinal directions. Isn’t it easier to just point out a landmark?

That’s exactly what we’re doing. We have a few of the most recognizable Lakeland landmarks — from the Southgate Sign to Lake Mirror’s Frances Langford Promenade. Not only are these local icons easy to remember, but they’ll also get you where you need to go in a jiffy.

“Sputnik” Roto-Sphere
Address: 941 E. Main St.
Nearby: Jenkins Lincoln, Boring Business Systems

This spinning neon art piece was designed by Warren Milks between 1961-1970. It’s been dubbed “Sputnik” because it looks like the satellites that were launched in the 1950s. The Roto-Sphere is so much of a Lakeland landmark that pilots use it as a reference point at night.

A vintage sign reading Southside: A backward poet writes inverse. — The Southside Cleaners sign always keeps us laughing.
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Photo via @existentialismexist

Southside Cleaners Sign
Address: 901 S. Florida Ave.
Nearby: 360 Unlimited, Low Country Vintage

No drive through Dixieland is complete without a glance at the Southside Cleaner’s quote of the day. The seafoam green and sunny starburst sign has been around since 1962 and is curated with different phrases on the marquee throughout the week.

Southgate Shopping Center’s iconic arch — This iconic arch often changes colors.
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Photo provided by Southgate Shopping Center

Southgate Shopping Center
Address: 2515 S. Florida Ave.
Nearby: Publix, Crowder Bros. Ace Hardware

Built in 1957, the Southgate Shopping Center transformed the Polk County skyline — now, you’d be hard-pressed to find an illustration of Lakeland that doesn’t include it. Its claim to fame was a cameo in the 1990 film “Edward Scissorhands.” More recently, it was also used for Disney’s movie “The One and Only Ivan” in 2018.

What did we miss? If you know a landmark that’s not on the list, let us know using this survey.

5 more landmarks

Asked

Which landmark is your favorite?

A. Southgate Sign
B. “Sputnik” Roto-Sphere
C. Southside Cleaners Sign
D. Something else

Mark your answer

Events

Wednesday, July 19

Knit One, Crochet Too! | Wednesday, July 19 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library, Larry R. Jackson Branch, 1700 N. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Bring your current knitting or crocheting project to share tips and tricks with other crafters.
Trivia Night | Wednesday, July 19 | 7-9 p.m. | Union Taproom, 245 W. Central Ave., Ste. 102, Winter Haven | Free entry | Pour your own drinks and enjoy fresh pizzas at Union Taproom while showing off your general trivia knowledge.

Thursday, July 20

Yogadance | Thursday, July 20 | 4-5 p.m. | Lake Crago Outdoor Recreation Complex, 525 Lake Crago Dr., Lakeland | $5 | Dance to music from around the world in this uplifting exercise class for all levels.
Wine Bingo | Thursday, July 20 | 6-8 p.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | Free entry | Support local charities at this 1920s-themed bingo night — tickets include five rounds of bingo, a charcuterie table, and a drink.

Friday, July 21

Fancy Flea Vintage Home and Garden In Wonderland | Friday, July 21-Saturday, July 22 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $7 | Visit this “Summer Soiree” shopping event to find unique vintage pieces — parking is free.
All Together Fridays: Meet the Police Department | Friday, July 21 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library, Larry R. Jackson Branch, 1700 N. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Children ages 2-13 can meet the K9 unit, peek inside police vehicles, and learn about community safety.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Outdoors

Polk County Mosquito Control says it is taking an aggressive approach this summer after several cases of malaria were reported in Central Florida. Expect to see more crews than usual spraying outside and monitoring traps. The group is also asking residents to remove standing water around their homes. (Fox 13 News)

Sports

Athletes from each of Polk State College’s sports teams were named to the NJCAA All-Academic Team. Thanks to their high GPAs, 10 players from the soccer, softball, baseball, volleyball, and basketball teams received the honor.

Holiday

Start making your winter plans. The Junior League of Greater Lakeland has announced that this year’s Lakeland Christmas Parade theme will be “Christmas in Candy Land.” Mark your calendars for Thursday, Dec. 7 and apply here to be in the parade.

Civic

Bartow has named Chamberlin “Howard” Smith as its new Community Redevelopment Agency director, starting next week. Howard has previously worked for the city of Clearwater and organizations across Florida. (The Ledger)

Cause

Keel Farms is hosting a Christmas in July toy drive all month long. Donate an unwrapped toy and receive a free glass of wine, cider, or ale. Toys will go to No More Umbrellas Foundation, which benefits kids fighting cancer.

Seasonal

Get ready for nights of fright. Busch Gardens is offering a limited-time discount on tickets to its Howl-O-Scream event. Buy single-day tickets by Sunday, July 30 to get them for $32.99. (WFLA)

Health

When stroke took the lives of seven loved ones, Lakelander Barbara Clark scheduled an MRI with Lakeland Regional Health’s neurosurgeon Dr. Davide Croci to assess her risk — and the results confirmed her worst fears. See how being proactive about her health saved Barbara’s life.*

Edu

There’s a reason Indiana University is constantly recognized as one of the nation’s most beautiful college campuses. A huge part of the beauty? IU’s welcoming and inclusive nature that defines “Hoosier hospitality” (yes, it’s a real thing). See for yourself.*

Biz

Business

How Polk County’s economy is changing

Boxes stacked on industrial shelves inside a fluorescent lit warehouse.

Expect to see continued growth in Lakeland’s distribution sector. | Photo by @thedanallenn

Polk County is still one of the fastest-growing counties in the entire country, but how is that growth reflected in our local economy? Take a look at the stats from Tampa Bay Business Journal’s annual “Doing Business in Polk County” report.

According to the report, Polk County’s overall GDP grew 35% from 2012 to 2021 (when adjusted for inflation). The biggest drivers were the finance, insurance, and real estate industries, while agriculture saw the largest decrease at nearly 52%. Keep an eye on durable goods manufacturing and wholesale trade, which have grown over 177% and 145%, respectively.

Lakeland recently ranked as the country’s third biggest boomtown — but there could be signs that growth is slowing down. Katie Worthington Decker of the Lakeland Economic Development Council shared in the report that rising interest rates could slow down development projects. However, she said she expects to see growth in aerospace, food manufacturing, and distribution.

Shop

Shop

Make sure your child’s wardrobe is upgraded this school year with Ducks & Drakes, a clothing company with tall kids at the heart of its designs.

Active

Contemplating an e-bike purchase? Upway — the No. 1 certified e-bike provider — sells top-quality electric bikes up to 60% cheaper than retail.

Eat

Slice and serve your favorite meats + cheeses on this sleek yet durable maple wood cutting board. Bonus: It’s preconditioned with beeswax, linseed, and lemon oil.

Travel

Don’t get stuck paying those pesky airline fees with a bag that exceeds the weight limit. Use this portable luggage scale to save time + money.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Connor

From the editor

Did you catch this behind-the-scenes video from DOU Bakehouse? I need to know how that egg-cracking machine is able to crack 200 eggs in 20 seconds. If we do another Q+A with DOU’s owner Diana, I’ll be sure to ask her.

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