Plus, our snowbirds' home states
 
November 7, 2023 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

SUBSCRIBE | REFER
6AM City In-house

Today’s Forecast

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

LAL_High Tower Roofing_Weather Sponsorship_7.1.2023-6.30.2025

 
Mark your calendars, Lakeland
Children running towards a flagpole; an American flag waves in the wind
Happy Memorial Day, Lakeland. | Photo by @namzug66
Saturday, Nov. 11 is Veterans Day, a federal holiday that commemorates those who have served in the US military. Check out these upcoming events happening in and around Lakeland that honor the 60,000+ veterans who call Polk County home.

Friday, Nov. 10
  • Salute to Veterans Breakfast | Friday, Nov. 10 | 7 a.m. | Heritage Baptist Church, 4202 Pipkin Creek Rd., Lakeland | $0-$10 | The Rotary Clubs of Lakeland will host this free breakfast for veterans, and non-veterans can join for $10.
Saturday, Nov. 11
  • Veterans Day Celebration | Saturday, Nov. 11 | 10 a.m. | Veteran’s Memorial Park, Lake Beulah Drive, Lakeland | Free | Honor veterans with a ceremony at 10 a.m., followed by a parade from the RP Funding Center to Munn Park at 11 a.m.
  • Mind, Body, Movement: Veterans Day | Saturday, Nov. 11 | 10-11 a.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Join this challenging workout led by Lakeland Athletic Club to show support for veterans.
  • A Salute To Veterans — Ft. Blackbird Anthem & SG Wood | Saturday, Nov. 11 | 12-10 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Raise a glass to veterans while enjoying live music and a special tribute.
  • Concert on the Lot: Lee Brice | Saturday, Nov. 11 | 6-11:55 p.m. | Bartow Ford, 2800 US-98 N., Bartow | $31 | Bring your own chair for this concert by Grammy-nominated country singer Lee Brice and supporting act Randy Houser — a portion of proceeds will go to Wounded Warriors.
  • Matt The Welder & Average Joey’s Tax Evasion Tour | Saturday, Nov. 11 | 8-10 p.m. | Polk Theatre, 121 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $35-$75 | Enjoy an evening of laughter and music at this Veterans Day comedy event — beer, wine, and snacks are available for purchase.
Additionally, applications are open for Flight to Honor 9 on April 30, 2024.

Is there a Veterans Day event we missed? Tell us about it.
 
 
Events
 
Tuesday, Nov. 7
  • “Friends” Trivia | Tuesday, Nov. 7 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | Free entry | Pivot your existing plans and head to the patio to answer trivia questions about “Friends” for prizes.
  • Tacos, Margaritas + BINGO! At The Back Nine | Tuesday, Nov. 7 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | The Back Nine, 124 S. Tennessee Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Snag deals on tacos and margarita flights while you compete for five in a row.
Wednesday, Nov. 8
  • Live Trivia w/ The One Stop Food Truck | Wednesday, Nov. 8 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Show what you know with trivia led by Hold On I Know This.
Thursday, Nov. 9
  • Exploration Station: Bricks 4 Kids | Thursday, Nov. 9 | 2-4 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Kids can test their building skills and create LEGO mosaics inspired by nature.
  • New Product Launch Party | Thursday, Nov. 9 | 6-8 p.m. | Catapult Lakeland, 502 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Try the new cupcakes from Mike & Mike’s Desserts at this tasting party.
Friday, Nov. 10
  • Lakeland Fall Collector Car Auction | Friday, Nov. 10 | 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. | Sun ‘n Fun Expo Campus, 4175 Medulla Rd., Lakeland | Free entry | Bid on historic collector cars online, by phone, or in-person at this auction.
Saturday, Nov. 11
  • A Proper Night of Comedy... and Music | Saturday, Nov. 11 | 8-11 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $20-$25 | Comedian Sean Finnerty will start the night with a comedy set, followed by dancing and live music by Proper Wednesday.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
News Notes
 
Tech
  • Lakeland’s first solar microgrid neighborhood, Myrtlebrook, is coming to northwest Lakeland. Highland Homes will begin construction in 2024, estimating completion by early 2026. All 77 homes will have solar panels and batteries; the neighborhood will also have a central “energy park” with additional power storage. (LkldNow)
Transit
  • The first map of potential Polk County SunRail stops is live. The seven stops on the map include Lakeland, Polk Parkway, Auburndale, Lake Alfred, Davenport, Loughman, and Haines City. Phase one of the 37-mile extension would run from the existing Poinciana stop through Loughman, Davenport, and Haines City. (The Ledger)
Today Is
Health
  • Lakeland Regional Health’s newest location at 2400 Kathleen Rd. opened to patients yesterday. The 76,000-sqft, three-story facility will offer primary care, family medicine, lab services, and more for patients. Additionally, the building will house the provider’s new Graduate Medical Education Family Medicine residency practice.
Edu
  • Polk County Public Schools, which includes both traditional public schools and charter schools, saw ~3,000 more students enroll for the 2023-2024 school year than it did the previous year. Currently, 116,315 students are attending PCPS institutions. Learn more about Polk’s school options in our guide. (The Ledger)
Lakelander
  • Lakeland Fire Marshal Cheryl Edwards was awarded the Fire Marshal of the Year award, an annual award presented to someone who has demonstrated innovation, leadership, and a commitment to local safety and fire prevention. Next, Cheryl will be recognized by Governor Ron DeSantis in January 2024. (Tampa Free Press)
Number
  • $10 million. That’s the value of the Lakeland Electric engine that fell onto the CSX tracks two weeks ago. The extent of its damage is being determined; so far, technicians from the engine manufacturer have identified that its nine heads were destroyed, in addition to other concerns. (The Ledger)
Biz
  • Inklings Book Shoppe is moving to 243 N. Florida Ave., next to Thom Downs’ Antiques Inc., in January 2024. Pro tip: Stock up on holiday gifts for others (or yourself) during the store’s week-long Black Friday Sale, happening from Nov. 24 to Dec. 2.
Real Estate
  • Polk County is considering new regulations to prevent unauthorized parties and events at short-term rentals, like Airbnbs. While the exact requirements are still being determined, Polk commissioners may discuss the issue during their meeting today in Bartow. (WFLA)
Outdoors
  • Polk County commissioners will vote today on making public, county-owned parks smoke and vape-free zones. According to the ordinance, the change would aim to “assure cleaner and more hygienic parks” and reduce exposure to secondhand smoke. (WFLA)
Feel Good
  • Less than a year after losing his leg below the knee to amputation, Davenport resident Zach Bernstein ran the Disney Wine & Dine 5K. Bernstein relearned how to walk using a blade prosthetic. After completing his 5K, he made plans to run a 10K the very next day. (WFLA)
Active
  • See how easy it can be to FIT healthy habits in your daily routine — Lakeland Regional Health’s free FIT programs offer 12-week fitness challenges for individuals (FITChallenge) and groups (FITChurch Challenge). Perks include free workouts + education sessions, complimentary screenings, prizes, and more. Register here (challenges start in January 2024).*
Holiday
  • #TerraceTabletop: Give thanks this Thanksgiving by not cooking. Indulge a bountiful, all-you-can-eat Thanksgiving buffet at The Terrace Grille and feast on turkey, herb roast beef, snow crab, and more — plus an elevated array of sides and desserts. See the menu + be ready to go back for seconds (and thirds).*
Health
  • Discover unparalleled speech clarity with this advanced, state-of-the-art hearing aid. With crystal-clear sound and a sleek, discreet German design, those experiencing hearing impairment can enjoy clear speech with minimum background distractions, even in the noisiest environments. Try the 45-day, no-risk trial.*
 
 
The Buy
 
The Stanley perfect brew pour-over and camp mug. It’s non-breakable, doesn’t require paper filters, and all of Stanley’s stainless steel products use 23% recycled materials.
 
Answered
 
Last week, we asked our snowbirds some questions...
lakeland swans

We may not have snow in Lakeland, but we certainly have birds.

|

Photo via @catapultlkld

Wondering where Lakeland’s snowbirds are flying in from? Here’s a breakdown according to our LALtoday readers:
  • 26% of respondents hail from Michigan.
  • 30% come from northeastern states like New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.
  • Oh, Canada, thank you for sending 15% of our snowbirds from Ontario + Nova Scotia.
  • Missouri, Kansas, Ohio, Minnesota, Indiana, and Wisconsin made up the remaining 29% of our snowbird subscribers.
Our readers range from long-term, part-time Floridians to first-year flock members. We had answers ranging from just one month to 33 years.

Know a snowbird? Share these tips from their peers:
  • “Enjoy Bok Tower, my favorite place.”
  • “Go to Parkesdale Farm Market for their strawberry malts, they’re the best.”
  • “Don’t depart on March 31 unless you want to be in a massive traffic jam all the way north.”
  • “Get involved! There are wonderful opportunities, church affiliation, and neighborhood groups to meet some fantastic people.”
 
Share LALtoday
 

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

{{profile.vars.rh_reflink_15}}
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_15}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.
Claim your rewards
 
 
The Wrap
 
Rilee-Delgado-Headshot-LAL Today’s edition by:
Rilee
From the editor
I couldn’t fit all of the advice from snowbirds into today’s newsletter, but I wanted to thank those of you who said your advice for snowbirds was to subscribe to LALtoday — it’s an honor to share all things Lakeland with our year-round and part-time residents.
Missed our previous newsletter?      ›
Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback      ›
Become a Member      ›
Advertise      ›
Shop      ›
 
 

* This content is paid advertising, or contains links to our Six & Main marketplace, or affiliate partners which we may receive a commission from. ^ This content is created by our content studio.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | SHOP