Plus, a new school breaks ground
 
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Today’s Forecast

84º | Partly cloudy | 20% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:02 a.m. | Sunset 5:32 p.m.
 

Meet Lakeland’s other snowbirds

What’s the deal with the white pelicans?
Four white pelicans sit on a low brick wall on a lake
The pelicans give Lake Morton’s swans a run for their money each winter. | Photo via @silly_runner_girl
Lakelanders have two birds in their hearts: The swan and the snowbird. But what about the other flocks that inhabit local lakes and spots around town, like the white pelican?

Reader Tracy N. once asked us where the white pelicans come from each winter. While the royal avians made their way here via the Queen, the pelicans have their own story.

Weighing in as one of the biggest birds in North America, these migratory avians boast a 9-ft wingspan and flock to Polk County every winter. Unlike their relative the brown pelican, which inhabits the Sunshine State coast year-round, the white birds are typically found along the coast or inland along lakes and rivers. No wonder they make Lakeland home.

And, that’s just about all they do. While in Florida, the birds don’t nest or breed — that’s reserved for their home in Canada. They live off of minnows, panfish, sluggish bottom feeders, salamanders, tadpoles, and crawfish.

Unfortunately for our native waterfowl like swans, ducks, and geese, the pelicans’ size allows them to easily steal food from other birds — you might hear them squawk out low grunts to assert their dominance.

Aspiring bird watchers and lake regulars can check the birds out in person during Florida’s winter months before they migrate back to our neighbors of the north in March. To watch the white pelican, bird enthusiasts say the best spots to see them in action are Lake Morton, Circle B Bar Reserve, Lake Mirror, and Lake Hollingsworth. Happy birding.
 
Events
Friday, Dec. 1
  • A Magical Snowy Wonderland | Friday, Dec. 1-Saturday, Dec. 2 | 6-9 p.m. | Lakeside Village, 1479 Town Center Dr., Lakeland | Free | Watch the snowflakes swirl around Lakeside Village’s iconic tree at the top of each hour on select nights through December.
  • Harrison School for the Arts Winter Dance Concerts | Friday, Dec. 1-Saturday, Dec. 2 | 7 p.m. | Harrison School for the Arts, 750 Hollingsworth Rd., Lakeland | $9-$12 | Students will take the stage for dance performances inspired by the season.
  • Stand-Up Friday | Friday, Dec. 1 | Times vary | The Yard on Mass, 802 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | $10 | Laugh along with your fellow Lakelanders at this night of stand-up comedy — tickets are on sale for the 7 p.m. show and the 9:30 p.m. show.
Saturday, Dec. 2
  • Gravity Rally + Toys for Tots | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | The Joinery, 640 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Donate a new, unwrapped toy for access to this car show.
  • Gingerbread House Workshop | Saturday, Dec. 2 | Times vary | Florida Children’s Museum, 600 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | $100 | Register your family to decorate a gingerbread house under the direction of a pastry chef — each $100 registration covers a party of four.
  • Classroom Drop-In: Little Lake Play | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 2-4 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Drop by the Nature Center Classroom to build a kite and receive a free Play Pass to Little Lake Play.
Sunday, Dec. 3
  • Lakeland Women’s Day | Sunday, Dec. 3 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | Free entry | Treat yourself to free beauty treatments and wellness demos — parking is $10.
  • Sunday Funday with Our Noire Kitchen | Sunday, Dec. 3 | 12-7 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Price of purchase | Start your week with bites by Our Noire Kitchen and music by Andy Shreeve.
  • AFSP Polk County Out of the Darkness Walk | Sunday, Dec. 3 | 1-3 p.m. | Lake Parker Park, 820 E. Robson St., Lakeland | Free | Join this walk to raise awareness for mental health conditions.
Friday, Dec. 15
  • Light Up BSP | Friday, Dec. 15-Sunday, Dec. 31 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Celebrate the season with free nightly holiday-themed events, including live music concerts, visits with Santa, seasonal food + drinks, family-friendly activities, and so much more.*
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
News Notes
Development
  • IDEA Lakeland broke ground on its new school building earlier this week. In case you missed it, the tuition-free K12 charter network will begin teaching students at 1775 Interstate Dr. in August 2024.
Number
  • $185,000. That’s what WonderHere Schoolhouse is hoping to raise in the next year to offset buildout costs. The school prioritizes imaginative play and risk-taking in its nontraditional educational environment. Learn more about supporting the school online. (LkldNow)
Learn
  • Southeastern University is hosting a public forum titled “A New Year, A Happy & Healthier You” on Jan. 5 from 8 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Register to hear a keynote address, participate in breakout sessions, and build your own 30-day improvement plan. Registration is open — tickets are $125.
Cause
Traffic
  • A portion of North Chestnut Road will close for 88 days while crews complete a sidewalk installation project and make drainage improvements. Once complete, the new sidewalk will provide passage between Memorial Boulevard and New Tampa Highway.
Edu
  • Polk State College and BayCare are partnering up to provide a faculty externship program, aka “The Bedside Bridge.” The goal is for participating faculty to get additional clinical experience and relay real-time best practices to nursing students.
Holiday
  • Participating in SantaCon 2023? Early passport pick-up is available at Molly McHugh’s Irish Pub on Dec. 6 from 7 to 9 p.m. Register for the annual pub crawl online — tickets are $22.50.
Biz
  • InteLogix, a Houston-based technology company formerly known as GC Services, is laying off 102 Lakeland employees. The business cited the loss of a client as its reason for trimming down its workforce. (Business Observer FL)
Feel Good
  • Winter Haven teenagers Madison Whitmore and Carissa Goodwin are making cold weather kits for those experiencing homelessness this winter. The duo is aiming for 120 kits filled with items like socks, blankets, and gift cards. Learn more about their cause. (WTSP)
The Word
  • Kokedama. That’s the Japanese art of growing ornamental plants from a ball of moss-covered soil. UF/IFAS Extension + the City of Lakeland are hosting Learn & Grow: Kokedama on Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 10 a.m. at the Peterson Park Pavilion. Register to make your own for $20.
Arts
  • Need gift ideas that won’t add to the clutter? Give the gift of sweet symphonic sounds + unforgettable experiences with tickets to a Lakeland Symphony Orchestra 2023-24 Season performance. Bonus: Get the Season Flex Pass for discounted tickets to any four shows.*
 
Try This

Head down the road
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Your next core memory could be just a short drive away. | Photo by LALtoday
Day trips are one of our favorite ways to spend a Saturday. Check out these nearby events tomorrow, Dec. 2.

Yoga in the Gardens, Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales

Bring a mat and flow on the Olmsted House Lawn from 9 to 10 a.m. — tickets are $12-$20.

Yoga in the Vines, Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City

Enjoy an hour-long stretch in the vineyard from 9 to 10 a.m. — tickets are $10.

Sip + Shop, Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City

Shop handmade art + boutique items from local makers from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bandit Market, Historic Ritz Theatre, 263 W. Central Ave., Winter Haven

Grab a cocktail or coffee and shop from 40+ alternative vendors from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Inspired to make a full day out of it? Click below for our day trip guides in two nearby cities.
Our day trip guides
The Buy

The Buy 12.01.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Only the perfect gift for cat lovers.
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The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
Rilee
From the editor
Did you catch our recent “We’re Lakelanders” reel on Instagram? Add your own suggestion to the comment section — we’re all ears.
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