01.09.2024

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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.

✅ Check, check, and check

Check these activities off your Lakeland bucket list

We’re setting off to check all of these items off our bucket list. | Photo by Catapult

Our goal for 2024? Keep exploring Lakeland and all it has to offer. That’s why we’re creating a bucket list filled with everything you want to do, see, and experience before we kick the bucket — or at least before we say goodbye to this year.

We asked you what you’re hoping to check off, including a few of your New Year’s resolutions. See how many you can accomplish.

Reader Diane S. is going airborne with plans to fly in a hot air balloon. Be like Diane and take flight at Balloons & Beyond for aerial views of the city, and attend the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo to watch the hot air balloon launches.

A stone marker beside a highway that reads "October 1930, Welcome to Polk County, Citrus Center" — Mark the year by finding these nearly 100-year-old stone markers.
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Screenshot via Google Maps

Reader E. F. wants to collect photos of the county boundary markers, stone pillars built in 1930 at the edges of Polk County. There are two in Lakeland to snap a picture of — one at the corner of New Tampa Highway + County Line Road and one where Highway 98 North intersects with County Road 54.

We’re all about being a tourist in our own town. Reader Wendy F. wants to visit the Wonder House. Holiday tours just wrapped up last week, so keep an eye on the tour schedule to book a walk through this mysterious historic home.

A young goat stands on a yoga blanket as two people do yoga in the background — No kidding around — try The Cloven Hoof Farm for a fun fitness session.
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Photo by @the_cloven_hoof

This goal might be the GOAT. Facebook follower La M. wants to pet goats this year — what better place than The Cloven Hoof Farm? Join a goat yoga session (there are two coming up this month) or just sign up to pet the friendly goats.

Instagram follower @lakelandveganeats wants to keep eating plant-based, vegan foods this year. If you’re testing out a vegan diet or looking for a new favorite vegetarian menu, you can’t go wrong with these local eateries.

Events

Tuesday, Jan. 9

STEAM It! | Tuesday, Jan. 9 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library, Larry R. Jackson Branch, 1700 N. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Children ages 7-12 and their parents/guardians can explore science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics with hands-on activities.
Green Hat & White Gloves Tour | Tuesday, Jan. 9 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Frances Langford Promenade, Lakeland | Free | Meet at the swan statue at the end of Main Street to take a historic tour around Lake Mirror — registration required.

Wednesday, Jan. 10

Lunch & Learn — Planning for a Purpose | Wednesday, Jan. 10 | 12-1 p.m. | COhatch Lakeland, 211 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Bring a lunch or buy one for $5 at this planning session with Brian Brogen of Build Consulting Services.
Salsa y Bachata Class | Wednesday, Jan. 10 | 6:15-8:15 p.m. | Coleman Bush Building, 1104 Martin L. King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | $10 | Learn one of two popular Latin dances, then show off your moves in a social dance.

Thursday, Jan. 11

Acoustic Dose with Top Dog Concessions | Thursday, Jan. 11 | 6-9 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Enjoy acoustic tunes from a live performer while sipping on your favorite Swan Brewing drinks with views of the lake.
“The Great American Trailer Park Musical” | Thursday, Jan. 11-Sunday, Jan. 14 | Times vary | Theatre Winter Haven, 210 Cypress Gardens Blvd. SW, Winter Haven | $33-$36 | See this comedic musical featuring the residents of the fictional Florida trailer park Armadillo Acres.

Friday, Jan. 12

Lakeland Cruisers Cruise Night | Friday, Jan. 12 | 5-9 p.m. | Lakeside Village, 1479 Town Center Dr., Lakeland | Free | View modern and classic cars at this family-friendly car show that takes place every Friday, weather permitting.

Saturday, Jan. 13

Lakeland Camellia Society Flower Show | Saturday, Jan. 13 | 1-4 p.m. | First Presbyterian Church, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland | Free entry | See hundreds of camellia flowers and bring one home from the plant sale starting at 9 a.m.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Eat

Farm to Shelf: Publix is ripe with locally-grown citrus this month

Enjoy the fruits of our state at your local Publix. | Photo via Pexels

Is there a more iconic Florida produce than citrus fruit?

Florida’s most famous fruits line the shelves at Florida’s best-known grocer, Publix, ensuring Lakelanders have easy access to local growers’ produce. Those local growers include the likes of:

Heller Bros

This third- and fourth-generation Florida citrus family has been working with Publix since the 1940s — and is one of the few operations in the US that handles the entire seed-to-packing process for both commercial and retail markets.

Noble Citrus

This family of fourth-generation growers operates 4,440 acres in Winter Haven and is known for sustainable horticulture practices and growing craft-cultivated pomelos, tangerines + more.

Peak citrus season is here, with the height of harvest happening in January and February. So get ready to enjoy the fruits of these locals’ labor with these three recipe ideas:

Snag local FL citrus at Publix

News Notes

Traffic

Eastbound lanes on West Pipkin Road between Harden Boulevard + South Florida Avenue will not reopen until March. The opening has been delayed so crews can remove a waterline contaminated with asbestos. Expect continued detours in both directions. (The Ledger)

Cause

Nonprofit organization One More Child plans to expand its Lakeland campus, including new family homes, an event space, and a recreation center. The expansion will include two homes for foster families as local need grows — learn more about foster care at this event on Tuesday, Feb. 6. (LkldNow)

Coming Soon

Calling all crafters. Michaels is taking over the former Tuesday Morning space in the Southgate Plaza. The arts and crafts store hasn’t announced an opening date yet, but you can visit its northside location at 4017 Hwy. 98 N.

Community

The Polk County Roads and Drainage Division seeks community input about improving a stretch of road between Swindell Road and Galloway Road. Ask questions + give feedback at tonight’s public meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. at Winston Academy of Engineering (3415 Swindell Rd.). (The Ledger)

Ranked

No. 53. That’s what Polk County ranked on the Florida Policy Institute’s 2023 Child Well-Being Index. The index ranks Florida’s 67 counties based on metrics like economic well-being and childcare costs. (The Ledger)

Holiday

Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a lineup of Dream Mega Fest events. The festivities kick off this Friday, Jan. 12 with a leadership forum on “College, Careers & Community.” The free forum takes place 1-4 p.m. at the Lake Crago Outdoor Recreation Complex.

Development

Construction is underway on the Central Polk Parkway, which will connect US 17 in Bartow and the Polk Parkway in Winter Haven. The road will cut through Marshall Hampton Reserve, which will get a new entrance and trailhead as part of the project. (The Ledger)

Civic

The 2024 general election will include a vote for Polk County tax collector. Incumbent Joe G. Tedder, who has held the position since 1996, is currently the only candidate on the ballot. (The Ledger)

Edu

Polk State College has entered the planning and design phase of its new Haines City-Davenport Campus, set to open in 2025. The school received $13.8 million in state funding for the project in 2022 and is advocating for another $16.2 million this year. See renderings of the campus.

Number

30,000. That’s how many alligators could be in Lake Okeechobee — but Lakelander Jordon Wolfram and his friend Mason Gravley traveled 34 miles across the lake by paddle board anyway. The duo took the trek to raise awareness of conservation + restoration efforts in the Everglades. (Fox 13 News)

Fun Fact

Did you know 37,000 of you welcome us into your inbox every morning? We’re asking you to take two minutes to tell us more about yourself so we can continue to write about things you find interesting. One lucky LAL survey participant will win $500. Take the survey.

Edu

While “you can’t judge a book by its cover” is true of people, it’s not true of the digital world. Learn everything you need to know to excel in visually-driven fields of marketing, web design, communications, and more with SEU’s online Digital Media & Design degree. See the career possibilities + apply.*

Travel

If taking a killer vacay didn’t make the resolution list, it will now. See Orlando International Airport’s new + resuming flights to destinations like the Cayman Islands, Spain, Scotland, Maine, and more. Bonus: Check out their flight deals, too.*

Development

Big plans on campus

Southwest Middle School is getting a new campus

Rendering of the exterior Southwest Middle School courtyard and school building

Students + staff will both enjoy this spacious courtyard. | Rendering provided by Straughn Trout Architects

Change is coming to Southwest Middle School. Construction started on an all-new campus in 2022, which is now set to be complete this spring.

The goal of the $55 million Southwest Middle School Campus Modernization master plan is to update the entire school, which was founded in 1956. After construction finishes, capacity could increase from 800+ to ~1,350 students.

How will the middle school accommodate all those new students? A new two-story building totaling more than 175,000 sqft will be on the north side of the current campus. The plans include:

Administrative offices
Classrooms + laboratories
Media center
Fine arts suite
Combined cafeteria + auditorium
Outdoor dining space

In addition to these features, there will also be a new bus loop, lit fields, and a new parent pick-up + drop-off location. Is it normal to be jealous of middle schoolers?

See more renderings

The Buy

The Buy 1.09.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

A ring light you can clip right on your laptop or monitor — great for virtual meetings, live streaming, and video calls with family.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Connor

From the editor

If you’re committed to Dry January or just like a fun drink without the buzz, we’re putting together a guide for you. Let us know where you’ve found the best mocktails and you might see them featured in our guide along with our favorites.

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