The history

The mission

How to get involved

• Lakeland Music Club | Tuesday, April 9 | 10-11:30 a.m. | United Women’s Club of Lakeland Clubhouse, 1515 Williamsburg Sq., Lakeland | Free | Mingle with other music enthusiasts, then enjoy a performance by the recipients of the club’s annual college scholarships.
• Lakeland Flying Tigers vs. Bradenton Marauders | Tuesday, April 9 | 6:30 p.m. | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland | $9-$50 | Cheer on the Flying Tigers in their season home opener.

• Yoga for Beginners | Wednesday, April 10 | 10-11 a.m. | Simpson Park Community Center, 1725 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | $5 | Bring your mat and water to this class for all levels of yogis 16 or older — locations vary by day.
• Knit One, Crochet Too! | Wednesday, April 10 | 5-6:55 p.m. | Larry R. Jackson Branch Library, 1700 N. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Bring your current knitting or crocheting project to work and chat with others.

• Live Artfully: A Taste of Lakeland | Thursday, April 11 | 5:30 p.m. | Lake Crago Park, 525 Lake Crago Dr., Lakeland | $100 | This fundraiser will include live entertainment and tastes from local spots like Street Cafe, Bay Street Bistro, and more.
• The Jazz Ensemble Concert | Thursday, April 11 | 7 p.m. | Bush Chapel, Southeastern University, 1000 Longfellow Blvd., Lakeland | $3-$5 | SEU’s jazz students will perform a night of music — tickets required.
• Trivia Thursdays | Thursday, April 11 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | The Back Nine, 124 S. Tennessee Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Test your knowledge with themed and general trivia.

• Lakeland Regional Health 2024 Career Expo | Wednesday, May 1 | 4-6 p.m. | Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, 1324 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Learn about LRH careers + benefits, tuition reimbursement, and more at this annual, interactive career fair open to aspiring healthcare workers, high school seniors, and college students.*

• Start your jet engines — SUN ‘n FUN begins today. Pilots for the week-long event began arriving yesterday, including a Lakelander who grew up attending the event. Study up on the festival’s history before taking flight. (LkldNow + The Ledger)

• $20 million. That’s how much the City of Winter Haven will spend renovating Chain of Lakes Park, a baseball stadium that once served as the spring training site for the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Guardians. Demolition began yesterday + new facilities are expected to open in early 2025.

• After previously announcing it would close this June, Art Centric Studio will now keep its doors open under new leadership. Instructor Melissa Garcia will take over the business on July 1 with plans to expand the studio’s summer camp offerings.

• Did you know that it’s National Poetry Month? If you’re a poet and totally know it, try your hand at our LALtoday Poetry Contest. The catch? You can only use words found in our Wednesday, April 3 newsletter. Learn more + submit your poem by Sunday, April 14.

• Looking to catch a different kind of flight this week? Enjoy drink specials at several Lakeland spots in honor of SUN ‘n FUN, from $10 beer flights at The Brass Tap all day Thursday to a sip + shop market at Lugo’s Craft Distillery this Saturday.

• Christopher Browning, a historian + emeritus history professor from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, will give a free lecture on Holocaust history tomorrow at 2 p.m. in Florida Southern’s Hollis Room. A reception will follow. (The Ledger)

• Lakeland Community Theatre’s next show, “Tick, Tick… Boom!,” opens this Thursday, April 12. The autobiographical musical by Jonathan Larson, Tony Award-winning composer of “Rent,” will run through Sunday, April 21 — tickets start at $22.

• Grab those floaties, kiddos. The City of Lakeland will host Aquafest at Gandy Pool on Saturday, April 20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and at Simpson Park Pool Saturday, April 27, 12-2 p.m. Stop by to get kids evaluated for swim lessons, then stay for games and giveaways.

• Lakeland dance studio Ultimate Dance Center is gaining recognition for its Special Creative Experience, a class for individuals with disabilities. The class is held weekly on Mondays at 7 p.m. and is open to students nine years or older. (Bay News 9)

• #TerraceTabletop: Celebrate the incredible mothers in your life with a Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday, May 12 at the Terrace Grille. Enjoy our delectable brunch menu, paired with special holiday offerings like Branzino and Momma’s Lemon Berry Martini. See menu options + make a reservation.*

• Psst — when’s the last time you replaced your bath mat? Our favorite memory foam bath mat is on sale through the weekend.*

• Kelly Recreation Complex, 404 Imperial Blvd. | Play indoor pickleball Monday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; and Sundays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Outdoor pickleball courts are open daily from dawn until dusk.
• Simpson Park Community Center, 1725 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. | Play indoor pickleball Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Lake Parker Park, 820 E. Robson St. | Use Gate 4 to play outdoor pickleball daily, 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Woodlake Park, 3415 New Jersey Rd. | Play outdoor pickleball daily, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.