Plus, 20+ seafood spots we love.
 
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Today’s Forecast

95º | 30% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:32 a.m. | Sunset 8:18 p.m.
 

🐊 Lakeland’s unofficial mascot

Blinky — Lakeland’s unofficial mascot
Blinky the alligator statue formerly on Lake Mirror
Find this metal tribute to Blinky in his old stomping grounds by Lake Mirror. | Photo by LALtoday
Who was 11-ft-long, with one eye, three legs, and an appetite for popcorn and marshmallows? If you said Blinky the alligator, Lakeland’s unofficial mascot during the 1970s, you’re correct.

Blinky, or as some locals liked to call him, “One-eyed Joe,” freely roamed downtown Lakeland as a beloved communal pet. With frequent pats on the head and treats delivered right to him, Blinky was considered a relatively harmless member of the Lakeland family, much like our ever-beloved swans are today.

Children frequently visited him at his Lake Mirror home to feed him table scraps, but his favorites were reported to be marshmallows and popcorn.

Like all good things, Blinky’s downtown occupancy had to end. The cause? One local’s decision to give Blinky a kiss right on his snout.

Blinky the alligator playground

Find this 100-ft Blinky playground at Florida Children’s Museum.

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Photo by @lkldlense

While the kisser came out unharmed, a photo of the moment garnered attention from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (then called The Florida Fish and Game Commission), who ultimately called for Blinky’s removal. In 1979, Blinky was moved to Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. Enter: Our story’s antagonist.

At 1,000-lbs, Homosassa Springs’ resident crocodile, Jake, was a feisty and territorial personality who didn’t care for 400-lb Blinky’s imposition into his kingdom. The two scuffled on multiple occasions, and it was one such event on March 3, 1979, that the rivalry proved fatal for Blinky.

A metal structure commemorated Blinky beside Lake Mirror. In 2022, a newer and much larger tribute to our dearly departed went up at the Florida Children’s Museum, the new and highly anticipated expansion of Explorations V Children’s Museum located at Bonnet Springs Park. Children can climb the 100-ft jungle gym, which features swings, a slide down Blinky’s tail, and plenty of spots to explore.
 
Events
Tuesday, May 28
  • Silver Star Game Day | Tuesday, May 28 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Coleman-Bush Building, 1104 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | Free | Older adults can enjoy a morning of fun, fellowship + classic games at this weekly get-together.
Wednesday, May 29
  • Line Dancing & Karaoke | Wednesday, May 29 | 5-11:45 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Hit the dance floor to learn new moves at 5 p.m., then take the stage for karaoke at 8 p.m.
Thursday, May 30
  • Charcuterie Workshop | Thursday, May 30 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Keel and Curley Winery, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | $40 | Learn the art of charcuterie making from The Creative Kitchen while enjoying a drink from Keel & Curley.
Friday, May 31
  • The Vendor Showcase | Friday, May 31 | 6-8 p.m. | Haus 820, 820 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | $5-$10 | Meet local wedding vendors, try food + drinks from caterers, and check out displays — tickets required.
Saturday, June 1
  • Caffeine & Gasoline | Saturday, June 1 | 8-10 a.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free entry | Browse or showcase your exotic, classic, luxury, and hot rod cars, then grab coffee + breakfast.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Seasonal
  • Hurricane season begins this Saturday, June 1. Pick up a 2024 shelter map now from the Visit Central Florida Welcome Center in Davenport or check your local Publix — they’ll be available at all locations this week. (WFLA)
Health
  • Mulberry’s future Central Florida Health Care center will cost the county $4 million and take around 14 months to renovate. When complete, it will offer primary care, OB/GYN services, and more for indigent patients. Read up on more local healthcare news. (WFTS)
Community
  • Church for the One, formerly known as Highland Park Church, plans to open a campus in north Lakeland in addition to its current one on Lakeland Highlands Road. Pastor Kevin Jack says the church is also planning future national expansions. (The Ledger)
Eat
Family
  • Celebrate the end of the school year with a School’s Out party at Bonnet Springs Park. Head to the Nature Center this Friday, May 31, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for free face painting, a dance party, and science activities.
Asked
  • Please don’t stop the music. We’re looking to you to send in your favorite songs for our Lakeland-inspired playlists. See what type of music we’re on the hunt for, then send in your suggestions for a chance to be featured.
Pets
Finance
  • If you spent your whole Sunday reorganizing your closet, here’s another spring cleaning suggestion: Move your credit card debt. This card offers 0% interest on a balance transfer until nearly 2026. That’s almost two years to pay off your balance, sans interest. Plus, you’ll earn 2% cash back on purchases.*
 
Food

🍤 We’re feeling fishy

Get a taste of the sea at these Lakeland area restaurants
LAL-Mister-Fish-laltoday
Find Mister Fish near the Lakeland Public Library on Lake Morton. | Photo by LALtoday
It’s o-fish-ally summertime, and that means we’re craving sunshine, surf, sand, and seafood. Check out a few places where you can find fresh seafood right here in Swan City.

Bay Street Bistro, 211 E. Bay St. | Order the escargot before enjoying a variety of seafood options, including fresh-caught wild salmon, Chilean sea bass, and sea scallops.

Country Chicken & Fish, 1263 Kathleen Rd. | Over 2,000 Google reviews recommend this drive-thru and walk-up shack’s seafood, chicken + homemade pound cake.

Mister Fish, 715 E. Palmetto St. | This carry-out Lakeland staple has been serving up its famous Mister Fish sandwiches since 1968.

New Moon Sushi, 4231 S. Florida Ave. | Grab a roll from the big winner of our sushi bracket challenge last fall.

Sushi Masa, 5700 S. Florida Ave. | Eat your fill of fresh sushi — literally. This is currently Lakeland’s first and only all-you-can-eat sushi bar.
Sea 20+ more seafood spots
The Buy

The Buy 5.28.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
A Going membership, so you’ll get emailed when flights are 40-90% off — like a $166 flight to Cancun or a $260 flight to Paris (yes, those prices are legit). We like the two-week free trial of the Premium plan, which includes international flight deals and custom destination alerts.
 
The Wrap
 
Connor Jacobson

Today’s edition by:
Connor
From the editor
If you’re looking for seafood from a Lakeland classic, you really can’t go wrong with Mister Fish. Pick up a fish dinner this week, then grab a t-shirt or hat from East of These to show off your local pride.
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