06.20.2024

Today’s Forecast

92º | 18% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:31 a.m. | Sunset 8:26 p.m.

Get excited about getting older

18+ activities for retirees in Lakeland

Three people judge archery results at the Polk Senior Games. They stand around a large target pointing at the arrows around the bullseye.

If you’re looking for activities for older adults, you’re right on target. | Photo by Polk Senior Games

Designated as an Age Friendly city by AARP in 2017, Lakeland’s robust activities and cultural programming are just a few reasons why our city is a great place for older adults to plant roots. Check out a few of these adventures and opportunities for older adults.

For the creatives

Knit One, Crochet Too! | Larry R. Jackson Branch Library, 1700 N. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Wednesday, 5-6:55 p.m. | Free | Bring your current knitting or crochet project to work on alongside other crafters.
Lakeland Community Theatre | 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | Audition dates + times vary | Free | Unleash your inner performer by auditioning to participate in plays and musicals.

Sunrise over palm trees and swimming lanes lined with blue and yellow pennant flags Gandy Pool in Lakeland, FL — Visit Gandy Pool for fitness classes like Aqua Spin and Splashersize.
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Photo by @riptide.masters.fl

For those who like to keep moving

Aquatic Fitness Classes | Gandy Pool, 404 Imperial Blvd., Lakeland | Monday-Saturday, times vary | $2.50-$5 | Make a splash in a water-based exercise program like Aqua Spin, Splashersize, or Deep Water Aerobics.
Lakeland Senior Softball League | Southwest Complex, 1444 W. Highland St., Lakeland | Monday + Thursday, 9 a.m. | $40/year | Play year-round softball with the league season running January-March.
Southgate Cycling and Coffee Club | Locations vary | Days and times vary | Free | Cycle your way through Lakeland with stops mid-route for a coffee break.

Older adults sit around a Scrabble board and pose for the camera. — Lakeland’s community centers are a great place to start if you’re looking to make new friends.
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Photo courtesy of David Collinsworth

For those seeking community

Silver Star Game Day | Coleman-Bush Building, 1104 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | Tuesday, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Free | Enjoy a morning of fun, fellowship + classic games at this weekly get-together.
Beautiful Minds Social Center | 1037 S. Florida Ave., Ste. 130, Lakeland | Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. | Contact for pricing | This adult day care provides connection + care for seniors through daily activities.

20 more activities to consider

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Events

Thursday, June 20

Muffins with Moms Playdate | Thursday, June 20 | 9 a.m. | Ax-Caliber, 204 E. Orange St., Ste. 102, Lakeland | Free entry | Find community in this monthly playdate with freshly brewed coffee, muffins, and inflatable axe throwing for the kids.
Ballet Class | Thursday, June 20 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Coleman-Bush Building, 1104 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | Free | Kids ages 5-17 will learn basic ballet skills + terminology in a supportive, supervised environment.

Friday, June 21

Laugh All Day | Friday, June 21 | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | Brookdale Highlands Senior Living, 4250 Lakeland Highlands Rd., Lakeland | $10-$20 | Raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association with a day full of comedy performances.
Emily Henry Trivia Night | Friday, June 21 | 6-8 p.m. | Pressed, 213 E. Bay St., Lakeland | $5 | Showcase your rom-com novel knowledge in a trivia night covering all things by author Emily Henry.
“Mean Girls Jr.” | Friday, June 21-Sunday, June 23 | Times vary | Lakeland Community Theatre, 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | $12-$15 | Young actors will perform this fetch musical that was recently made into a feature film.

Saturday, June 22

Summer Naturalist | Saturday, June 22 | 9-11 a.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Visit the Nature Center to learn about hermit crabs and create sand art projects.
Mission 22 National Awareness Walk | Saturday, June 22 | 3-8 p.m. | Lake Gibson Village, 771 Carpenters Way, Lakeland | Free entry | Join this memorial event to support veterans — the walk begins at 6:22 p.m.
Kidz Night Out - ‘GLOW’ | Saturday, June 22 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Art Centric Studio, 1035 S. Florida Ave., Ste. 180, Lakeland | $30 | Kids ages 6 and older will enjoy a night of pizza, glow painting, and games — no parents allowed.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Civic

City commissioners are looking at potentially increasing water + wastewater impact fees for new developments from $2,966 to $7,275 — a 145% increase. If approved, it will be the first increase of the rate in more than a decade. (LkldNow)

Shop

This month’s Dixieland Night Market has been rescheduled to tomorrow, June 21. Shop the market from 6 to 11 p.m. in the rear parking lot of Union Hall — and don’t forget to stop by The Emporium Lakeland’s large-works art show from 6 to 8 p.m. (The Ledger)

Legacy

Former Lakeland NAACP branch president, Reginald Ardis Sr., died this week at age 74. In addition to his influential career in real estate + community activism, Ardis also served as one of the first Black student-athletes for Florida Southern College. (The Ledger)

Number

$900,000. That’s how much state funding Peace River Center received in the newly signed state budget to upgrade its domestic violence shelter. Funds will be used to purchase a new building that will expand the shelter’s capacity. (Fox 13 News)

Biz

Unfiltered Bartow is under new ownership. Founder Geanie Folder announced that she sold the business to Bartow residents David + Christy Byers in a Facebook Live video on Tuesday. Get to know the new owners.

Try This

Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 29 for a Ladies Night Market at Keel Farms. Vendors, including local favorite Botany Cats, will be present for a night of shopping + girl power from 6 to 9 p.m.

Pets

Grab your pooch and head to the Downtown Farmers Curb Market on Saturday, June 29 to create a custom paw print dog bowl with Randy Glotfelty Pottery. Prices start at $35 — reserve your spot.

Eat

Coastal cuisine summer, anyone?

Get a taste of the ocean at Maritime, the next restaurant in Bowen Yard

A table laden with food, including steak frites, raw oysters, crab cakes, salad, and cocktails.

Seafood connoisseur or not, there’s something on the menu for you at Maritime. | Photo by LALtoday

We recently dined at Maritime, the next restaurant to open in the long-awaited Bowen Yard, to get a taste of what’s to come for the space.

Inspired by classic coastal cuisine, Maritime’s menu is crafted by Chef Jason Boniface, who also leads the kitchen for Cob & Pen. While the restaurant specializes in cold-water oysters + fresh seafood, even non-seafood eaters can enjoy the eatery’s other entree options.

Starting with drinks, Amelia chose the Oh Honey, Dew!, one of the restaurant’s original cocktails that featured vodka, passionfruit, melon, and pineapple. Connor opted for the Siren’s Song with tequila, prickly pear puree, and a dash of jalapeno. Can you say cocktails of the summer?

See what else we tried

The Buy

The Buy 6.20.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

A dependable, comfortable running short — like Lululemon’s Hotty Hot High-Rised Lined Shorts (are those fun summer colors we see?).

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Amelia

From the editor

While I may not be much of a seafood person, I still thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Maritime. We were too full for dessert this time, but are already talking about returning to try the ice cream sandwich — vanilla ice cream sandwiched between red velvet chocolate chip cookies, all made in-house.

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