Last call. Your business could be in front of thousands when you secure your spot in our 2025 Parents’ Gift Guide. Save 20% with code PGG2025 at checkout. The deadline for submissions is May 23.
📚 ‘Tis the season for reading
Take your mind on an adventure this summer with one of these reading programs. | Photo by LALtoday
If you’re anything like us, then summer is one of your favorite reading seasons of the year. No weekend is complete without a cheesy romance novel (Amelia’s fave) or chilling thriller (Connor’s go-to) read from the comfort of a pool float.
Get ready to dive into summer with these reading recommendations:
Lakeland Public Library | This year’s summer reading program theme is “Destination: FLORIDA!” and each branch’s calendar is packed with activities. For the adults, discuss a different romance book each month at the new Sweet & Spicy Book Club.
Pressed Books & Coffee | Middle schoolers can fill up those reading logs together by discussing books each month. The store + coffee shop will also continue its adult book clubs over the summer with selections spanning romance, historical fiction, cooking, and flower arranging.
Success by 6 Summer Read-a-thon | Track as many books as possible with your little reader during this 30-day challenge sponsored by United Way of Central Florida to enter grand prize giveaways. Pro tip: Be one of the first to sign up and get free pizza + Italian ice.
Little Bus Books | Once you’re finished with a read, pass it on by donating it to this mobile bookshop’s No Covers program, which provides gently used books to local nonprofits like Hope House, PACE Center for Girls, and the Rose Dynasty Foundation.
Looking to build your own reading list? Check out these 40+ books written by Lakeland authors.
Bonus: Don’t let your summer road trip stop you from hitting your reading goals. Peruse thousands of audio and eBooks on one of these free apps connected to the Polk County Library Cooperative.
Events
Events
Thursday, May 22
Young Professionals Night | 4-6 p.m. | Propagation Whiskey Bar and Kitchen, Plant City | $15 | Professionals under 40 can grab a glass + mingle with fellow go-getters at this laid-back networking event.
Central Florida Creator Social | 5:30-7 p.m. | Establish 37 Dry Bar | Free | Celebrate the opening of Establish 37’s new dry bar with free blowouts or curls while connecting with fellow content creators.
Beer, Bubbles and Bites | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Downtown Winter Haven | $30 | Sample craft beer and sparkling wine paired with light bites at more than 25 downtown businesses.
Friday, May 23
“Begin” Book Launch | 5-7 p.m. | Pressed | Free+ | Celebrate the release of this new children’s book by author Ida Mundell + illustrator Bump Galletta with a launch party.
Ladies Night in the Loft | 5:30-8 p.m. | Picassoz Art Cafe | $21+ | Reserve a spot in the art loft and paint or mosaic the night away with friends.
“Peter Pan Jr.” | Friday, May 23-Saturday, May 24 | Times vary | Legacy Christian Church | $25 | Fly away to Neverland as students from Integrity School of the Arts perform this classic tale on stage.
Saturday, May 24
Cats & Mats | 10 a.m. | Purrology Cat Cafe | $10 | Enjoy 30 minutes of an all-levels yoga flow, followed by 30 minutes of play with adoptable cats + kittens.
STEM in the Park | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free | Find whatever floats your boat at this hands-on workshop that combines science, engineering, and problem-solving.
Memorial Day Cookout | Saturday, May 24-Monday, May 26 | 11 a.m. | Lakeland Harley-Davidson | Free+ | Head to this dealership for a free afternoon of food, refreshments, music, and giveaways.
Sunday, May 25
Holloway Park Group Run | 7:30 a.m. | Holloway Park | Free | Lace up your sneakers for a 3K, 5K, 8K, or 10K run with Lakeland Trail Runners.
Chronic pain doesn’t have to take control of your life — relief is possible. | Photo provided by Lakeland Regional Health
Chronic pain is real — and it can be manageable. At Lakeland Regional Health, Dr. Zishan Hashmi helps patients understand their pain and explore options beyond medication.
With treatments like injections, nerve blocks, and radio frequency ablation, there’s hope for long-term relief. Explore your options to take the first step toward feeling better.
Talk to your primary care provider or call (863) 284-1644 to schedule an appointment.
In case you missed it, the City of Lakeland’s $77.7 million Western Trunk Line project began work earlier this month. Engineering Manager Robby Kniss shared that construction for the “generational” wastewater project is expected to take ~20 months, with the new line hopefully going into service by December 2026. (LkldNow)
Seasonal
It’s that time of year again — hurricane season begins on Sunday, June 1. Stop by Visit Central Florida’s Davenport Welcome Center Monday, May 26-Sunday, June 1, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., to pick up a free hurricane preparedness bag filled with shelter maps, supply checklists, first aid kits, and more.
Ranked
No. 14. That’s where Lakeland sits on WalletHub’s list of the most affordable small US cities for homebuyers. Rankings were determined based on a variety of metrics, ranging from median sale prices to average maintenance costs. Swan City also nabbed the No. 48 spot in the overall rankings.
Arts
The AGB’s executive director Dr. Alex Rich will trade in Swan City for the Lowcountry after accepting a position with the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, SC. Rich will remain in his role with the AGB through June, and a search for the museum’s next leader will launch soon.
Kids
Ready, set, grow. The Aerospace Center for Excellence’s STEM Sprouts program is expanding in September to offer courses for preschoolers to fifth graders. Preview the new curriculum — teaching everything from the Aviation Alphabet to the Science of Fairytales — at the Florida Air Museum on Monday, June 2.
Plan Ahead
Bienvenido a BSP will return once again on Saturday, Sept. 27. The annual celebration of all things Hispanic heritage at Bonnet Springs Park will feature live performances, bevs + bites, and a family-friendly market. Vendors can now apply through Friday, June 20 to get in on the fun.
Cause
Calling all local nonprofits: Score $1,000 for your organization with Lakeland Electric’s Community Giving Grant Program. Contact Lakeland Electric with any questions, and apply starting this Saturday, May 24.*
$4,000. That’s how much an ounce of gold is expected to cost in 2026. And since gold thrives in unstable markets, its rally appears far from over.Check out gold IRAs, which let you own physical gold while taking advantage of IRA tax breaks.†*
Category
Eat
Low-fare lunches, anyone?
Who says you have to spend a fortune to get a delicious + filling lunch? | Photo by LALtoday
Looking for a tasty, local lunch spot that doesn’t break the bank? We’re here for you, Lakeland. Check out this list of 29 places where lunch for one costs $12 or less.
Fresh Kitchen
A bowl with four of your favorite ingredients comes in at just $10.25. Not sure where to start? Try City Editor Connor’s go-to order: cauliflower potato mash + sweet potato noodles, basil mushrooms, grilled citrus chicken, and Holy Kale sauce.
Polk City BBQ
This award-winning barbecue spot is located just north of Lakeland and offers several lunch combos for less than $10. City Editor Amelia recommends the smoked chicken quarters with mac + cheese and an unsweet tea.
Subs ‘n Such
After 45+ years in business, this sub spot has sandwiches down to a science. Order a cold, hot, or specialty sub, or try a hot dog (we’ll let you decide if a hot dog is a sandwich).
Speaking of summer reading, Inklings Book Shoppe has bookmarked a new location in Dixieland, across the street from Hillcrest Coffee. While there’s no opening date for the new spot yet, you can keep up with progress over on Inklings’ page.
Answered
Answered
Which of these notable Lakelanders was not a member of the Junior League?
The correct answer was B. Lois Quinn Searl, guessed by 41% of respondents.
While Searl was not a member of the Junior League, she was the first woman elected to the Lakeland City Commission + to serve as Lakeland’s mayor.
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