Find the perfect gift to express gratitude and love for the role models in your life. | Graphic by 6AM City
This year, Father’s Day falls on Sunday, June 15 — meaning it’s a great time to browse our gift guide for parents, grandparents, neighbors, mentors, and life-long friends. Shop great gifts that say I appreciate you:
Local pick:Brisket Trifecta barbecue rubs | $33 | Everyone can enjoy this gift from Whiskey Bent BBQ when you use it to cook a delicious meal together.
Golf practice net | $99.99 | Golfers can perfect their swing before stepping out on the course with this golf net great for backyards, basements, or even the living room.
Personalized photo wallet card | $14.95 | Tug on heartstrings with this engraved metal wallet insert that features your custom message on one side + a meaningful photo on the other.
Neck + shoulders heating pad | $39.99 | This electric heat wrap helps with back pain, muscle aches, and de-stressing.
Crocs recovery slide | $64.95 | If they already love Crocs, upgrade them to the next best thing: a luxe, comfortable slide that will become their most-worn shoe of the summer.
Custom photo socks | $16.99 | Photos of pets, babies, or any person can be added to these socks that are sure to surprise and delight.
Local pick:Old Florida scented candle | $12 | Let the smell of sweet magnolia and orange blossoms fill your home with this soy candle from Rafa Naturals that offers 20 hours of burn time.
Carhartt lunch box | $29.50 | This camping cooler and worksite lunchbox is durable, waterproof, and extra roomy.
Golf cooler bag | $25.99 | This slim, insulated cooler sleeve fits up to six beer cans.
LAL, we are cleared for takeoff — here’s what you need to know before you take flight. | Photo by LALtoday
Now boarding — beginning next week, Lakelanders will be able to jet set from LAL to two new northern destinations: Grand Rapids, MI + Long Island, NY.
Before you take flight, bookmark our guide covering everything from gates and parking to details on the airport’s five other nonstop flight destinations.
Security
As soon as guests walk through the airport doors, TSA checkpoints will be straight ahead and to the right. While security may not take as long as at larger airports, it’s still recommended to arrive two hours prior to your flight’s boarding time.
Food and drink
Have some extra time before your flight? Before you head through security, head to the airport’s second floor to grab a bite at Sora Eatery. See what we tried when we went.
Just beyond security, passengers can snag pre-packaged concessions (and even some merch) in the gate area at the MarketplACE.
AGB Thursdays | 4-8 p.m. | The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art | Free | Explore the museum’s galleries after hours, and don’t miss a director’s tour at 6 p.m.
Nitro Bingo | 4:30-8 p.m. | The Historic Ritz Theatre, Winter Haven | Price of purchase | This energetic bingo night blends strobe lights, upbeat music, and big prizes for winners.
Mosaic Butterfly Class | 5:30-8 p.m. | Picassoz Art Cafe | $32 | Flutter on over to this class where you’ll learn the ins + outs of creating your own mosaic masterpiece.
Friday, June 6
Black Business Expo | Friday, June 6-Sunday, June 8 | Times vary | The Well | $19+ | Community partnerships, business credit, AI — it’s all on the agenda at this three-day event that includes networking, awards, and competition.
Sangria Night | 5-10 p.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | Price of purchase | Flavor and fun await at this event featuring sangria flights and Latin dancing.
Kids Night Out | 5:30-9 p.m. | Little Lake Play | $45+ | Drop off the kids for a night packed with themed activities, snacks, and a movie showing.
Saturday, June 7
Zen & Juice | 9:45 a.m. | Cob & Pen | $25 | Join this all-levels yoga flow to the sounds of R&B tunes on the lawn, then cool off inside with a free bev.
Festival of Nations | 5-8 p.m. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | Free+ | Explore cultures from around the world in this family-friendly exhibition featuring food, performances, artifacts, and more.
Sunday, June 8
“Encanto” Tea Party | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Enchanted Fairytale Hollow | $40 | We don’t talk about Bruno, but we will talk about how you shouldn’t miss this meet and greet with your favorite characters.
Read to the Dogs | 2-3:30 p.m. | BookaReaderville | Free | Kids ages 5-18 can register for a 15-minute time slot to practice their reading skills in the company of registered service dogs — donations are encouraged.
Central Florida Health Care has opened a second location in Bartow. Located just a few blocks away from the group’s existing Bartow Primary Health Center, the new location took over the former Children’s Medical Center space + is fully dedicated to pediatric care.
Award
The Government Finance Officers Association crunched the numbers, and Polk County came out on top for excellence in financial reporting and budgeting. Polk’s Office of the Clerk and Comptroller and Board of County Commissioners earned four national awards from the org this year, including the coveted Triple Crown Medallion.
Outdoors
Two large oak trees near Bok Tower Gardens’ Singing Tower moat are being removed to preserve the moat’s structural integrity. Beginning the week of June 16, the moat will be drained + koi fish will be relocated for additional preservation work.
Eat
Looking for lunch plans? Our Noire Kitchen has released its newest rotational menu, featuring sweet + savory flavors in dishes like the peachy French toast and snapper tacos. Find the truck 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Quinteassence on Tuesdays and off First Street South in Winter Haven, Wednesday-Friday.
Plan Ahead
Did you catch the premiere of the first trailer for “Wicked: For Good” last night? The second part of the “Popular” film will debut this November. In the meantime, get your “Wicked” fix at The Wizard & Mic karaoke night at Union Hall on Friday, June 13 at 7 p.m.
Try This
Let’s roll. Skate World is bringing the fun all summer with three special events this June and July. Treat your father figure to free skating at Father’s Day Skate on Sunday, June 15, or round up the whole family for fun with Bluey and Stitch on Friday, July 4.
Family
Good news for families in south Lakeland and surrounding areas: Watson Clinic South has expanded its pediatrics team with three new members. This means more convenient appointment availability for your child’s wellness check-ups and back-to-school needs. Learn more + schedule a visit.*
Number
$4,000. That’s how much an ounce of gold is expected to cost in 2026. You can beat the FOMO with a gold IRA, which lets you own physical gold without the hassle of storage.†*
Shop
Mood’s THC gummies take effect in as little as five minutes — no lighter, lingering smells, or coughing required. Get 20% off your first order with code FIRST20.†*
This best-selling bath mat. When was the last time you replaced the mats in your bathroom? If you’re anything like us, it’s been too long. Consider this your sign to upgrade. We love this one that features a soft, ultra-absorbent design and comes in multiple colors and sizes for easily mixing + matching.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Have you checked out our new Games page yet? As a brain-buster aficionado, I’m loving getting to put my mind to the test with the daily crossword over my morning coffee or tea. Drop us a line and tell us which game is your favorite.
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