We’re getting “The Great Gatsby” vibes from this photo taken in 1920. | Photo via Lakeland Public Library
We’re coming up on the end of August, but we just can’t shake that summer feeling. Let’s go back into the Lakeland Public Library’s photo archives to relive the magic of summers gone by.
Francis Beach Pavilion Anyone down for a dip? The Roaring Twenties were in full swing at this entertainment center on the south side of Lake Hollingsworth. Built by businessman J.L. Francis in the summer of 1915, this was the place for swimming, dancing, and boating. It lasted until 1939.
Who can forget the “wigglin’ and quiverin’” seen on stage 69 years ago?
Elvis Presley at the Polk Theatre
The King came to Lakeland for a performance on Aug. 6, 1956, and fans are still talking about it today. According to the library, that’s Officer Gordon Lord holding back the kids trying to reach for the singer.
Children at Oscar Pope Elementary School
Nothing tops these faces from the last day of school in 1977. That’s Principal Jay Erwin on the left — we bet he was just as happy as the students.
A Proper Night of 70s and 80s | 8 p.m. | Union Hall | $13+ | Proper Wednesday and In Between Sets will get you movin’ and groovin’ with disco + rock hits.
Date Night at the Movies | 8:30 p.m. | Silver Moon Drive-In | $8 | The drive-in joins this national initiative with 2-for-1 popcorn buckets + drinks under the stars.
Saturday, Aug. 23
Great Southeast Pollinator Census | 8-10 a.m. | Se7en Wetlands | Free | Drop in to join this state-spanning effort to count insects like bees + butterflies.
Central Florida Collectorfest | Saturday, Aug. 23-Sunday, Aug. 24 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | RP Funding Center | $10+ | Vintage toys, retro games, pop culture collectibles, free parking — this expo has it all.
Fine Art at the Magnolia | Saturday, Aug. 23-Sunday, Aug. 24 | Times vary | Magnolia Building | Free | This indoor art show is back for its ninth year, featuring 19 acclaimed artists from painters to potters.
Plantae Palooza | 5-9 p.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | Price of purchase | Think green with local plant vendors and farm-grown eats.
The Roll Up | 5-9 p.m. | Lakeland Film Lab | Price of purchase | Vendors like Bang Bang Bakehouse, Raices Plants, and Taco Riendo will be at this pop-up’s debut.
Sunday, Aug. 24
Lakeland Flying Tigers vs. Dunedin Blue Jays | 12 p.m. | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium | $11+ | Brunch is served in the ’34 Club, featuring classic breakfast items + ballpark fare.
Premise Impossible | 7 p.m. | Stage Room Lakeland | $10+ | The audience influences the outcome in this interactive, unscripted comedy challenge.
With each mortgage payment, your equity grows — here’s what that can mean for homeowners. | Photo via Pexels
The Word: Equity. It’s the difference between your home’s current market value and what you still owe on your mortgage. Want to make it grow? From making home improvements to simply paying your mortgage each month, you’re building value over time.
You likely already know that you can tap into this equity to help cover expenses, like debt consolidation, education costs, medical bills, or even retirement. Here are a few options:
HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit): Borrow against equity as needed, with flexible access over time and a variable interest rate.
Home Equity Loans: Receive a one-time sum with a fixed interest rate, usually repaid over five to 30 years.
Equity Sharing Home Loans: Offers borrowers a fixed-rate, interest-only loan, with lower monthly payments than a traditional loan. In exchange, you agree to share a portion of your home’s future value appreciation.
If you’re part of the 62% of readers who said food and drink openings get them most excited, perk up your ears. Ellianos Coffee is building a drive-thru cafe in the Highlands Plaza on Lakeland Highlands Road. The chain serves beverages + quick bites at locations across the South.
Edu
As PCPS begins the process of rezoning high schools, it’s holding a series of town halls to get locals’ feedback. The meetings start on Thursday, Aug. 28 and end with a virtual option on Thursday, Oct. 2. Find a town hall near you.
Open
It’s nearly open season at Polk Wild Game Processing, coming to the former Pelican’s SnoBalls site on South Florida Avenue. The four friends behind the biz hope to be operating by the start of deer season in mid-September, offering meat processing + taxidermy. (The Ledger)
Development
Polk State College President Angela Garcia Falconetti announced the school still needs $7.5 million for its Haines City-Davenport campus project, so it won’t open in the fall of 2026 as planned. The project has an estimated total cost of $51 million. (The Ledger)
Wellness
The Well Society is coming to the Shops at Lake Wire, but you can get a taste of what to expect before an opening date is announced. Join its first Well Edits Pop-Up event with a Pilates class and vendor market on Saturday, Sept. 20 at Haus 820.
Number
Four minutes. That’s how long it took firefighters from Rescue 28 + Engine 28 to deliver a baby when they arrived on the scene in Highland City on Tuesday. The mother and newborn were then taken to the hospital in good health. Talk about a special delivery.(WFLA)
Arts
The work of Polk County artist David Price found a prominent place at the University of Florida. After years tucked away inside a library, his bronze alligator was unveiled at the entrance yesterday. Find another of Price’s scaly sculptures at the Bok Tower Gardens visitor center. (The Ledger)
Announced
Congrats to Amy B. on winning our ultimate wellness giveaway in partnership with Hack Your Health.*
Seasonal
Christmas in ... August? If you’re a local business with a product or service you’d like to share with our readers this holiday season, consider securing your promo now before we sellout. Our Holiday Shopping Spotlight Bundle includes three newsletter inclusions discounted by 20%.
Category
Try This
🎶 The life of a Lakeland mayor
Both are known for a turn of phrase, but who penned these inspirational quotes? | Photos by City of Lakeland and Cosmopolitan UK via Wikimedia Commons
Have your social media feeds been taken over by orange glitter since singer Taylor Swift announced her new album? Same. We’re hopping on the trend with a test: Try to decipher if these quotes came from Mayor Bill Mutz or Taylor Swift.
We reached into the archives of Mutz’s “Mayor’s Minute” articles he wrote for LALtoday during his first term — then we did the same through Swift’s songs, speeches, and interviews. Show how well you know Swan City vs. Swiftie lore by taking our quiz below.
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.
Shout out to reader Karen D., who let us know about the new Ellianos Coffee. I’d never heard of this brand, but Karen suggests the tuxedo latte with dark + white chocolate mocha. I’m excited to swing through for a drink before Aldi runs when the grocery store opens in the plaza’s former Winn-Dixie location.
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