Health Buddies work over the phone, but they have opportunities to meet up in person with other volunteers or clients. | Photos provided by Seniors in Service of Tampa Bay
Can a friend help your overall well-being? Seniors in Service of Tampa Bay thinks so. That’s why the group started Health Buddies, a free program that unites isolated older adults with chronic health conditions and volunteers who connect in one simple way: phone calls.
Volunteers + clients are paired up for 12 weeks of structured calls. By connecting over the phone, Health Buddies can discuss health, learn how to self-manage chronic conditions, and find encouragement — and maybe even a new friend.
The program expanded to Polk County this year, and 32 Lakeland clients have already been matched. Those who have completed the program reported feeling 25% less distressed than when they began.
Right now, Health Buddies has around 17 Polk volunteers, and you can join the ranks by signing up online. Volunteers receive weekly training to best provide support to clients, and they can choose to stay connected after the 12 weeks through the TelePals program.
Citrus Connection has proposed a Dixieland route for the Squeeze along Missouri + New York avenues, with stops from Cob & Pen to Swan Brewing. It could start a $40,000 pilot program as early as December, with golf cart shuttles available Friday-Saturday, 4 p.m.-2 a.m. (LkldNow)
Traffic
Heads up, commuters. FDOT has started a resurfacing project between County Road 540A in Lakeland and State Road 60 in Bartow. Crews are now prepping this stretch of Highway 98 South before milling begins Sunday, Oct. 19. Expect lane closures Sunday-Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. (The Ledger)
Coming Soon
You’re gonna need a bigger mat. Yoga Pointe is expanding to the Lakeland Highlands Publix plaza in January. It will transform the former Highland City Diner space into a second studio with the same classes as its original location in the Southgate Center.
Number
$150,000. That’s how much grant funding the Volunteer Florida Foundation awarded GiveWell Community Foundation and United Way of Central Florida for Hurricane Milton restoration efforts. The funding will go to the Polk Milton Recovery Committee, which is working to help those still impacted by last year’s storm.
Edu
Lakeland High School students with a passion for teaching can get education experience through a new partnership with Florida Southern College. The Educator Academy just launched with 55 students who will complete college-level classes as electives while working with FSC’s School of Education.
The Word
Livery. That’s an aircraft’s paint scheme — and yours could mean free SUN ‘n FUN admission. To celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, the expo is offering complimentary tickets for pilots with patriotic planes. Submit a photo of your red, white, and blue livery to get free admission next year. (FLYING)
Open
The country’s second-largest Target has opened less than an hour from Lakeland’s locations. The massive Wesley Chapel store is around the size of 2.5 football fields, and it includes an expanded grocery department, full-size Starbucks, and Apple tech help. Peek inside.
Plan Ahead
If you like to plan way ahead, PCPS just dropped 2026 graduation dates. They start May 9 and run through May 29 at locations around Polk County.
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Category
Seasonal
🦢 Welcome to the flock
Get ready — snowbird season generally starts in October. | Photo via City of Lakeland
Lakeland’s most iconic bird is the swan, but we have a special place in our hearts for another avian: the snowbird, aka a northerner who moves to southern states during the cooler months.
If you’re just joining the flock, study up on these snowbird tips from our readers:
“Don’t depart on March 31 unless you want to be in a massive traffic jam all the way north.”
“Get involved! There are wonderful opportunities, church affiliations, and neighborhood groups to meet some fantastic people.”
“Definitely get out and see what’s available in the area. Bonnet Springs Park totally rocks.”
“Lizards on the wall? Roommates. Geckos in the house? Rent is due. Cockroach? That’s a palmetto bug, and it was here before you.”
“Try some new things. Lakeland has lots of activities and entertainment. One jewel is the lawn bowling club on Lake Parker.”
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.
It’s official: the sun is now setting before 7 p.m. each night. The end of daylight saving time on Sunday, Nov. 2 will mean sunset comes even earlier, so get out and enjoy those last bits of evening sun while you can. Lake Bonny is my favorite for views like this.
This was spotted on the southeast side of the lake, by SEU.
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