Zach: I grew up nearby in Zephyrhills and had the opportunity to play baseball for the Fire. Even as I realized my future wasn’t on a baseball diamond, SEU still provided a sense of belonging and set me up for success.
Sarah: The ability to take flexible, online classes at a Christian institution brought me to SEU as a young mother pursuing an education with kids at home.
Isaac: I started at another university, but wanted to get more involved in ministry leadership and SEU had what I was looking for.
What is your current role?
Zach: Manager of Inside Sales for the Washington Nationals. I previously worked for the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Sarah: Founder + CEO at Top Buttons, a nonprofit that empowers young women through fashion, mentorship, and education.
Zach: My SEU internship counselor helped me find the right resume-building opportunities, and eventually work with the MLB.
Sarah: I actually wrote about the concept of Top Buttons for an assignment at SEU, and encouragement from my classmates gave me the confidence to develop Top Buttons in real life.
Isaac: The leadership pillars I learned at SEU have helped me manage countless situations as a business owner.
Lakeland Margarita Ball | 8-11 p.m. | Lake Mirror Promenade | $45 | Glasses up, LAL, the 38th Annual Margarita Ball is almost here. Held in benefit of local charities, including a toy drive, this one-night event features food, dancing, and, of course, margaritas.*
Polk County has updated its five-year Community Investment Program plan, which includes more than $1.9 billion in economic investment. Take a look at a few of the major projects planned through 2030, including infrastructure like roads and utilities, plus parks and public safety.
Number
31. That’s how many hours the average Lakelander spent in traffic last year, according to a recent report from Texas A&M Transportation Institute. That number was up from 17 hours in 2022. The report also recommends planning 23 minutes of travel time for what should be a 20-minute trip.
Traffic
Maybe this will help cut those traffic times. County commissioners approved a construction contract with Ajax Paving Industries to give North Galloway Road an update. Plans include a roundabout at the West 10th Street intersection, in addition to drainage + lighting improvements. (Daily Ridge)
Ranked
No. 48. That’s where Publix ranked on Fortune’s list of “Best Workplaces for Women” based on employee reviews. See the supermarket’s open positions in Lakeland.
Plan Ahead
The City of Lakeland will host a Veterans Day ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 10 a.m. in Veterans Park. Historical expert Dr. Alan Snyder will speak before a parade steps off at 11 a.m., starting at the RP Funding Center + ending at Munn Park.
Eat
Sora Eatery was voted Best Restaurant with a View in the Best of LKLD Awards, making it the perfect time to try its new menus. Raise a glass with a full cocktail menu, seasonal lattes, and limited-time dinner specials. Pro tip: Airport parking is free for four hours.
Holiday
Your Halloween costume could earn you more than just candy. Wear it to Parlor Doughnuts this week for a free order of Spooky Minis to tide you over until trick-or-treating. The offer is open to grown-ups, too.
Got something big happening this winter? From new menus to limited-time promos, make sure your message lands in front of our thousands of highly engaged local subscribers. Get started on our business promo portal with zero long-term contract.
Home
In the mood for a little home improvement? From DIY projects under $100 to expert-backed kitchen trends — and how to pay for it all — keep reading.*
Number
$0. That’s how much 94% of patients pay to see a licensed dietitian with Nourish. Find a dietitian covered by insurance and build a personalized nutrition plan.*
Editor’s Pick
How many people can say they’ve actually been on Lake Morton?
Photo by LALtoday
A peaceful morning became a flurry of feathers at yesterday’s 45th Annual Swan Roundup. Many Lakelanders watched from Lake Morton’s shore as our royal flock was corralled, but I checked off a bucket list item by joining the Parks & Recreation team on a jon boat as they rounded up the final bird — just take a look at this footage.
The Swan Roundup began in 1980, and it’s instrumental in keeping these icons happy and healthy. Today, the ~50 swans will get checkups from My Pet’s Animal Hospital, including weigh-ins + examinations. Watch those in person at 8 a.m., or read up on their care from the comfort of home.
The Buy
A set of versatile mixing bowls that are on sale for a limited time. The bowls feature easy-to-open, air tight lids, making the transition from prep to storage a breeze. Use them for everything from kneading bread dough to mixing batter to putting together a salad for a potluck crowd.
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.
For a little fall fun, head ~35 minutes west of Lakeland to the Hillsborough County Fair in Dover. The festival starts tomorrow and runs through Sunday, Nov. 9, featuring thrill rides, fair food, craft contests, and something called “Camel Kingdom” — so I’m in. After Thanksgiving, the fairgrounds will host the Tampa Bay Festival of Lights.
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