The Skunk Ape is known for its looming stature, dark fur, and foul stench. | Photo by @katielated
Something is lurking in the forests of Lakeland. Perhaps it’s just a Florida Man, but it’s possible that cryptids have decided to call Swan City home. These mysterious creatures have been reported in Florida — can you spot one nearby?
Skunk Ape
This hairy cryptid is considered Florida’s version of Bigfoot. It’s supposedly been spotted — and smelled — in the Everglades, so we think the Green Swamp in north Lakeland could be a homey habitat. Learn more at the Skunk Ape Research Headquarters in Ochopee.
Wampus cat
What has six legs, razor-sharp claws, a 9-ft tail, and a taste for blood? That would be the panther-like creature whose story reaches across the South. The Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission’s only official Lakeland panther sighting was near County Road 540A. Maybe he was on his way to hang with wampus cats in the Lakeland Highlands Scrub?
Commuters rejoice — the Polk Parkway’s westbound exit at Winter Lake Road is now open. The exit was closed for 18 months while crews began work on the start of the future Central Polk Parkway toll road, which will connect from Winter Lake Road to US 17 in Bartow. (The Ledger)
Holiday
For the first time ever, Nineteen61 is offering a Thanksgiving Day buffet. Make reservations now to feast on brunch dishes, seafood, and roasted turkey from the carving station. Seatings are available from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Plan Ahead
The Harlem Globetrotters are celebrating 100 years of basketball entertainment with a stop at the RP Funding Center. Tickets are already available to see the team’s jaw-dropping trick shots on Friday, Jan. 9. Pro tip: Upgrade your tickets to join the Magic Pass + Celebrity Court pre-show events.
Family
Dads, daughters, dinner, dancing — find it all at Girls Inc. of Lakeland’s 13th Annual Father-Daughter Dance. Girls from kindergarten to 12th grade and their father figures are invited to celebrate together at the RP Funding Center on Saturday, Nov. 8. This year’s theme is “Boots and Beauties.”
Outdoors
Give your lawn new life with a native Florida grass from The Nectary. During its Big Grass Sale, this nursery is offering 20% off native species, from muhly grass to purpletop. Shop in-store through Saturday for the deals.
Drink
Have some extra change? Bring it to Kichi Taiyaki this Saturday + Sunday, where all drinks will cost just $1. All you have to do is DM the biz on Instagram for a voucher. Peep the menu before you go and see if a salted plum kumquat tea is calling your name.
Shop
We’re just one week away from Halloween. If you’re scrambling for a costume, consider a shopping trip to one of Lakeland’s thrift or vintage stores. 360 Unlimited is stocked with styles from every decade.
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Tech
That “unknown number” isn’t random — it’s someone who bought your data. Scammers use it for phishing, impersonation, and worse. Incogni fights back by wiping your info from the web and keeping it gone. They can’t scam who they can’t find.*
Bell-o, is it these you’re looking for? Bok Tower Gardens offered a rare look inside the top of its carillon tower, where you can find 60 bells weighing up to 11+ tons.
The carillon is one of only 185 in the US. If you’ve never heard it ring, don’t miss these fall events at the Gardens:
A voice-led trainer tool that helps you speak a new language with confidence, thanks to Babbel’s Fall Sale. Get 60% off today and practice real conversations at your own pace.*
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.
One of my favorite Florida haunting stories is that of Robert the Doll, which you can find in Key West. Supposedly, the doll is haunted, and you can’t take a photo of it without asking for permission, lest you be cursed. I saw him at the East Martello Museum, but I skipped the selfies... just in case.
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