Keep an eye out for friendly ghosts at your favorite local haunts today. | Photo by @sweetcupcafe_lkld
Get a headstone head start on your Halloween festivities with this collection of Lakeland’s eeriest tales. We recommend reading by flickering candlelight with a cup of hot cider to keep your blood from running cold.
Meet the Polk Theatre’s ghosts
This theater has its fair share of hauntings, from an organ that plays itself to voices whispering in the ears of employees. Our team took a tour to experience the ghosts firsthand.
America’s most haunted highway
Unexplained phenomena — and a whole lot of paranormal activity — have happened on this stretch of highway aptly named the “I-4 Dead Zone.”
Visit Spook Hill to try rolling uphill for yourself.
Photo by @redjupiter
Experience Spook Hill in Lake Wales Visit this site to see the impossible — cars roll uphill rather than downhill. Is it just an optical illusion, or could it be a paranormal force?
Haunted landmarks in Polk County
Have you seen a ghost appear at Webber International University or the Old Polk County Courthouse? Learn more about locations inhabited by apparitions.
Lake Morton’s swans got a mostly clean bill of health from veterinarians at My Pet’s Animal Hospital after the Swan Roundup. The birds had fewer injuries overall, but one was wrapped in trashed twine — a good reminder to keep our lakes clean. (The Ledger)
Cause
Local nonprofit Worth and Purpose grew its impact with viral online videos. Now, it has opened a community hub on East Main Street to reach more individuals experiencing homelessness. There’s a food pantry and clothing closet, and a Thanksgiving food drive is in the works. (WFTS)
Stat
163%. That’s the return on investment Florida Poly students see when you compare their post-grad median salary and degree cost. That number earned the school a top 20 spot on EDsmart’s list of the highest-value degrees, outranking schools like Harvard and MIT.
Older Adults
A new Seniors Helping Seniors office is now serving the Tampa East region, including Plant City and Lakeland. The service pairs those in need of in-home care with other older adult caregivers. Pro tip: It’s accepting applications for Lakeland positions.
Try This
Are you the writer of the next great American novel? Learn the write stuff at Pressed’s Novel Writing November workshops on the first four Saturdays of the month at 5 p.m. Each session will feature a local author to share their top tips, starting tomorrow with Jamie Beckett.
Trending
This year, “KPop Demon Hunters,” Labubus, and “Wicked” characters are the top trending Halloween costumes in our area. Things were different back in 1996 — according to this photo from the Lakeland archives, it seems like clowns were all the rage.
Do you need hiring help? We’ve got your back. Post your open roles on our Job Board + get connected with local candidates in no time. Pssst — did we mention it’s free?
Plan Ahead
🗓️ No plans? Not this November
Events are falling into place this season, including the Margarita Ball + Historic Walking Tour downtown. | Photo via @jbonilla72
Your calendar is about to be stuffed more than a Thanksgiving turkey. Send these events to a friend to start making plans now.
Art Crawl | Sunday, Nov. 9 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free+ | Artists will show their work with demonstrations + competitions.
U.S. Army Field Band | Tuesday, Nov. 11 | 7 p.m. | RP Funding Center | Free | The Concert Band and Soldiers’ Chorus will take the stage for the Army’s 250th anniversary.
Enchanted Gardens Fantasy Ball | Saturday, Nov. 15 | 5-10 p.m. | Metals & Nature, Plant City | $75+ | Immerse yourself in a fairytale while dancing under the stars.
Holiday Craft Bazaar | Saturday, Nov. 29 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Munn Park | Price of purchase | With 45 vendors, you’re sure to find a special gift for a loved one.
The Shark Matrix IQ Robot Vacuum that’s 40% off for a limited time. Psst — that’s a savings of $120. The Buy Editor Emily loves its precision home mapping technology that results in a more thorough clean on multiple surfaces.
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.
That chill in your spine isn’t just because of spooky season. This is the coldest Halloween in recent memory, so that means you should have two things handy tonight: a warm jacket and our interactive trick-or-treat map. My costume for tonight is still in progress, but you might see me handing out candy at a friend’s house near Lake Hollingsworth.
}})
