With temperatures cooling and leaves dropping, we can’t help but fall back into the Lakeland Public Library’s photo archives for pictures from past autumns.
Let’s start with the photograph above from November 1961, when the Downtown Lakeland Association dedicated the “dancing waters” fountain in Munn Park. The fountain entertained viewers until the 1980s, when it was demolished for a park renovation.
The Lakeland Tourist Club held its meetings in what’s now known as the Magnolia Building on Lake Mirror.
Snowbirds are nothing new in Lakeland — just look at this group photo of the Lakeland Tourist Club from 1923. Seasonal residents would flock to Swan City from the fall through the spring, and the club peaked at 1,625 members in 1927.
Chick-fil-A plans to add a distribution center in Winter Haven’s Central Florida Integrated Logistics Park in 2027. The 244,000-sqft distribution center will include a cold storage facility, and it’s expected to add 150+ local jobs. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Coming Soon
The “bookish dessert cafe” Vampire Penguin is still defrosting, but it’s holding indie author events before officially opening up. Head to 216 E. Pine St. on Friday, Dec. 5 and Saturday, Dec. 6 to meet authors, sip free hot chocolate, and try Vampire Penguin’s shaved snow treats.
Real Estate
The Fulton Meadows neighborhood is now open in north Lakeland, just off North Socrum Loop Road. The community includes 210 single-family homes up to 1,981 sqft, available for purchase. (Business Observer)
Pets
Look for a familiar face on the 2025 National Dog Show — Lake Wales resident Charles Olvis will judge the Best in Show category. After learning to evaluate 200+ breeds over 35 years as a judge, Olvis’ talents will be broadcast live on Thanksgiving, 12-2 p.m. on NBC. (The Ledger)
Cause
While making your grocery runs this week, add some extra products to your cart for local food banks. Organizations like United Way of Central Florida, the Dream Center, and Agape Mission Market could use donations of food, money, and volunteer hours this month.
Try This
There’s a hole lot more to love at Munn Park this season. In addition to its first Christmas tree, new permanent cornhole boards have now been installed. 4th Dimension Fab created the boards and a house for beanbags, complete with cupholders for your coffee.
Need quick, convenient relief? Lakeland Regional Health has four convenient Urgent Care locations. Their friendly and expert providers can diagnose and treat non-emergency health needs like colds, the flu, sprains, and more — all in one place. Find an Urgent Care near you.*
Featured Deal
Athleta’s full site is 30% off for Black Friday, happening right now through Saturday, Nov. 29. From sunrise workouts to Sunday strolls, these are the pieces you’ll reach for on repeat. Grab 30% off today.*
Skip your pre-Thanksgiving Pinterest scroll, because PCPS prekindergarteners have you covered with adorable turkey recipes. According to students at Carlton Palmore Elementary, you just have to catch your own turkey, season it with Cookie Crisp cereal, and microwave it for 1 million minutes.
Then again, maybe you should keep the Butterball turkey hotline on speed dial.
Amazon’s Black Friday Week sale features thousands of deals. Don’t spend hours sorting through them — we already did that for you. Here are three you can’t miss:
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.
I’m with the 10% of readers who are traveling this Thanksgiving, so here’s hoping for an easy trip. If you’re flying out, save our guides to LAL, MCO, and TPA — thanks to this week’s record travel numbers, Orlando + Tampa travelers should have plenty of time to read them while waiting in lines.
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