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📩 Mailbag: Memories of Chalet Suzanne
Historic Chalet Suzanne in its final years as a fully operational restaurant and inn, circa 2009 | Photo via Florida Memory
Of all the places we share about in Polk County, perhaps none evokes as many memories as Chalet Suzanne in Lake Wales. The restaurant closed in 2014, but we still receive emails about it nearly every week, like this one from Jillanne S.:
“We thankfully were able to enjoy Chalet Suzanne several times before they closed their doors in 2014. About 2003, when our son, Noah, was 5 years old, we brought him with us to enjoy the broiled grapefruit (another appetizer that we’ve found the Chalet does the best!) and Soup Romaine, as well as other delights.
“The soup was very hot for Noah, and we taught him to bring a spoonful to his mouth and blow on it to cool it down — and a whistle came out! He did it again and again. Noah pretty much spent the entire dinner blowing on his spoon to recreate his whistle, and he’s been whistling ever since. A great family memory.”
Finally, a chance to peek inside one of the stately stays overlooking Lake Hollingsworth Drive. This four-bed, 3.5-bath beauty sits on half an acre. Inside, you’ll find a floor-to-ceiling fireplace, an entertainer’s kitchen, and plenty of windows to spot sunsets. Did we mention this place faces northwest?
Lakelanders
Barney Barnett, Bill Becker and Ed Crenshaw — these are the individuals most recently inducted into Florida Southern College’s Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise Hall of Fame. (The Ledger)
Community
Flight to Honor is accepting applications for veterans and community members — known as “guardians” during the trip — to attend the next trip on May 5. Guardians are asked to contribute $500 for trip costs. Learn more + apply. (LkldNow)
Sports
Go, Dreadnaughts. Last week, the Lakeland High School team achieved a feat the school hasn’t seen since “Jurassic Park” first hit theaters: a district title. The team, which was winless in the 2024-2025 season, was led by first-year coach Antonia Bennett. (The Ledger)
Arts
The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art has named its executive director after months of searching the nation, and the selected individual was right under its nose. Daryl Ward, who served as interim exec since last June, will shift into the permanent role this March.
Eat
Tomorrow, Feb. 17, is Mardi Gras, the annual pre-Lent celebration set to take over streets across the world. If you aren’t joining the 1.4 million expected visitors at the country’s biggest celebration in New Orleans, you can get a taste of the fun with some Cajun cuisine at Harry’s.
Stat
Six months. That’s how long the average job search takes nowadays, and last summer, job seekers outnumbered job openings for the first time since 2021. Need a hand finding your next role? Start exploring opportunities. (The Wall Street Journal)
Drink
The most expensive US whiskey sale ever — a bottle of 1982 Kentucky bourbon — recently sold for ~$162,000 in New York City. You won’t need pockets anywhere near as deep at one of Swan City’s buzzy happy hours. (Southern Living)
Real Estate
Stability is in style. US homeowners are setting new records for staying put, with the average homeowner now living in their house for about nine years. While your moving boxes gather dust, who says you can’t have a little fun browsing Lakeland’s real estate? (Axios)
Travel
Planning an escape to the Bahamas? You’re in good company — it’s the top-searched international destination for spring breakers in Florida. Want to get there fast? TRYP Air Charter can get you from LAL to Nassau in less than two hours.
Garden design, color theory, calligraphy, portrait photography, embroidery. These are just a handful of the expert-led, creative classes available on Skillshare, an online learning community recognized by The New York Times and Forbes. Start a one month free trial + dive into new skills.*
Number
$0. That’s how much 94% of Nourish patients pay out of pocket to talk to a dietitian covered by their insurance. You could be covered, too — check your coverage + get matched with a dietitian who can cut through the food noise and build you a plan to thrive.*
Job
POV: You’re in a bind trying to fill an important role for your local biz. We can help. Post your opening on our Job Board and get connected to top local talent.
The Buy
Tired of being … tired? You’re not alone. For millions of people over 35, the problem isn’t stress, late nights, or a busy schedule — it’s mineral deficiency. That’s where Organixx Magnesium 7 comes in. The doctor-formulated supplement features seven highly absorbable forms of magnesium to help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep through the night, and wake up feeling well-rested.
Hey there, Lakeland, it’s been awhile. Fun fact: This Chalet Suzanne piece is the first article I ever wrote for LALtoday, way back in the year of 2021. It’s undergone a facelift and a few updates since then (thank you, Connor!) but the nostalgia remains. Speaking of nostalgia — remember these?
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