In an unassuming strip mall off Highway 17 in Winter Haven is a magical little donut shop with a frosting pink sign beckoning passersby to indulge in fresh donuts. It’s the kind of place where they know their regulars’ names, which says a lot because of how many patrons they have. Once you’ve tried a warm donut from Baking Donuts Plus, you can’t just go back to the other guys. Whether you’re a blueberry babe or a breakfast croissant coinsurer, this Winter Haven bake shop has just what you’re craving – homemade, fresh daily donuts, sandwiches, coffee, bubble tea, bubble coffee, and more – at prices you can’t beat. I’m talking a donut, breakfast sandwich, and coffee for under five bucks. They’re open from 5 am to 6 pm Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays. Started in November 2017 by Andy Seng and his wife Rany, Baking Donuts Plus is a favorite at the Haven office. Instead of birthday cake, we go for an assortment of fresh, fluffy donuts – it makes the special day so much sweeter. They offer a wide selection of baked goods from familiar faves like Boston cream, glazed, and jelly-filled donuts to cinnamon rolls, Oreo-topped, and Fruit Loop donuts. “This is what I like to do, and I’m thankful to all the customers that helped me come this far and look forward to expanding,” said Seng. “The mission was to bake the best that I could and make all the customers like [my donuts] and hopefully everything can be a success.” All of the menu items are family recipes made with love. And, if you don’t see something you like, Baking Donuts Plus can hook you up. Think of a crazy topping, and they can do it. From the best-selling bacon donut to Fruity Pebbles topped vanilla donuts, “Whatever the customer wants on their donut, we’ll make it for them,” Seng said. Some opt for an office pick-me-up in the drive-thru or pull up a chair in their modest digs among the saccharine aroma of freshly baked goodies. Another patron favorite is the croissant sandwich. Baking Donuts Plus has a full menu of breakfast sammies like sausage, egg, and cheese, the bacon, egg, and cheese, and even tuna for lunch. “A lot of people will come here and try it and go, ‘Oh wow!’” the owner said of their breakfast croissant. To ensure the freshest donuts, Andy and Rany get to the shop at midnight each night to begin baking for the next day. “It’s a lot of hard work, not easy work,” Seng said. “We make it with love. We put our heart into it.” Seng hopes to expand Baking Donuts Plus by opening a shop in another town. Folks from as far as Orlando and Sebring have begged him to open near them, but the idea is still half-baked at the moment. “It takes time,” he said of expanding. Sprinkle some happiness on your day at Baking Donuts Plus. There’s a ‘hole’ lot to love! Photography by Amy Sexson Baking Donuts Plus 913 6th St NW, Winter Haven bakingdonutsplus.business.site

Looking for homestyle cooking in charming downhome digs? You gotta risk it for the biscuit! Biscuits and Benedicts is one of Lakeland’s favorite breakfast and brunch joints, serving warm, fresh biscuits with a side of southern hospitality. Just look for the colorful wildflower mural on the side of their building, and you’re in the right place. Jenna Rice painted the floral masterpiece for the Lakeland CRA as part of a project to beautify the city. B&B opened on June 24, 2022. The brainchild of professional poker player James Kerr, the café remains family-owned and operated. Like many a great meal, biscuits were the basis for the idea of the restaurant, and bennies are some of Kerr’s favorite breakfast dishes. He married the two and created a unique concept in the Swan City. According to fellow owner and Kerr’s father-in-law, Troy Hambrick, “My son-in-law wanted to help a fellow chef create the concept. […] Unfortunately, he passed away about five months ago. So we carry on the tradition.” That chef was 20-year restaurant industry veteran Erik Walter. He created the menu, and according to Biscuits and Benedicts, “With soulful gravy and made with love biscuits, Erik poured his passion and knowledge into each and every menu item.” Kerr’s wife Joy joins him in ownership of the family business. Hambrick, who has 30 years of healthcare experience and a doctorate in healthcare management and leadership, operates the restaurant daily. His favorite part of this job is ensuring consistency in the kitchen and service and watching people enjoy their homestyle cooking. The eatery’s country atmosphere drips with charm from cute sayings on the wall like “Happiness is Homemade” and farmhouse decor. “Nothing is here like this in Lakeland,” Hambrick said. The 1920s building features a refurbished fireplace, adding to B&B’s warmth. A look at the menu will make any Southerner’s heart rejoice with dishes named after familiar country phrases, which Joy was responsible for brainstorming. A guest favorite to order at B&B is the Goodness Gracious, with buttermilk fried chicken, bacon, and cheddar cheese topped with their signature sausage gravy. If you’re hankering for something heartier, Hambrick recommends the Big for Your Britches which comes with two eggs, hash cake, biscuit, choice of gravy, and choice of Canadian bacon, sausage, or bacon. And, of course, you can’t go wrong with “Sum” Biscuit & Gravy – B&B’s piping fresh buttermilk biscuit topped with sausage or Impossible gravy. Their dining room may be quaint, but that doesn’t stop B&B from slingin’ 700-800 biscuits on weekends. Indulge in their freshly squeezed orange juice and flavored coffees. “Everything is made from scratch,” Hambrick said. “Biscuits are made fresh every day.” Even the pimento cheese for their Heavens to Betsy sandwich is made in-house.  “We also like to collaborate with different small businesses,” Hambrick said. The establishment serves Concord Coffee, uses Born & Bread sourdough, and Bee Haven honey. Asked about Biscuits and Benedicts’ future, Hambrick noted, “After we get a bit more stable and recognized in the county, we’d like to look into opening more space next door. We’re also looking into Winter Haven.” Stop by in January to check out their new menu, including brand new appetizers and brunch options like the Cattywampus burger we tried. A toothsome fig jam cuts through the richness of bacon atop a thick brisket burger with the tang of garlic aioli. It was darn good! Photography by Amy Sexson Biscuits and Benedicts 1212 Florida Ave S, Lakeland (863) 937-8293 FB: Biscuits and Benedicts IG @biscuits.and.benedicts biscuitsandbenedicts.com

DEERINGER HONEY FARM In addition to a population of wild bees, the state of Florida is host to some 650-700,000 commercial bee colonies with another 10-15,000 hobby hives. Polk County is home to around 11,000 commercial colonies with several multigenerational apiculture (the technical term for beekeeping) families. One such Winter Haven family is the Deeringers. Ashlyn Deeringer’s grandfather Wesley Parmerter got into beekeeping after World War II. “During World War II, there was a lot of rationing, so people kept bees in their backyard for sweetener because a lot of sugar was going overseas to the military,” explained Ashlyn’s husband, Jason Deeringer. Her grandfather went on to become a migratory beekeeper and state bee inspector traveling between New York and Florida. Her father followed in his footsteps, beekeeping since the 70s, and her brother did it for some 15 years. Ashlyn and Jason’s love story is a sweet honeybee happenstance. They knew each other in high school, after which Jason entered the military and Ashlyn went to college. Following his service, in 2009, Jason got into the bee removal service, working with a company that specializes in removing stinging insects. He also at the time, received a few hives as a gift. Those few hives turned into 100 by the time he reconnected with Ashlyn. The pair laughed as they recalled Ashlyn’s dad thinking Jason might be a beekeeping spy looking to do some apiary espionage. He started two businesses, Bee Serious and Deeringer Honey Farm, in 2013. Ashlyn worked in the Visitor Services department of Visit Central Florida for ten years before joining Jason in his apiculture endeavors. Jason eventually bought his own truck and loader, and his beekeeping business grew to outpace the removal. The couple now has nearly 2,000 colonies, offering services from commercial pollination and honey production to retailing bees. The Deeringers are in the process of purchasing Ashlyn’s father’s business as he looks to retire. “We’ll have a home base in Davenport once we finish this acquisition,” Ashlyn said. We stood in a Dundee field on a windy December morning as Jason lit a smoker and talked about his favorite subject – bees. “Bees are pheromone based, smell based. They have an alarm smell,” he said. “If you open a hive without smoking them, the alarm spreads to everybody, and everybody gets angry. If you smoke them first, the alarm spreads very slowly and minimally.” Beekeeping offers quite a few avenues for revenue. In addition to selling queens and wholesaling honey by the drum, the Deeringers sell wax. Wholesale honey can go for around $2.50-2.75 per pound, with wax, a natural byproduct of what they do, going for around $5 a pound. One of their more lucrative streams of revenue comes from commercial pollination. Farmers will pay to have honeybees pollinate their crops, from strawberries and blueberries to melons and cucumbers. “We can drop bees off, and those bees will increase crop production by 20 percent,” said Jason. The Deeringers ship bees as far as California to pollinate almonds and down the eastern seaboard for blueberries and cranberries. As bees are thermoregulators, shipping them can be quite timely and tedious. There are roughly 50-90,000 bees per colony and an average of 400 colonies on a semi. “It’s high risk but also high reward,” Jason noted. “In central Florida, agriculture is disappearing fairly quickly. Our forage, what we produce honey crops on, is disappearing faster than the industry can create new things for new revenue,” he said, calling migratory commercial pollination “our saving grace.” “If we didn’t have these commercial pollination contracts, we really couldn’t exist as an industry for much longer in central Florida specifically because of development. We’re losing so much of our forage – our orange blossom, palmetto, scrubland – to development.” Another threat to apiculture is the introduction of pests and diseases, such as the Asian mite. These pests mean beekeepers like the Deeringers must continually monitor and treat the hives to keep the threshold low and the colony thriving. According to Jason, if the mite count gets too high, they can transmit viruses that kill off the bees. “It’s made a better industry in the sense that we are beekeepers and not just bee setters,” he said. “But it’s a pain when we have to treat a colony three times in a row, and we have 2,000 colonies.” Through years of experience, the Deeringers have gained a sense for hive health. “You can read all the books, but until you’re doing it for years and having failures and successes, you know what’s working, what’s not. It’s those years of experience that can get you to that point of reading the colony,” Ashlyn said. Deeringer Honey Farm produces about five crops a year. “Our honey yields in Florida are pretty interesting,” Jason said. “An average colony can make between 50 and 90 pounds of honey per crop depending on the year, depending on the weather, and a lot of different variables.” Northern states, the midwest, and Canada, can produce hundreds of pounds of honey per colony. “It’s harder here to make honey than in other parts of the country,” Jason said. “[But] we have more crops that produce honey than in other parts of the United States.” Wherein the midwest produces mainly clover honey, central Florida has a variety from orange blossom and palmetto to Brazilian pepper, gallberry, and Tupelo. “The beekeeping end is very rewarding. You can see your work, you can see the effort that you put into the colonies – the treatments, the feeding, the maintaining properly – in the honey you produce,” said Jason. “It can go from one box to several boxes of honey in just 10, 15, 20 days. It’s cool to see. The problem with honey production is it’s so variable. [...] It’s kind of like gambling. You get addicted to the chase of that $100K honey crop.” That variability is precisely why the Deeringers have diversified their business. They’ve recently ramped up their direct-to-consumer honey production and look to do retail in the future. Folks can purchase local honey at their honor-system-based honey stand at 632 Ave. T SE, Winter Haven. “Don’t be afraid to buy honey from a big box retailer,” Jason concluded. “Just check the source of origin. At least buy from a company that uses U.S. honey.” THE MAYOR’S APICULTURE ADDICTION Not all beekeepers are shipping hundreds of thousands of bees across the country for commercial pollination. Some do it for the love of apiculture. When he isn’t conducting his mayoral duties or serving as the managing director and senior vice president of investments for Raymond James, one might catch Winter Haven Mayor Brad Dantzler tending to the three beehives on his property. About seven years ago, Dantzler attended a wedding in Atlanta. A friend took him out to tour his hives in full beekeeping regalia. “I just fell in love with it,” the mayor said. “There are a lot of ways to get started, but the simplest way is to buy what’s called a ‘nuc,’” Dantzler said. The term “nuc” is short for “nucleus colony.” It’s a small hive, including a colony of bees. According to Dantzler, each hive has about 60-80K bees. He currently has three hives. It used to be four, but one of his hives’ absconded,’ which means the entire hive, including the queen, left. “Once your hives get very healthy and big like mine are, I can take a couple of frames out and put them in a separate box and encourage them to make another queen and start a hive,” he said. That’s known as ‘splitting the hive.’ The mayor has two colonies of European bees, and a third he suspects are Russian. He notes that they are more aggressive but produce the best honey. “The queen sets the whole mood of the hive. If the queen is nice and docile, then the bees don’t bother you at all. But if the queen is mean, the bees will be mean because [almost 99%] of the bees are female.” Dantzler completes a hive inspection every other week in which he uses hive tools to ‘crack the hive’ and pulls out each of the 11 frames per box. He’s looking to keep out pests and check on the hive’s overall well-being. If the hive is healthy, he leaves it undisturbed. “My theory is to not disturb them as much as possible unless they’re having a problem.” The bottom box of the hive is where the bees live. As they mature, beekeepers add boxes on top of them called honey supers. Twice a year, when the supers are full, Dantzler harvests his honey crop, known as ‘stealing the honey.’ Each hive box will produce some 50 pounds of honey. “My Russian bees, I call them my rockstars. They produce like crazy.” His friend and Theatre Winter Haven Producing Director Dan Chesnicka often helps him harvest the honey, which takes about 4 to 5 hours. “You want to leave them honey to make it through the winter because there are not nearly as many flowers,” he said. “When they don’t have pollen to eat, they start eating their own honey. That’s why they store it up.” Honey differs from hive to hive based on which plants the bees pollinate. Dark palmetto honey is the mayor’s favorite, but he may get orange blossom, clover, Brazilian pepper, or ragweed throughout the year. “It’s kind of like wine,” he said of the variety in honey. Dantlzer labels his honey ‘Mayor’s Select,’ gives it away, and makes his own honey candy. With his puppy Dash in tow, Mayor Dantzler showed us around his yard. He pointed out purple porter weed and azaleas, shrimp plants and gardenias, fire bush and white plumbago, pipevine, and beauty berries. “Everything is geared for my bees and butterflies.” “Every little apiary takes on its own personality,” Dantlzer said. His is adorned with little signs and knick-knacks, including a bee fairy. He finds the work to be cathartic. “Sometimes, when I’ve had a rough day, I’ll come and just sit on that bench and hang out here with them.” Mayor Dantzler recommends the Ridge Beekeepers Association as a resource for those interested in apiculture. “The bee community is very supportive of each other,” he said. According to the beekeeper club, “Our members have a wealth of knowledge about beekeeping. Members include hobbyists, sideline and commercial beekeepers, honey producers, and queen producers. We have members from Polk County and the surrounding counties such as Lake, Highlands, and Hardee.” The Ridge Beekeepers Association meets on the third Monday of the month at 7 pm, followed by a field/workday the next Saturday. Check their website, www.ridgebeekeepers.com, each month for the meeting location. Photography by Amy Sexson

As our holiday seasons come to a close, Polk County residents and visitors are treated to a spectacular natural event: the arrival of American white pelicans. These majestic birds, easily distinguishable from their coastal cousin the brown pelican, are a remarkable sight as they gracefully navigate the skies above Polk County’s many lakes. These large water birds, protected under the Migratory Bird Act, are here for a winter respite and do not breed during their stay in Florida. A SEASONAL SPECTACLE American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) are migratory, visiting Florida during the winter months. They are usually found along the coast but can also been seen around Florida’s inland lakes, rivers, and wetlands. In Polk County, you’ll see them soaring in the sky, at Circle B Bar Reserve, around the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes, and in lakes all around Lakeland, Lake Wales, and more. The earliest American White Pelicans often arrive by late November or mid-December, with their presence peaking January through March, locally. This timing is easy to remember, like many of our friends and family who live up north in the summer, the white pelicans can be thought of as Florida’s other snowbirds! SILENT VISITORS IN OUR MIDST One of the most notable characteristics of these winter visitors is their almost complete silence, a stark contrast to the more vocal cormorants and anhinga often seen in their company. This silent demeanor adds to the serene beauty of the lakes they inhabit. IDENTIFICATION AND RESPECTFUL OBSERVATION American white pelicans are one of our largest water birds in North America. Their bodies are thick, with short square tails, large bills, and short legs. Mostly white, they have a distinctive yellow-orange bill and black flight feathers on the underside and tips of their wings, making them easily identifiable from afar or while in flight . When in flight, you’ll often see them in a “flying V” pattern, soaring in large circles looking for suitable areas to feed. Unlike the brown pelicans we’re all familiar with, who are known for their dramatic diving feeding technique, American white pelicans employ a more cooperative hunting strategy. Together in large groups, they herd fish into shallow areas of the lake where they will take turns rowdily dipping their large bills in to scoop up some fish. This makes for an impressive display of teamwork and grace. You may notice a vertical plate or “horn” on the top of some of the pelicans’ bills. This is called a “breeding plate” and it is thought to be a visual indicator of a healthy male pelican, like how we think a larger rack of antlers signifies a better breeder in deer. While we’ll never fully understand some physical traits present during the breeding season in many species, one thing is clear: The plate is not a deformity, and the pelican is healthy; there is no need to be alarmed or to contact an animal rescue or Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission if you see one. MIGRATION AND HABITAT When American white pelicans leave Florida, they embark on a northward migration that leads them primarily to the northern Great Plains. Their summer breeding grounds are generally on isolated islands in freshwater lakes and on ephemeral islands in shallow wetlands. These pelicans typically breed in states such as North Dakota, South Dakota, Northern California, Nevada, Wyoming, Minnesota, and parts of Canada, favoring remote areas away from human disturbance. The habitat types ideal for their breeding include large, open landscapes like prairies and marshes next to lakes and rivers. If you’re planning a summer vacation in the northern Great Plains, particularly in areas like the Dakotas or Minnesota, you might be fortunate enough to see these majestic birds in their natural breeding habitat. Here, they engage in their unique life cycle amidst the vast and scenic backdrop of America’s heartland. Keep in mind though, these are shy birds and will often abandon their nests if disturbed. GRAB SOME BINOCULARS This January, take the time to visit local natural areas or waterways to see the American White Pelicans. They will start heading north in March and have often completely left us by the end of April. But remember, nature doesn’t always abide by our rules! The pelicans may leave early or stay late – so enjoy them when you see them. You can help both American white pelicans and our resident brown pelican by keeping a close eye on fishing tackle when you’re out fishing. Entanglement in fishing line and bill or pouch disfigurement from errant hooks and lures are some of the greatest threats facing pelicans and water birds of all species in Florida. Protection and restoration of area lakes and wetlands is important to both the American white pelican and our other water birds and wildlife. As I have mentioned in earlier articles, prioritizing our wetlands and lakes takes a village. When enjoying recreational activities like boating, be mindful not to disturb these graceful and shy visitors. They scare easily and you may prevent their return to an area lake if they are disturbed often. By protecting our lakes and respecting wildlife, we ensure that future generations will also enjoy the stunning spectacle of the American White Pelicans in Florida. For more information on American white pelicans consider listening to the podcast episode, “American White Pelicans, Florida’s Other Snowbird” here: https://link.chtbl.com/white_pelican And, if you enjoy the episode, share it with a friend. As a reminder, you can always find me on social media with the handle @PolkNR on Twitter/X and Instagram or you can email me with any questions at scarnevale@ufl.edu. UF/IFAS Extension is an Equal Opportunity Institution.

Winter Haven Public Safety is unrolling a comprehensive and holistic mental health program in the new year. The City of Winter Haven Mental Health Coordinator, Morgan Volpe, and Lieutenant Garett Boyd spearhead this flagship program. We spoke with Volpe about the program’s inception and what they aim to accomplish. Volpe, who recently finished her master’s degree in clinical mental health from Stetson University, has been in her role since April. Hers is a new position for the City. Along with Lieutenant Boyd, Volpe is working to revamp the department’s peer support system and unfurl a comprehensive mental health program for all Public Safety personnel, sworn and civilian. They can utilize an app that will link anyone in dire crisis to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 988, mindfulness activities, and many others. According to Volpe, there’s a unique stigma associated with talking about mental health in law enforcement. “A lot of them have that inherent thought of, ‘If I say I’m not doing okay mentally, my job is jeopardized. Because if my superior doesn’t trust me with a gun on my hip, how is the community going to trust me?’” she said. “We’re trying to get down to the core fundamentals of that thought process and reduce that stigma as much as possible.” She continued, “There’s also a culture of self-reliance and toughness. Many times officers may feel pressure to handle stress and trauma independently, without seeking help. [...] Having someone in their corner that understands exactly what they’re going through is really beneficial.” About 20 first responders are currently enlisted in the program for peer support. First responders regularly witness traumatizing situations. In addition to psychological first aid and secondary traumatic stress training, the peer support system utilizes the University of Central Florida’s REACT program for first responders. REACT (Recognize. Evaluate. Advocate. Coordinate. Track.) “provides all participants with mastery experiences, designed to give them challenges at which they can succeed, bolstering confidence in their ability to provide effective support to their peers,” according to UCF. “Through this program, participants learn how to recognize “stress injuries” and evaluate the mental health of their peers, offer peer-level support, and effectively coordinate necessary follow-up in the event professional intervention is warranted.” “It’s going to take time, but I’m hopeful that having that peer support will enable them to start to open up and eventually feel more comfortable with the entire program,” said Volpe. Hand in hand with peer support will be the mental health program rolling out this month. The program will ensure mental health is regarded with the same importance as physical health. “Those two coincide,” Volpe said. “Mental health and physical health are both health.” The goal is to approach first responder mental health holistically – to talk about a problem before it becomes critical. The program guarantees confidentiality except in certain circumstances, such as cases where a judge summons Volpe, there’s an indication of child or elder abuse, or if the first responder is having suicidal or homicidal ideations. “And if I do have to say something, it’s through the proper chain of command, and no one else will ever know.” Volpe also notes that in the event that confidentiality had to be broken, the information that she has to share would be extremely specific to the issue at hand in an effort to uphold as much confidentiality as ethically and legally possible in difficult situations like these. The program will be counseling-focused with the biological, psychological, and social factors of the individual in mind. This will encompass the entirety of their life, from educational background to family dynamics and support networks. This gives Volpe a mental health baseline. The mental health coordinator will help officers and firefighters work through issues like anxiety and depression while being able to refer out to a licensed professional as necessary. Preferably one with the cultural competency of first responders. “These are human beings. They go through the exact same emotions, maybe even more so than your typical civilian, because they don’t necessarily have an outlet,” she said. “There aren’t a lot of individuals in this profession that are culturally competent to be able to serve the first responder population.” This is the gap Volpe hopes to fill in her new position. The last thing most law enforcement officers and firefighters want to do is talk to someone who sees civilians about anxiety or depression. While the experiences of civilians are valid, “It’s a different type of trauma,” Volpe said. Compounded stress is one of the most significant issues she sees in first responders. “Without that outlet to get rid of the pressure, the stress, all of the baggage that goes along with seeing all this trauma – it compounds,” she said. “I always equate it to your junk closet,” Volpe explained. You can only put so much stuff into a junk closet and close the door. Eventually, if you don’t organize or purge it, you won’t be able to close the door. “It’s the same thing with compounded stress.” While working off stress with a run is great, first responders require a healthy mechanism to discuss their stress and trauma. “Having that neurotransmitter enhancement is extremely beneficial, but narrative therapy is crucial for any healing.” In addition to creating a mental health program for first responders, Volpe keeps track of statistics for Baker and Marchman Acted individuals in the community. “The information I gather helps with the overall goal for community mental health and provides a way for us to specifically target areas of the community that may need more assistance due to intersectionality and a laundry list of other potential factors,” she said. “I track gender, gender assigned at birth, age, race, and many other items. Our crime analyst prepares hot spot maps for me on a monthly basis, which allows me to geographically depict where we can implement high resources in the future.” “I am aiming at training officers and firefighters more in-depth,” said Volpe. This trauma-informed training will assist first responders during any interaction with the public, from a traffic stop to an arrest, Baker Act, fire, or medical emergency. “Mental health plays a big role in why and how people act.” Being trauma-informed will have officers and firefighters consider many aspects while upholding their duties, ensuring a comprehensive approach to crisis management and public safety is upheld. An assessment officers can make when Baker or Marchman Acting someone is MINDS, taking into consideration if the individual is on medication, has suicidal or homicidal ideations, is on narcotics, has any previous diagnoses, or is exhibiting self-injurious behavior. The mental health coordinator noted exceptional leadership at the City, calling out City Manager T. Michael Stavres, Deputy City Manager MJ Carnevale, Assistant City Manager – Public Safety Charlie Bird, Police Chief David Brannan, and Fire Chief Sonny Emery. “They care,” she said. “They are very humanistic. They have a lot of empathy. They have a lot of emotional intelligence, which is needed and speaks volumes about why this program is even here.” “I’m excited to spearhead mental health. To reduce the stigma and be a frontrunner in talking about it and not making it so taboo,” Volpe said. “I’m excited to see where mental health, and specifically first responders, transform to because it’s such new territory.” Volpe noted that her goal is to bring on more clinicians to the department. “I would love to see this program grow and flourish. Maybe not even solely focused on mental health but for wellness – wraparound wellness.” Photography by Amy Sexson

It’s been four years since Crave & Copper first opened their doors in downtown Auburndale. The concept was born from the Florida Brewery. Established in the 70s, the Florida Brewery is the second oldest brewery still in operation in the state. Primarily a manufacturing facility, the brewery opened its doors to the public for a time, introducing a Beer Garden and Taproom at 202 Gandy Road. The brewery became a popular hangout, and when the opportunity came up to open an eatery downtown, they partnered with restaurant industry veterans to be sure their cuisine mirrored their “crave-able” beer. Executive Chef Matt Oakley partnered with his wife, the CFO of the Florida Brewery, Stacey Oakley, and the COO of the brewery, Julie Williams, for the restaurant. Crave & Copper is situated in the former Hudson Hotel, built in the 1920s. The hotel’s rooms were upstairs, now office space, and Crave & Copper is in place of its original restaurant. Stacey Oakley explained that Auburndale was a stop along the railroad back in the day. As a significant part of the town’s history, they wanted to pay homage. “It ties into the brewery because the copper kettle that sits at the beer garden was also brought down by the railroad in the 1970s,” she said. They spent a year turning the historic building into a rustic, modern-industrial dining space. Railroad imagery and large sliding barn doors, which can be closed to partition the restaurant, fit well within their rustic vibe. Many of the hotel’s original details have been left intact but modernized – like the ceiling, painted copper to suit their color scheme, the rehabbed bar, and the exposed brick on one of the walls. Spanning an entire restaurant wall just beyond the barn doors is a mural by Central Florida-based muralist Joe Starks. According to Stacey and Julie, Starks worked off a photo of the building from the 1920s. The image peers into a scene straight from Lake Ave. in the roaring 20s, the only detail bringing it back to the present is the ‘Crave & Copper’ sign. Images of Prohibition, their brewery roots, and Auburndale’s iconic water tower also appear in the piece. Starks finished the monochromatic mural with spray paint in just one weekend, finishing it with copper accents. Stacey Oakley said the Hudson Hotel was a gathering space. They would broadcast fights on their radio outside, and people would gather around to listen. The hotel’s restaurant would host $1 Thanksgiving dinner nights for the community. “The whole basis for what they did is similar to why we wanted to do this here. It was all focused around having a community destination,” she said. “We wanted something that was going to put Auburndale on the map,” said Executive Chef Matt Oakley. In the same way that Winter Haven and Lakeland have built up their downtown with exceptional dining, shopping, and recreation – the Crave & Copper owners want to see the same thing for downtown Auburndale. Folks shouldn’t have to drive out of town for a good meal and good beer, he explained. “We spent an entire year inside this place before we opened, getting it ready,” Matt Oakley said. Crave & Copper opened in October 2019 and operated for just six weeks.  “And then the fire happened,” Stacey said. On Friday, December 13, 2019, a state trooper driving through Auburndale saw smoke billowing from the former hotel and called the fire department. The inferno, deemed an electrical fire that started in the wall, decimated their kitchen. Matt and Stacey were in Virginia to attend a concert when the fire occurred. “At 5 in the morning, we get a call saying, ‘Chef, your kitchen burned down,’” Matt said. “It didn’t really hit us until we walked into this place and saw the destruction.” The fire was so intense the metal shelving had melted. “We got so extremely lucky because the fire got cut essentially,” said Stacey. The CO2 tank for their soda machine is much larger than one would find in a typical restaurant as it feeds their brewery side. That CO2 line was severed, creating a curtain that held the fire from the dining room. Sorting through insurance was quite the process. When it was finally approved, the pandemic hit, and prices skyrocketed, causing even more trouble for the restaurateurs. “In hindsight, the fact that we were closed during COVID was somewhat a blessing,” Stacey said.  In September 2022, Crave & Copper opened for the second time. Because of the two-year difference, they were able to apply for the Community Redevelopment Grant again and utilize it for their new outdoor patio area. “We had our followers from the original opening that had been waiting in anticipation for us to get back open, and then once we did, they, of course, showed all their support. It was almost like we never left,” said the chef. Stacey agreed, adding, “Being a small town, they are so behind new things coming and love supporting it. Our regulars are amazing, and they’re spreading the word to everybody.” The menu hasn’t changed drastically since C&C’s inception. It boasts the same elevated pub fare as before. Chef Oakley wanted the food to be approachable while introducing folks to foods they might not have had in the area. “We try to source as much as we can from local purveyors,” he said. From local microgreens to fresh organic eggs, “We just want to do fresh, quality food.” “It’s really about giving our community the best possible food we can at the gastropub level for this area and being able to teach these young kids who are interested in culinary and enabling them an opportunity that they probably wouldn’t get unless they were working in Orlando or Tampa,” Oakley said of his kitchen team. “My goal as a chef is to teach and share my craft. I’m not one of those chefs that like to hold all my secrets in. I’m open with my recipes. I’ll tell anyone what they are. I want people to cook and to learn how to do it right so that we have more chefs and great food in town.” Oakley is joined by Sous Chef Nick Roberts. This family-friendly American brewpub features up to 20 craft beers on tap, live entertainment on the weekends, and weekly lunch and dinner specials that keep guests coming back. One Crave & Copper staple is their fish dip, ideally served with a frosty glass of Polar Pilsner. Made with locally caught Lane Snapper smoked in-house with pecan wood, Chef Matt says, “It’s a traditional Florida fish dip but with my twist on it.” There are no frills, it is just plain good – like, really really good. It is served with hot sauce, lemon, and copper-dusted tortilla chips. Their proprietary copper dust is made with a spice blend from a chef-owned and operated company out of Spokane, Washington. Matt Oakley wanted to highlight the quality of the spices. He created a dry rub using garlic powder, onion powder, chili lime powder, white pepper, kosher salt, and honey granules. Other guest favorites include the hearty Cobb Salad, and the Nashville Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich made with buttermilk brined chicken breast topped with house-made pickles and Nashville hot honey sauce. Crave & Copper recently rolled out their fall menu with seasonal offerings like an oven-roasted turkey sandwich with thinly sliced challah, cheddar cheese, onion jam, herb mayo, and arugula. Another autumnal addition is the beer-braised bratwurst with sauteed peppers and onions and beer-infused whole-grain mustard. Chef Matt noted that they revamped their signature garbage plate to be less messy. Tots are drizzled with copper sauce and topped with candied bacon, scallions, and TFB beer cheese sauce. In addition to crave-worthy bites, C&C has more than a few drinks to imbibe. Florida Brewery COO Julie Williams discussed their five-barrel brew system at Crave & Copper. Three fermenters turn yeast into alcohol, and one bright beer tank holds finished product ready to be kegged. “This is what we consider our research and development. The big brewery down the street, one batch is 300 barrels,” she said. “This gives us the chance to use a little more creativity on a small batch.” Crave & Copper has up to twenty rotating beers on tap. Stacey Oakley said that their beers cater to the traditional lager style and are made intentionally drinkable for Florida – whether you’re boating, fishing, or backyard barbequing. They added 863 Light, their version of an American Standard Lager, and 863 Ultra, which she described as a more “calorie-conscious American lager” to the menu. Their best-selling beer, Beach Me Up, started as a seasonal brew. The crisp grapefruit shandy earned a fixed spot on the menu due to demand. Post-fire, Crave, and Copper honored the brave firefighters with a beer of their own called Engine 421, a light American lager. Photography by Amy Sexson Crave & Copper 117 E Lake Ave, Auburndale (863) 968-2971 craveandcopper.com IG @craveandcopper FB: Crave and Copper

In 1972, two women interested in helping stray animals were introduced to each other by a veterinarian. This kismet meeting would mean better lives for thousands of animals in Polk County for decades to come. Francis Gerrard and Peggy Harwick joined forces to establish what is now the Humane Society of Polk County. The nonprofit is dedicated to the prevention of cruelty to animals, the relief of suffering among animals, and the extension of humane education. Typically, with 30 dogs and 75 cats in residence at any given time, the Humane Society of Polk County took in more than 1700 animals in their last fiscal year. According to the shelter, “All accepted animals are spayed or neutered, provided with shots, tested for heartworms or feline leukemia/aids, de-wormed, micro-chipped, provided a physical exam by a local veterinarian and given comfortable shelter, food, and water.” In 1980, they built the original shelter on Sage Road. “It was just a little concrete building with cats in the front and kennels in the back,” said Humane Society Executive Director Lisa Baker. Originally from Cincinnati, Baker moved to Florida in 1987 to be closer to family. Her mother was a former water skier for Cypress Gardens. It wasn’t just family that beckoned Baker to the Sunshine State. “It’s a lot better weather,” she said. “I wouldn’t trade one foot of Florida for the whole state of Ohio.” She started bookkeeping for the Humane Society and eventually came on part-time – though there was nothing ‘part-time’ about it. She often pulled 40-hour weeks. “You just get so involved. It’s a passion,” she said. Many tail wags and puppy kisses later, in 1991, Lisa Baker became the executive director. “In 2004, Hurricanes Charley, Frances, and Jeanne all swept through and plowed right over that shelter. We had to evacuate, and we worked out of a little 8x10 room out of a vet’s office on Avenue F,” she said. They worked there for six months while renovating the storm-battered shelter. In the same year, the Humane Society of Polk County decided to become the county’s first no-kill shelter, meaning they do not euthanize animals to make space. “If a veterinarian determines it is in the best interest of the animal, we do follow their advice to euthanize,” according to their website. “The other circumstance when we would euthanize an animal is if it is deemed by our veterinarian and our animal behavioral specialist that the animal would be a danger to the public to adopt.” In June 2015, their staff of thirteen employees moved to the current shelter on Dundee Road, the former Winter Haven Furniture Warehouse. The building is 12,000 square feet on five acres of land. “The board was very forward-thinking at that time, and they allowed me to go and look at other shelters,” said the executive director. Baker visited 40 kennels in locations as far away as Georgia to investigate what equipment and methods others were using. She brought back a trove of good information that they incorporated into the design of their new space. (During our interview, two senior cats got into a small tiff. She stopped and smiled. “We’re having a bit of cattitude today.” We laughed, and the interview resumed.) When entering the shelter, one will notice separate cat rooms – one for seniors, adults, adolescents, and kittens. They have a plethora of playthings and plenty of pals to pad around with. The senior and adult rooms have cat doors accessing an outdoor screened-in room called the “catio.” “That’s why we designed these like this,” Baker said. “It’s a home environment, so you can see how they might react in your home. You can sit and spend some time with them.” On the other side of the lobby are individual cat rooms for felines who think they single-handedly rule the world. “We try to do as much green technology as we can,” Baker said, pointing out their LED lighting throughout the building and solar panels on the parking lot side of the roof. Water for cleaning the kennels and floors comes from a well, while their kitchen is on City water. The well-thought-out shelter features sound absorption and a high-tech wet/dry vacuum cleaning system in place of trenches. Everything is cleaned using accelerated hydrogen peroxide for sterilization. Each area has its own air system to avoid cross-contamination. The Humane Society didn’t sound or smell like a typical space housing that many animals. Along with adoption services, the Humane Society of Polk County provides low-cost spaying and neutering in their on-site surgery suite through SNIP, their Spay Neuter Inoculation Program. The program started for cats only, as they are the most euthanized animals in the county. Slowly, they incorporated smaller dogs and will now take dogs up to 100 pounds. “We weren’t designed to be a big spay/neuter clinic.[...] We decided we would try to build our system up to give people on the east side of Polk County a way to get their animals spayed and neutered at an affordable price without having to go all the way over to Lakeland,” said Baker. Through their adoption services, spay/neuter program, and by providing 35,000 pounds of pet food to low-income pet owners annually, the Humane Society of Polk County prevents more than 4,000 animals from being surrendered to Polk County Animal Control each year. This saves taxpayers an estimated $650,000 yearly through their public and private partnership with the Polk County Government. Another initiative of the Humane Society is their WAG University, led by Animal Behaviorist Diann Andress CPDT-KA, DN-DTC, CTDI, DN-WTWI. The pup school has classes ranging from basic manners and tricks to a Canine Good Citizen certification. The shelter also works with the dogs currently in their care. The first thing they learn is a game called Ready, Ready. Staff use 100% chicken hotdog pieces to train the dogs. “That gets them conditioned to people coming into the kennel because then they’re not as afraid of new people,” Baker said. They also work with them on staying at doors. Any dog owner knows the struggle of an escape artist every time the door opens. They teach them to wait at the door before exiting to mitigate that. “All this is instrumental to helping you when you get your pet adopted so that it’s going to be a better pet for you. That is our goal.” If you’d like to help out the four-legged friends at the Humane Society, consider a cash donation. This helps keep the shelter running and affords them resources, including new equipment like anesthesia machines and renovations. Animal food, kitty litter, old towels or bedclothes, paper towels, and cleaning supplies are also a big help. “We can always use volunteers,” Baker said. “That’s another way to give, is to give of yourself.” Show your support on December 5 at Jensen’s Corner Bar for the Humane Society of Polk County’s 9th annual Santa Paws event. The event runs from 6-9:30 pm and will feature live music by KeySoundSoul, appetizers by Arabellas, a hot chocolate station, and a specialty holiday cocktail featuring Tito’s Handmade Vodka. Each guest also receives one entry to their premium prize package raffles as a thank you. Enjoy a silent auction, and a cash bar while supporting a wag-worthy cause. Photographs by Amy Sexson The Humane Society of Polk County 3195 Dundee Rd, Winter Haven (863) 324-5227 humanesocietyofpolkcounty.org FB: The Humane Society of Polk County, Inc.

December is the perfect time to learn about the fascinating world of our cavity-nesting birds in Central Florida. These birds, including the enchanting Eastern screech owl, play a vital role in our ecosystem at both the local and regional scale. This holiday season, consider thinking about giving a gift to our local cavity-nesting bird species! UNDERSTANDING CAVITY-NESTING BIRDS IN FLORIDA Cavity-nesting birds, such as various owl species, woodpeckers, and small songbirds, seek out natural cavities in trees or in some cases, create their own cavities for their nesting. These birds are crucial for maintaining ecological balance, acting as natural pest controllers, and contributing to biodiversity. Florida’s cavity nesters include the downy woodpecker, wood duck, Carolina wren, and Eastern screech owl, among others. The American kestrel and the red-cockaded woodpecker are two cavity nesters in Florida which are listed as federally endangered. Woodpeckers, Carolina chickadees, and brown-headed nuthatches are examples of what’s known as “primary” cavity-nesters which means they prefer to excavate their own cavities and will not readily take to human-supplied nestboxes. If you’d like to support these species, consider leaving a snag (another word for standing dead tree) in your yard if you have one. You can keep safety in mind by cutting off the top of the tree, if necessary, and leaving at least 12-15 ft of snag standing. Most of our cavity nesting species are “secondary” cavity nesters, meaning they cannot excavate their own nesting cavity and will use an abandoned one from a primary cavity nester or, if available, will use human-supplied nestboxes. SPECIES HIGHLIGHT: THE EASTERN SCREECH OWL The Eastern Screech Owl, Florida’s smallest owl, is an efficient predator, despite its diminutive size of 6-9 inches. With a large head, ear tufts, and varying colorations of red, brown, or grey, these owls are a common sight in forested areas, city parks, and residential neighborhoods. They are generalists, meaning they have a varied diet and can survive and thrive in a variety of habitats. Data suggests that suburban Eastern screech owls may have higher survival rates than their rural counterparts due to more food availability and fewer predators. According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, their numbers have decreased annually by close to 1% for a cumulative decline of about 37% between 1966 and 2019, making them a “species in decline” in the Southeastern USA. Now, for the good news! Eastern screech owls readily adopt artificial habitat in the form of nestboxes and quickly become beloved family members of the residential areas in which they are found. These charismatic little owls keep watch from the nestbox’s opening and can be easily observed by neighbors, friends, and family. They tolerate the hustle and bustle of active families if we respect their boundaries and observe them from a distance. Never intentionally annoy or harass your local owls … or they may leave for other accommodations! THE IMPORTANCE OF ARTIFICIAL NESTING HABITATS Habitat loss and environmental changes have made it increasingly challenging for many bird species to find safe nesting areas. Providing artificial nesting sites in the form of nestboxes is a proactive step towards supporting bird populations that may struggle to find natural nesting sites. By installing a nest box, you’re not just adding a feature to your garden; you’re actively participating in the conservation of our local avian biodiversity. When it comes to nest boxes, one size does not fit all. Different bird species have distinct preferences for their nesting sites – from the size of the box to the diameter of the entrance and the height at which the box is placed. To truly cater to the needs of specific bird species you wish to attract, it’s crucial to follow detailed guidelines. A fantastic resource for species-specific nest box plans and guidelines is www.NestWatch.org. This platform offers a wealth of information to help you create the perfect nesting environment for your targeted bird species. Check out the, “All About Birdhouses” and “Right Bird, Right House” sections to find free plans for constructing the perfect nestbox for your yard! JOIN OUR NEST BOX BUILDING CLASS! Looking for an easier way to support the Eastern Screech Owl? Join us for a nestbox building workshop just after the new year, in January or February. You’ll learn a bit more about Florida’s cavity nesting species and build-your-own nestbox to take home. We’ve taken all the guesswork out of it! For class dates and information, visit PolkCountyExtension.Eventbrite.com or scan the QR code provided. These workshops are provided at no cost to the participant thanks to a generous grant from the Coastal and Heartland National Estuary Program. You can learn more about them at, chnep.org. IN SUMMARY Our cavity-nesting birds, from the silent hunters like the Eastern screech owl to the industrious woodpeckers, are integral parts of our ecosystem. By providing them with safe nesting habitats, we not only aid their conservation but also enrich our natural surroundings. Remember, your efforts in creating these artificial habitats are a step toward preserving the delicate balance of our local ecosystem. For more information on cavity-nesting birds and how to support them, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter/X and Instagram at @PolkNR. Happy Holidays, everyone!

According to the CDC, in the United States, in 2020, 1,603,844 new cancer cases were reported, and 602,347 people died of cancer. For every 100,000 people, 403 new cancer cases were reported, and 144 people died of cancer. In Florida, 115,000 were diagnosed, and 132,614 have died. In Polk County, 4,489 people have been diagnosed in one year. The far-reaching hand of this terrible disease has unfortunately gripped us all either directly or through friends and family. Winter Haven couple and cancer survivors Chris and Hap Hazelwood decided to do something to provide resources and support to those going through this harrowing experience. Hap was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1996. Chris was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer in 2008. She went through chemotherapy and radiation and went into remission. “Thirteen years later, it came back,” she said. Chris underwent a mastectomy and is currently fighting Stage 4 cancer. In 2010, the Hazelwoods converted their former flower shop building into Your Polk County HUB, a co-working office space for non-profit organizations. Hap called it an incubator for not-for-profits predating similar spaces like the Lodge and Catapult. After selling the building, the mission of the HUB shifted to helping people going through cancer. “No one should ever be going through this alone,” Chris said. Her first time going through treatment, she attended support groups at Winter Haven Hospital. “It was good for the moment,” she said. “It was good. I needed that.” Though she appreciated these groups, she thought she could do something more. The mission of Your Polk County HUB is to enhance the quality of cancer survivors’ lives by providing support, resources, and healing that is whole-person-centered and provides for the mind, body, and soul. This environment will be away from the hospital and treatment centers, providing a comforting place of wellness. “The other reason it’s grown into this is Chris knows so many people in the community from all her years of volunteering,” Hap said. There isn’t a week that goes by that Chris doesn’t get a call from someone in her network who either has cancer or has a friend or family member going through it. According to the HUB, “Coping with cancer affects your mind, body, emotions, and spirit. These stressors cause headaches, body aches, confusion, frustration, guilt, and depression and [impacts] your relationships. When you receive support for these signs and symptoms, it helps your overall mental health and relationships. These interventions can be used alongside medical treatment and increase their wellness.” The HUB hosts monthly get-togethers called ROSE (Ribbons of Strength and Empowerment) Gatherings at the Lodge in Winter Haven. “It’s nothing clinical. It’s mainly for them to talk to other people, and we do fun things,” Chris said. Here, folks can join other cancer survivors in a welcoming, supportive space run by survivors with classes for relaxation, sharing, art activities, and beyond. The next ROSE Gathering will be December 12, 2023, from 6-7 pm. Hap said, “It helps people realize other people are going through the same thing and that there is support out there.” “The groups have gone very well,” Chris said. “They’re very excited about it. […] We’re progressing. We’re moving forward, and we need more people to come.” In addition to their monthly ROSE Gatherings, Your Polk County HUB offers cancer patients a HUG in a Box. “With my A-Team, we make a bunch of them for free and give them out to chemo patients that need them,” Chris said. “People don’t know what to get them. I got that question a lot.” These boxes contain helpful items for those undergoing treatment, including knitted caps, socks, lavender essential oil for calming, coloring materials, sea bands for nausea, a water bottle, ginger tea, a notebook, and a thermometer. The HUB has given them out at hospitals including BayCare, Bond Clinic, Moffitt, and Central Florida Healthcare. You can help support Your Polk County HUB’s mission to provide aid to cancer survivors by donating money or HUG in a Box supplies and by simply getting the word out. If you or someone you know would like a HUG in a Box, contact Chris Hazelwood at yourpolkcountyhub.net. Chris also chairs the board of Relay For Life of Polk County. Started by the American Cancer Society, Relay For Life of Polk County will be on March 15, 2024, at South Central Park in Winter Haven. According to the ACS, “Relay For Life is more than a walk – it’s a chance to come together in your local community to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against every cancer as we come together for every life.” At the relay, teams gather to celebrate survivors and caregivers with a walk. They’ll create a human ribbon in the Andy Thornal lot this year. Hap said, “It’s an opportunity for each not-for-profit to raise money and, just like the original HUB concept, have the comradery of coming together for an event, help support Relay, which is a great thing, but also meet a lot of other non-profits.” The Hazelwoods, holding hands, had tearful words of encouragement for those going through cancer. Chris said, “You’re not alone. Reach out, hang in there. Things are getting better. There are new drugs all the time.” Hap added, “One thing that has been so important for both of us is our faith. We know that God has a plan for us, and we know we’ve been given this challenge for a reason. So, we embrace and try to share it and help other people because it’s a tough thing to go through.” Photography by Amy Sexson Your Polk County HUB yourpolkcountyhub.net

One doesn’t have to travel to the neon sign-lit, casino-lined streets of Las Vegas to see world-class Elvis Presley tribute artists. Lake Otis in Winter Haven is home to the best there is. Dwight Icenhower is the only tribute artist in history to win five Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist awards at Graceland. Aside from that, he’s taken first place in 75 contests throughout his tenure as “The Cool Cat” from Tennessee. When it comes to impersonating Elvis, Icenhower is the King. “This all happened through my mother,” Icenhower said. “I grew up, and she’d be playing his movies and his Christmas album at Christmas time.” The kid from Pomeroy, Ohio, grew into a young man obsessed with music. “I’ve always been involved in music. Mostly, my interests were to teach music.” Now 42, Icenhower started his tribute career at 16 years old. “It was kind of a fluke how it all got started,” he said. The self-described “band geek” starred as the King of Rock and Roll in a variety show during his sophomore year of high school. “The band director knew that I was a huge Elvis fan and that I loved that genre of old-school rock and roll music,” said Icenhower. He asked him if he could sing. Icenhower wasn’t sure – he’d never tried before. His Elvis routine went on so famously that the varsity high school coach hired him to perform at his wedding. “I didn’t even know I could make money doing this,” he said. “That was my first gig, at his wedding.” He laughed thinking back on it – a kid in a pink jacket and drawn-on sideburns gyrating to Elvis backing tracks. He aspired to be a high school band director and attended college for a time before his career as a full-time tribute artist began to snowball. “I thought if I’m really going to give this a go, I’m going to have to do it now while I’m young.” It was now or never for the artist. Since then, life on the road is the only one he’s known, performing 150-200 nights a year worldwide. Audiences from the United States and Australia to Europe and Japan “Just Can’t Help Falling in Love” with Dwight Icenhower. “My most die-hard fans are here in Florida, Holland, Japan, and Ohio,” he revealed. Donning a $3K wig specially made in Canada, stage makeup, and the whole Elvis getup – Icenhower is an uncanny King of Rock and Roll. When lifelong Presley fans see him perform for the first time, “You can tell that they get lost in it,” he said. “They’re kind of reliving, I guess, their youth. You can see it on their faces when you walk out.” “It’s a long transformation, and it took me years to learn about contour makeup and all the shading,” Icenhower said. His wife, Vicky Icenhower, a mixed multi-media sculpture artist from LA, has helped him perfect the look. Well, Vicky and everyone’s favorite queens on “Ru Paul’s Drag Race.” “I’ve learned so much watching these guys do their makeup,” he said. “There are guys who naturally wake up and look like Elvis. With me, I’ve learned how to make that whole package by learning the makeup tips.” It used to take him two hours to transform into Elvis, but now he can get out the door in his blue suede shoes in about 20 minutes. “The music part of it, the singing, that all came natural.” There’s always a hint of Elvis in his voice, even when covering another artist. Icenhower, like Elvis, is a natural baritone with a four-octave range. “I lucked out with that,” he said. “I like the singing part of it. I like the big, emotional ballads.” “My Way,” “An American Trilogy,” and “It’s Now or Never” are some of his favorite songs to perform. Icenhower’s life has lined up with Presley’s in more than just his on-stage persona. He’s shared the stage with personal friends of the King including D.J. Fontana, The Jordanaires, The Sweet Inspirations, Cynthia Pepper, Julie Parrish, Charlie Hodge, Duke Bardwell, Eddie Miles, and Joe Esposito. He had the opportunity to meet Lisa Marie Presley several times before her passing earlier this year. As if he couldn’t get any more Memphis street-cred, Icenhower hung out with the first lady of rock and roll. “My wife and I were at this club on Beale Street in Memphis. We got a booth upstairs, and there was another booth right beside us. We saw another group coming in. It was Priscilla Presley, her grandson Benjamin, and the Memphis Mafia.” By the night’s end, the group was sharing stories and drinks. Many of Icenhower’s die-hard fans were original fans of Elvis, now in their seventies and eighties. The breakaway success of Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 “Elvis” biopic introduced a new generation to the King. “He put this movie out, and Elvis became number one again on all the charts,” said Icenhower. “I started seeing, at all my shows, a lot of younger people.” He continues to get multi-generational audiences “All Shook Up.” Asked how he landed on the Chain of Lakes of all the places he’s performed, Icenhower noted that he’d lived in Florida since 2005. “I’ve never known where I was going to plant my roots,” he said. “We were looking for a historic home. An old house that had charm to it.” They found that home in Winter Haven, where they’ve been for a year. Outside of keeping Elvis’s legacy alive, Icenhower loves concerts. “We go to concerts all the time. I’m a huge Elton John fan. I’ve seen him 116 times in concert.” Icenhower also does an Elton John tribute show, though the King comes more naturally. “Elvis is like breathing to me,” he said. “I love doing those [Elton John] shows because it’s a challenge.” A fan of other tribute artists, including Absolute Queen and Absolute Bowie, Icenhower produced a festival for them in Sarasota ten years running. Shake, Rattle, and Soul, which concluded earlier this year, was hosted in the 5,000-seat Robarts Arena with tributes to Rod Stewart, the Beatles, and, of course, Elvis. Don’t miss Dwight Icenhower’s December 9 performance at the Historic Ritz Theatre in Downtown Winter Haven. He’ll be crooning like Elvis at 2 pm and 7 pm. On December 7 join him for “An Evening with Elton” at the Gem Theater. You won’t want to miss “Such a Night!” Follow his social media for the upcoming Dwight Icenhower’s VIP Weekend at Nora Mayo Hall on January 5, 6, and 7. “It’s basically a cruise on land,” he said. The event will feature tribute shows, fan-generated events, and a screening of the documentary “Dwight Icenhower: A Mile in My Shoes,” followed by a Q&A with the director. FB: Dwight Icenhower IG @dwight_icenhower_eta Purchase tickets to upcoming shows at CentralFloridaTiX.com

As we bid farewell to the hurricane season and the wetter months, November brings a refreshing change to Polk County. You might have noticed the air getting a bit crisper and the skies clearer. That’s right—November marks the beginning of Florida’s dry season, a period that lasts until April. But what does this mean for our local environment, wildlife, and even our gardens? Let’s dive in! THE DRY SEASON: WHAT IS IT? In Florida, we experience two primary seasons: the wet season and the dry season. The wet season is characterized by daily afternoon thunderstorms, high humidity, and a general abundance of water. Also, hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30th… which means, we’re not out of the woods, yet! Come November, the weather takes a turn. The dry season brings lower humidity, less frequent rainfall, and cooler temperatures, especially during the night. This shift is not just a relief for us humans but also has significant impacts on our local ecology. WILDLIFE WONDERS One of the most exciting aspects of November is the change in wildlife behavior. During the dry season, you might notice that we are starting to see some of our over-wintering bird species. Later in Fall and into Winter, we start to see American White Pelicans. These dramatic water birds are almost entirely silent! We see them on area lakes and ponds, fishing in large floating flocks. These hunting pelicans are often followed around by a cacophony of fellow water birds like osprey, herons, cormorants, anhinga, and grebes. Animals like raccoons and opossums may be more visible as they prepare for the cooler months and enjoy the cooler weather. If you live in an area, or nearby an area, with a lot of Florida black bear activity – be sure to keep an eye out for them in the Fall. Bears enter a period of extreme eating (called hyperphagia, pronounced hy-per-fay-gee-ah) and may be prone to exploring loose garbage cans and overflowing birdfeeders. Be “BearWise” and follow Florida Fish and Wildlife’s best practices: myfwc.com/bears. If you would like to learn more about preventing wildlife issues, feel free to email me. I’m here to help.

Drew Wales has a photo circa 1970s of him and his brother Justin selling peanuts for five cents a bag. Before 1985, five-cent peanuts were all the sustenance one could get visiting The Barn. And let’s be honest, shopping can work up quite the appetite. “People were coming from all over, and Dad figured they needed a place to eat,” Drew said. So, Tom and Jan opened the Back Porch Restaurant with a picnic lunch theme, harkening to the ranch’s Lazy W roots. The perfect accompaniment to all of the shopping offered at the Barn and gift shops, folks travel to Lake Alfred just for lunch at the Back Porch. The Back Porch offers indoor seating with tables painted by Jan, each with a different flower – birds-foot trefoil, saffron crocus, juniper, honeysuckle. Outside is a spacious tree-shaded deck overlooking a small pond with plenty of seating. They offer two separate indoor dining spaces for private events like bridal and baby showers. Most people opt for their picnic-style lunch with soup, salad, a sandwich, and dessert. Sandwiches include classics like ham and Swiss, chicken salad, breast of turkey, and even a vegan garden burger. In addition to the house salad and side salad of the day, a guest favorite is the porch swing salad where diners can choose their style and ingredients and select a soup and dessert. Opt for the Back Porch lemonade or frozen peach bellini to cool off during the summer months or enjoy wine and beer on tap. They have local Grove Roots Brewing Co. beer and Wine Stream on tap as well as wines imported from Italy. We sat at the honeysuckle table and enjoyed a chicken salad croissant with refreshing spiced raspberry tea, followed by ‘The Back Porch Favorite’ made with strawberries, custard, cake, and whipped cream. We filled out the menu with our table number and checked the boxes of each item we wanted. It arrived in adorably packed picnic baskets with each item neatly tucked in. The picnic baskets add an extra touch to an already exceptional dining experience. The meal was filling but light, and the atmosphere was eclectic and joyful. Everything felt fresh with generous portions that weren’t too much. “It’s the mom-and-pop part that we like the best, and I think our customers appreciate that too,” said Adrianna Wales. Drew added, “We have great customers – it’s a happy place.” Photography by Amy Sexson The Back Porch Restaurant 115 Co Rd 557A, Lake Alfred (863) 956-2227