Photo by Kamryn Potteiger You don’t have to stroll the neon-lit Strip in Las Vegas to find a world-class Elvis Presley tribute artist. One of the very best calls Lake Otis in Winter Haven home. Dwight Icenhower holds a distinction no one else can claim: he is the only tribute artist in history to win five Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist awards at Graceland. Add to that more than 75 first-place finishes across competitions. When it comes to channeling 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.” Raised in Pomeroy, Ohio, he developed a deep love for music early on. “I’ve always been involved in music. Mostly, my interests were to teach music.” Icenhower began his tribute journey at just 16. “It was kind of a fluke how it all got started,” he said. A self- proclaimed “band geek,” he portrayed Elvis in a high school variety show during his sophomore year. “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. The performance was such a hit that the school’s varsity coach hired him to sing at his wedding. “That was my first gig, at his wedding.” He still laughs at the memory: a teenager in a pink jacket, sideburns penciled on, dancing like Elvis. Though he once envisioned himself as a high school band director, his tribute career quickly gained momentum. “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 a now-or-never moment. Since then, life on the road has become his norm, with 150–200 performances each year around the globe. Fans from the United States and Australia to Europe and Japan “Just Can’t Help Falling in Love” with Icenhower. “My most die-hard fans are here in Florida, Holland, Japan, and Ohio,” he revealed. Outfitted with a $3,000 custom-made wig from Canada, stage makeup, and the full Elvis wardrobe, Icenhower’s transformation is striking. For lifelong Presley fans seeing him 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, has helped refine the look, along with inspiration from an unexpected source: “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.” “The music part of it, the singing, that all came natural.” Even when covering other artists, there’s a trace of Elvis in his voice. Like Presley, Icenhower 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.” Among his favorites to perform are “My Way,” “An American Trilogy,” and “It’s Now or Never.” Beyond the stage, Icenhower’s life has intersected with Elvis’s inner circle. He has performed alongside close friends of Presley, including D.J. Fontana, The Jordanaires, The Sweet Inspirations, Cynthia Pepper, Julie Parrish, Charlie Hodge, Duke Bardwell, Eddie Miles, and Joe Esposito. He also met Lisa Marie Presley several times before her passing. One memorable night unfolded on Beale Street in Memphis. “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 evening’s end, stories and drinks were shared among rock and roll royalty. As for how he ended up on the Chain of Lakes, Icenhower said Florida has been home 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.” That search led them to Winter Haven. When he’s not keeping Elvis’s legacy alive, Icenhower is an avid concertgoer. “We go to concerts all the time. I’m a huge Elton John fan. I’ve seen him 116 times in concert.” He also performs an Elton John tribute show, though Elvis remains second nature. “Elvis is like breathing to me,” he said.

Every now and then you hear about a school that has a spark, a niche that makes it stand out amongst other institutions; one that wants to serve a particular purpose, which makes you smile and have hope for the students that get to attend. Other times you will hear about that one cool teacher featured on the local news for going full Ms. Frizzle meets Mr. Roger’s neighborhood leaving an impact as they dared to push the norm. This time you will hear about both. A spectacular school with spectacular teachers to match. A school with a non-traditional mission, classroom set ups, and curriculum. A school with teachers whose lessons have a strengthened appeal due to creative, individualized engagement, and daily excitement for work not stifled by benchmarks. A spectacular school indeed, The Cygnet School. In a sit-down over Zoom with Sara Jones, Arts and Programs Administrator, and Dr. Wendy Bradshaw, Founder and Director of Cygnet, the notes of unified ideals carry across the screen. Their voices are harmonious in the stories and anecdotes they share. Their personalities feel like a happy tune as they impart how the intentions of Cygnet are realized. It is immediately obvious that the students at their school are in capable, caring hands. Aptly named after baby swans(cygnets), the official bird of Lakeland (where the school is located), it has spent the better of its eight years recognizing that it required constant growth. Cygnet went from an early elementary school with two rooms and 24 kids, to now a K-12 with nearly 140 students and a waitlist totaling more than the entire student body. “We started as K-5, and the students wouldn’t leave, so we added middle school. And then, they wouldn’t leave, so we added high school,” Bradshaw laughingly shares how they were forced to enlarge to accommodate kids enjoying school. Jones joins and they both continue a song of highlights any parent or child would be intrigued by: The school is inclusive and open to those of all abilities. The classes are multi- grade, with emphasis on small group work, capped at 16 students. There’s project- based learning throughout math and science. They have two self-contained spaces dedicated to their autistic students. The students of Cygnet get their choice of electives. The different classes are inspired by the hobbies/talents of the teachers and ambitions of the students, like cooking, ceramics, mixed media, film, photography, beekeeping, organic gardening, kitchen chemistry, electrical engineering, an “adulting” class for the high schoolers, coding, sign language, and even jewelry making. The school values social and emotional growth on par with intellectual growth. All of the English Language Arts instructors are trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach (so any student with dyslexia won’t have to be pulled into another class, since their teacher is equipped with the tools to meet their challenges). The staff is given the freedom to differentiate and pursue the varied interests of their students. They see their students as people. They understand they require guidance on how to best grow into themselves, not to be treated as projects to be molded. “If ‘No Child Left Behind’ went by actual definition, [it’d be Cygnet],” adds Jones. The Cygnet School is a remarkable space you construct when you are interested in what children want to do and fervidly can do, versus the stringent thoughts of what they should do, often blanketed under standard metrics unattainable for the majority. “When people ask me, are we a special needs school, I tell them, not really,” Jones explains the demographic of the private school that shares space with the United Methodist Temple. “We have two classrooms with kids that have significant disabilities, but they also often have a more typically developing sibling [and at Cygnet] those kids can go [through] school together,” adds Bradshaw. Across the campus, in all the corners of each classroom, students who no longer have to face being bullied or ostracized, students who once struggled to be on grade level, and students who acted out as a diversion when their learning styles were not acknowledged, have found a place where they are fully engrossed and seen fully. “You appreciate them … you find out who they are … and you help them be that person,” Bradshaw explains the importance of having the needs of the child dictate the goals of the school. Theoretically, learning should always be fun. Maybe not in a giddy, carefree sense, but stimulating. School should be a place where kids are eager to go and have their minds shaped with varying subjects of the world. In theory, adolescence should be consistently shaped by encouragement and excitement as new concepts are embraced. In reality, however, for the education systems in America, is patterned by monotonous coursework, unenthused students, and fraught instructors. But under the unique structure imploring unconventional approaches, paired with strategic resources and a supportive cast, the school of baby swans has its own pattern and is getting to live out the best of theories. All they need now is a bigger pond. Swans are known to build substantially large nests, which they defend fiercely in order to protect their young; it’s here they teach their cygnets essential skills to survive in the wild, including what to do to remain buoyant in order to swim. The Cygnet School is currently in need of its larger nest, a more spacious campus to continue to support its students. “Where we are now, we are at capacity, but we know there’s a need for this. We can’t accept any more students or teachers,” Jones asserts before continuing to detail what a bigger school would mean, “We have music therapists, occupational therapists …we have speech therapists that come to work with our students, and we want to expand that. We want to expand our art program and music. We would like a better field for [the kids] to play on.” Bradshaw then talks about what she believes a bigger school means, “We want to be able to open up to others that need us. We know we are needed. To those on the waitlist and others in the community. We try to ensure our populous reflects what our community looks like. And I want this to be a community school, where everybody is invited.” For those who are willing to help, the ask is to visit thecygnetschool.org/cygnet360 to donate and/or share with someone willing, so the walls of The Cygnet School will be as big as their hearts. THE CYGNET SCHOOL 2700 Florida Ave S, Lakeland, FL thecygnetschool.org

We talked with Timothy Collette from Clean Pirate Life to learn about the fifth annual Foot the Chain Music & Waterski Festival happening in February. With a new sober living facility as the end goal, find out about the fun happening along the way to get there. HOW DID FOOT THE CHAIN COME ABOUT AND WHY? TC: Foot the Chain (FTC) started with a group of guys who came to Winter Haven every year after the holiday season, to warm up and barefoot waterski our beautiful chain of lakes. This group of guys is part of the barefoot waterski race circuit, and they are very competitive. Because I live here, they asked if I could figure out some sort of “race.” So, in 2021, four boats were towed down from out of state, as far as Indiana, Texas, and Pennsylvania, and we tested my concept of Foot the Chain. We had 30 skiers who, through random draw from a hat, formed teams, and with wetsuits on, we loaded up into boats, and the Foot the Chain Barefoot Shootout was born. The first year, though not really an official event, was such a great success that we knew we had to do it again. Escaping to Winter Haven, getting to barefoot waterski with some of the greats in the sport, being put in a boat through random selection and throwing darts to determine the winner has made FTC Barefoot Shootout one of the most talked about events in the sport. It’s competitive, yes, but it’s FUN! There is no other format like this in our sport. As year two approached, we learned that some of the other barefoot waterski races across the country raised money for a local charity. LIGHTBULB moment! As I am in recovery, I had wanted to do something to give back to that community as well as put together a community event for Winter Haven. Foot the Chain Waterski and Music Festival was born and benefits the Clean Cause Foundation. Why not bring more waterskiing, live music, a festival type atmosphere and raise awareness for addiction by supporting a foundation helping those in recovery? Done! FTC II had 5 bands, 10 boats, 60 barefooters, 2 waterski shows, and a Flyboard Fireworks show like no other! FTC III was bigger yet, and we switched our benefiting foundation to CleanPirateLife, a Local Addiction Awareness foundation. Because the weather has been chilly for past events, FTC V will take place on February 20 and 21 this year. All I want out of this event is to bring community, waterskiing, and waterfront live music together to raise money for a great cause. WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT THIS YEAR? TC: Better Weather! At least that’s the hope. We have some of the most sought-after local live music, the Flyboard Fireworks show is returning, our friends at Animal Aqua Watersports have stepped in to organize our waterski show and waterski exhibitions with former Team USA Waterski show team members, and registration is already up for the Barefoot Shootout. We have fostered a stronger connection to our small local businesses, who have donated more for our raffles, and we have 14 local market vendors coming. WHAT IS YOUR GOAL FOR THIS YEAR’S EVENT? TC: The goal every year is to bring the community out to an amazing experience of waterfront music and waterski entertainment on our beautiful chain of lakes, while raising awareness that recovery is possible. My hope is that every year at this event I can reach just one person to make the personal decision to do better with their life. At the end of the day, recovery isn’t just about substance abuse. We all have or experience something in life that we need to recover from. Recovery is about learning to live a new way of life. WHY DO YOU FEEL IT’S IMPORTANT TO CREATE A SOBER LIVING EXPERIENCE? HOW CLOSE ARE YOU TO REALITY? TC: There are several things about living free of substances and the journey to get there that are hard. Some of those things become nearly impossible without the right support and tools. Sober living houses offer just that. However, I learned that nothing in life is free, and most people who make the commitment of learning a new way to live have hit rock bottom, where money is scarce, work is scary, and temptation is around every corner. Staying free from addictive behavior and substances is not a solo adventure if there is to be success. Sober living houses continue to provide tools, support and accountability necessary to live a life in recovery. CleanPirateLife has raised about 30% of the funds needed to be able to start an affordable sober living house here in Winter Haven. FOOT THE CHAIN WATERSKI & MUSIC FESTIVAL February 20 & 21 Tanners Lakeside 1006 Lake Howard Dr SW, Winter Haven footthechain.com FB @footthechain

Dwight Icenhower, the legendary Elvis tribute artist, along with his wife, Vicky, who he proclaims to be a “rockstar that does everything but get on stage and perform,” have crafted a three-day, very intimate, multi- faceted experience for those who loved The King and Icenhower’s ultimate tribute to him. “When my wife and I first designed the weekend, we wanted it to be like a ‘Dwight Fan Retreat’ for the die-hard fans that have been with me for years and years,” explained Icenhower. The vision happens for a third time on March 13-15, at Nora Mayo Hall in Winter Haven, where Icenhower calls home. And while the VIP weekend has been an annual event, this year features an all-new set list. Each day will have its own theme and activities for the purpose of the enthusiast having greater proximity with the artist. “It will just be me and my band … having a whole weekend strictly dedicated to the fans. They can enjoy my music and get that experience you’re not getting at a regular concert.” Icenhower continued, “We play a lot of venues where it’s 1000 seats, 1500, 2000-seat places … and when you play to that many people you don’t get to walk around and say hello to every single person … but this event, we’re all hanging out together, all weekend long.” In an incredible showing of gratitude that Icenhower has for his supporters, the weekend will give fans in person, literal thank-yous with special activities like behind-the-scenes storytelling in between sets, autograph signing, meet and greets, photo ops, question and answer sessions, and specially curated performances. Icenhower will be in complete Elvis Presley regalia, including the signature costumes, perfectly coiffed hair, popped collars, oversized accessories, and embodied persona. A quick tip for fans unable to make it the entire weekend, Icenhower suggests that if you had to choose only one day to go, Sunday would be the best. He explained, “You get more bang for your buck on Sunday because [it’ll] actually be two full concerts.” The most important tip: You can only acquire tickets through the ticket hotline (909) 354-0381. There are 3-Day passes, General Admission, and while everyone is a VIP during this lovely affair, you can also buy the Ultimate Passholder, which will allow a little more one-on-one time with Dwight. VIP WEEKEND VIEW: FRIDAY, MARCH 13 “Dwight: Aloha from Winter Haven.” This is a salute to Elvis’s big concert in the 70s called “Aloha from Hawaii.” Guests will hear songs from that iconic television special, plus songs from his Hawaiian movies. It’s a whole aloha theme. Icenhower is encouraging people to dress in their best Hawaiian attire and get in the Aloha spirit. SATURDAY, MARCH 14 “Conversations with Dwight” and “From Comeback to King of Vegas.” “We have the autograph signing and conversations … where fans can get to know me, personally. Doing this for 30 years, you’ve got a ton of unbelievable stories. They’ll hear about the tours we do … I play a two-month tour, spread out over April and November, over in Europe where sometimes we play 22, 23 shows in 25 days … so, we’re gonna talk about that and different stories from the road,” Icenhower explained. SUNDAY, MARCH 15 “How Great Thou Art: The Gospel Music of Elvis” and “Dwight’s Favorites.” “Anyone who knows anything about Elvis, knows he recorded a lot of great gospel albums … so we do a full concert at 12:30 of all of Elvis’ gospel material, and I tell stories to go along with that. At 5:30, I’m going to be singing all my personal favorite Elvis songs, ranging from the 1950s rock & roll clear through the 70s.” DWIGHT ICENHOWER’S VIP WEEKEND 2026 March 13 – 15, 2026 Nora Mayo Hall 500 3rd St NW, Winter Haven, FL dwighticenhower.com Tickets: (909)354-0381

This month, we look back to 1915 when a small group of determined residents had a vision of connecting many of our lakes by canals. The group organized as the Twenty Lakes Boat Club. At the time, some of the lakes had small “runs” or swampy places that connected them. This club wanted to create canals there. Pleasure boat in Howard/Cannon canal, one the Chain’s most scenic. Foot bridge spanning the canal behind boat was originally installed to connect the properties of Dick and Malcom Pope of Cypress Garden’s fame. The fledgling citrus industry had made a healthy comeback from the freezes of the mid-1890s. Roads of the day were sand or clay and used to haul the crops to the rail line between Lake Alfred and Bartow. The automobile was a luxury, and it would be several more years before the growers could afford trucks. Therefore, a team of mules would pull a wagon loaded with ten to fifteen field crates of fruit. The crates weighed from 900 to 1400 pounds and proved difficult to move. Some believe the canal concept may have been an idea the growers thought would provide a better means of transportation. The Florence Villa Fruit Company was the major stockholder in the boat club. While the idea may have been to haul the crops to market using the lakes, others speculate the fruit company may have acted as much from a civic interest. Other investors included: H. A Miller, Lorenz & Lorenz, E. C. Linger, H. Warehausen, H. W. Ambrose, Worden & Son, M. Engleson, L. P. Gum, Mercantile Co., H. E. Miller, R. Starr, J. Snively, C. L. Turner, and H. E. Cornell. The early canal effort was backbreaking work with the most basic of equipment. This crew is using a small bucket scoop to pull sand up and onto a barge. The month the charter was signed, the club had an engineer plat a proposed course for boats to traverse the south, west, and northern perimeters of Winter Haven and beyond, all the way from Lake Winterset to Dundee. The lakes originally targeted included Winterset, Eloise, Lulu, Shipp, May, Howard, Cannon, Idylewild, Hartridge, Conine, Rochelle, Haines, Smart, Fannie, Buckeye, and Hamilton. The original corporation had no intention of changing lake levels and instead was anticipating a system of locks. Of the original twenty lakes to be connected, all but Buckeye eventually became a part of what today is known as the upper and lower chains, comprising a total of 25 lakes. These are separated by U.S. 17 between Hartridge and Conine where a lock now exists. (The Twenty Lakes Club did not accomplish the entire task before its demise.) The club’s cash balance in April 1916 was $265.05. By April 1917, the balance had grown to $9,689.91 by the sale of stock to 69 people or businesses. The last meeting of the Twenty Lakes Boat Course Club was held on April 23, 1917. Two weeks earlier, there had been a meeting to discuss the problem of damage to the canals from speeding boats - a problem that persists today. The demise of the club is thought to have involved the group having created responsibilities larger than their budget could maintain. Prep work in advance of actual dredging involved removing as much sand and soil as possible by hand. This is believed to be prep for the Winterset/Eloise canal. No further progress was made on the canal system until May 20, 1919, when the Winter Haven Lake Region Boat Course District was established by an act of the Florida Legislature. Taxing power was granted by referendum (78 for and 49 against) in a special election on July 7 that same year. By September 1919, an engineering company was authorized by the “Canal Commission” to dredge and clean canals. At the time, there were no seawalls used in the system. Early commissioners served as stump pullers, free boat towers, insecticide sprayers, and any other tasks that may have been required. FACTS ABOUT OUR CHAIN OF LAKES: Some say there are fourteen lakes in the chain ... some say sixteen. What’s correct? If you count Little Lake Eloise and Little Lake Winterset, there are sixteen lakes in the southern or “upper” chain. Before canals were constructed, as much as 75 percent more land was covered with water than now. The Dundee Marsh between Winter Haven and Dundee (adjacent to what is now Cypresswood) was strictly marsh and wet 99 percent of the time. A crossing route through the marsh to Waverly was known as Buffalo Ford. This dredge was used to complete the canals in the early 1920s, It is one of two believed to have been brought here after use in finishing the Panama Canal. Harry Miller (a charter canal commissioner) noted that when he came here in 1912 (before any canals) he tied his rowboat to an oak tree at the foot of Central Avenue on Lake Howard. To go to Lake Eloise, he could row and push his boat through weeds and grass in the shallows (or runs) between Lakes Howard, May, Shipp, Lulu, and Eloise. Based upon water marks found on Cypress trees, water levels at the turn of the century were four to five feet higher than we see today. Official records show a July 16, 1915 notation regarding landowners paid in stock for canal rights. Names included: Apple, Wolf, and Garrard. These are believed to have been in the Winterset area. Prior to the creation of our chain of canals, this steam-powered launch sailed guests from the Florence Villa Hotel on Lake Spring through a shallow run and into Lake Mirror. Acreages of some of the lakes in the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes: Cannon (336) Conine (236) Eloise (1,160) Fannie (829) Haines (716) Hamilton (2162) Hartridge (434) Howard (628) Idylwild (102) Lulu (301) May (44) Rochelle (578) Shipp (283) Smart (275) Winterset (548) Length of our canals (feet): Jessie-Idylwild 135 Idylwild-Hartridge 810 Idylwild-Cannon 1,200 Cannon-Mirror 320 Mirror-Spring 120 Cannon-Howard 590 Howard-May 420 May-Shipp 975 Shipp-Lulu 2,260 Lulu-Roy 1,760 Lulu-Eloise 265 Eloise-Summit 400 Eloise-Winterset 1,525 Water Level (as determined by Southwest Florida Water Management District): Maximum desirable level 131.50 High water mark 133.19 100 year flood 133.40 10 year warning 132.60 Minimum flood 131.98 Maximum operational 132.00 Minimum level 129.70 Extreme low management 129.20 Portions of this information are contained in a book compiled by Kenneth Recker and Marcia Ford.

Jack Spengler was born in Buffalo, New York in 1930. He shares his decades with a lightness that feels almost subversive in a climate that so often feels like rain on the day you planned the picnic—even testing the dispositions of those who keep the glass a quarter full and steady eyes on the silver linings behind unexpected clouds. Jack carries a pragmatic joy, as if he shook hands with what he couldn’t control, making friends with both rain and sunshine. He jokes about skipping school with the sparkle all young rebels should take instead of tarnishing in the years to follow. Those memories sit on the shelf next to tales of hitchhiking with a group of friends, all making sense as he lists the names of adventure stories he liked to read. Jack is a movie guy. He remembered seeing movies for ten cents, his brother always making sure it was a special experience. The smile on his face as we gushed over one of his favorite films, “King Kong,” was as big as the Eighth Wonder of the World himself on the Empire State Building, planes circling, cinematic history being invented in black and white. He danced, too. Lindy Hop, Charleston, jitterbug—dances that seemed more like musical, magic tricks to me. I don’t think Jack ever second- guessed his place on the dance floor; this itself a kind of magic, even winning a waltz contest once (second place, he’ll clarify). By the 1950s, Jack trained as a welder and spent thirty years with Ford Motor Company, working in construction rather than assembling cars. He and his wife, Mary Jane, raised three children—Kim, Jill, and John. “Don’t get married too early,” he advises without bitterness. Jack spent the after work & weekend hours gardening— planting corn, tomatoes, beans—raising chickens, dachshunds, and Maltese dogs. He taught himself French and then Spanish after reading that there would be more Spanish speakers in the America ahead, walking past meeting halfway in the language of his neighbors to come. When asked about the world now, Jack doesn’t make a sweeping statement, diagnosis, or a past-to-present comparison. He doesn’t use new technology much. He exercises, eats simply, likes chicken for dinner, spumoni ice cream, and a hot mocha when his daughter Kim takes him to Richard’s Coffee. He believes young people today are smarter than he was, and he says it without irony. His advice is spare: be tolerant and keep a sense of humor. To answer my favorite little doorway to the unknown… “Have you ever witnessed anything you couldn’t explain?” Once, driving in daylight, he saw what he thought was a meteor, bright, unmistakable, gone. He doesn’t feel the need to explain everything. He does believe there’s life beyond this planet. “There would have to be,” he shrugs, noting that the universe is too big to be certain. At ninety-five, Jack Spengler doesn’t offer advice by way of word-to-the-wise warnings or definitive conclusions on how life is best lived. What he offers instead is something rare: proof that placing value in learning, a premium on humor, and a willingness to arrive fully—again and again—can carry a person all the way to the smile I’ll bet he is wearing right now.

Have an insect on a plant and you don’t know what to do? Moved to a new home and looking for advice on how to maintain your lawn? Looking to install native plants but don’t know where to start? Look no further than the UF/IFAS Extension Plant Clinic! Homeowners in Florida know that maintaining a healthy landscape can be both rewarding and challenging. From mysterious spots on leaves to declining trees or pests in the garden, plant problems can arise quickly. Additionally, many homeowners are new to the area and are not familiar with the types of plants grown in central Florida. That’s where the UF/IFAS Extension Plant Clinic comes in! We are a trusted, research-based resource that helps you find solutions to your lawn and landscape questions. The Plant Clinic is staffed by trained Master Gardener Volunteers under the supervision of UF/IFAS faculty that can accurately diagnose plant problems and answer your questions. Whether you bring in a leaf sample, a damaged branch, or email a photo of your yard, the Plant Clinic will use science-based methods to identify pests, diseases, or nutrient deficiencies. When necessary, samples can even be sent to the UF/IFAS diagnostic labs for specialized testing, or to a specialist, ensuring you get the most accurate information possible. All recommendations from the Plant Clinic are grounded in university research, and this means you’ll receive management options that are effective, environmentally responsible, and specific to Central Florida. Whether you’re looking for advice on fertilizers, pest control, or pruning techniques, you can feel confident that the guidance supports long-term plant health and sustainability. Guessing what’s wrong with your plants can lead to wasted money on unnecessary products and treatments that may not solve the problem or could even make it worse. Contact the Plant Clinic early, so you can catch issues before they spread. This can save time and money and can help your landscape recover quickly. The right diagnosis and management plan also prevent the need for repeated treatments, reducing costs and keeping your plants healthier overall. Plant Clinic services are available for anyone managing plants in the home landscape. Whether you maintain a few potted herbs on a patio, a small butterfly garden, or a full landscape we are there to help. The Plant Clinic can also assist with turfgrass concerns, vegetable gardens, palms, and native plantings. The UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Plant Clinic is open daily and homeowners are welcome to stop in, send a text or email, or even give us a phone call. Diagnosing an issue can sometimes take a bit of back and forth and require further investigation that may take some time. There are no fees associated with utilizing the services at our Plant Clinic although sending samples to labs may require them. UF/IFAS Extension Plant Clinics are located throughout the state, making it easy to find one near you. By using your local clinic, you support a statewide mission to protect Florida’s natural resources and promote sustainable landscaping practices. Every visit helps you become a more informed, environmentally conscious homeowner. If your plants aren’t thriving, or you just want expert advice on a landscape or garden query, contact your local UF/IFAS Extension Plant Clinic. You’ll gain the confidence to care for your landscape the right way and know that if you run into any issues that help is just a phone call (or text, email, or office visit) away. For more information contact UF/IFAS Extension Polk County at 863-519-1041 or visit us online at sfyl. ifas.ufl.edu/polk . The Plant Clinic is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to answer your gardening and landscaping questions. If you are interested in purchasing a garden journal, contact the Plant Clinic. If you are not in Polk County, Contact your local UF/ IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Clinic. To learn more about gardening and landscaping in central Florida, listen to the Your Central Florida Yard podcast. You can find the podcast wherever you listen or find out more on our Substack: substack.com/@yourcentralfloridayard . The January episode is a great listen for anyone interested in learning more about garden journaling. Find the episode here: bit.ly/4hzCrth . Anne Yasalonis is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent and Master Gardener Volunteer Program Coordinator for UF/IFAS Extension Polk County. Please contact her at anneanne@ufl.edu .

Florida’s state tree, the cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto), is one of the most recognizable native plants in our landscape. It grows along highways, in neighborhoods, and throughout Florida’s natural areas, from pine flatwoods to wetlands and prairies. Because it is so common, it is easy to overlook. But the cabbage palm is more than a familiar backdrop. It is a native species that plays an important role in supporting Florida’s wildlife, especially in landscapes that are increasingly managed for people rather than nature. The cabbage palm became Florida’s state tree in 1953, and in 1970 it was added to the Great Seal of Florida and the State Flag, clarifying the species depicted, which had previously been referred to only as a “cocoa palm.” CABBAGE PALMS PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN FLORIDA ECOSYSTEMS Unlike many palms found in Florida landscapes, cabbage palms evolved here. They are adapted to our soils, seasonal rainfall patterns, fire cycles, and wildlife communities. In Polk County and across central Florida, cabbage palms often persist where other trees struggle, providing long-term structure in both natural and developed areas. From an ecological perspective, that structure matters. Wildlife habitat is not defined by food alone. Animals also need shelter, protection from predators, and places to rest and reproduce. Cabbage palms provide all three, particularly when they are allowed to grow naturally in clusters across the landscape. One of the most important habitat features of a cabbage palm is its skirt of older, dead fronds. While these brown fronds are often removed for aesthetic reasons, they serve a critical ecological function. The value of cabbage palms becomes especially clear in late winter and early spring. February is a challenging time for wildlife. Floral resources are limited, temperatures can fluctuate quickly, and animals are conserving energy ahead of the breeding season. During this time, palms provide thermal refuge and shelter when other vegetation may be sparse. Another important habitat feature is easily overlooked. Where the fronds attach to the stem, there are large Y-shaped attachments with fibrous material along the trunk, called “boots.” The boots of the cabbage palm create sheltered spaces for insects, spiders, and other invertebrates. These small organisms form the base of local food webs and support birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals throughout the year. These areas can also support a host of smaller plants. One species that relies heavily on cabbage palms is the Florida yellow bat (Lasiurus intermedius). This native bat prefers to roost in cabbage palms, using dead fronds for cover and protection. When suitable palm habitat is unavailable, yellow bats may also roost in Spanish moss. Generally speaking, bat maternity season takes place from April through August, when pups are born and reared. Stable roosting sites become increasingly important in the weeks leading up to maternity season, so late winter and early spring are a critical period for habitat availability. Removing dead palm fronds during this time can unintentionally eliminate roosting habitat just as females are preparing for maternity season, increasing stress on a species that already depends on limited roosting options. If you’d like to read more about Florida bats and their preferred roosting habitats, check out the Florida Bat Conservancy’s Florida Bat Habitat webpage at floridabats.org/bat-habitat . CABBAGE PALMS AND OUR LANDSCAPES Cabbage palms are also well adapted to Florida’s natural disturbance cycles. They tolerate flooding, drought, salt exposure, and strong winds, and they are adapted to survive low-intensity fire. These traits allow them to remain standing after storms and prescribed burns, maintaining habitat structure when other vegetation may be damaged or lost. In this way, cabbage palms contribute to ecosystem resilience and continuity. Thankfully, most of these disturbances don’t occur in our residential and commercial landscaping. Their drought tolerance and cold-hardy adaptations are still valuable in developed areas, allowing cabbage palms to persist where other species may fail. Despite these benefits, cabbage palms are often overmanaged. Routine removal of dead fronds removes critical habitat and reduces shelter for wildlife. From a conservation standpoint, leaving brown fronds in place is one of the simplest ways residents can support many native species. Florida’s state tree has earned its designation not only for its resilience, but for its role in our ecosystems. By viewing cabbage palms as functional habitat rather than landscape features to be routinely “cleaned up,” we can make small changes that have meaningful conservation benefits. When pruning is truly necessary due to safety concerns rather than aesthetic preference, it should be done carefully and professionally. You can locate a certified arborist or check an arborist’s credentials at treesaregood.org . Poor pruning techniques can also affect palm health. Producing a new frond is energy-intensive for a cabbage palm, requiring significant nutrients. To meet this demand, palms withdraw nutrients from older fronds before they turn brown. Removing fronds that still contain green tissue interrupts this process and deprives the tree of stored resources. When pruning cannot be avoided, only fully brown fronds should be removed. If you are interested in learning more about native trees, wildlife habitat, or conservation practices in Polk County, the UF/IFAS Extension Office in Bartow is a great place to start. You can ask for the Master Gardener Plant Clinic, if you have palm-health or landscaping questions or email me, Shannon, at scarnevale@ufl.edu if you have any questions about cabbage palms or other habitat in our native ecosystems. Sometimes conservation does not require planting something new or adding complexity. Sometimes, it simply means allowing native species to do what they have done here for generations.

BLACK LOVE CLASSICS SERIES Celebrate the intersection of Valentine’s Day and Black History Month with stories of romance as told by Black filmmakers and diverse casts at the Tampa Theatre at 3 p.m. Feb. 1: “If Beale Street Could Talk” (2018); Feb. 8: “The Photograph” (2020); Feb. 15: “Boomerang” (1992); Feb. 22: “Carmen Jones” (1954). tampatheatre.org NHL STADIUM SERIES Feb. 1, 6:30 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium. The Tampa Bay Lightning face off against the Boston Bruins in a one-of-a-kind hockey spectacle outside under the lights. The Bruins will wear sunshine inspired jerseys, and the Lightning will wear pirate- inspired jerseys. Purchase tickets at nhl.com/stadiumseries FLORIDA STATE FAIR Feb. 5 – 16 at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Guests will love the food eating contests, games, live entertainment, agricultural exhibits, rides, art shows, and of course, the crazy fair food. floridastatefair.com ROCK THE PARK Feb. 5, 6:30 p.m. at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. Free music event! February is EMO with Bad Bad Things, BILL, and Pet Lizard. Food for purchase by JAM DISH (authentic Jamaican) & Boy Named Sous. More info on Facebook at RockThePark. WILLY WONKA KIDS Feb. 19 – 22 at the Straz Center. See the delicious adventures experienced by Charlie Bucket on his visit to Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory featuring songs from the 1971 film. The younger Patel Conservatory Theater students will bring this Roald Dahl classic to life. strazcenter.org PARENTS’ TIME OFF Feb. 20, 5:30 – 10 p.m. at the Florida Aquarium. Give yourself a well-earned break while your kids enjoy aquatic fun, pizza, hands- on activities, and adventures in a safe space designed just for them. For kids aged 5 – 12, reservations required. flaquarium.org ST. PETE SEAFOOD & MUSIC FEST Feb. 20 – 22 at Vinoy Park. This family-friendly event has amazing seafood, live music, and beautiful views of downtown St. Pete. Plus, explore a marketplace of arts and crafts between performances. Visit Facebook at stpeteseafoodfestival for more info. YANKEES SPRING TRAINING Games played at the George M. Steinbrenner Field. Feb. 21 at 1:05 p.m. vs Tigers; Feb. 22 at 1:05 p.m. vs Mets; Feb. 25 at 6:35 p.m. vs Nationals; Feb. 26 at 1:05 p.m. vs Braves; Feb. 28 at 1:05 p.m. vs Blue Jays. Purchase tickets at mlb.com/yankees/spring-training . GASPARILLA DISTANCE CLASSIC Feb. 21 & 22 in Tampa. Race Weekend will include four distances plus four challenges: the 15K, 5K, the Half Marathon (13.1 miles), and the 8K. The weekend also includes several multi-race challenges. This flat and fast course takes runners on an out-and-back course along Bayshore Boulevard. rungasparilla.com GASPARILLA FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS Feb. 28, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., and March 1 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. This is one of the top outdoor, juried fine arts shows in the US, showcasing a wide variety of art mediums and price points. This family-friendly event has live music and food for purchase. Admission is free. gasparillaarts.com

ORLANDO MAGIC Home games are played at the Kia Center. The Magic will play five times in February. Feb. 5, 7 p.m. vs Nets; Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. vs Jazz; Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m. vs Bucks; Feb. 11 at 7p.m. vs Bucks; Feb. 26 at 7:30p.m. vs Rockets. Purchase tickets at nba.com/magic . TIARA’S HAT PARADE Feb. 7 – 22 at Orlando Family Stage. Based on the book by author Kelly Starling Lyons, “Tiara’s Hat Parade” is a celebration of creativity, community, and the bond between a mother and daughter. See what happens when a child sees someone she loves losing hope and steps in to lift them up. orlandofamilystage.com ART IN THE PARK Feb. 7, noon – 3 p.m. in Central Park in Winter Park. This free, family-friendly event includes live stage performances and interactive arts activities, including weaving a community tapestry, portraits, learning to play a few chords on instruments, and so much more. cityofwinterpark.org MARDI GRAS Feb. 7 – April 4 at Universal Orlando. On select nights, watch the parade with outrageous street performers, music, costumes, and beads flying through the air! Purchase authentic Cajun specialties along with food from around the world. Purchase tickets at universalorlando.com THESE GO TO 11: THE FILMS OF ROB REINER Celebrate Rob Reiner, one of Hollywood’s most versatile and influential directors Feb. 13 – 19 at the Enzian. Watch “A Few Good Men” (1992), “Misery” (1990), “The Princess Bride” (1987), “This is Spinal Tap” (1984), and “When Harry Met Sally…” (1989). Schedule at enzian.org . VALENTINE’S DAY CONCERT Feb. 14, 7 p.m. at Leu Gardens. Celebrate with an enchanting evening concert under the stars. Bring a picnic and a blanket or chairs. Hear: Ricky & the Buzzcatz, Alma Skye Trio, and Nova Classica. Purchase tickets in advance. leugardens.org WINTER GARDEN MUSIC FESTIVAL Feb. 21 in Downtown Winter Garden. Brought to you by the City of Winter Garden, this FREE multi-stage outdoor concert features a variety of live entertainment and music genres performing continuously and simultaneously for 11 hours throughout historic downtown. cwgdn.com BREWS AROUND THE ZOO Feb. 21 & 22 at the Central Florida Zoo. On Saturday, enjoy craft beers under the night sky with live music and a high-energy atmosphere. On Sunday, it’s a more relaxed vibe with music, sunshine, and great views of the animals while you sip and stroll. centralfloridazoo.org MLK GOSPEL CONCERT Feb. 22, 7 p.m. at Dr. Phillips Center. Produced and directed by Grammy Award winner Dr. Jeffrey Redding. Admission is free, but attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations for local charities. Get your free tickets in advance at drphillipscenter.org . THE SECOND CITY Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. at Dr. Phillips Center. This interactive show features an array of classic sketch comedy and songs from the company’s 65 years, including new favorites, and the signature brand of irreverent improv that The Second City is famous for. drphillipscenter.org

JOE PUG Feb. 1, 7 p.m. at the Derry Down. A singer-songwriter known for his lyrical acumen and plaintive harmonica style, he has toured with Steve Earle, Levon Helm, The Killers, Justin Townes Earle, Sturgill Simpson, and many others. He has appeared at Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and The Newport Folk Festival. gpderrydown.com LAKE WALES MARDI GRAS Feb. 13, 6 p.m. - 11 p.m., join the Glow Run at 6 p.m. The fun continues on Feb. 14 from 10 a.m. - 11 p.m. with live music, food and the parade at 3 p.m. The celebration is at Lake Wailes Park. The parade route goes through downtown. More info at lwmardigras.com . UNNECESSARY FARCE Feb. 1, 6, 7, & 8 at Lake Wales Little Theatre. Two cops. Three crooks. Eight doors. A cheap motel room, an embezzling mayor, and two undercover cops waiting to catch the meeting on videotape. Add an accountant and some confusion, and you’ve got a fun night ahead of you. lwlt.org SMOKE OFF THE WATER Feb. 6 from 6 - 10 p.m. and Feb. 7 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. at 2400 Dundee Rd. This outdoor BBQ & music festival brings together incredible bands, award-winning BBQ, kids activities, and an unbeatable community vibe, all for a good cause! centralfloridatix.com THE BLACK MARKET Feb. 7, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at MLK Park on Lake Silver. Support and uplift Black-owned businesses in our community. Explore a diverse range of products, from fashion and art to delicious treats. Honor the richness of Black history and entrepreneurship. Facebook: The Black Market; A Melanin Cultural Festival. FAT TUESDAY Feb. 17, 6 p.m. at Bowen Yard. Spend Fat Tuesday at Bowen Yard with HBJazz playing live from 6-8 pm. Visit Maritime for food and drink specials and beads, of course! Find more info about this family-friendly event at FB @bowenyardwh. MATT JOHNSON Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m. at the Ritz Theatre. Matt Johnson is a master magician and escapologist. Every performance incorporates magic, mind-reading, the power of suggestion, stunts, comedy, and audience participation. theatrewinterhaven.com SPRING TRAINING Watch the Detroit Tigers play at Publix Field in Lakeland. All February home games begin at 1:05 p.m. Schedule: Feb. 22 vs Orioles; Feb. 23 vs Twins; Feb. 25 vs Blue Jays; Feb. 27 vs Phillies. Purchase tickets in advance at mlb.com/tigers/spring-training . THE SUNSHINE BOYS Feb. 12 – March 1 at Theatre Winter Haven. Two top-billed vaudevillians for over forty years aren’t even speaking. When CBS requests them for a “History of Comedy” retrospective, a grudging reunion brings the two back together. theatrewinterhaven.com LW ARTS FESTIVAL Feb. 28 & March 1 from 10 a.m. - 4p.m. on the shores of Lake Wailes. This annual event showcases quality works by over 60 fine artists and artisans from across the region with original, one-of-a-kind pieces. Hosted by the Lake Wales Arts Council. lakewalesartscouncil.org

JOE PUG Feb. 1, 7 p.m. at the Derry Down. A singer-songwriter known for his lyrical acumen and plaintive harmonica style. He has toured with Steve Earle, Levon Helm, The Killers, Justin Townes Earle, Sturgill Simpson, and many others. He has appeared at Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and The Newport Folk Festival. gpderrydown.com VALENTINE NIGHT MARKET Feb. 14, 5 – 9 p.m. in Downtown Lakeland. Great for date night, girls night, or family night out. Downtown retail shops will be open late, and Kentucky Ave will be filled with 150+ food vendors, artisans, crafters, live music, and more. downtownLKLD.com . ROTARY TWILIGHT 5K Feb. 6, 7 p.m. at Lake Hollingsworth Park. Run a scenic twilight run around beautiful Lake Hollingsworth and then up Buckingham Avenue to finish next to the Common Ground Playground. Proceeds benefit the playground. lakelandrunnersclub.org NINJAGO WEEKEND Feb. 7, 14, and 15 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. at LEGOLAND. Release your inner Ninja with new live shows, action-packed activities, exclusive meet-and-greets with your favorite LEGO Ninjas, try new food, and more! Included with admission. legoland.com/florida A TRIBUTE TO BOB MARLEY Feb. 13, 7 p.m. at Union Hall. Watch and listen as Firelight pays homage to the reggae legend. With their soulful renditions and infectious energy, Firelight will transport you to the sun-soaked beaches of Jamaica to hear the iconic sounds of Bob Marley. unionhallevents.com LKLD INDIE WOMEN’S BASH Feb. 15, noon at Union Hall. An entire day of music, art, and fun celebrating local women in music & art. Get ready for a lineup of amazing indie bands, local artists showcasing their work, and delicious food and drinks. unionhallevents.com CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL Feb. 21, 3 p.m. - 9p.m. at Bonnet Springs Park. A free family-friendly evening of fun and island vibes. Enjoy cultural showcases, a Black & Caribbean-owned pop-up market, an expanded food vendor lineup, and kids’ activities, headlined by the Grammy-winning Kabaka Pyramid & The Bebble Rockers. bonnetspringspark.com SPRING TRAINING Watch the Detroit Tigers play at Publix Field in Lakeland. All February home games begin at 1:05 p.m. Schedule: Feb. 22 vs Orioles; Feb. 23 vs Twins; Feb. 25 vs Blue Jays; Feb. 27 vs Phillies. Purchase tickets in advance at mlb.com/tigers/spring-training . JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Feb. 13 – March 1 at Lakeland Community Theatre. Loosely based on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The story, told entirely through the iconic 70s rock score, explores the relationships between Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, his disciples, his followers, and the Roman Empire. lakelandcommunitytheatre.com TOP CHEF OF POLK COUNTY Feb. 23, 6 – 9 p.m. at Bonnet Springs Park Event Center. Ten of Polk County’s most talented Chefs will wow you with their signature creations, each paired with a wine or libation for you to sample. Guests will enjoy a cash bar, live music, and silent and live auctions. Proceeds benefit the Achievement Academy.