BEST CLOTHING BOUTIQUE 417 BOUTIQUE BY CATE 337 W Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 632-0827 FB @417boutiquebycate IG @417boutiquebycate 417boutique.com Looking for that perfect special occasion dress? Or a whole wardrobe refresh? Find cute, on-trend styles curated by Catie Kincaid in her downtown Winter Haven boutique, 417 by Cate. Kincaid launched her fashion venture online in 2017 and soon expanded to a Central Florida brick-andmortar space – so now you can shop online or in-store! 417 by Cate has everything you need to complete your look, from dresses and rompers to tops, bottoms, shoes, and more. 2nd: The Red Geranium 3rd: Long Live Vintage BEST GIFT SHOP/ BOUTIQUE THE RED GERANIUM 605 E Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 291-8585 FB @TheRedGeraniumwh IG @theredgeranium_wh The Red Geranium is an affordable boutique where you can shop ‘til you drop for gifts, decor, and more! This Winter Haven boutique specializes in home and garden decor, kitchen specialties, jewelry, and women’s clothing. Whether you’re in the market for a funky throw pillow to liven up your living space, a fall candle to scent your home, country chic furniture, or a new dress to wear around town – you can find it at the Red Geranium. “Red Geranium is a cool store. Has a variety of seasonal items, home decor, clothing, jewelry, purses, and much more. They also carry Winter Haven items! Fun place. Recommend if you’re looking for something special,” writes one customer. 2nd: Amy’s Party Store 3rd: Long Live Vintage BEST JEWELER J.C. JEWELERS 504 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven (863) 294-5221 FB: JC Jewelers jewelconnect.com/8632945221 J.C. Jewelers outshines the competition again! This family-owned and operated jewelry shop has served Winter Haven for over 40 years and is conveniently located on Cypress Gardens Boulevard. They offer a wide selection of bridal and fashion jewelry, estate jewelry, custom jewelry design and creation, and watch and clock sales, including Rolex. Repairs are never a problem at J.C. Jewelers as they have in-house bench jewelers and gem-smiths who can perform same-day repairs for many items, as well as state-of-the-art LASER systems for precision, deep repairs, and cracked or damaged jewelry. 2nd: Griner’s Jewelers 3rd: Tally-Ho Jewelers BEST ANTIQUE STORE TREASURE HOUSE ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES 232 6th St NW, Winter Haven (863) 875-7921 FB @treasurehousetwo treasurehouseone.wixsite.com/treasurehouseantique Treasure House Antiques & Collectibles is a treasure trove of vintage finds! This over 10,000 square-foot Winter Haven antique mall has been open for over twenty years. It features an everchanging inventory of hand-selected clothing, furniture, and home goods, including secondhand items from top brands and manufacturers at reasonable prices. An excerpt from a five-star review for Treasure House Antiques & Collectibles reads, “It was so much fun walking down memory lane and finding hidden treasure! If you are in the area, we highly recommend a stop here.” 2nd: Central Avenue Antiques 3rd: Sherman’s Antiques BEST THRIFT STORE TOP BUTTONS BOUTIQUE 226 W Central Ave, Winter Haven (Other locations in Bartow, Lakeland, and St. Pete) (863) 229-5158 FB @TopButtons IG @topbuttons topbuttons.org Top Buttons offers designer thrift for a good cause. This faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, charitable and educational organization provides online platforms, educational events, clothing boutiques, and programs for teens in need aiming to empower young women by providing the resources they need. Top Buttons offers new and gently used thrift items at affordable prices, so you can do some high-end shopping without the high-end price tag. 2nd: Long Live Vintage 3rd: St. John’s Thrift Store For Missions BEST FURNITURE STORE BADCOCK HOME FURNITURE &MORE 1399 6th St NW, Winter Haven (Multiple locations) (863) 251-2039 FB @badcockfurniture IG @badcockfurniture badcock.com Find furniture you’ll love for every room in the house at Badcock Home Furniture &more! Looking to ditch your dingy sofa for a new one? Check out Badcock’s selection of living room, dining room, and bedroom furniture, along with mattresses, appliances, electronics, and more. They even have financing options with affordable payment plans. Want a visual of what that new bedroom set might look like in your home? Badcock’s website offers a Room Planner where you first select the room that fits your home, style the space using the hundreds of Badcock items to choose from, and shop those items online or save it for in-store purchase. 2nd: Claussen’s Fine Furniture 3rd: Brooks Furniture & Mattress Store BEST WINTER HAVEN FARMERS MARKET VENDOR RED ROOSTER’S PRODUCE (863) 521-9143 FB: Red Rooster’s Produce IG @red_roosters_produce Is there anything better than strolling the Winter Haven Farmers Market on a sunny Saturday morning? This weekly market takes place every Saturday in the BB&T parking lot across from Grove Roots Brewery and offers an impressive list of curated vendors with a focus on food. Best Of Haven voters showed their love for Red Rooster’s Produce, so they must be pretty cluckin’ good! Red Rooster’s is a mobile produce business that pops up at local community events and markets offering a wide selection of fresh, quality produce at affordable prices. Their coop box allows customers to pick their own mix of fruits and veggies to fill the box (as long as the lid closes). Check out their local raw honey, Georgia pecans, homemade jam, boiled peanuts, homemade seasonings, and farm-fresh brown eggs while you’re there! 2nd: TIE – The Whoopie Pie Guys Laker’s Barkery 3rd: Victor & Mika’s Bakery

BEST PIZZA BISTRO PIZZA 326 W Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 875-4894 FB @bistropizza326 arabellas.us/bistro-pizza Not to be cheesy, but Bistro is the best! Nestled next to Ave Bar, this Winter Haven pizzeria serves up hand-tossed, brick oven pizzas made with fresh ingredients. Create your own, or keep it classic. Bistro offers varieties, including the Pizza Italia, made with mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, fresh tomatoes, basil, and garlic, and the Pizza Rustica, with mozzarella and ricotta cheese, ham, bacon, garlic, and olive oil. Pair your pizza with a calzone, stromboli, antipasti, baked pasta, oven-baked sub, or salad. Cheers with a glass of pinot from their full wine list or a cocktail from the bar. And don’t forget to ask your server about the “Pizza of the Day.” 2nd: J. Burns’ Pizza Shop 3rd: Pizza Connection Editor’s Pick: Calogero’s Pizzeria BEST BURGERS ADLER’S 543 Ave B SW, Winter Haven (863) 875-6615 113 Ambersweet Way, Davenport (863) 438-4324 FB @Adlers.TCB IG @adlerstcb adlersburgers.com If you already know ‘em, you love ‘em. These burger baddies just can’t be stopped! They’ve been takin’ care of burgers at their Avenue B, Winter Haven location for two years, where they serve up the best smash patties around. Voters love their menu lined with mouthwatering options like the Classic with LTOP, American cheese, mayo, ketchup, and mustard on an artisan bun. Others on Adler’s badass burger roster include the Italian, Bad Hombre, Twitty, Bourbon BBQ, and limited specials (if you follow their socials). Order it with hand-cut fries or jalapeno firecrackers and a craft soda from the fountain or beer on tap. Tell them Haven sent you! 2nd: Andy’s Igloo 3rd: Five Guys BEST TACOS TACOS MY FRIEND 3899 Recker Hwy, Winter Haven (863) 837-7416 FB @tacosmyfriend IG @tacos_my_friend These are the kind of friends you want to have! This top taco contender dominates this category year after year, beating out the competition with their authentic, tasty tacos. It’s hard to beat their succulent carne asada, cradled by warm tortillas topped with onion, cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and a drizzle of salsa verde. If steak doesn’t suit you, they have plenty of meat options, including pollo, pastor, chorizo, lengua, tripas, and cabeza. Their full menu boasts burritos, tamales, nachos, fajitas, and more. Taco-bout fantastic fare! 2nd: Angel’s Kitchen 3rd: Azteca D’ Oro BEST WINGS BLACKBURN’S BBQ 169 5th St, Eagle Lake (863) 287-9975 FB @BlackburnsBBQ IG @blackburnsbbq Have you tried Pop’s wings yet? Best Of voters say Blackburn’s isn’t just wingin’ it when it comes to their yard bird. Blackburn’s mouthwatering meats are oak-smoked and fall off the bone. You can get your wings dry, hot, mild, or blackened with other succulent flavors like honey mustard, lemon pepper, garlic parmesan, and sweet, original, or spicy BBQ. If you aren’t totally stuffed, you’ll want to pick up a few made-from-scratch sides like sweet coleslaw, Southern potato salad, fresh collard greens, or Mimi’s corn casserole. If you need a good wingman, Blackburn’s is your guy! 2nd: Apple Lounge & Grill 3rd: Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Editor’s Pick: Adler’s BEST CUBAN SANDWICH SOUP’R CUBANS SANDWICH SHOP 1502 42nd St NW, Winter Haven (863) 967-6277 FB: Soup’R Cubans We hear this Cuban sandwich is Soup’R good! So good, they just keep winning! “Over 20 years and still pressin’!” Since 2000, Soup’R Cubans Sandwich Shop has perfected their pressed Cuban craft. They load up their Cubans with ham, pork, Genoa salami, Swiss cheese, pickles, and a mustard and mayo mix on fresh Cuban bread. You can get your hot pressed sammie as a 7-inch Regular or 10-inch Super. Enjoy this award-winning sandwich with a salad, or one of six daily soups. 2nd: Richard’s Fine Coffees 3rd: SoCe Market BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT ARABELLAS RISTORANTE 346 W Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 293-1797 FB @ArabellasRistorante arabellas.us Arabellas Ristorante is no impasta when it comes to standout Italian fare. This Times Square bistro prides itself on excellent food, service, and atmosphere. Since opening in 2004, Arabellas has been the ravi-only place for a romantic dinner for two or an upscale lunch date with friends. Enjoy your Trancio di Salmone Arrosto con Carciofi or Fettuccine Alfredo with a glass or bottle from Arabellas’ extensive wine list or a cocktail at Ave Bar next door. Their standout Italian cuisine will have you saying, ‘Holy cannoli, that’s good!’ 2nd: Carrabba’s Italian Grill 3rd: Floridino’s Italian Kitchen BEST SUSHI RESTAURANT TSUNAMI SUSHI 5937 Cypress Gardens Blvd #300, Winter Haven (863) 324-6777 114 N Tennessee Ave #101, Lakeland (863) 940-2112 FB @TsunamiSushi2013 IG @tsunamisushiwh tsunamisushi.net If you haven’t tried it yet, you’re going to gyoza crazy for Tsunami Sushi. This Cypress Gardens sushi spot is really on a roll, winning multiple years in a row. There is plenty to choose from on Tsunami’s menu, including sushi rolls, sashimi, makimono, tempura, miso, and more. Their sushi list is full of fresh flavors like the Red Dragon roll with sweet shrimp, cream cheese, and scallions, topped with spicy tuna, tobiko, eel sauce, and asparagus, or the Tigers Eye roll with salmon, tuna, krab, cream cheese, and avocado, wrapped in cucumber and topped with ginger tataki sauce. Congrats to the best sushi restaurant in the tuna-verse! 2nd: Sakura Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar 3rd: Tsukiyomi Sushi Bar & Grill BEST BBQ RESTAURANT BLACKBURN’S BBQ 169 5th St, Eagle Lake (863) 287-9975 FB @BlackburnsBBQ IG @blackburnsbbq Blackburn’s ain’t slackin’ when it comes to their oak-smoked, fall-off-the-bone BBQ. They keep smoking the competition! This Eagle Lake eatery features favorites like pulled pork and rib bone-in sandwiches, dinner plates including brisket, turkey, smoked sausage, meat by the pound, and family meal deals. Best Of voters love their wings so much that they won that category, too! Their madefrom-scratch Southern sides include the likes of sweet coleslaw, Southern potato salad, fresh collard greens, and Mimi’s corn casserole. Finish your meal with homemade banana pudding or a slice of fresh apple or pecan pie. 2nd: The Smokin’OX Premium BBQ 3rd: Smokin’ Jim’s House of Bar-B-Q Editor’s Pick: Blue Dog Craft Barbecue BEST DONUTS THE DONUT MAN 1290 6th St NW, Winter Haven (863) 293-4031 FB @thedonutmanWH Looking to sprinkle some joy on your day? There’s a ‘hole’ lot to rave about the Donut Man! Their Amazing Apple Fritters draw folks far and wide, but I donut want to glaze over their other offerings of assorted cake donuts, filled donuts, and raised donuts, along with sandwiches, bagels, muffins, croissants, coffee, and more. One customer wrote, “BEST donuts I’ve ever had! Their employees always know how to treat their customers right! Always friendly and accommodating! My favorite donut is the Vanilla Cream!” Donut Man, we think you’re pretty sweet. 2nd: Baking Donuts Plus 3rd: Dunkin’ BEST SUB SANDWICH PUBLIX FB @publix IG @publix publix.com Pub Subs are pretty deli-ghtful! This iconic sandwich has become the nation’s envy, with an array of subs to savor, from the Boar’s Head Italian Sub to the Publix Ultimate Sub. The options are ‘sub’stantial, but the tried-and-true sammy is the Chicken Tender Sub made with Publix Deli’s famous double-hand-breaded chicken tenders. Little known fact, if you don’t have a Pub Sub every so often, they’ll revoke your Florida card. I’m due for mine soon! 2nd: Firehouse Subs 3rd: Mama Dilo’s Deli BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT AZTECA D’ORO 5860 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven (Multiple locations in Orlando, Lakeland, Winter Garden, and New Smyrna) (863) 295-9080 FB @Aztecawinterhaven IG @aztecadorowh aztecadoro.com Azteca D’Oro has won Best Mexican Restaurant a whole encha-lot-of times! Nothing is better than margaritas and tasty Mexican food at this Winter Haven mainstay. Their lunch and dinner menus feature ceviche, nachos, elotes Mexicanos, fajitas, burritos, enchiladas, tortas, tacos, signature dishes, desserts, and more. “I was first amazed at the bar selection here. There is great tequila and a nice selection of bourbon. Then I was blown away with how good the food was. Service was very good. I have been here a few times now and every time the food is fantastic! I will go here again and again,” wrote one Azteca D’Oro patron. 2nd: El Olivo Mexican Restaurant 3rd: San Diego’s Mexican Grill BEST LATIN RESTAURANT SANTIAGO’S MARKET 898 Havendale Blvd NW, Winter Haven (863) 293-9659 FB: Santiago’s Market IG @santiagosrestaurantfl Latin food heaven on Havendale! Santiago’s Market is a family-owned, full grocery store offering Caribbean and North and South American products. In addition to fresh-packed meat and a sizable selection of fresh produce, they feature a Latin buffet that customers flock to. One customer raved, “Puerto Rican food and culture celebrated here! Great selections in the market, and also in the hot & ready cafeteria style dining area. Good prices. Clean and easy access location.” 2nd: Nineteen61 3rd: El Pilón Loko Restaurant BEST SOUL FOOD RESTAURANT B.D. SOUTHERN HOME COOKING 1518 7th St SW, Winter Haven (863) 247-8375 FB: BD Southern Home Cooking IG @bdsouthern Nothing says soul food like Southern home cooking, and nobody does it better than B.D. In addition to house burgers, specialty salads, sandwiches, and platters, B.D. Southern Home Cooking offers Deep South Dinners. These include delights like chitterlings, oxtail, chop steak, and more. Sliced tomatoes, fried corn on the cob, hush puppies, and fried okra are only some of their soul food side dishes. One customer wrote, “Love the food here! I had some fried pork chops, fried okra with mashed potatoes, and gravy. It was wonderful! They also have really good banana pudding and red velvet cake!” 2nd: Big Daddy’s Barbecue 3rd: Our Noire Kitchen BEST BREAKFAST RESTAURANT EGG HAVEN 301 3rd St SW, Winter Haven (863) 268-8269 FB: Egg Haven egghavenwinterhaven.com You butter believe Egg Haven is the best! This 3rd Street diner opened in 2013 and serves their egg-stensive breakfast all day. Drive by (or drive-thru) any morning, and you’ll see patrons enjoying their Egg Haven Benedict, chocolate chip pancakes, and blueberry french toast on the sunny patio. Some call it a hidden gem in Winter Haven, and many praise them for fast, friendly service, good food, and fair prices. Egg Haven, you’re our butter half, the biscuits to our gravy, and an eggcellent choice for breakfast! 2nd: First Watch 3rd: Honeycomb Bread Bakers BEST BRUNCH LUCILLE’S AMERICAN CAFE 205 3rd St SW, Winter Haven (863) 875-5005 FB @lucillescafe IG @lucillescafewh lucillescafe.com Shrimp and grits calling your name? How about a Hangover Waffle Sandwich? By a landslide, Lucille’s American Cafe, winner of the ‘Best New Restaurant’ category in 2022, beat out their brunch competition this year. Their weekend brunch is beloved, and we totally see why. This retro Winter Haven cafe offers made-from-scratch homestyle meals with plenty of options to choose from. Sit on the sunny patio and enjoy Bananas Fosters French Toast with a sparkling bellini mimosa. Lucille’s, Best Of Haven voters love you a brunch! 2nd: The Fire Restaurant 3rd: First Watch Editor’s Pick: Nutwood BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT HARBORSIDE 2435 7th St SW, Winter Haven (863) 293-7070 FB @HarborsideFL IG @harborsiderestaurant harborsidefl.com Delicious seafood with unmatched Lake Shipp views. Harborside offers premium scenery, steaks, seafood, and other upscale casual fare. A variety of seafood dishes line the menu, both fresh and fried, like Ahi Tuna and Smoked Salmon Dip appetizers, Gulf Oysters on the half shell, Snow Crab, Stuffed Flounder, and Grouper Sandwich entrees. One Harborside review reads in part, “[...] Great place to dock the boat for lunch and continue on the water. The fish sandwich is a large, fried flaky fish, which tasted fresh (not frozen). Shrimp trio was excellent as well. The staff was friendly.” Go at sunset and thank me later! 2nd: Harry’s Old Place 3rd: Hungry Crab Juicy Seafood & Bar BEST THAI RESTAURANT THAI HAVEN 309 W Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 291-8085 FB @ThaiHaven IG @thaihaven_fl thaihaven.com Need something to Thai you over? Try this cozy Central Avenue respite. Family-owned and operated, Thai Haven offers authentic made-to-order appe-thai-zing cuisine in an intimate setting in Downtown Winter Haven. Their menu of appetizers, soups, salads, curries, noodle dishes, fried rice dishes, and more is extensive, offering spice levels to suit any palate. A hot cup of coconut milk soup is perfect for a fall afternoon, and their curry is a great pick-me-up anytime! 2nd: Saigon Garden 3rd: Gin Khao Food Truck BEST MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT MEDITERRANEAN FRESH GRILL 6035 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven (833) 633-4745 FB @MediterraneanFreshGrillWinterHaven IG @mediterraneanfresh mediterraneanfreshgrill.com It’s all in the name! Mediterranean Fresh Grill’s Chef Chadi Mokbel creates beautiful Lebanese dishes that taste even better than they look. “Our menu is inspired by the bold, fresh flavors found in the street foods of the Eastern Mediterranean. Our food contains only high quality, wholesome ingredients like organic fruits and vegetables sourced mainly from local and regional farmers as well as antibiotic-free chicken, lamb, and beef,” notes Med Fresh Grill. On the menu, you’ll find food prepared fresh daily and cooked to order, accommodating many dietary needs and choices, including vegetarian, vegan, low-carb, Keto, and gluten-free options. A few menu faves include garlic whip, tabbouleh, spicy feta dip, kabobs, and shawarma. 2nd: The Krazy Greek 3rd: Agape Agora BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT BEIJING RESTAURANT 3005 Cypress Gardens Rd SE, Winter Haven (863) 318-0226 beijingfl.com Beijing Restaurant offers a substantial menu and friendly service. Dine in or take out all the Chinese favorites, from sweet and sour chicken to beef chop suey and beyond. Or have it delivered! Beijing says, “We pick ingredients carefully and use only the freshest and natural ones to prepare every dish, and have been trying to cook them in a healthier way to provide the most nutritious food.” One customer wrote, “Beijing Chinese Restaurant has amazing tasting food! The service is very fast and always accurate! High-quality Chinese food at its best! I absolutely recommend everyone to try it for yourself! You won’t be disappointed!” 2nd: China Park 3rd: (tie) Evergreen 3rd: (tie) China Wok BEST RESTAURANT FOR OYSTERS GARY’S OYSTER BAR & SEAFOOD HOUSE 660 E Alfred St, Lake Alfred (863) 956-5055 FB: Garys Oyster Bar garysoysterbar.com Aw shucks, the oldest oyster bar in Polk County won again! Gary’s has been pluckin’ and shuckin’ oysters in their cozy, casual dining space for over 43 years. Their Char-Grilled Parmesan and Jalapeño Bacon Oysters compete for guest favorite. Their fresh oysters, steamed or raw, will leave you in half-shell heaven. Wash it down with a cocktail from their full-service bar! According to Gary’s Oyster Bar, “We pride ourselves as a true Florida seafood experience that the entire family will enjoy.” 2nd: Old Man Frank’s 3rd: Harborside BEST ICE CREAM ANDY’S IGLOO 703 3rd St SW, Winter Haven (863) 293-0019 FB: ANDY’S IGLOO andysigloo.com Another Best Ice Cream win for Andy’s Igloo! Ice cream parlor patrons love Andy’s burgers and Americana vibe, but their ice cream is the cherry on top. Their neon namesake sign is a beacon to Banana Bonanza lovers and those with a sundae sweet tooth. Andy’s offers homemade sherberts, milkshakes, freezes, floats, and hand-dipped ice cream, as well as Royal Treats like their Banana Split, Spin-The-Wheel, and Parfait (and, all their sherberts are made in-house). Get what you want, no self’cone’trol needed! 2nd: Dairy Queen 3rd: Cabana Boy Ice Cream BEST FOOD TRUCK CRAVIN’ HAVEN (863) 604-9432 FB: Cravin’ Haven IG @cravinhavenfl cravinhavenfl.com Whatever you’re cravin’, they’re makin’! Cravin’ Haven food truck may be the new kid on the block (open for a year in September), but Best Of Haven voters are already singing their praises. This mouthwatering mobile bistro serves a diverse rotating menu of dishes using high-quality ingredients. Foodies can indulge in everything from a chili cheese dog and a Cuban sandwich to a fried fish basket and ahi tuna tacos. They’ve got five finger-licking stars on Google with customers raving, “Delicious and great prices, the fries were the best I’ve had in a long time, the brisket was juicy and flavorful with a good BBQ sauce, definitely check this place out!” 2nd: Gin Khao Food Truck 3rd: Tallulah’s Table by the Sea BEST DINER ANDY’S IGLOO 703 3rd St SW, Winter Haven (863) 293-0019 FB: ANDY’S IGLOO andysigloo.com Not only did they cream the competition in the Ice Cream category, but Best Of Voters are also digging Andy’s diner vibes. Andy’s is the place for old-school diner bites, from burgers and crinkle-cut fries to hot dogs and fried catfish. The Igloo opened in 1951 and has since solidified itself as a Winter Haven institution. Just follow the neon sign to the best diner fare around. Don’t forget to order an ice cream float to wash it down! One review reads in part, “Love the old style of Andy’s, the mom and pop feel. Always a fun place to visit. [...]” 2nd: Lucille’s American Cafe 3rd: Big Tom’s Diner BEST FINE DINING ARABELLAS RISTORANTE 346 W Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 293-1797 FB @ArabellasRistorante arabellas.us Exposed brick walls, white linen tablecloths and billowy window treatments framing palatial windows form a second-to-none fine dining experience in Winter Haven. From their pianist to their premium service and fare, guests rave that Arabellas is the place to go for the Best Italian Food and Fine Dining. One customer wrote, “Great Manager and team, servers are attentive and caring. Entertainer is extremely talented and his cheerfulness sets the tone for the upbeat atmosphere. The food is exceptionally delicious. Reservations are recommended but if they can get a table for you, they will. Great fine dining experience. Highly recommend.” 2nd: Nutwood 3rd: The Fire Restaurant BEST PATIO DINING LUCILLE’S AMERICAN CAFE 205 3rd St SW, Winter Haven (863) 875-5005 FB @lucillescafe IG @lucillescafewh lucillescafe.com Lucille’s American Cafe offers a shaded respite right off 3rd Street. Not only are they total brunch baddies, taking home first in that category this year, guests love their premier patio space. It is truly the perfect spot to take in the hustle and bustle of Downtown Winter Haven while enjoying a from-scratch homestyle meal. One customer raved, “Great service, atmosphere, and food. Lovely to hear they source locally and make most things from scratch. They also have a large nicely decorated dog-friendly covered patio.” 2nd: The Twisted Prop Bar & Grille 3rd: Nutwood BEST CASUAL DINING LUCILLE’S AMERICAN CAFE 205 3rd St SW, Winter Haven (863) 875-5005 FB @lucillescafe IG @lucillescafewh lucillescafe.com They just can’t be stopped! Congratulations, Lucielle’s, on having the Best Brunch, Best Cocktails, Best Patio, and Best Casual Dining. No pretense, only positive vibes here. Though they’ve only been open a few years, this Americana cafe already feels like a Winter Haven mainstay. Owners Beth and Paul Nunez have worked tirelessly to make the words in neon on Lucille’s wall, ‘Good. Vibes. Only.’ come true for guests. Of the mid-century modern space featuring photos of Winter Haven’s history, Kelly Sanford wrote in a Haven Magazine article that the owners “welcome locals and visitors alike to relax, dine, share stories, and feel the love.” 2nd: The Fire Restaurant 3rd: The Twisted Prop Bar & Grille BEST WATERFRONT DINING HARBORSIDE 2435 7th St SW, Winter Haven, FL 33880 (863) 293-7070 FB @HarborsideFL IG @harborsiderestaurant harborsidefl.com Panoramic windows frame the wave-lapping beauty of Lake Shipp. Enjoy the Best Seafood while watching the sun dip behind The Chain. In a landslide again this year, Best Of Haven voters singled out Harborside as the premier place for waterfront dining across the county. It is a top destination by car, boat, or even seaplane for fresh seafood, steaks, and other casual fare. Nearly every review makes a note of the stunning views. One patron wrote in part, “The lake view seating was exceptional. [...]” While another said, “The views are so beautiful, a great backdrop for pictures. [...]” 2nd: The Twisted Prop Bar & Grille 3rd: Tanners Lakeside Restaurant & Bar BEST BAR AVE BAR 340 W Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 297-1797 FB: Ave Bar by Arabellas arabellas.us This cozy, upscale bar is a repeat winner in this category. Nestled between Arabellas Ristorante and Bistro Pizza, a small plate menu and menus from both sister establishments are provided, making it the perfect spot for spirits and spaghetti. The picture of downtown sophistication, one guest wrote of the bar, “Great little bar in Winter Haven with some fantastic food options. It is connected to both Arabella’s for finer dining and also a pizza place, so there is plenty of food to choose from. Very great bar menu during happy hour. [...]” 2nd: Barrel 239 3rd: Jensen’s Corner Bar BEST COCKTAILS LUCILLE’S AMERICAN CAFE 205 3rd St SW, Winter Haven (863) 875-5005 FB @lucillescafe IG @lucillescafewh lucillescafe.com Another win for Lucille’s?! You’ve vodka be kiddin’ me! Cheers to Lucille’s American Cafe! A voter favorite this year, Lucille’s offers a mid-century modern vibe and plenty of tasty, made-from-scratch homestyle fare. But it’s their cocktails that voters are raving about this time. They offer a variety of craft and classics that include the Orange Blossom Special, Caffeine Fiend, You Give Me Butterflies, and the Mighty Bold of You. One guest wrote of the cocktail, Sincerely, Lucille, “It had Kettle One vodka, a sour liquor, and fresh strawberries and basil. It was freaking awesome and refreshing. Great one to have for summer in the daytime.” 2nd: Barrel 239 3rd: Ave Bar BEST WINE MENU OBSCURE WINE COMPANY 276 W Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 268-6555 FB: Obscure Wine Company IG @obscurewine obscurewine.com Cheers to another wine win! Obscure Wine Company has become a darling of Downtown Winter Haven. This woman-owned Central Avenue wine bar and shoppe offers a sprawling menu of wines from around the world by the bottle and the glass. Owner and sommelier Wellie Liao offers her services to assist patrons in finding the perfect wine for their palate or meal pairing. They regularly host fun events from Wine Down Wednesday to a bright pink Barbie party. Guests can order food from the Obscure menu, Agape Agora, or on the weekends from their secret ghost kitchen, A Little Duck Fat. Sip, sip, hooray! 2nd: Grape Expectations 3rd: Arabellas Ristorante BEST COFFEE SHOP HAVEN COFFEE ROASTERS 140 3rd St SW, Winter Haven (863) 251-9619 FB @HavenCoffeeRoaster IG @thehavencoffeeroasters havencoffeeroaster.com Best coffee shop three years running! Best Of Haven voters must love this coffee shop, a latte! This family-operated, faith-based coffeehouse regularly hosts live music on the weekends and drink specials every month. The cozy atmosphere, friendly baristas, and darn good coffee have earned Winter Haven’s only coffee roaster a spot in the community’s heart (and their morning routine). 2nd: Richard’s Fine Coffees 3rd: Honeycomb Bread Bakers BEST BEER LIST GROVE ROOTS BREWING CO 302 3rd St SW, Winter Haven (863) 291-0700 FB @groverootsbrewing IG @groverootsbrewing groveroots.com Beauty may be in the eye of the beer holder, but winners are in the hands of Best Of Haven voters. Grove Roots has been a Beer List darling year after year. The brewery has an extensive selection of tasty beers (Tropical Dilemma is this year’s Best Beer). Along with their flagship beers – Slanted Ladders, Wakes of Grain, Rind & Shine, and 6AM Pickers – the Toast Brown Ale won gold at the Best Florida Beer Competition this year. The Grove Roots team is constantly concocting a selection of seasonal and special-release brews. Their spacious Tasting Room offers ample seating along with their outdoor picnic tables, and upscale lawn furniture. Enjoy weekly live music and food truck offerings. Cheers! 2nd: Union Taproom 3rd: Crave & Copper BEST POLK COUNTY BEER TROPICAL DILEMMA GROVE ROOTS BREWING CO. 302 3rd St SW, Winter Haven (863) 291-0700 FB @groverootsbrewing IG @groverootsbrewing groveroots.com Number one on the Grove Roots sign board, this sour beer has a 4.4% ABV. Tropical Dilemma has notes of strawberry with the crisp, refreshing taste of a sour. When the temperatures climb north of 90 (which seems to be every day in the Sunshine State), try this ice-cold refresher. Tropical Dilemma won bronze at the Best Florida Beer Competition in March. One Untappd user said Tropical Dilemma gave them strawberry shortcake vibes. 2nd: Rind & Shine | Grove Roots Brewing Co 3rd: Beach Me Up | The Florida Brewery BEST U-PICK FARM WHITEHEAD’S BLUEBERRY FARM 1024 Macon Rd, Winter Haven (863) 860-4575 FB @whiteheadsblueberryfarm IG @whiteheadfarm Whitehead’s is yet again the berry best U-Pick farm! What started as a plant nursery in 1979 became a blueberry farm in 2000. Next blueberry season (which typically runs from the first Wednesday in April through mid-May), grab your friends and a few baskets for a day of blueberry picking at Whitehead’s Blueberry Farm. This 33-acre family-owned farm boasts over 30,000 blueberry plants across 15 acres. On Saturdays and Sundays, they offer wagon rides to reach all areas of the farm. “Please bring your family and friends and join us for a fun-packed day on the farm. From grandparents to toddlers, we will have something for everyone. [...] We love to see blue smiles leaving the field.” 2nd: Ridge Island Groves 3rd: Late Bloom Blueberry Farm BEST NEW RESTAURANT AGAPE AGORA 254 W Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 370-7037 FB: Agápe Agorá IG @agapeagora agapeagora.com There’s something magical about an open kitchen serving fresh, hearty food. Since opening, Agape Agora has earned a spot in the hearts (and bellies) of the community. This minority, women-owned trattoria and marketplace is “hyper-focused on intentional selections from local organic producers, like-minded small business owners, and holding space for those who seek healing through shared community, culture, and culinary arts.” Not only can you indulge in tasty meals from salads and soups to sandwiches and pastries, the marketplace offers unique foodie sundries. An office favorite is the muffuletta with Havarti, spicy capicola, salami, pepperoni, Giardiniera, and olive tapenade. Check their socials for special events and catering info. 2nd: SoCe Market 3rd: Chilly Masala Indian Cuisine BEST CATERING COMPANY BLACKBURN’S BBQ 169 5th St, Eagle Lake (863) 287-9975 FB @BlackburnsBBQ IG @blackburnsbbq Need some oak-smoked fall-off-the-bone BBQ for your next event? Not only are they the best in the southern food game, taking home Best BBQ Restaurant, but they also offer guests the Best Service. Combine delicious BBQ and standout service, and you have a match made in catering heaven. One guest raved in part, “Literally the best bbq place in Polk County hands down. I have been following them since they were just a food truck and saw this beautiful business blossom into one of the best restaurants in the county.” 2nd: The Catering Company of Central Florida 3rd: Catering Oasis BEST VEGAN FOOD VEGAN MONARCH BAKERY & CAFÉ 371 Ave D NW, Winter Haven (863) 734-9148 FB: Vegan Monarch Bakery & Café IG @veganmonarchbakery victormikabakery.com Vegan Monarch Bakery & Cafe, formerly Victor and Mika’s Bakery, takes the (vegan) cake again this year! The bakery and cafe are well-loved for their delicious, high-quality, plant-based, vegan, and gluten-free foods. They offer hearty, savory options, including gluten-free lasagna, chik’n and waffles, “Better Than Meatloaf,” as well as baked treats. According to Vegan Monarch Bakery & Cafe, “We pride ourselves on specifically addressing the needs of those who are still sometimes overlooked: people with food intolerances such as dairy, eggs, gluten, and soy, those seeking healthy food alternatives, and also those with allergies who end up missing out on the tasty treats that their peers can enjoy.” 2nd: Agape Agora 3rd: Chilly Masala Indian Cuisine BEST BAKERY HONEYCOMB BREAD BAKERS 140 6th St SW, Winter Haven (863) 662-5513 FB @honeycombbread IG @honeycombbread honeycombbread.com Honeycomb won again?! You bread-er believe it. We hear they buttered up the voters. Benjamin Vickers “first lit the hearth” in February 2018 and opened his Winter Haven storefront two years ago (I remember it like it was yeast-erday) in a renovated 1960s gas station. Honeycomb has become a choice breakfast and lunch destination offering a selection of coffee and tea and sought-after sustenance like truffle fries, baked brie and apple butter, bagels and schmear, salads, and sandwiches on their freshly baked bread. Grab a loaf of sourdough to go! 2nd: Gourmet Goodies Bake Shop 3rd: Publix Bakery BEST HIDDEN GEM NUTWOOD 132 Ave B SW, Winter Haven (863) 229-7770 FB: Nutwood IG @nutwoodwh nutwoodwh.com This tucked-away restaurant offers fine dining fare in a tranquil space – truly a hidden gem. From the charming, brick-lined outdoor patio shaded by a sprawling oak tree and hemmed with lush greenery to the straightforward, sophisticated indoor dining rooms, it’s an apt atmosphere for an exceptional meal. Since opening in 2017, foodies have traveled across the Sunshine State to indulge in cuisine prepared by Nutwood’s Michelin Star Chef Steven Rojas. Trend magazine even awarded this Winter Haven hidden gem the Golden Spoon Award. 2nd: Agape Agora 3rd: The Apple Lounge & Grill Editor’s Pick: A Little Duck Fat ghost kitchen, weekend evenings at Obscure BEST SERVICE BLACKBURN’S BBQ 169 5th St, Eagle Lake (863) 287-9975 FB @BlackburnsBBQ IG @blackburnsbbq Customers crave Blackburn’s finger-licking fare, from the BBQ to the banana pudding. But it’s their standout service they’re raving about now. One customer wrote, “Had a fabulous dinner tonight. Outstanding service, Michelle was our server and she was super friendly and focused on making sure we had everything we wanted. Every staff member we encountered was friendly and wanted to make sure we were happy. Great value. Definitely recommending it to friends and family.” Another happy (and full) patron said, “[...] The staff is all awesome. Brandon, the owner, stops by every table every night. Great food, great staff and great prices. It’s a win win.” 2nd: (tie) Honeycomb Bread Bakers 2nd: (tie) Lucille’s American Cafe 3rd: Arabellas Ristorante

Polk Arts and Cultural Alliance (PACA) is the Local Arts Agency for Polk County. As such, PACA “advocates for all the Cultural Arts Organizations in Polk County and promotes the impact of the Cultural Arts Sector as integral to the quality-of-life in our county.” The organization actively represents Polk County’s arts and cultural interests to agencies, governments, chambers of commerce, and the business community on a national, state, and local level. They allocate funding and provide their members with marketing, professional development, advocacy, and education. Executive Director Daryl Ward has been with the organization for a year and a half. His philosophy? “I don’t believe a person’s access to arts and cultural experiences should be dictated by their zip code.” Ward’s family has been in Florida for generations. They hailed from the Panhandle and made a living as oyster fishermen. Ward has lived in Polk County for over 50 years. He taught English at Kathleen High School in Lakeland before moving to Mulberry High School, his alma mater, where he taught for 15 years. After receiving his master’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, Ward became a middle school dean of students. Next, he worked as the assistant principal at Harrison School for the Arts for eight years and was the principal for seven years. “It gave me some unique insight. I had a non-arts education background teaching English, and then I got to see the arts background as well when I was at Harrison,” said Ward. “One of the things that uniquely equipped me for my current job was that Harrison was one of the few countywide schools. I learned to appreciate early the relationships with different entities countywide.” In late 2019, Ward took a position at Southeastern University. Following his time at SEU, Ward was contacted about the executive director slot at the then Polk Arts Alliance, now Polk Arts and Cultural Alliance (PACA). “It was a good opportunity to stay in touch with the arts and cultural community,” he said. One of his first acts as executive director was to change the name from Polk Arts Alliance to Polk Arts and Cultural Alliance. He did this to include cultural members like history centers and children’s museums. Arts Budget Cut This summer, Ward has advocated heavily for the local arts and cultural scene after an unexpected slash of the state budget. On June 12, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed $32 million in arts funding from the legislature-approved 2024-25 budget. In defense of his decision, DeSantis noted the Tampa and Orlando Fringe Festivals, which he called a “sexual festival.” Grants allocated to these festivals made up less than 1% of the total state arts budget. This veto deleted all funding for the three categories of arts and culture grants: Cultural and Museum, Culture Builds Florida, and Cultural Endowments. This affected more than 600 recipients across the state. “This is devastating for arts organizations,” said Ward. “The cuts are drastic enough, but it is unprecedented for all the funding to be cut.” Arts organizations can get state funding in one of two ways. The first is through direct legislative action, which happened earlier this year when the Polk Museum of Art received $500K for its expansion project. Those legislative actions are relatively rare, says Ward. The second is through a rigorous grant process. Organizations often apply for grants more than a year out from their budget. These local arts and cultural organizations knew they were approved, knew of the legislative cuts before they hit the governor’s desk, and didn’t find out about the vetoes until a month before the fiscal year, making it difficult to make up the lost funds. David Price, from Bok Tower Gardens noted that, “for us this is a blow to our budget as these grants fund important programs. We will need to trim from other programs and eliminate other initiatives to support the overall budget.” DeSantis’s veto meant a shortfall of $449K in arts funding for Polk County. “It’s going to impact programming. There’s the chance with some of your smaller organizations that it could impact personnel,” said Ward. “Will it cause any to close their doors? I think that’s doubtful.” “I think Governor DeSantis probably unintentionally angered some of his supporters who may not support a Fringe Festival, but they support a children’s museum,” Ward said. “I don’t think that was his intent. I think there will be some systemic changes, whether to the grants process or how it all works moving forward, so as not to have an organization that thought they were eligible to get money to suddenly get nothing.” Despite the unexpected budget cuts, there is hope for our local arts and cultural organizations. Local philanthropists through the GiveWell Community Foundation worked with the Polk Arts & Cultural Alliance to offer financial assistance due to this year’s budget shortfall. The donors combined their gifts to provide $200,000 to seven local arts and cultural organizations. “While this certainly doesn’t replace the entire amount Polk grant recipients would have received in the budget, it’s wonderful to see local supporters step in to help,” said Ward. “The donors were very wellinformed and intentional with their gifts in an effort to mitigate financial losses to the degree possible.” Kerry Falwell, CEO of the Florida Children’s Museum, notes how this donation will have a significant impact on the community. “I am humbled and overjoyed by the community response to the loss of state arts funding. This gift is so important to thousands of children in Central Florida,” she said. “Polk County has such strong support for arts and culture. This generous donation further solidifies our community as one that benefits from such gracious and impactful philanthropy,” added Ward. Polk Arts & Culture Hall of Fame Gala In lighter news, the Polk Arts and Culture Hall of Fame Gala, honoring local contributors to art and culture, is coming up this fall. The Polk County Arts Hall of Fame was created in 2014 to honor lifetime achievements in the arts and cultural realm for Polk County natives. Previously, Polk Arts Alliance (PAA) would induct people in convenient settings. They inducted world-renowned concert pianist Robert MacDonald at a concert at Florida Southern College, for example, and former PAA Executive Director Meri Mass at her retirement. “I wanted to elevate the event to celebrate arts and cultural people the same way we celebrate other people in our county,” said Ward. And so the Polk Arts and Culture Hall of Fame Gala was born. The inaugural gala took place last year at Bonnet Springs Park, with over 250 people in attendance and six people inducted into the Arts Hall of Fame. Another change Ward made was in the nomination process, which he moved toward, though not entirely, a democratic process. Nominations are open to the public along with the criteria PACA seeks in inductees. Ward then culls that list for those who don’t meet the requirements before sending it to a selection committee of PACA board members, community members, and living Hall of Fame members. Those rankings are tallied and sent finally to PACA’s Hall of Fame sub-committee. “While we want public input, another one of the goals is to make the Hall of Fame representative of all of Polk County,” said Ward, who noted they are seeking gender, ethnic, geographic, and artistic diversity in the process. “I don’t want anybody to be in there who isn’t worthy of the recognition because of their qualifications. But if they’re all worthy, let’s ensure this represents all of Polk County.” In addition to honoring lifetime achievement, PACA bestows Arts & Culture Awards, including Arts/Cultural Organization of the Year, Arts/Cultural Philanthropist of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Arts/Cultural Educator of the Year, and the Rising Star Award. This year, the Polk Arts and Culture Hall of Fame Gala will be held on October 15 at Nora Mayo Hall in Winter Haven, where five people will be inducted. Tickets for the gala go on sale in August. PACA FB: Polk Arts & Cultural Alliance IG @polkartsandculture polkarts.org

“It’s a beautiful life,” Craig Pickos said of his recovery journey. Pickos (NCPRSS, RYT) is Polk for Recovery’s founder and executive director. The nonprofit is a Recovery Community Organization (RCO), a “grassroots movement led by and for those in recovery from substance use, mental health, or other obstacles to wellness.” September is National Recovery Month. In a lead-up to the observance of this month, which is held to “educate Americans that substance use treatment and mental health services can enable those with a mental and/or substance use disorder to live a healthy and rewarding life,” according to NAADAC, we wanted to learn more about Polk for Recovery and how we can celebrate those in recovery. Craig Pickos was born in Wisconsin and moved to Florida when he was 14. He was part of a family of water skiers and even ranked tenth in the world at one time. He started using around age 13, and by 17, addiction had crushed his water-skiing career. “I didn’t know that I had the disease of addiction. I didn’t know that when I wanted to stop using, I couldn’t. I didn’t know that I was using it to cope and keep what life I thought I had together,” he said. Pickos started his recovery journey at age 37 in 1997 at what is now the Mary Lyons Detox Center. He identifies as a person in long-term recovery. In 2012, he had a lapse. “It was caused because of complacency. I had moved and hadn’t replaced the network of support that I had in Florida. When life showed up, I didn’t make the best choices,” Pickos said. The consequences of that lapse elucidated to him that a person with this condition requires ongoing support for as long as they want to live a happy, healthy life. Pickos recommitted to his recovery and, about a year or two into it, heard about a program training people to provide recovery support services that set a path toward professional credentials. He attended the 40-hour training required to become a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) and began volunteering at the local detox facility where he lived in Columbia, South Carolina. Through this, he gained an opportunity to use his lived experience to help others in a professionally credentialed way. Another nonprofit in the area heard about Pickos’s work at the detox center and called to offer him a job when they started a new program. He left the bicycle industry he’d been in for over 30 years and took on his first position as a peer specialist as part of a clinical team at a youth drop-in center in downtown Columbia. While there, he was invited to participate in the development of an RCO. Through that process, he was introduced to what an RCO is, how they benefit the community, how to apply for nonprofit status, how to build a board, etc. He carried those building blocks with him when he relocated to be near his parents back in Florida. Starting a Local RCO Shortly after moving back to the Sunshine State, Pickos upgraded to a national certification through NAADAC. He’s been through four training programs, including one that certifies him to facilitate training programs for others. “I looked around Polk County and was curious to know what kind of work like that was being done here. And there wasn’t any. In fact, there wasn’t really any in the entire state,” he said. “This portion of the recovery movement had been taking place in other states for a long, long time.” His first order of business was to find employment, so he reached out to providers offering acute care. “Addition is chronic. It will have an acute episode, but it’s something that requires continual support and maintenance,” he noted. Peer specialist jobs existed in the area, but they didn’t pay a living wage at the time. Pickos considered returning to school for a bachelor’s degree in behavioral health. Unsure that that was the path to take, he wondered what he could create with his existing knowledge, experience, and credentials. After attending a few trainings in the area to connect with people in the field and build his network, he met Ginny LaRue. LaRue was part of a project through the state RCO, Floridians for Recovery. They had secured a grant to support community recovery champions in building a grassroots movement that would establish a network of organizations throughout the state. Pickos asked LaRue, “How can I get our county to be part of your project so you can come in and support us? We have people that want this.” He began to locate and acquaint himself with local peer specialists, getting them excited about his idea to build an RCO in Polk County. Pickos and his team were the last ones selected to receive the remaining money from the Florida Recovery Project. The project supplied support for a little over a year. During that time, they had a community listening session and a virtual recovery symposium with the assistance of the national RCO, Faces and Voices of Recovery. “We kept putting one foot in front of the other,” Pickos said. His team of six volunteers operated with funding through a $20K donation from Central Florida Health Care until receiving a community wellness initiative grant in January 2022. The grant gave them enough money to begin hiring, first Pickos and then Andrea Anderson, Director of Community Outreach, followed shortly by Tina Brown, Director of Peer Support Services. Polk for Recovery currently has a staff of seven paid individuals and one volunteer and has become recognized as a provider while continuing to grow. “I’ve got an absolutely amazing team of individuals,” said Pickos. He also noted the roughly 25 agencies and organizations they partner with throughout the community. Much of Polk for Recovery’s work involves community outreach. Pickos, along with his operations and finance managers, supervises a team of four certified recovery peer specialists who work in the community, engaging with individuals seeking referrals, support services, and resources. They also interact with many area hospitals, recovery residencies, the county’s Problem-Solving Court, and organizations supporting the unhoused. “As we continue to develop, we’ll provide more direct, nonclinical services,” Pickos said. This would mean having a brick-andmortar location with an intake process. They would use recovery capital tools to assess a person’s strengths and areas where they could use additional support and build a recovery action plan with a more structured schedule of engagements with a peer specialist. One of the most recent pilot projects at Polk for Recovery was to connect and establish a schedule of trainings to increase the peer specialist workforce in the Suncoast region. National Recovery Month National Recovery Month started in 1989. Pickos believes it was initiated to reduce the stigma around recovery. “So often, people don’t see the other side of what addiction looks like. They only see the most negative aspects. They see homelessness, they see crime, they see how it destroys families. […] The simple fact of the matter is that people do recover,” he said. During National Recovery Month, Pickos said, it’s essential for people like himself and his staff to go out into the community as the faces and voices of recovery and take the central focus away from the disease. He estimates that 1.5 million people are in recovery in Florida. He said, “If we have a unified voice, we’ll be a force to be reckoned with because we pay taxes, we vote, and we do recover.” “Another big point of Recovery Month is to get out there and celebrate and speak openly so people have the opportunity to meet a person and see a face instead of relying on a label,” Pickos said. The Polk for Recovery executive director called the recovery community a family, and in some respects, more profound than that. Pickos spoke of unconditional acceptance and support. “Most of us who consider ourselves in recovery, of course, didn’t enjoy what we had to go through to get there, but once we’re there, you won’t find a more grateful group of people.” If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, contact Polk for Recovery for support and resources. Polk for Recovery FB: Polk for Recovery polkforrecovery.org

The couple behind Hart Art, Caroline and Laurie Hart, have had an exciting year. What started with a tiki bar turned into their own art gallery at a local resort. But more on that later. Let’s catch up with the Harts! The Hart Art story is one of international love, civil rights hard fought and won, and a shared creativity turned livelihood. Caroline hails from a small West Sussex village. She had a career in the radio industry, including the U.K.’s number-one commercial radio station, London’s Capital Radio. Creativity has been central to Caroline all her life. She loves to write and has trained as an artist, graphic designer, and photographer. Bostonian Laurie toured New England as a professional hula dancer from the age of 15. She went on to spend 17 years working in the medical field. The two met online in 2005. Caroline and Laurie sparked a connection over their appreciation of photography, theatre, and music. That spark would be kindled a month later when Caroline flew across the Atlantic to meet Laurie in person. “And that’s where we first met, at an airport in Boston,” Caroline said, smiling. On their website, “theLexperience,” Caroline writes, “Love definitely gave me more to feel inspired about, and my creativity has flourished.” And flourished it has. The Harts co-owned a photography business for 15 years in Massachusetts before moving to Winter Haven in 2019, looking to escape the frigid New England winters. They bought their home that August and registered theLexperience LLC as a business the next month as a joint creative venture and outlet. “We knew how important it was to tell our story. Everyone has a story,” Laurie said. The couple had honeymooned in Hawaii and celebrated their 10th anniversary on its crystalline beaches. Unable to travel with their 15th anniversary on the horizon, the Harts decided to bring Hawaii to them. “We thought we’d build our own Hawaiian oasis in our back [yard],” Caroline said. “We built this tiki bar, the two of us. It was crazy, and it was very funny because we’d never done anything like it before.” Upon constructing their backyard paradise, Caroline and Laurie embellished it with a painting. “That was always my love, doing art. Every kind of thing you could imagine – detailed pen and ink to oil painting,” Caroline said. Their neighbors loved the image, which inspired the pair to embark on more wood-based painting projects. They sold them to neighbors and friends, who in turn requested commission pieces. Fueled by creativity and encouragement, they ventured to local markets to sell their artwork. Caroline remembers thinking, ‘We could really make something of this.’ She added, “We are incredibly grateful for all the local support for our artwork and even have regulars who frequent the markets searching us out.” Leading up to their big break with Camp Margaritaville, the Harts were selling their work at the Winter Haven Farmers Market. “The local people have been wonderful support for us,” Laurie said. At the end of last year, they got the opportunity to join Small Business Sundays at Camp Margaritaville Auburndale’s twice-monthly indoor Paradise Market. “It feels like our artwork has found a home at Camp Margaritaville,” said Laurie. “They’ve embraced our artwork, and it feels like we’re part of the family at Camp Margaritaville.” “We always loved doing the tropical art,” said Caroline. “Once we got this opportunity with Camp Margaritaville, we were able to focus back into our original love.” The songs of Jimmy Buffett embody that laid-back Florida atmosphere. “We found this natural feeling drawn to creating pieces that were inspired by his music and all his songs,” said Caroline. “When we’re painting, we love to be listening to his music and then creating pieces that are inspired by the lyrics of his songs and that whole vibe of his that’s laid back, tropical paradise. Hearing his music makes us feel so connected in a way that we never had before.” The Parrot Heads, aka Jimmy Buffett fans, were drawn to Hart Art’s pieces. “We found that we instantly could bring to life all these songs, and they absolutely loved it,” said Caroline. The couple loves to hear fan stories about Jimmy Buffett and share their own. Laurie’s parents were married for over 30 years when her mother passed away. Her father was devastated and fell into a deep depression. Laurie decided to take her father to his firstever concert, Jimmy Buffett. “If you go to any of his concerts, you’re going to a world of escapism,” Laurie said. “For those two hours, he escaped his life for a while, and that joy is something I’ll always remember.” Caroline’s story with Buffett is a bit more lighthearted. The year is 1979, and 16-yearold Caroline is sprawled across the back of the family’s red Pontiac Firebird on their American vacation. One night, while heading towards Key West, looking for a place to eat, they passed an illuminated sign that read ‘Jimmy Buffett Tonight.’ Her mom said, ‘Oh, a Jimmy’ buffet,’ I wonder what that is.’” In addition to the bi-monthly markets they attend at Camp Margaritaville Auburndale, Hart Art hosts a monthly Sip and Paint there. Caroline leads the class, and Laurie offers help or guidance to those who need it. Tickets for their Sip and Paint can be purchased at centralfloridatix.com . Through their work with Camp Margaritaville, the Harts have been able to support another local small business, Stacy’s Printing, which makes all of their prints. “Camp Margaritaville has given us an opportunity as a big, branded company and we’re so grateful for that. We wanted to keep it local and help someone in our community,” said Laurie. Another connection to Buffett is Hart Art’s partnership with the Save the Manatee Club. The award-winning national nonprofit was established in 1981 by Jimmy Buffett and thenGovernor Bob Graham. For every original canvas that Hart Art sells at a Paradise Market, a portion of the funds are donated to Save the Manatee Club. In August, Hart Art’s gallery will open at Camp Margaritaville Auburndale with two walls displaying their original acrylic on canvas pieces and acrylic reproductions. “As artists, there’s nothing more rewarding than getting your own gallery,” said Caroline. “We couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity that Camp Margaritaville has given to us, allowing us to have our artwork permanently on display.” Save the Manatee Club will have a permanent feature on one wall in the gallery with a large sign featuring one of Hart Art’s pieces. Caroline said, “It’s like a dream come true. We keep saying to ourselves, ‘Are we really going to have a gallery at Camp Margaritaville?’” Hart Art IG @hartart2021 thelexperience.com Photograph by Amy Sexson

Richard’s is the kind of place where it’s easy to sit down and get lost in a book over a piping hot cup of tea or catch up with friends over cold brew. When Dave Tuttle started Richard’s Fine Coffees nearly 30 years ago, that was his vision – a place “where you could get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Drift off, if you wish, into another world.” No one knows Richard’s cozy home-feel better than new owners Koreen and Jimmy Hobbs. Richard’s Fine Coffees was Koreen’s first job outside of working with her father, a local chiropractor. She got the job with Dave two days after she turned 16 and worked there for nearly four years. “I just fell in love with the people and the industry,” Hobbs said. She and her husband even fell in love at the little coffee shop overlooking Central Park. When they started dating, Jimmy would come up to Richard’s and sit with Koreen during her late-night shifts (Richard’s closed at 11 pm back then). He’d help her close up, and they’d walk home to their downtown apartment together. “Our love flourished as well as our love for owning a coffee shop one day,” Hobbs said. Both Jimmy and Koreen worked for Eye Express for about ten years. Then Koreen went to school for aesthetics, where she met a woman who would soon become her friend. Koreen worked her way up through her friend’s business until she became the director of operations for eight years. Eventually, the company moved to California, and Koreen was looking for local employment. In the meantime, Jimmy moved on to car sales. Over the years, the Hobbs kept in touch with Tuttle. Jimmy even sold him a few cars. They’d tell Richard’s owner to let them know when he was ready to retire. That call came in September 2023. “It was funny how it all worked out for us because I was looking for something, and our dream was always to have a coffee shop.” The Hobbs dreamed of having a coffee shop when their two girls, Rylee and Laycee, graduated high school. The opportunity came a little earlier than that, with the girls aged 10 and 15, but they couldn’t refuse it. After working her way up through her friend’s company, Koreen felt business ownership was the next step for her. Last December 1, the Hobbs officially took ownership of Richard’s Fine Coffees. “When you have a business for as long as Dave did, for close to 30 years, he’s obviously doing something right. The basis of this business is our returning loyal customers, and making a lot of changes is something I didn’t want to do,” said Koreen. “We’re here to carry the torch, but put a little bit of a woman’s touch on it.” Along with its bright, cheery interior overlooking the vast green of the park downtown, Richard’s is known for, of course, its coffee. In addition to coffee creations and espresso beverages, the shop offers tea, smoothies, soft beverages, kombucha, and cold brew. Richard’s is most known for its killer pressed Cuban piled high with ham, roasted pork, Genoa salami, Swiss cheese, pickles, and homemade sauce on authentic Ybor City Cuban bread. The menu also boasts an assortment of breakfast sandwiches, hot and cold sandwiches, salads, chicken and tuna salad, bagels, and pastries. “We just want it to feel like your hometown coffee shop. Somewhere you can come where you’re comfortable to meet with a friend, go on a first date, or even business meetings,” said Hobbs, who noted that her favorite part about running Richard’s so far has been the people. She’s even reunited with customers she remembers serving when she worked there as a teen almost 20 years ago. “They’re the ones who keep the doors open and the lights on,” she said. The new owner described Richard’s as akin to “Cheers,” where you walk in, and everyone knows your name. Richard’s Fine Coffees is a family affair, with husband Jimmy recently coming on full-time and daughters Rylee and Laycee running the register and bussing tables when they can. Koreen said, “They love that it’s a familyowned business that they can come in and help with and that we can all be together a little bit more, too.” Richard’s Fine Coffees 330 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven (863) 291-3082 FB: Richard’s Fine Coffees IG @richards_coffee richardsfinecoffees.com Photography by Amy Sexson

Farhad and Gianna Rahmani, who met working as real estate agents, always knew they wanted to work with family. Farhad loved food and even remembers eating a tray packed full of McDonald’s items upon his arrival in America. He knew that he got joy out of cooking, so what better than to cook for others alongside his family? Farhad felt that he benefited greatly from learning to cook from his mother. “That helped me a lot,” he said, “I was able to feed myself.” He traveled a long journey from Iran to America for religious asylum and was grateful he could take care of himself in an unfamiliar country. The Rahmanis have lived all around the United States, but knew a place with palm trees was a place for them. They took up residence in Lakeland and noticed a lack of Persian and Mediterranean food options. “We heard that we need to start that option in Polk County,” Farhad recounted. The family’s food truck, Feasts of Persia, located at Union Hall, provides a wide range of options fusing American and Persian food. “It offers something for everyone,” Gianna said of their menu options. The family has even begun working with nutrition and fitness experts to supply dishes for a healthy diet. “This is an option where they can have that Mediterranean healthy lifestyle,” said Gianna. Feasts of Persia even offers a “Traditional Thursday” where they serve dishes for those who prefer Persian food the traditional way. The Rahmanis are happy that they can deliver these kinds of options to Polk County. “They’re so used to the mindset of ‘Orlando, Tampa’ for different or unique food,” Gianna said, “They’re starting to get that they don’t have to do that anymore. We’re right here.” Feasts of Persia is a great way to enjoy Persian meals without driving an hour through traffic. Not only are the Rahamanis providing for the community, but the community is providing for them. “You can see from our recent ribbon-cutting how the community just showed up,” Gianna said. Farhad explains having made lots of friends within the community. “The support’s been great,” he said. Along with the backing of their community, the Rahmanis feel lucky to have the support of their family. Gianna said, “It definitely makes all the challenges that we do have to face as a small business a lot more worth it.” While they enjoy cooking, Farhad and Gianna are also grateful for the time they get to spend alongside their sons Dominik and Nikolas. “There’s nothing that makes us happier than to be able to hang out with him all the time,” said Gianna about running a business with Dominik. Dominik Rahmani worked his first job at LEGOLAND, making funnel cakes. “It genuinely was fun working at the funnel cake station,” he said. Growing up with parents who instilled an ambitious mindset, Dominik knew funnel cakes were the perfect foundation for his first business, Funnel Feasts. Though he hadn’t expected to become a part of the food business, he certainly has enjoyed his experience. Recently, Dominik began funnel cake catering with a self-serve topping bar. “I wanted to cater a dessert that would be a lot more diverse and is something that anyone could customize,” he said. Dominik explained that with the addition of a topping bar, “they can put whatever toppings they want and then go off and have fun at the party.” Similar to Farhad and Gianna, Dominik is glad to be able to spend some quality time with his parents and his brother. As children, Nikolas and Dominik would join their father while Farhad toured properties and watched as he interacted with clients. The family has truly been working together long before Feasts of Persia. The outdoor setting of Feasts of Persia is reminiscent of a desert oasis. There is no need to stress about the Florida heat under the shady picnic tables. On hotter days, there are even cool misting fans. Whether one is in the mood for a kabob or a burger, Feasts of Persia will have you covered. Every bite of their Chicken Kabob sandwich is bursting with flavor, and the FOP Burger has all the American flavors of a Fourth of July party with a hint of those Persian roots. Try not to get too full yet because Dominik’s funnel cakes will melt in one’s mouth. Not only is the presentation of the Cheesecake Crunch Funnel Cake mouth-watering, but the sweetness of every bite is intoxicating. Dominik also sells smaller portions of his funnel cakes for those who might not be able to finish a whole one on their own. The Rahmani family delivers great food as well as the heartwarming example of a wholesome family. A family who laugh, smile, and do great business together. Gianna Rahmani smiled and said, “Friends are family and family are the best of friends.” Feasts of Persia 1023 Florida Ave S, Lakeland (863) 272-9330 FB: Feasts of Persia IG @feastsofpersia linktr.ee/feastsofpersia

When you think of pollution, you might think of garbage on the ground, smoke in the air, or oil in the ocean. These are types of pollution that you can often see, feel, and sometimes even smell, and they have serious impacts on the health of both humans and wildlife. However, there is one type of pollution that isn’t recognized as often: light. Light pollution can obscure the stars or wash the night sky with a hazy glow; and it is something we all contribute to. WHAT IS LIGHT POLLUTION? DarkSky International, one of the most renowned worldwide authorities on light pollution, defines it as “the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally.” So, what causes light pollution? · Streetlights · Downtown lighting · Electronic advertising (Think electronic billboards or screens on the sides of buildings) · Stadium/sports arena lighting · Home lighting and porch lights · Or any other human-made source of light There are also four main components of light pollution. Glare occurs when excessive brightness causes visual discomfort, such as headlights reflecting off your rearview mirror. Sky glow is the brightening of the sky, particularly at night. This is what contributes to the hazy, dull appearance of the sky in and around urban areas. Light trespass occurs when light falls where it isn’t needed, such as when streetlights cast light unnecessarily into the sky instead of just pointing down toward the street or sidewalk. Clutter is an extremely bright, excessive, and often disorienting grouping of light sources. Think Times Square: hundreds of billboards and screens flashing with colors and patterns. That’s a lot of light! SO WHAT? You might be wondering what the big deal is about light pollution. It can be annoying, sure, but haven’t we all just become accustomed to it? How does it really affect humans or wildlife? Well, when we are exposed to light pollution, our circadian rhythms can be disrupted, leading to detrimental impacts to our sleep, mood, and stress levels. Light pollution can also create hazards while driving. Glare caused by headlights, signs, and streetlights can cause visual discomfort or extremely limited vision while driving at night, potentially impacting anyone on or near the road. WHAT ABOUT WILDLIFE? Excessive light pollution can confuse, daze, or even “trap” migrating species. When blinded by nighttime lights, migrating birds may spend valuable energy trying to regain their bearings. However, they may not be able to escape the lights before becoming exhausted or colliding with trees, buildings, or even other birds. Firefly populations may be critically impacted. Fireflies rely on their natural light to communicate with one another. Light pollution reduces natural darkness, which means fireflies may be less able to mate, find food, or defend themselves, which could be detrimental to their populations. Research suggests that direct light, like headlights passing by, can disrupt firefly communication for as long as 20 minutes. Some species in Central Florida only flash for 40 minutes an evening, so you can see how this could be problematic for their reproductive success. Bats may not know when to leave the roost. Bats use the cycles of sunlight and darkness as cues to know when to leave the roost and begin looking for food. When artificial lights remain illuminated after dark, bats may not know when to leave the roost; essentially becoming trapped! Though the bats may leave the roost eventually, this may disrupt their natural feeding and resting cycles, leading to poor health or exhaustion. As with humans, the circadian clocks of wildlife species may become disrupted. Other mammals, birds, reptiles, and even fish rely on circadian cycles to hunt, forage, and sleep in the most efficient manner. When these cycles are disrupted, animals can waste time and energy, potentially missing out on food or rest. WHAT CAN I DO? Fortunately, we all play a role in contributing to light pollution, so we can all take steps to help reduce it! The easiest ways to reduce your impact on light pollution begin at home. Here are some simple steps you can take: · Change all outdoor lights to motion-activated to reduce the duration of light pollution · Close your blinds, or curtains, at night to reduce light escaping into the yard · Consider using string lights or lamps rather than overhead lighting Additional suggestions can be found by going to darksky.org , the official website of Dark Sky International. Outside of your own home, it can be difficult to influence lighting practices. However, one thing you can strive for is community education and communication. Share this article with a friend and talk about additional ways to reduce light pollution in Polk. Remember that we can all contribute - and each small contribution we make adds up, potentially improving the wellbeing of humans, wildlife, and natural areas globally. Take the time to turn out the lights, go outside, and look up at the night sky; you might be surprised by just how much you can see! Did you know? Fireflies are still found in Polk County’s rural and urban areas. Our office has recent reports of fireflies on Lakes Howard and Rochelle in Winter Haven, Loyce Harpe Park in Lakeland, and along the rural roads and pastures in Fort Meade and other areas of rural Polk County This article was written by Natural Resources Extension Program Intern, Ms. Hanley Renney, under supervision by Natural Resources and Conservation Extension Agent, Mrs. Shannon Carnevale.

Many people think of palm trees when they think of Florida. It is an iconic species and Florida’s state tree, specifically the cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto). Whether you inherit a landscape with mature palms or are considering planting palms in your yard, you will need to know how to properly care for them. This time of year is when we talk about fertilizing palms, so if your palms are exhibiting a nutrient deficiency, read the section on fertilizing closely and also take a listen to our palm fertilizer episode of Your Central Florida Yard podcast: link.chtbl.com/cSUckX8W . Here are the basics when it comes to planting, fertilizing, and pruning palms. Planting Palms One of the most common problems with landscape plants, especially trees and shrubs, is that they are planted too deep. This preventable practice can lead to the early decline or death of a plant, especially palm trees. When planting your palm, dig the planting hole about twice the diameter of the root ball and the depth so that the top of the root ball is even with the soil surface. Do not cut roots that wrap around a container-grown palm as this will affect the growth. This is a very different practice than planting broadleaf trees, where it is suggested to cut wrapping roots. Summer is a great time of year to plant both container and field grown palms. Always look for a cold-hardy palm that will grow in central Florida zone 9b/10a. Common palms for our area include pindo palm, European fan palm, mule palm and cabbage palm. Fertilizing Palms Do you have palms growing in or near your lush green lawn that always seem to look yellow? Palm trees in Florida are often nutrient deficient when grown in, or near, a fertilized lawn, which can lead to an unsightly appearance such as yellow fronds, brown and abnormal frond tips, streaking, spotting and other presentations. Fertilization is key in maintaining healthy palms. The recommended fertilizer analysis is 8-0-12+4Mg. The first three numbers represent the percentage of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and the fourth number is for magnesium (Mg). The fertilizer should also contain micronutrients. It is also important to look for a palm fertilizer that has nitrogen, potassium, and magnesium in slow-release form and that most of the micronutrients are in water soluble form. Correcting nutrient deficiencies can take up to 2 to 3 years. The application and timing method are also important. Palm fertilizer should be applied evenly under the canopy of the palm. Bands of fertilizer or spikes are not recommended since these concentrations may burn the palm roots. In central Florida, you can fertilize palms three times during the year, skipping a winter fertilizer application. It is also important to remember that if you are correcting existing nutrient deficiencies, the affected palm fronds will not recover to their preferred appearance. The new fronds will emerge with no symptoms. And, while it is tempting to cut off the unsightly fronds, it is not recommended. These fronds (until fully brown) continue to provide nutrients to the palm. Pruning Palms Another major problem with palms is over pruning. Only completely dead fronds should be removed as previously mentioned. While yellow leaves may be unsightly, they are an indication of something going on. These leaves should be left on as they are still helping to support the palm through mobile nutrients, such as potassium (K). A healthy palm tree should actually have a 360-degree canopy of leaves. However, often they are over pruned due to nutrient deficiency symptoms. It is also recommended to not remove leaves above the horizon of three to nine (like on a clock). Also, hurricane pruning is a harmful and unnecessary practice since it leaves the palm more susceptible in high wind situations. You may be wondering about the flowers and fruit stalks. It is fine to leave them or prune them. If you have a palm that produces fruit that you do not want dropping litter in the yard or a paved surface, it is easier to trim off the lighter flower stalk than waiting to prune a heavy fruit stalk. If you have questions about palms, need a palm problem identified, or have other gardening questions, 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-Friday, 9 am - 4 pm to answer your gardening and landscaping questions. Give us a call or email us at polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu . 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 . An Equal Opportunity Institution.

1 sorbet, any flavor 1 bottle of prosecco This couldn’t be easier or more delicious. Take a scoop of your favorite sorbet and pour prosecco over it in a cute glass. It’s perfect in this August heat. Please drink responsibly, ages 21+ only.

ARIES March 21 - April 19 The sun is scorching, but so is your energy! Use this month to start that new project you’ve been dreaming about. Cool off with an ice cream cone and dance to some classic ‘70s hits. TAURUS April 20 - May 20 Take a slow, lazy afternoon to lounge by the pool. Your steadfast nature will help you soak up the sun’s rays and the good vibes. Indulge in a refreshing lemonade and a bit of summer romance. GEMINI May 21 - June 20 Your social butterfly wings are in full flutter. Enjoy outdoor gatherings with friends and let the warm weather fuel your lively conversations. A picnic in the park with retro games is your perfect scene. CANCER June 21 - July 22 Nostalgia is your comfort zone, so dig out those old summer photos and reminisce. This is the perfect time for a family BBQ and some heartfelt bonding under the evening stars. LEO July 23 - August 22 It’s your time to shine, Leo! Throw a fabulous summer party and bask in the spotlight. Your charisma is as hot as the weather, and everyone wants to be around your vibrant energy VIRGO August 23 - September 22 The heat is on, but your focus is cooler than ever. Organize a summer reading list or dive into a creative project. A tranquil beach day with a good book is your slice of paradise. LIBRA September 23 - October 22 Balance the heat with some cool activities. Enjoy a scenic bike ride or a calm evening walk. Harmony and peace are your goals, so surround yourself with beauty and love this summer. SCORPIO October 23 - November 21 The summer heat intensifies your passions. Whether it’s a summer fling or a personal project, dive deep and embrace the intensity. Cool off with a midnight swim under the moonlight. SAGITTARIUS November 22 - December 21 Adventure calls and the summer sun fuels your wanderlust. Plan a spontaneous road trip or explore a new hiking trail. Freedom and discovery are your best companions this month. CAPRICORN December 22 - January 19 Even in the heat, your determination doesn’t waver. Use this time for some strategic planning and goal setting. Reward your hard work with a relaxing evening around a campfire. AQUARIUS January 20 - February 18 Your innovative spirit thrives in the warm weather. Host a quirky outdoor gathering or try a new summer hobby. Embrace the unconventional and let your unique style shine. PISCES February 19 - March 20 Dreamy days and warm nights are perfect for your imaginative soul. Spend time near water, whether it’s the beach, a lake, or a pool. Let your creativity flow as freely as the waves.

THE LOST CONTINENT By Bill Bryson Bill Bryson’s signature humor and sharp wit offer an insightful and often hilarious commentary on the unique quirks, cultures, and challenges of rural America. He reflects on the changing landscapes, the idiosyncrasies of local inhabitants, and the charm and eccentricity that define small-town life. THE KINGDOMS OF SAVANNAH By George Dawes Green On a quiet Southern night, a murder and a disappearance at Bo Peep’s bar lead to Morgana Musgrove, a domineering Savannah socialite, being called to solve the crimes. The novel vividly portrays the contrast between the city’s homeless camps and the homes of its elite, highlighting Savannah’s dark history and the intricate dysfunction of the Musgrove family. THE BOOK OF UNKNOWN AMERICANS By Cristina Henríquez When fifteen-year-old Maribel Rivera suffers a severe injury, her family moves from Mexico to an apartment complex in Delaware to get her the necessary medical care in the United States. Maribel soon catches the eye of Mayor Toro, a neighbor’s son who feels a deep connection with her. Their love story sets off events with significant consequences for everyone involved. THE TRACKERS By Charles Frazier In Depression-era America, painter Val Welch travels to Dawes, Wyoming, for a New Deal assignment to create a mural for the new Post Office. He stays with the wealthy John Long and his wife Eve, who have mysterious pasts. Eve suddenly flees with a valuable painting. Val’s pursuit for Eve takes him through Hoovervilles, San Francisco nightclubs, and Florida swamps, uncovering secrets that could change their lives dramatically. A DEATH IN DOOR COUNTY By Annelise Ryan Morgan Carter, owner of Odds and Ends bookstore in Door County, Wisconsin, hunts cryptids as a hobby. When bodies with suspicious injuries appear on Lake Michigan’s shores, Police Chief Jon Flanders asks for her help. Skeptical yet intrigued, Morgan and her dog, Newt, venture to Death’s Door strait to investigate a possible lake monster, risking their lives in the process. GATOR COUNTRY By Rebecca Renner Officer Jeff Babauta sets up the Sunshine Alligator Farm to infiltrate illegal poachers in the Florida Everglades. Amidst glow-in-the-dark alligators and airboat rides, Jeff learns that many poachers are simply trying to survive. This true story combines reporting, nature writing, and personal narrative to depict the moral complexities and vibrant landscapes of Florida. LONE WOMEN By Victor LaValle In 1915, Adelaide Henry carries a locked steamer trunk that causes people to vanish when opened. Fleeing California after a tragic incident, she settles in Montana as a homesteader, always accompanied by her ominous trunk. Despite being part of a wave of “lone women” claiming free land, Adelaide harbors a dark secret that might be her only hope for survival in the unforgiving frontier. BEAR By Julia Phillips Siblings Sam and Elena, born and raised on an island off the coast of Washington, struggle to make ends meet. Sam works on a ferry and Elena bartends, but their combined efforts aren’t enough. When Sam encounters a bear swimming near their home one night, it sparks fear and a desire to leave the island. However, Elena is captivated by the bear, leading to a rift in their shared dream of a different life.