FRIED GREEN TOMATOES AT THE WHISTLE STOP CAFÉ By Fannie Flagg The classic novel about two women: Evelyn and Mrs. Threadgoode, who is telling her life story. Her tale includes two more women, the irrepressibly daredevilish tomboy Idgie and her friend Ruth who back in the thirties ran a little place in Whistle Stop, Alabama, where along with coffee, it had the occasional murder. DELICIOUS! By Ruth Reichl Working as a public relations hotline consultant for a once-prestigious culinary magazine, Billie Breslin unexpectedly enters a world of New York restaurateurs and artisanal purveyors while reading World War II letters exchanged between a plucky 12-year-old and James Beard. KITCHENS OF THE GREAT MIDWEST By J. Ryan Stradal When Lars Thorvald is left to raise his daughter alone, he’s determined to pass on his love of food. As Eva grows, she becomes the star chef behind a legendary and secretive pop-up supper club, culminating in an opulent and emotional feast that’s a testament to her spirit and resilience. THE BRIAR CLUB By Kate Quinn Everyone keeps to themselves at Briarwood House, but when the lovely, mysterious widow Grace March moves in, she draws her oddball collection of neighbors into an unlikely friendship. When a shocking act of violence tears the house apart, the Briar Club women must decide who is the true enemy. BLACK CAKE By Charmaine Wilkerson Eleanor Bennett’s death leaves behind a puzzling inheritance for her two children, Byron and Benny; a black cake, made from a family recipe with a long history, and a voice recording. The tale Eleanor unfolds, the secrets she still holds back, and the mystery of a long-lost child challenge everything the siblings thought they knew about themselves. FIRST FROST By Sarah Addison Allen Autumn has finally arrived in the small town of Bascom, North Carolina, heralded by a strange old man appearing with a beat-up suitcase. He has stories to tell, stories that could change the lives of the Waverley women forever, as if they didn’t have enough on their plates already. THE KITCHEN FRONT By Jennifer Ryan Two years into World War II, and U-boats have cut off the supply of food. In an effort to help housewives with food rationing, a BBC radio program is holding a cooking contest, and the grand prize is a job as the program’s first-ever female cohost. For four very different women, winning the competition would present a crucial chance to change their lives. CHRISTMAS ON THE ISLAND By Jenny Colgan It’s a time for getting cozy in front of whisky barrel wood fires, and enjoying a dram and a treacle pudding with the people you love. Unless, of course, you’ve accidentally gotten pregnant by your ex-boss, and

If you had to choose, which would you pick: teaching an entire class of T. Rexes how to paint (reminder about the big heads and little arms) or participate in a figure drawing class of Lady Gaga in her meat suit, but you’re blindfolded, so you have to rely on touch and smell? For Sara Jones, Director of SPACE Art Collective, there is no choice. “T-Rex art class. Easy. Literally the same as teaching art to Kindergarteners, which I do on the regular.” Maybe one day T. Rex art classes will be a possibility, but for now at least we know the love of art and support of artists isn’t extinct in Polk County. Especially through Jones’ efforts to highlight and support marginalized art and artists through her collective. Sara says, “Art is important to this community because it’s one of our last hopes for civil communication between people. Art serves as a vessel for discourse when words aren’t able to do the job correctly.” As someone who has been deeply immersed in art and had my views of the world thoroughly expanded through exposure to the arts outside of what I practice, I know firsthand how impactful access to the arts can be. Sara said it best with, “We are teeming with artists who are itching to find each other, like magnets suspended on the opposite sides of a barrier. I have been uplifted and challenged by so many artists here.” We know that there is a deeply rooted love of art in Polk County, reflected in our amazing museums, schools, festivals, and showcases. However, as with many things, access to resources and opportunities for everyone is not always guaranteed. Enter SPACE (Sanctuary for Polk’s Arts, Culture, and Education) Art Collective! Jones came up with the idea behind SPACE after realizing, that what Polk County artists really need is advocacy. “We need people to hold space for nontraditional art, for art that’s normally denied from art shows for being too ‘risky,’ and for art that represents marginalized creatives.” SPACE also wants to take some of the dependence off the formalized gallery spaces for artists to showcase their work by leveraging community through partnerships with local businesses and venues. With the closure of ART/ ifact Studios last year, Jones was inspired to create SPACE in a more pop-up format, which allows for artists and creatives in the Polk County community to take up more space. Currently, SPACE has been organizing art swaps, showcases, and meetings to bring the art community together, while also blasting various other showcases and events through their social media presence. Jones has some exciting plans in store, including a large art festival in early 2026, called SPACE Invasion, that will serve to hold space for artists in Polk County, and maybe beyond. Live music, performance art, short films, and installations are a major part of the plan. “We’re hoping to partner with the Depot, a new gallery and artist residency in Lakeland, to make this dream come true.” Visual artists aren’t the only ones being represented and uplifted, either. Sara shared that she hopes to foster a space for ALL types of art and artists in a way that is respectful and courteous. “This can be a sticky thing to navigate, because opinions and feelings still matter when you promote certain types of art. But if SPACE can exist as a meeting point for artists and patrons of all backgrounds, we can begin to build better bridges in our communities. Bridges that encourage us to talk to each other through our art. You don’t have to like or agree with everyone’s work, ideologies, or experiences, but everyone deserves a chance to bring their discussions to the table” says Jones. She speaks from experience as someone who hasn’t always had a seat at the table, between her own personal history with being rejected from art school and being told she couldn’t do any art in past close relationships to becoming one of the preeminent Polk County visual artists, being published in magazines, and being voted Lakeland’s Best Visual artist for the last two years in LKLD’s “Best Of” issues. “I’ve never been good with words, and art gave me a way to express my feelings, opinions, and experiences without having to ‘say’ anything,” though post this interview, I may need to let Jones know she’s no slouch with words either. The future of SPACE is full of possibility and sparkle, and Jones has high aspirations for what the next 5-10 years could hold for the group. “The GRAND scheme of SPACE is to eventually open an arts center. How? I don’t know yet. I’m hoping that as SPACE grows and welcomes more members, I will meet people with the knowledge and skills to help and teach me how to do this properly.” She’s hoping to have multiple working artists in residence, classes for the professional side of artistic growth (i.e. how to market yourself, how to get into markets, art classes for all levels of artists, how to host your own shows, etc.), rental spaces for arts therapy or mental health resources in the form of artistic expression, a gallery/staging areas for art shows or performances, a cafe for people to relax, socialize, and feed their bodies when they remember to take a break and eat, and grants for artists to be able to grow professionally without backing it all themselves. Make sure to follow SPACE on social media platforms to keep up to date with all of the exciting events happening in the county. Maybe you’ll discover a new passion or a new artist you can’t live without. You’ll get to see more of the wonderful life our local artists bring to the community and help make Polk County such a wonderful place to live. Or, if you’d like to give more than a bump to their social media numbers, there are a few other things SPACE is currently looking for to help broaden their reach and expand what they can offer to our local artists. Jones told me they are always looking for volunteers to help with their events and give ideas for future pop-ups. You can find SPACE pop-ups at some of your favorite local businesses and venues such as, Florida Southern’s Melvin Gallery, Quinteassence Kava Bar or Hillcrest Coffee Shop, however they are always looking for other small businesses and spaces to host events, or exhibit artwork. If you have a space and are looking to make it even more amazing with local art, email SPACE Art Collective through their link on Instagram or Facebook. Jones says, “It’s expensive to rent out a venue, but a small business that wants to bring in more people is MUCH more ideal and mutually beneficial. We’d love to find more business owners who would be happy to let us throw an art show, host a concert, or support a figure study night.” Additionally, if you have the means to donate, SPACE is actively fundraising for a PA system to support musicians, poets, and other vocal artists, funds for continuous event insurance, and eventual nonprofit registration fees. Don’t SPACE out and forget to follow this amazing group. SPACE ART COLLECTIVE IG @space.artcollective FB: SPACE Art Collective

The Black and White Photography class at Polk State College is far more than its name suggests. This foundational film course is a gateway to mastering the art and science of photography, offering students hands-on experience with 35-mm cameras, film processing and darkroom techniques that are unique in Polk County. Under the guidance of Professor Sarah Brewington, students like Candace Knoebel, Michael Comings, and Ean Pennypacker are discovering the timeless craft of film photography, and its influence on their creative journeys and career pursuits. “I would recommend the film class because it is such a great learning opportunity as to how we got to our media today,” said Comings, a student and lab assistant in the Digital Media Technology Program. “There are a lot of parallels between the problem-solving that there was 20, 30, 50 years ago, and the tools that we use today.” A PROFOUND HISTORY Brewington shared the importance and relevancy of film photography in an increasingly digital world, citing a “darkroom renaissance” driven by a desire for the mindful process and unique aesthetic of analog photography. The course bridges the past and the present, drawing parallels between the problemsolving of early photography and modern practices. “Photography is one of those magical things we have all become incredibly good at,” she wrote. “All the continually changing technology is in place to help us take wonderful, if not incredible, photos. However, photography’s profound history includes a groundbreaking industry shift from film to digital that is rarely considered, remembered or was even experienced.” This historical perspective deepens students’ appreciation for the medium and enhances their work, both analog and digital. “The full integration of digital photography into today’s world means that many students here at Polk State have never experienced a world without instant image capture – some have never known photography without smartphones,” she explained. “While this photographic evolution has opened an entire world to us in the palms of our hands, it has also distanced those same hands from the tactile experience of making a photograph rather than simply taking one.” The course’s emphasis on foundational techniques empowers beginners and seasoned creatives alike to refine their craft and critical thinking skills. “[Film photography] is a really good challenge to stop and think about what I’m taking a picture of. You really have to think about the composition, and it has been a really inspiring challenge to my creativity to see what I can do,” Knoebel said. “The skill that I’m gaining from this course is confidence in myself. It’s building me up with trusting myself and my instincts.” PEERS ECHOED THIS BOOST IN CREATIVITY AND CONFIDENCE. “There are different ways of thinking about film and digital. What attracted me to the medium was getting in touch with the old process of taking pictures and expanding my knowledge. Nowhere else would teach me how to develop film, so I was really excited to see that here at Polk State,” Pennypacker said. “The beauty of film is that we are rolling with the imperfections and figuring out how to improve.” Comings elaborated that the meticulous process teaches students to be intentional with every shot – a skill that translates seamlessly into digital photography and other creative processes. “I can really spend a lot of time trying to figure out how the lights and the shadows of my environment will impact my final prints,” he said. “That’s hands-down making me a better photographer.” INVESTING IN THE ARTS AND STUDENTS The heart of the course lies in the College’s state-of-the-art darkroom, a space that Professor Brewington describes as “magic” and a “rare gem” in Central Florida. It was integral to preserve the facility during Polk State’s $16.2 million renovation of its Winter Haven Fine Arts (WFA) Building. “It feels like an investment in the students,” Knoebel expressed. “It elevates what we are able to do and gives us hands-on experience with equipment used in the industry. It better prepares us going forward into the workforce.” Reopened for the first time since 2019, the Black and White Photography course was the first of the photography offerings to reach capacity, proving a popular choice for students. “Film photography offers students across all disciplines, whether pursuing nursing, business, engineering, or the arts, a chance to slow down and engage with a truly foundational art form that translates beautifully to any field of study,” Brewington said. At the beginning of the course, students start with photograms by placing objects directly onto light-sensitive paper, exposing it to light and chemically developing and fixing the paper in the darkroom. “When the image starts to appear, the reaction that these students have will never leave me,” Brewington exclaimed. Knoebel described the moment she developed her first roll of film – photos of her daughter. “It was a rush,” Knoebel recalled. “Everybody started cheering. The entire class is filled with so much kindness and encouragement.” HONORING A PREDECESSOR The late Professor of Photography David Woods advocated for the preservation of film education and was integral in the design of the photo studio and darkroom during the WFA renovation. Brewington served as an adjunct faculty member teaching photography in 2012-2013 when Woods was at the helm of the program. “Despite film serving as the foundation of his photographic practice, [Woods] had fluctuating student enrollment in his courses whenever society declared film photography ‘obsolete,’” Brewington said. “By 2009, declining interest had left our darkroom exactly that – an empty and dark room, void of student life and creativity.” Woods told The Ledger in 2015, in response to whether he would teach film again, that the pendulum would swing back. “Today, I have the privilege of helping our students experience film photography’s resurgence rather than its decline – a vindication of his patience and foresight,” Brewington exclaimed. Now with a state-of-the-art facility retrofitted with top-tier tools and an expert instructor dedicated to continuing her predecessor’s legacy, there is an unparalleled opportunity for Polk State students to engage with photography. Those enrolled have called the film course, specifically, an experience that they could not find anywhere else. “The access that we have to great instruction and great equipment here at Polk State is amazing. You really don’t even get that at expensive colleges, and here at Polk State, it is very affordable, but you are still receiving a high-quality education,” Pennypacker said. “I searched for this opportunity and couldn’t really find it anywhere else. I was excited to find it right here at Polk State.” Photos by Millie Lopez

As evident by the many construction sites all across the city, Winter Haven is changing. New stores, new housing developments, and new recreational centers are being built and will result in the physical representation of the area’s growth. However, the ideals that permeate special pockets remain constant, such as those held by the 75-year staple that is the Ridge Art Association (RAA). RAA’s objective is to provide an open door for all to appreciate art, the literal creation of art, and the expansive existence of art in society. “Anything in this world that’s produced requires an artist, someone came up with the idea, someone designed it, someone illustrated it … someone creative,” says Ron Malone, Executive Director of RAA. “You need the arts. And I tell kids everything you touch, see, feel, do, hear, you’re wearing clothes, you listen to some music, an artist touched all of that. Everything,” adds Christy Hemenway, the Director of Events and Exhibitions. As art advocates, they know creativity, expression, and art of every genre can sit at the center of, well, everything. Art is throughout life. It’s the song on the radio that reminds you of car rides with your dad. It’s the pink polka dot scarf you bought last February. It’s the cover of this magazine that caught your attention. It moves and it matters. The directors of the RAA understand that, and they long for the rest of the county to as well. When speaking to Hemenway and Malone on separate occasions, they each have their own highlights about their work with the Association, “We’re free to the public, so art is always available. But with donations, we are able to give away over $25,000 every year in prize money to the artists.” Hemenway is moved most by the impact that can be made with a particular investment in the youth. “It’s proven how art involvement can help with math, your studies, how you think. [So] we have a Young Artists Show that allows teachers to bring in pieces from their students to be showcased. The winners get $1,000 and at least one senior portfolio can win a $1,000 scholarship to Polk State.” Malone, who teaches multiple subjects for RAA, emphasizes the appeal of the classes they offer. “They’re like therapy and a lot of fun. They can even be a place to develop and help them with their careers. I think that’s why the classes are popular.” Malone also describes how artists can have a cycle of growth relationship with the association and the art community through the classes, “We give them the opportunity to learn how to teach. They come in and do a demo, we mentor them, and we see if they’re in a position to teach a class. So not only do we show their work, but they can show their techniques [to others].” Where the interests of RAA’s directors may trace different frames of concern, they realign back at art being accessible. That is the focal point. That remains. At present, RAA has five municipal shows located at Winter Haven City Hall, Winter Haven Regional Airport, Lake Alfred City Hall, Mackay Gardens, and Haines City Library. “What I love about the municipal shows is that not all people will go to an art gallery to look at art, but if they’re in a municipal for a different reason and they happen upon art, they may not go out of their way to look at it, but it’s right there for them,” notes Hemenway. The attempt to touch the masses that eagerly or unintentionally consume art is consistent. Along with exhibits sharing art around Polk County, RAA offers several classes ranging from Ink & Watercolor Painting, Oil Painting, Basic Drawing, and Stained Glass for Beginners to Pottery, and Beyond Basic IV in Watercolors. The classes and main draw is that the gallery stands across the foyer from Theatre Winter Haven. “We do five shows a year inside the art gallery that we run concurrent with Theatre of Winter Haven performances, so we capture their audience, and their audience has something to do as well [during pre-show and intermission],” describes Hemenway. RAA activates its section of the building with multifarious art forms including sculptures, large mixed media art, photography, and paintings. In the 75th year of RAA, the purpose to remain immersed in art is unchanged and determined. But like its host city, RAA has revamped and has plans to further improve. They have a new classroom for pottery, a stained-glass studio, and a new small gallery that opened two months ago. They are remodeling a conference room filled with art on the walls so those who come in for meetings will be exposed to the work. In addition to the evolving space, the RAA has grown in membership. “When I started [with the leadership team] we had about 120 members, we now have over 300,” states Malone with a subtle pride about the increase. He attributes the attraction to stronger communication through a more interactive web presence and more social activities for the association’s constituents to feel truly involved. The involvement does not stop there. The Festival of Trees is the next event, and the Miniature Art Exhibition is next on the docket for the gallery, both are set for the weekend before Thanksgiving. Hemenway asserts how the events that the Association hosts often have direct ties to upliftment of partners, “My goal when I brought back Festival of Trees, was to have about eight non-profits benefit from it. It’s more of a community event, not just Ridge Art.” “That’s why [we] formed a team, instead of just being the Executive Director, we share, we have three people with very different views, and we come together along with our staff, and we talk about what we’re going to do. And the whole thing is about being creative in how we make a difference in the community,” asserts Malone. Here again, the two directors keep tradition and use modifications where necessary, while remaining steady in the aim of RAA; accessible art is good for all. RIDGE ART ASSOCIATION 210 Cypress Gardens Blvd SW, Winter Haven ridgeart.org Photos by Amy Sexson

WHAT NOTTA? If Lakeland were the “small” town setting for a budding film festival romcom and the main characters met up for a day date, they would meet at Notta Gallery. With the farmers market in the background, they would stroll up the incline of N. Kentucky Ave. knowing Downtown was the perfect choice. There are just enough people around to not feel either secluded or overwhelmed. There is just enough happening to provide options just in case the date goes stale. They would walk to the chic, inviting space and be greeted by one of the owners at the entrance, hands splotched with colors he’s using to paint the Notta sign and direct passersby to spend some of their time inside. Another owner is at the welcome desk contentedly explaining the gallery’s latest exhibit: “Love, Lakeland.” The gallery is perfect for their conversation. (And a significant other. A brother. A bestie. Two besties, even. But for this imagined movie, it is the crush that hasn’t been seen since college.) It supplies all the right scenarios where the movie wants to show the protagonists visually stimulated to ooh, ahh, and hmm audibly or through their disposition. Before getting too far into the exhibit, the characters chat with a plant-based baker, Laura Sank, selling vegan desserts (they buy her white chocolate pecan blondie that is delicious). Notta’s vibe is familiar, the artwork both striking and straightforward. Our pretend camera pans across art made by actual Central Florida artists. It shows Chris Roll’s “Three Figures series” and Chanique Davis’s “It’s All Coming Together” abstract piece. There’s a montage of mixed art and the acrylic oil painting, the comic sketches of Aaron Conley (who makes a cameo as the DJ for the gallery’s First Fridays event), and Jeremy Riviera’s layered photography, which made one character comment about how they should have paid more attention in photo journalism & color theory. The music fades and the hopeful couple stops in front of Sara Savannah Jones’ “In A Barbie World” and exchange one-liners about the societal commentary the piece represents. The more engrossed character then finds themselves pulling their date closer so they can peek around a corner to see an artist transforming a canvas onsite. They’re whispering about how special it is to watch the creative process happen, to witness someone delve into their artistic mode right in front of them. They turn to face one another and both say in unison, “We’ve got to come back.” This is how Notta thrives, in what lingers after a visit, the desire to have more time there. WHO NOTTA? The best events, businesses, ideas, and places come to fruition when the right people are in agreement. Notta’s team of cofounders illustrate this. Their six degrees of separation are now an intertwined collective of visionaries. Andy and Katie Webb are married. Katie knew Tony Agnello through networking. And Tony is engaged to Danielle Klonecki. All of them creatives and business owners, all of them exultant to construct a gallery that would illuminate the work of area artists and energize visitors to become supporters. “I want people to leave wanting to come back. I always want people to wonder what’s new at the gallery,” says Danielle. Andy follows, “... the biggest compliment is when we have people come in and say they feel like they aren’t in Lakeland, but in Miami or New York.” “It’s exciting, cause, wow, they like this version and we’re not even done yet. I’ve been proud of that,” inserts Katie. Tony adds, “... we’ve all put together something we’re going to be proud of for the rest of our lives.” The cofounders, as synchronized as possible, state the gratification they have in the assembly of their unit and the assembly of the gallery. Danielle describes the fulfillment she’s found in the team, “I think what I’m most proud of is the group of people we put together and how quickly we made this dream [happen] and how excited the community is about it. The people that we have together are the right people and sometimes you can’t find that out until you’re in the mud figuring things out and building it together.” The team then lists the many other organizations they are grateful to form alliances/partnerships with. They appreciate their surprising success in curating community. They appreciate cooperative efforts. They appreciate the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority and those at Depot Arts District. They appreciate the other businesses in the area and the farmers market. They especially appreciate Steven Raya (who originally assisted with logistical relationships and contracts but is now the Communications Manager for Notta). Katie jumps to detail how Steven has complimented the business, “when [Tony] met him and saw his background was in the creative field, he was so perfectly meant to be in this gallery space as its champion. He has picked up so many balls that we have not had a chance to grab; he has helped us immensely.” The inspiration of the gallery appears to be in the right hands and connected to the right people. WHY NOTTA? Because it promises so much. It is not just a gallery. At least only a single one for now. The team dreams of having satellite galleries. They want to host workshops and have classes. They want to have events, holiday season exhibitions, and themed weeks. “We want a design week where we can highlight art, fashion, interiors, music, and food that we’re currently planning for next year. For this year, we’re going to have another exhibition, leading into the holidays. We will be adding new pieces representing new artists,” Andy states. Most importantly they want art to be for everyone. Tony asserts, “We’re really trying to create lovers of artwork. We’re trying to create people that want to invest into local creators. We want them to love it, but we want them to also want to desire to support it.” And it starts with going there. NOTTA GALLERY 125 N Kentucky Ave, Lakeland nottagallery.com Photos by Amy Sexson

Mary Correa is the vice president of the Lakeland Arts Association and was kind enough to answer a few questions about the new Depot Art District in Lakeland. Learn about their vision for making art more accessible, their passion for community, and how they’re turning inspiration into impact. WHERE DID THE IDEA FOR THE DEPOT ARTS DISTRICT ORIGINATE? The Lakeland Arts Association (LAA) had long had a dream of having a physical location to host workshops and gallery space. Over the past year, we have met with several city officials and members of the local arts community, but had been unable to find a location that our non-profit could afford and sustain. In June of this year, we were introduced to the owner of Lakeland Town Center and realized that our ideas for an arts community could be a collaboration. The owner came to us with an unused space inside the shopping plaza. As the spouse of an artist, he was as excited as we were about creating an arts hub for Lakeland. The Depot Arts District by Lakeland Arts Association covers almost 10,000 square feet of space with 36 artist studios, 2 classroom spaces, 5,000 square feet of gallery space, a kiln room, a retail store, and an art supply re-use store. As we thought about the arts community, we wanted to honor the origins of the town, the railroad. The Depot Arts District is a nod to the historic beginnings of Lakeland. HOW DO YOU SEE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE LAA AND THE DEPOT EVOLVING OVER TIME? MC: The Depot Arts District will always be a part of the Lakeland Arts Association. The LAA board will be the ultimate deciding factor for any activities within the Depot, working alongside the Depot Steering Committee. LAA provides the programming that will keep the Depot alive and bustling. WHAT IS THE CORE MISSION OF LAA, AND HOW IS THAT TRANSLATED INTO THE DESIGN AND OPERATION OF THE DEPOT? MC: The main mission of LAA is to foster art in our community and provide opportunities for artists within the community. This is the main purpose of the Depot. Lakeland has not had a sustainable, affordable studio rental option for artists. This project gives many artists the opportunity to focus on their artwork. Through the educational and entertainment programming, LAA will engage with the community and increase the amount of art touch points. HOW ARE YOU BALANCING PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS, EMERGING ARTISTS, & HOBBYISTS? MC: Our programming offers a variety of offerings, so there is something for everyone. Our educational opportunities vary from a two-hour Take Two Intro workshop to 3-day intensive trainings. We also offer a variety of creative business workshops to learn about branding, social media, and website construction. WHAT AMENITIES AND SHARED RESOURCES WILL BE PROVIDED? MC: We are currently working on the installation of two new kilns in our kiln room. These will be available to ceramic artists with studios at the Depot and in the community through a monthly membership. Our two education centers will focus on adult and child education, providing a variety of workshops for all creatives. The retail store will feature artwork of local artists as well as creative products and our signature Depot apparel. Our future re-use store will include lightly used art supplies available at a discount to local artists. ARE THERE PLANS FOR GALLERY SHOWS, WORKSHOPS, OR PROGRAMMING? MC: Our Grand Opening is Saturday, November 1st. This first event will include an Artist Walk, where the community can engage with artists in their studios. We are extending the Halloween weekend by including a studio decorating contest and an opportunity for anyone to come dressed as their favorite artwork. We will also have our first gallery show opening the same night. You can browse all three galleries, which will be filled with artwork from Polk County artists. Our Artist Walks will continue each month, on the first Saturday. Our education centers have already begun booking workshops. These workshops are open to the public and registration is available on our website. WHAT IMPACT DO YOU THINK THE DEPOT WILL HAVE IN 5–10 YEARS? MC: Over the next 5-10 years, Lakeland will become known as the arts town. The Depot Arts District will provide studios for artists, helping create small businesses. By having a central arts community, arts organizations across Polk County will be able to collaborate and increase everyone’s reach. The gallery space at the Depot is going to give many opportunities for artists to show their work to the community. Plus, by increasing outreach to the general community, we increase the recognized importance of the arts. I expect that we will look back at this moment as the start of a big change for the arts in Lakeland and Polk County. ARE THERE PLANS TO EXPAND BEYOND THE INITIAL PHASES? MC: LAA has many lists of dreams for the Depot Arts District. We want this location to serve all artists in the community. We are excited to already have a variety of creative endeavors in the Depot, including musicians, visual artists, ceramicists, dancers, and photographers. Our ability to sustain and expand the Depot Arts District will be dependent on the support of our community. Although LAA is extremely grateful for the space allocated to us, we are not financially benefiting from this collaboration. Our organization relies on the financial support and volunteer labor in our community. That help is needed more now than ever. THE DEPOT ARTS DISTRICT 955 E Memorial Blvd, Lakeland lakelandartsassociation.com FB: Depot Arts District IG @depotartsdistrict

Dwight Icenhower is bringing a blue suede Christmas to Winter Haven! The only tribute artist to snag five Ultimate Elvis awards at Graceland, Dwight’s been rockin’ around the Christmas tree since his Ohio days, when his mom got him hooked on the King’s movies and tunes. By 16, he was hunk-a-hunk-a burning love on the high school stage and even scored his first paid gig at a teacher’s wedding. What started as a little less conversation and a lot of rock ‘n’ roll soon became a full-time career, and today, Dwight’s performing 150–200 nights a year across the globe, with a few special Christmas shows sprinkled in for extra holiday cheer. With a baritone spanning four octaves, he serenades fans with classics like “It’s Now or Never,” “Santa Bring My Baby Back (to Me),” and “Blue Christmas,” leaving audiences all shook up and jingling with joy. Now calling Florida home, Dwight invites fans to come out to Holidays on Central for a free (yes, free) Elvis Christmas show. Dwight explains, “We are putting together a fantastic show of all the Elvis classics and many of the Christmas favorites! There will definitely be lots of rock ‘n’ roll, lots of Christmas, and a whole lotta shakin’ going on!” As a resident of Winter Haven, Dwight talks about why he wanted to do this special show. “... I really want to become more involved in our beautiful city! We love our city, and I look forward to bringing the music of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll to the people!” Catch Dwight Icenhower’s free performance from 2:30 – 4 p.m. Holidays on Central is back for its second year on December 6 at Central Park, South Central Park, and Virginia Miller Park. This is the largest holiday event in Downtown Winter Haven, bringing in over 100 vendors from all over Central Florida, plus food trucks, live entertainment, interactive activities, and a visit from the big man himself, Santa Claus! Stop by to shop and eat from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. DWIGHT ICENHOWER December 2, 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The Ritz 263 W Central Ave, Winter Haven theatrewinterhaven.com December 20 The Gem Theater 118 NW 1st Ave, Mulberry gemtheatermulberry.org HOLIDAYS ON CENTRAL December 6, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Central Park, South Central Park, & Virginia Miller Park Downtown Winter Haven facebook.com/destroyermediaandmarketing Photo by Kamryn Potteiger

Thank you to Jane McGinnis, president of the Woman’s Club of Winter Haven (WCWH), for sharing their latest and most exciting project with us. Find out how they are supporting 172 female veterans on a trip to Washington D.C. in 2026 below. TELL US ABOUT THE WOMAN’S CLUB OF WINTER HAVEN. WCWH: The Woman’s Club of Winter Haven is the oldest civic organization in the city of Winter Haven. It was organized in 1913 and was chartered as the Women’s Civic League. The motto “Not for Ourselves but for Others” was adopted by the thirteen original members, with Dr. Mary Bell Jewett elected as the first president. In 1944, the organization changed its name to the Woman’s Club of Winter Haven. The Club’s early causes focused on community improvement, beautification of the city and each other’s fellowship. The ladies were instrumental in improving sanitary conditions in the schools, getting the mule stables and railroad switching yards moved from downtown, creating a park, and establishing the public library. The Woman’s Club of Winter Haven building at 660 Pope Avenue was dedicated in 1925 and is on the National Historic Register. The Club gifted the building to the City of Winter Haven; it is now home to the Museum of Winter Haven History. As long as our organization exists, we have use of the building for our meetings and special events. New members are always welcome. WHAT IS THE FLIGHT OF HONOR PROJECT AND WHY IS IT A MEANINGFUL INITIATIVE FOR THE GENERAL FEDERATION OF WOMEN’S CLUBS OF FLORIDA (GFWC)? WCWH: GFWC Florida President, Sara Drusseau chose to honor GFWC Florida women veterans with her state project – A Flight of Honor. A total of 172 female veterans will be able to experience a wonderful adventure, embarking on a one-day trip to Washington D.C. on March 11, 2026. The chartered flight, leaving from Lakeland will include a visit to The World War II Memorial, The Korean War Memorial, The Lincoln Memorial, and The Vietnam Memorial as well as a trip to the Women’s Military War Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery to see the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. All the participating veterans, guardians and any GFWC member that would like to attend will be hosted at a dinner the night before the flight and welcomed home with a final celebration. HOW DID THE WCWH BECOME INVOLVED IN THIS STATEWIDE CHALLENGE? WCWH: Last fall we were challenged, as each of the 189 General Federation of Women’s Clubs in Florida was challenged, to make a financial contribution for our GFWC FLA President’s project: Flight of Honor. The financial goal of this project is $150,000 which includes not only the flight itself but all of the hotel expenses for the veteran and their guardian. HOW DID THE IDEA FOR “FLORIDA IS GOLDEN: RICHNESS IN NATURE” COME ABOUT? WHAT KINDS OF IMAGES DID YOU COLLECT? WCWH: Challenged with this task, the project evolved to not just raising funds for this once-in-a-lifetime event but became another gift to the City of Winter Haven from our 112-year-old organization. In creating a book, “Florida is Golden: Richness in Nature,” we are showcasing the beauty we so love and appreciate. The photographs and accompanying sentiments are from those who have close ties to our natural surroundings. Club member Kimberly Burr originally had the idea that has now become reality. Nature is the general theme emphasizing the beauty in nature in our present-day surroundings. We are especially respectful of the beautiful nature in Polk County and we made this the focus of our book. As we began collecting images each one portrayed an exceptionally interesting level of diversity and respect for the wonder of our environs. Naturally, our lakes and streams, our sunsets and sunrises, our animal and aviary life, our magnificent flora and fauna are all well represented along with memorable historic images which continue to remind us of our amazing heritage. HOW WILL THE PROCEEDS SUPPORT THE FLIGHT OF HONOR TRIP IN 2026? WCWH: The Flight of Honor is funded exclusively from donations, and our sizeable donation will contribute to the cost of the flight, ground transportation, meals, hotel before and after flight, actually wherever deemed necessary. The cost for one veteran to attend is approximately $900.00. BEYOND THE INITIAL GOAL, HOW DO YOU ENVISION THIS PROJECT CONTINUING TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE WOMAN’S CLUB? WCWH: The mission of the Woman’s Club of Winter Haven is “Not for Ourselves but for Others” and this project will enable us to continue to engage in innovative and creative ways to engage with others’ needs. Our club annually awards two scholarships to female students at Winter Haven High School. In addition, the club volunteers and monetarily supports innumerable organizations and local causes including Girl’s Inc. of Winter Haven, Friends of the Winter Haven Public Library, Meals on Wheels, Museum of Winter Haven History, Symphony Guild of Winter Haven, Polk Education Foundation, The Mission, Habitat for Humanity of East Polk County, Women’s Resource Center, Heart 4 Winter Haven, Ridge Art Association, Theatre Winter Haven, American Red Cross, and Polk State College Foundation. YOUR CLUB HAS A 112-YEAR HISTORY. HOW DOES THIS PROJECT REFLECT THE LEGACY AND VALUES OF THE ORGANIZATION? WCWH: In 1913, when Dr. Mary Bell Jewett, her sister Florence Inman, and eleven other women in Winter Haven formally began their local mission and subsequently joined the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, established in 1890, they dedicated their efforts to community improvement through volunteer service. If we can continue to enhance the lives of others in our community, their goal and ours is surely justified. By Living the Volunteer Spirit, the motto of GFWC International, we remain committed to supporting the arts, preserving natural resources, promoting healthy lifestyles, advancing education, and remaining active in civic involvement. ANYONE YOU WOULD LIKE TO THANK? WCWH: My most sincere appreciation goes to Woman’s Club of Winter Haven member Kim Burr who envisioned a one-of-akind endeavor. The proceeds from 100 hundred copies of this publication are thanks to Kim and Duke Burr of Burr Printing Company Inc. who so generously contributed their time, expertise, and publishing costs for a once in a lifetime event. The Winter Haven community has been most receptive, encouraging and thoughtful to us as members of the Woman’s Club of Winter Haven in submitting precious photographs with brief narratives. WHERE CAN WE GET A COPY OF THE BOOK? WCWH: We are hosting our Book Launch Thursday, November 6 from 4 – 7 p.m. at 660 Pope Avenue. The public is invited to come and leave with a signed copy of “Florida is Golden: Richness in Nature” for a $40 donation. Following the Book Launch, members from the Woman’s Club of Winter Haven will be at the Winter Haven Farmers Market on Saturdays at 250 Magnolia Avenue. Additional information is available on our website at wcofwh.weebly.com .

In the early 1940s Winter Haven was no different than many other U.S. cities as its energies were directed to the World War II effort. Citizens learned what “blackouts” were (keeping lights out and/or shades drawn at night) and how to prevent both homes and businesses from becoming bombing targets at night. Air raid warnings were practiced, and a block system of communication helped individuals and families prepare for the possibility of attack. Children in schools were fingerprinted, and F. E. Brigham (school namesake) championed a new form of physical fitness education for everyone. Air raid “wardens” were appointed and helped to inspect homes to prevent fire hazards. Children collected waste paper. Women collected cans as well as unused pots and pans, as the metal could be used in the war effort. Eight local residents attended a county wide preparedness school in Bartow. Photo depicts the Haven Hotel. During World War II, citizen volunteers atop the building watched for unidentified aircraft. May 1942 brought gas rationing. An air raid warning service was developed, and local volunteers served twenty-fourhour shifts on the roof of the Haven Hotel watching for unidentified aircraft. Photo depicts the Haven Hotel. During World War II, citizen volunteers atop the building watched for unidentified aircraft. Mrs. Frank Holland served as salvage chairman for the community. Mrs. A. G. Hancock was war production chairman for the local Red Cross chapter, and other women worked around the clock to produce garments, bandages, and other items as required by the national headquarters. The Winter Haven Herald (a now defunct weekly paper published by the Burr family) was sent on a complimentary basis to all active service men for whom they had addresses. Another group of women headed by Mrs. Joe Nagel and Mrs. C. E. Wild learned to maintain and repair motors. People registered for sugar rationing. Many local men and women rode bicycles to work in an effort to conserve gas. Festival Hall was one of four buildings that were used for Orange Festival exhibits. They stood on the current site of the City Hall Annex and the Splash Park. During WWII a POW camp was located on that site. George Andrews, associated with the Haven Hotel, gave his 65- foot yacht to the government for the duration of the war. The “Furlough” had entertained many local residents on saltwater fishing expeditions. Early in 1942, Winter Haven completed a civic center ... much of the money coming from citizen donations. It was designed to offer senior citizens a place to play cards, visit, dance, and generally socialize. The building had long been a goal of city fathers. L. H. Recker served as chairman of the building committee, Robert Kramer was treasurer, and Frank Brickman chaired the finance committee. The city had committed $7,500, and the balance of $14,397.48 raised came from donations. Upon completion there was an excess of $23.50. The Chamber of Commerce coordinated the dedication ceremony, and the Tourist and Shuffleboard Club had already moved into the building (known today as the Senior Center on Lake Silver). Later that same year, more than one hundred residents attended a Bartow meeting aimed at establishing a public health unit. A young Dr. Ivan Gessler (clinic founder) had joined Dr. W. T. Simpson in his practice and represented Winter Haven in the public health endeavor. A county referendum was required to establish such a health unit. Dr. Gessler headed an educational effort to inform the voters. On May 5, 1942, the referendum passed by a 2,000-vote margin. Gessler went on to found Gessler Clinic with N. J. Griffith, MD. As noted in a previous column, Winter Haven arranged with the U.S. government to convert the Orange Festival grounds for use as a POW camp from 1944 to 1945. POST-WAR WINTER HAVEN Upon his return from the war in 1945, George Burr (founder of the Winter Haven Herald) began organizing his friends who were members of the Elk’s Lodge to join him in founding a Winter Haven lodge. By late April, 75 members had been initiated into Winter Haven Lodge No. 1972. Ceremonies were held at the Masonic Temple, then located at Fifth St. and Avenue B, SW. Officers of the Winter Haven Lodge included: John A. Lang, Exalted Ruler; Harry E. King, Esteemed Leading Knight; George L. Burr, Esteemed Loyal Knight; Sidney I. Smith, Esteemed Lecturing Knight; C. V. Peterson, Secretary; Roger W. Clapp, Treasurer, and Trustees, O. C. Stanley, George Andrews, and H. B. Snively. Lang appointed Collier Jones as Esquire, James B. Harrington as Tiler, and J. D. Hill as Chaplain. George W. Partin was Inner Guard. The Lodge soon purchased the Roseart Hotel for a clubhouse. The hotel was located on Third Street at Avenue B, NW on the present site of the Winter Haven Ambulatory Surgery Center. The Roseart was built during the 20s boom and once boasted, “The World’s Only Hotel with a Radio in Every Room.” The Roseart Hotel was located on the current site of the Winter Haven Ambulatory Surgery Center and featured “a radio in every room.” It would later become the first Elk’s Lodge. The City Commission ordered 250 parking meters for placement on the downtown business streets. Phil Lucey was hired as manager of the postwar Florida Orange Festival and plans soon developed for a massive new exposition. The festival site stretched from what is now the site of City Hall to Lake Silver. From City Hall to Lake Silver, Third Street NW is much wider than most other downtown streets. That is because prior to the current municipal complex in that area, Third Street became the carnival midway during the Orange Festival. The Lake Silver Amphitheater was completed in 1949. The Buffalo Bisons Baseball Team trained here in the spring of 1946. They were brought to Winter Haven by the Chamber of Commerce Baseball Committee chaired by J. H. Fuller. Frank Sparrow was sent here from Lakeland following three years in the U.S. Navy. Sparrow had managed theaters before the war and came to Winter Haven managing both the Ritz and Grand Theaters. The Grand Theatre stood at the junction of Pope (formerly Grand) Avenue and Fifth Street, NW, just north of what was once known as the Red Cross building. This photo is from “Angel Street” the 1947 production of the Winter Haven Playhouse, forerunner of Theatre Winter Haven. Until the completion of the SW Complex in 1967, live theater was staged in the Woman’s Club Building (now home to the Museum of Winter Haven History). In the summer of ‘46, plans were underway for Winter Haven’s Little Theatre. R. McDonald Brown spearheaded the effort. It was called the Winter Haven Community Playhouse, and the Woman’s Club allowed their Lake Howard building to be used for their productions. Two Race brothers, Austin Jr., and Charles, founded Race & Race, Inc. The company developed an aluminum products plant to manufacture such items as citrus irrigation pipe and picking ladders. The brothers were sons of Austin Race, Sr. The plant was located on Highway 17 North between Winter Haven and Lake Alfred. Portions of the site are now a part of the “Chain of Lakes Trail.” This property is just southeast of the Hartridge/Conine canal. Portions of this information were taken from “The History of Winter Haven” by Josephine Burr, period newspapers, and interviews with area residents.

No other film bridges the sacred and the profane quite like Charles Laughton’s “The Night of the Hunter” (1955), a Depression-era fairy tale that ends one cinematic age and inaugurates another, painted in all the shades of nostalgia Norman Rockwell left out when depicting the past. Part noir, part parable, it is a story of flight and faith, innocence, and inheritance, revealing the uneasy marriage between American piety and spectacle — a theme that would echo throughout postwar cinema. The odds are that it’s a favorite film of your favorite director and most certainly of your film-loving friends. Viewed through the eyes of two children fleeing a “false prophet” of a father figure, “The Night of the Hunter” unfolds like a Grimm’s fairy tale set in the American South. In a time of poverty and want, a corrupt preacher named Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum) marries a widow (Shelley Winters) to find money stolen by her husband, hoping to provide a better life for their children, only to see them hunted. The children, John and Pearl, drift down a moonlit river to escape the murderous “Preacher,” finding refuge with a farm woman, Rachel Cooper (silent-era icon Lillian Gish), who protects strays. One moment, the camera lingers on pastoral calm, frogs and rabbits watching as the children float downstream, and the next, it submerges us in a nightmare; a drowned mother tethered in a sunken Model T, her hair drifting like river grass. It marks the film’s convergence of traditions, Expressionist nightmare meeting American folklore, as Laughton directs with the precision of Murnau and the heart of an American mythmaker. Laughton and cinematographer Stanley Cortez constructed a world where every shot feels remembered rather than filmed. Drawing from silent-era technique, even letting the camera roll until the reel ran out, they built a visual language both archaic and experimental. Cortez filled the screen with inkblack shadows and white-hot light, carving faces into masks, transforming barns, bedrooms, and riverbanks into mythic spaces. He later said he was “using darkness to reveal rather than conceal.” If noir once belonged to the doomed and the desperate, “The Night of the Hunter” marks its archetypal evolution. Powell’s evil thrives not in secrecy but in spectacle; his sermons crafted for those who want belief neatly packaged as truth. “The religion the Almighty and me worked out betwixt us,” he boasts, revealing the private gospel of a self-made prophet. He knows that people prefer the comfort of conviction to the labor of understanding — and it’s in that comfort that his power takes root, flowering beneath the cross he wields like a weapon. The result is hypnotic and horrifying in equal measure, a performance that reverberates through film history — inspiring Robert Englund’s Freddy Krueger and countless others. When Mitchum raised his tattooed hands and delivered the parable of love and hate, he inscribed one of the most enduring gestures in motion-picture history; an image revisited more than thirty years later in Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing” (1989), linking two American parables across generations. The “Love” and “Hate” monologue, delivered by Robert Mitchum’s Harry Powell in “The Night of the Hunter,” became one of cinema’s most potent symbols of moral duality. In Lee’s 1989 film, the character Radio Raheem (played by Bill Nunn) pays direct homage to that moment, wearing brass knuckles engraved with the same words and reenacting Powell’s sermon almost wordfor-word, transforming it from a Southern Gothic parable into a street side meditation on violence and survival. The film itself drifts between tones, veering from terror to wonder, often within the same scene. That dynamic range would later become a hallmark of American cinema. You can trace its DNA through the tonal dualities of “The Manchurian Candidate” (1962), “Bonnie and Clyde” (1967), and the suburban surrealism of David Lynch; in 1955, such fluidity between nightmare and lullaby was almost unheard of. For all its poetry, the film remains grounded in distinctly American anxieties. Released in the wake of McCarthyism, it plays as a parable of the enemy within, a false shepherd infiltrating a suffering community and turning piety into panic. In the barn doorway, Mitchum’s silhouette sings to the moon, and noir’s urban shadows spill into the countryside, widening into something older and more mythic. The kind of darkness that feels both moral and divine. When “The Night of the Hunter” premiered, audiences and critics didn’t know what to make of it. Some dismissed it as grotesque, others as confused. It was Laughton’s only film as a director; he never directed again. Yet time clarified its brilliance. By the 1960s, French critics recognized it as visionary, and by 1992, it was preserved in the National Film Registry. Reportedly deeply affected by the film’s reception, Charles Laughton passed away not long after its release. The Temporal Screen reserves a soft spot for those creators who did not live to receive the flowers time would send, especially those who would have benefited from the societal freedoms and identity expression we have only now begun to honor. If the sympathetic vibrations from our celebration of his monumental work adjust the balance, I think we can consider this a Noirvember well spent; better still, if film discoveries by first-time viewers in the present are to follow. Seventy years on, “The Night of the Hunter” endures — knowing the darkness behind the brightest daylight. Between film eras past and those still to come, it stands as a bridge between expressionism and modern myth, handed down, recommended highly, and treasured in each age as both warning and wonder: the hands of love and hate are visible, but seldom are they seen.

Did you know that you can grow bulbs in central Florida? Central Florida gardeners can display bulbs year-round, which is different than the bulbs you may be familiar with if you have gardened up north. There are both tropical and subtropical bulbs that thrive in our landscapes if you install and maintain them following the Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles. WHICH BULBS CAN WE GROW CENTRAL FLORIDA? Plant tropical bulbs in the spring and summer months. This includes caladiums, cannas, and crinum lilies. In the spring, plant once the soil is warm (generally when soil temperatures reach 60–70°F) and they will grow through summer and into the fall. These bulbs can also be started early in containers before temperatures warm if you want a jump-start on your spring landscape. This fall you can plant spring-flowering bulbs such as gladiolus, amaryllis, and society garlic. Caladiums are a garden favorite and can be planted both in the ground or in containers. They die back in the winter but can be left in the ground to reemerge in the spring. Typically, they will not be as showy the following year, so you may need to supplement with additional bulbs. Caladium tubers perform best when planted in April through September. Rain lilies will also grow both in containers and in the ground. If planted in the lawn, be careful not to cut off the leaves as they provide energy for the next bloom. The flowers are triggered by the first rain after a dry period, and they will naturalize freely. Blood lilies are an old pass-along plant, shared from neighbor to neighbor, although they are occasionally sold in stores. They require full shade and multiply freely, dying back in the winter. They provide huge impact when planted in large groupings. There are also bulbs that can be planted year-round such as agapanthus, blackberry lily, society garlic, and both African and walking iris. WHAT DO BULBS NEED TO THRIVE IN CENTRAL FLORIDA YARDS? Most bulbs prefer full sun to partial shade. Caladiums do well in shade or filtered light and are a great option for shady beds but with numerous varieties there are even sun-loving caladiums available. Amaryllis and crinum lily do well in sun to partial shade gardens. They are a nice choice for under the cover of large trees. Grow bulbs in well-drained soil and add compost or organic matter to the landscape beds at the time of planting. Planting depths and spacing are important for successful bulbs. Plant bulbs with the shoulder of the bulb at or slightly above soil level for many tropical bulbs. For example, amaryllis often have the top 1/3 of the bulb above the soil. For smaller bulbs, follow the guideline of roughly 2–3 times the bulb height in depth. For caladiums, plant tubers “eye” up, shallowly (about 2 inches), and 8–12 inches apart. Watering, fertilizing, and maintenance are critical for a healthy bulb display. Newly planted bulbs need consistent moisture until they are established. After growth begins, adjust watering for the species — for example, caladiums like moist but not saturated soil, while many dormant bulbs tolerate drier conditions during dormancy. A balanced slow-release fertilizer at planting and periodic feeding during the growing season will improve bulb vigor and flowering. Incorporating organic matter at planting will get your bulbs off on the right foot. Finally, dividing bulbs is an important maintenance practice. Many bulbs (crinum, agapanthus, amaryllis) multiply and may need division every few years to prevent crowding and encourage larger blooms. Fall is a good time to divide your garden bulbs. Simply separate the “baby bulbs” or cut bulbs into wedges as appropriate for the type of plant. SOME FINAL TIPS Pests and disease can be an issue, but can be minimized with proper maintenance. Warm, wet soils promote bulb rot. Plant bulbs when soil isn’t cold and wet to ensure good drainage. Avoid overwatering dormant bulbs. Slugs, snails, and bulb-feeding insects can be issues for some species; deer and rodents may dig or feed on bulbs. Contact your UF/IFAS Extension Plant Clinic for management solutions. Finally, remember to select region-appropriate varieties. Choose cultivars and species recommended for central Florida to ensure success and a beautiful display of bulbs in your central Florida yard. For more information on bulbs 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. An Equal Opportunity Institution. 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 .

As Thanksgiving approaches, turkeys start taking center stage – in grocery store displays, dinner menus, and classroom crafts. But beyond the holiday hustle, wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) roam Florida’s forests, pastures, and wetlands year-round, playing a vital role in our state’s natural ecosystems. A CLOSER LOOK AT THE WILD TURKEY Florida is home to two of the five subspecies of wild turkey found in North America: the Eastern subspecies, which is common across the Panhandle and northern counties, and the Osceola subspecies, found only in peninsular Florida. The Osceola subspecies is slightly smaller and darker in appearance than the Eastern, with less white barring on its wing feathers. Wild turkeys are large, ground-dwelling birds that can weigh up to 20 pounds. Males (toms) sport beards – tufts of hairlike feathers protruding from their chests – and fleshy flaps of skin on their throats (known as wattles) that change color depending on mood or mating season. Though they may look awkward, wild turkeys are surprisingly agile, capable of running up to 25 mph and flying short distances at speeds of 50 mph. In Central Florida, wild turkeys use a mosaic of habitats throughout the year, from thick forests to open, shrubby fields. These birds are omnivores, and their diets encompass a broad spectrum of insects, berries, fruits, nuts, seeds, and vegetation. Their habitats must support a similarly broad array of food sources, so a variety of plants that produce or attract each of their diet components is key! MORE THAN JUST A MEAL – WHY WILD TURKEYS MATTER Wild turkeys are more than just an interesting sight – they’re an indicator of healthy, functioning native habitats. Because they require such a diversity of cover and food types to meet their needs throughout the year, the presence of turkeys often signals that a property or landscape supports a balanced, native plant community, with an abundance of insects and other small critters. Additionally, wild turkeys are prey for native predators like bobcats and coyotes, while also helping to balance insect and plant populations. They function as both consumers and prey in our complex food webs, providing support for the entire ecosystem. THE SCIENCE BEHIND THESE STRUTTERS UF/IFAS and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) continue to support long-term research on wild turkey populations and habitat management. Much of this work focuses on how land use changes – such as fire suppression, urbanization, or invasive plants – impact nesting success and population trends. The wild turkey is actually a conservation success story. Though they may seem common, sometimes even working their way into neighborhoods or urban parks, these birds were once facing extinction. Throughout the 1800s, they were overhunted and experienced intense habitat degradation, and some estimates suggest that by the early 1900s wild turkey populations had declined by 90%. Conservationists realized that something had to be done, and through strict hunting regulations, relocation, and habitat enhancement, the wild turkey population was brought back from the brink across the United States. These birds are now found in every state except Alaska. Yes, that means there are even turkeys in Hawaii, though they are not native to the islands. One major goal in continuing to conserve wild turkey populations is improving habitat quality on both public and private lands. For example, prescribed fire is a valuable tool for encouraging diverse, insect-rich habitats for wild turkeys. Other research examines how roads, fences, and fragmented landscapes may impact turkey movement and survival. Understanding these dynamics is essential not only for sustaining turkey populations, but also for ensuring that private and public land managers have the tools they need to support healthy habitat for turkeys and other wildlife. GOBBLE-WORTHY FUN FACTS · WILD TURKEYS SLEEP IN TREES Wild turkeys roost in tall, mature trees at night to avoid predators, and fly down every morning to begin their day! · COLOR-CHANGING HEADS A tom’s head and wattle can shift between red, white, and blue, typically in response to excitement or during courtship displays. · A SPRINGTIME DISPLAY While male turkeys are often shown in Thanksgiving imagery, their courtship displays actually take place during the spring. In order to attract a mate, toms will puff up their feathers (strutting), gobble, and spin around, putting on the best show they can for the ladies! GIVING BACK THIS THANKSGIVING – WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP Central Floridians can play an important role in protecting these fascinating birds and the habitats they depend on. Here are a few simple ways to make a difference: PRESCRIBED FIRE AND HABITAT MANAGEMENT If you own property, reach out to your local UF/IFAS Extension office or FWC about using fire or other techniques to improve wildlife habitat. LOOK OUT FOR INVASIVE PLANTS Non-native species like cogongrass or Caesarweed can choke out the native plants that turkeys rely on to produce the necessary diversity of food. Reach out to us at UF/IFAS Extension for information on how to manage these plants on your property! DRIVE CAREFULLY IN RURAL AREAS Road crossings are a major cause of turkey mortality. Slowing down and keeping an eye out, especially near dawn or dusk, can help them cross safely! GET INVOLVED IN CITIZEN SCIENCE Each year, FWC conducts a Wild Turkey Summer Survey that helps estimate statewide populations. Anyone can fill out a survey, and you can submit a response any time you see a turkey! This November, take a moment to appreciate the wild turkey not just as a meal, but as a living symbol of Florida’s rich and resilient ecosystems. With mindful stewardship and community support, we can ensure these birds remain part of our landscape – and our holiday traditions – for generations to come. For more information, please reach out to us at UF/IFAS Extension Polk County or directly to our office via email ( scarnevale@ufl.edu ). Looking for ‘learning on the go’? Check out the turkeys episode (Season 4, Episode 12) of Naturally Florida, available on all major podcast platforms.