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When Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas became Polk State College’s sixth president on July 6, his work started with the people, not a distant vision. A Miami native, grandson of Cubans who fled communism and firstW generation college graduate raised by a hardworking single mother, he calls education the great equalizer that “opens doors, creates possibilities and empowers individuals to achieve the American Dream.” That deep-rooted belief now guides his leadership of Polk County’s largest-serving higher education and workforce training institution. He was selected after a national search of more than 100 applicants with a unanimous vote by the District Board of Trustees. Before his official first day, he spent time with students, faculty, staff and community members — and insisted they call him Stasi. He also joined interim President Dr. Anne Kerr to launch a Presidential Ambassadors Program to amplify student voices. “His immediate focus on the students signaled the culture President Kamoutsas has already deepened in his first 90 days of service,” Polk State District Board of Trustees Chair Greg Littleton said. “His vision ensures that our College puts students first, upholds service as a daily practice and commits to continuous improvement.” His first 90 days became titled Where Eagles Soar, which includes three pillars: strengthening workforce education through innovation and partnerships; ensuring students of all backgrounds can achieve greatness; and developing responsible citizens. INNOVATION AND PARTNERSHIPS Strategic articulation agreements are intentional, instrumental ways to support students in moving seamlessly to universities and professional careers. Polk State and Florida Polytechnic University announced the Eagle to Phoenix Pathway on July 30, creating a transfer pathway to 10 STEM degrees including aerospace engineering, cybersecurity and physics. “Working with President Kamoutsas has been a true pleasure and a benefit for our students from both institutions,” said Dr. Devin Stephenson, President of Florida Poly. “Together, we are creating more opportunities for students to achieve their goals and make meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond.” In August, Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue named Polk State a preferred partner for training the workforce for Advanced Air Mobility – the emerging “flying car” sector. “I was also proud to announce that FDOT is partnering with Embry Riddle and Polk State to help Florida students prepare for exciting career opportunities in the next generation of transportation,” DeSantis said. “Florida has the innovation-friendly policies, the universities and research institutions, the infrastructure and forthcoming infrastructure investments and the talent needed to become the premier location for emerging transportation technology.” Governor DeSantis subsequently announced a $2 million Florida Job Growth Grant to launch a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Program at Polk State and support national security through shipbuilding, aerospace and supply chain industries. The program will include an 80,000-square-foot driving pad to meet local demand of roughly 1,000 truckdriver openings a year. President Kamoutsas also renewed the College’s registered apprenticeship program in cybersecurity with the Florida Department of Education, providing students with paid, on-thejob training for high-demand occupations. ENSURING GREATNESS FOR ALL STUDENTS President Kamoutsas’ is committed to ensuring students from all backgrounds can achieve greatness, becoming the highly skilled workforce and leaders Florida needs. He has visited various classes and programs to collect feedback from students on how services can be enhanced. “He is here to listen, and he is here to make changes that support us,” said Christopher Jean Pierre, a Presidential Ambassador pursuing an Associate in Arts degree who serves as Vice President of the Black Student Union. “It has been an honor to work with President Stasi, and we thank him for putting students first.” Based on student feedback, President Kamoutsas is making intentional organizational changes, strengthening customer service and increasing opportunities for students. “When students walk through our doors, it is imperative that regardless of their economic backgrounds, they feel valued,” said President Kamoutsas. “By ensuring that all employees of the College are putting students at the center of every decision we make, academic success will be achieved.” In January, he will open the Polk State Haines City-Davenport Campus, where Central Florida’s first public higher education interdisciplinary simulation hospital will be housed. This will expand access to more students in the fastestgrowing region of Polk County, saving them time and money as quality higher education and workforce training will be closer to their homes. President Kamoutsas is also committed to Polk State’s Florida Collegiate Purple Star Campus designation, which recognizes the College’s dedication to supporting active-duty members, veterans and their families. “Thank you to Polk State for being a Purple Star Campus and for supporting veterans like me to better themselves and continue careers outside of the military,” shared veteran and EMT student Hunter Nix, who President Kamoutsas invited to speak at the College’s annual Convocation. “I can’t wait to see what the future holds.” DEVELOPING RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS The Presidential Ambassadors Program is comprised of 11 students ranging from 17 to 56. They carry an average GPA of 3.7 and come from collegiate high schools, workforce programs, aerospace, business, computer science, nursing and the arts. Their feedback will shape institutional initiatives. “Although President Stasi has only been at Polk State for a short time, he has made a genuine effort to get to know us as individuals, and that personal investment has made us feel seen and valued,” said Presidential Ambassador Da’Nyra Richardson, a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Administration student. On August 24, Kamoutsas put forth an institutional neutrality statement, which was unanimously adopted by the Board, maintaining a neutral position on matters unrelated to the College’s operations and core business – education – while promoting intellectual diversity, freedom of inquiry and civil discourse. On September 17, Polk State hosted Congressman Byron Donalds (R) and Florida Senator Rosalind Osgood (D) to speak at Constitution Day events on the Lakeland and Winter Haven campuses. “We believe our students benefit immensely from hearing directly from elected officials, especially for our students who represent the next generation of leaders in Florida,” Kamoutsas said. BEYOND THE 90 DAYS President Kamoutsas believes in removing barriers for students and providing the support they need to reach their goals. He has emphasized data-informed decisions and Polk State’s customer service mentality as becoming “the Publix of higher education.” As he looks ahead to the next 90 days and beyond, he commits to strengthening student services, additional innovative partnerships and expanding opportunities for students. “With an estimated 1 million residents by 2030, workforce demands continue to grow,” he said. “As Polk County’s No. 1 higher education and workforce training provider, we are committed to meeting the needs of our community. That is my promise.

Mary B. Jewett, MD Mary Jewett was born in 1858 in Mogadore, Ohio, and spent the first half of her life breaking through barriers that most women of her era never attempted. She completed her public education, graduated from the Philadelphia Presbyterian School of Medicine, taught at Buchtel College, the forerunner of the University of Akron, during the 1870s, and later joined the faculty at Merrill-VanLear College in New York. She started a medical practice in New York City at a time when female physicians were rare enough to be remarkable, built a respected reputation, and wrote a book about women in medicine at a moment when the prevailing wisdom was that women had no business being in it. She was, in other words, entirely accustomed to doing things people said couldn’t be done. In 1910, following the death of her brother-inlaw Frederick Inman, Mary moved to Winter Haven permanently to help her sister Florence. She was fifty-two years old, accomplished and unhurried, and she wasted no time. Within three years she had founded the Women’s Civic League, now the Woman’s Club, and established Winter Haven’s first public library. These were significant contributions. But they were not her most lasting ones. Mary Jewett looked at Winter Haven’s African American community and saw what others in positions of influence had chosen not to see: people who had built thriving neighborhoods, raised families, worked the groves and the railroad and the packing houses — and who had been given almost nothing in return by the institutions that surrounded them. She decided to act. Her involvement through the 1910s and 1920s was both personal and material. She donated land on the east shore of Lake Maude, creating a recreational space for African American residents, a pavilion, a putting green, a horseshoe area, and a baseball diamond. She gave her time. She gave her presence. And when she died in 1928, one of her three principal bequests directed funds held at the Snell National Bank toward the construction of a school for African American children, along with a home for the school’s teachers, with rooms available at reasonable rates to teachers and senior pupils alike. The late U.J. Johnson, whose uncle served as Dr. Jewett’s chauffeur, spoke about her legacy with a directness that no paraphrase should diminish: “She was really the first person in the city of Winter Haven, from what I’ve read and what my uncle said, to really be sympathetic to the needs of the African-Americans in the city. She provided for African-American students the very first real school and this is something you just can’t forget. That was one of the things she did. The other was that she provided a strip of land on the east shore of Lake Maude providing a pavilion, a putting green, a horse shoe area, a baseball area — she bought land and donated the area to African-Americans.” Johnson framed the significance plainly: African Americans had been moving into the Winter Haven area since the 1870s. It was not until Jewett’s work in the following decades that someone of standing chose to help. “Up to that time,” he said, “we did not have any person of stature to step up to the plate. She stepped up to the plate and did the right thing and we certainly appreciate her.” Dan Costello, whose research informs much of what we know about Jewett, put it simply: her philanthropic work crossed the boundaries of gender and race at a time when crossing either one was uncommon. She crossed both, simultaneously, without apparent hesitation. Mary Jewett came to Winter Haven to look after her sister. She stayed to look after a community. The school, the library, the recreation ground, the teacher’s home- these are the marks she left on a city that was still deciding, in those years, what kind of place it wanted to be. She had a clear opinion about the answer, and she put her money, her time, and her reputation behind it. MARY JEWETT AND EARLY FLORENCE VILLA SCHOOLS … Taken from Historical Marker Text: The Florence Villa Training School for Negroes replaced an earlier African-American school built in 1916 on the corner of 2nd and Palmetto Street. By 1922 the first school was in disrepair, and classes were held at the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church. Seeing the need for a permanent campus, local white physician Dr. Mary B. Jewett in March 1924 approached the Board of Public Instruction with construction plans and an offer to donate this land. Construction began in August 1924. Funding sources were as follows: Negro donations: $2,000; White donations: $11,000; Ad Valorem Taxes: $5,000; and Julius Rosenwald School Fund: $1,500. An alternate school location was chosen farther to the north. When the five-acre campus opened on December 1, 1924, the building consisted of six large classrooms, a Domestic Science Department, and an auditorium. Enrollment peaked at 250 students. On the night of January 17, 1925, a fire destroyed the school and its furnishings. The Florence Villa Town Council offered a $500 reward for information leading to the apprehension of those responsible, to no avail. This property was returned to Dr. Jewett in May 1925, and an alternate school location was chosen farther to the north.

Your landscape might start to look a little stressed after a harsh Florida summer, but there are some plants that will revive the landscape going into the fall months. These plants will add some interest to your landscape with their unique characteristics. Blooms, berries, and fall-colored foliage are the key to fall landscaping in your Central Florida yard. Remember that even in Florida, there are many plants that will change color, produce berries, or flower only in the fall months. In fact, this is the best time of year for our native wildflowers and ornamental grasses. Try these plants for fall color in your central Florida yard: GOLDENROD (Solidago sp.) Goldenrod is a fall-flowering native perennial that grows tall and stands out in any perennial garden. The yellow flowers cover the plant from late summer through fall. Goldenrod will spread through the garden. It looks nice against a fence, combined with other wildflowers and perennials such as coneflower, pentas, and purple salvia. BEACH SUNFLOWER (Helianthus debilis) Beach sunflower blooms continuously from spring through the winter months, making it an attractive addition to a fall flower garden. This low-growing native plant will spread and readily re-seed itself in the garden. Combine beach sunflower with ornamental grasses such as muhly grass for a beautiful fall landscape bed. CIGAR PLANT (Cuphea ignea) The red-orange flowers of the cigar plant are perfect for a fall flower garden. The cigar plant will grow to about three feet tall and has dark green leaves. Plant this flowering perennial in a pollinator garden as it attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. LION’S EAR (Leonotus leonurus) Lion’s ear is another orange flowering plant for the fall garden. It will grow quite large, up to six feet tall and three feet wide. Combine lion’s ear with ornamental grasses, salvia, evergreen shrubs, and colorful flowering plants. BEAUTYBERRY (Callicarpa americana) In the fall, the clumps of bright purple berries of the beautyberry stand out in any garden. Beautyberry is a deciduous shrub that will grow to about six feet tall. This weepy, informal shrub can be grown in sun or shade gardens, woodland gardens, natural areas, or in bird and butterfly gardens. Combine beautyberry with evergreen shrubs. MUHLY GRASS (Muhlenbergia capillaries) Muhly grass is one of the most attractive fallflowering plants in Central Florida. The native grass produces gorgeous showy purple/pink blooms that rise above the foliage. Muhly grass is droughttolerant and only grows two to three feet tall and wide. Combine muhly grass with goldenrod, beach sunflower, and other perennials. It is also attractive when combined with evergreen shrubs. OAKLEAF HYDRANGEA (Hydrangea quercifolia) This large native shrub grows as an understory shrub, so it does best in shady areas under trees. The large oak-like leaves of the oakleaf hydrangea will turn red to purple in the fall, and the large white flowers are also showy during the fall months. The blooms start out white and turn pink. This shrub will grow six to eight feet tall and wide and are beautiful when combined with evergreen shrubs such as azaleas and grown under oaks and pine trees. MEXICAN SAGE (Salvia leucantha) The purple blooms of the Mexican sage start in the early fall and will continue to cover the plant until it freezes back in the winter. This large perennial can grow three to four feet tall and wide, so give it plenty of room to grow. The purple flowering plant looks beautiful when combined with ornamental grasses, yellow-flowering perennials, and evergreen shrubs such as coontie cycads. FORSYTHIA SAGE (Salvia madrensis) Everything about the forsythia sage is big. The plant can grow up to eight feet tall, and the blooms can get up to twelve inches long. Forsythia sage will bloom from fall until frost. The plant will freeze back to the ground in the winter. The yellow flowering plant is attractive when combined with purple flowering plants, pentas, ornamental grasses, and blanket flowers. SILVER-LEAVED ASTER (Pityopsis graminifolia) The silver-leaved aster is a low-growing native perennial. The silver-green foliage is a beautiful contrast to the yellow flowers of the plants. This is a tough native plant that can be combined with other wildflowers and perennials, ornamental grasses, and native drought-tolerant shrubs. Look for these plants at your local nursery to add some fall color to your landscape. To learn more about bringing fall into your yard, listen to our conversation on Your Central Florida Yard podcast episode 27. If you have any questions about fall color in your landscape, 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 not in Polk County, contact your local UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Clinic. 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

Photo by: UF/IFAS If you’ve driven through Florida and noticed bright yellow flowers waving along the turnpike or local highways, you may have spotted one of Florida’s most recognizable wildflowers: coreopsis. The name “coreopsis” comes from the Greek words koris, meaning “bug,” and opsis, meaning “view.” The name refers to the buglike appearance of the plant’s fruit, whose tiny seeds have pincer-like structures that can grab onto clothing or fur. The common name for coreopsis is “tickseed” which is also used across many species in the Southeast and Florida. WHAT DOES COREOPSIS LOOK LIKE? Coreopsis plants typically have bright green laves and tall, mostly leafless flower stems that can reach one to three feet. This wispy appearance can make a field of them appear almost as if the tiny, happy flowers are just floating in the wind. The flowers are usually yellow, although some species will have combinations of yellow, red, and orange. Swamp coreopsis (Coreopsis nudata) has beautiful pink petals, but it is only found in north Florida and Georgia. Individual flowers generally range from about half an inch to two inches across, and flowering can occur yearround. Flowering can vary with the weather, though; rainfall patterns, frost, and heat all play a role. COREOPSIS AS FLORIDA’S STATE WILDFLOWER In 1991, the Florida Legislature designated the genus Coreopsis as Florida’s official state wildflower. The designation followed decades of use of colorful wildflowers in roadside plantings and highway beautification efforts. Florida’s relationship with roadside wildflowers goes back to the early 1960s. The Florida Department of Transportation began receiving calls about abundant red flowers growing along State Road 19/U.S. Highway 27 south of Tallahassee. When the Roadside Development Office investigated, staff discovered that the flowers were crimson clover (non-native) growing from sod purchased from a nearby cattle operation. The farmer had planted the clover as winter forage and to enrich the soil. FDOT eventually began purchasing crimson clover seed and planting it along roadsides. In 1963, the department established its first statewide Wildflower Program. The goals included improving roadside aesthetics, increasing driver safety, and reducing maintenance costs. Today, the program has evolved beyond simply planting flowers. FDOT increasingly recognizes the value of preserving naturally occurring stands of wildflowers and remnants of native plant communities along the more than 12,000 miles of roads it maintains. When managed appropriately, these roadsides can function as biological corridors, providing habitat for pollinators and other wildlife while reducing the need for frequent mowing. That is particularly important in a rapidly developing county like Polk. Roadsides may not look like traditional conservation areas, but the plants growing along them can provide valuable habitat between larger natural areas. As Florida continues to experience habitat fragmentation, opportunities to pair habitat enhancement with infrastructure programs can become increasingly important for local species. WHERE CAN I FIND COREOPSIS? Florida is home to approximately 15 species of Coreopsis, including around 12 natives and three that are non-native. Many of the species occur primarily in North Florida and the Panhandle, but several can be found throughout Central Florida. One of the most widespread is Leavenworth’s tickseed (Coreopsis leavenworthii). It occurs throughout much of the state and is almost entirely endemic to Florida, with its only known occurrences outside the state being in two Alabama counties. Florida tickseed (Coreopsis floridana) and coastalplain tickseed (Coreopsis gladiata) are among the other native species found in Central Florida. The plants occupy a variety of habitats. Many native coreopsis species are associated with wet environments such as flatwoods, bogs, ditches, and the edges of wetlands. Others occur in drier habitats such as sandhills. Some species are quick to establish in disturbed areas, which helps explain why they can be found along roadsides and other altered landscapes. Their flowers also provide food and habitat for wildlife. Coreopsis flowers attract pollinators, including native bees, butterflies, and other insects. Research has found that coreopsis was particularly attractive to small- and medium-sized native bees, including sweat bees and leafcutter bees. HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED For Polk County residents, growing coreopsis can be a simple way to add native habitat to a yard or garden. And October is a great time to sow some seeds or plant the ones you’ve purchased from a local native nursery. Seeds can be sown from October through January in a sunny location. They should be planted shallowly; no more than about one-eighth of an inch deep. Once established, Leavenworth’s coreopsis is drought tolerant and may reseed itself and spread if conditions are right. If you have a formal garden, keep in mind that coreopsis may reseed and spread when conditions are right. That can be a benefit if your goal is to create more habitat for pollinators and other wildlife, but it may not fit everyone’s preferred garden aesthetic. If you want a more contained planting, consider growing it in a pot. Apartment and condo residents can also enjoy coreopsis in containers, giving those without a yard an opportunity to add native plants and habitat to their outdoor spaces. Be sure to check whether the species you’re putting in a pot is a wetland species or a sandhill species before settling on a watering schedule. There is also another way residents can support Florida’s wildflowers that doesn’t involve a green thumb! The Florida wildflower specialty license plate helps fund wildflower education, research and planting throughout the state. Each sale or renewal includes a $15 donation supporting this work. Perhaps the next time you see a patch of yellow flowers along a Polk County roadside, you’ll look at it a little differently. Florida designated coreopsis as its state wildflower because of its beauty and its connection to the state’s roadsides. But its value goes beyond appearances. By planting native wildflowers, supporting thoughtful roadside management and making room for pollinators in our communities, we can help ensure that Florida’s sunshine-colored flowers remain part of the landscape for generations to come. For more information about native wildflowers and the role they play in our ecosystems, contact UF/IFAS Extension Polk County in Bartow or visit my webpage at go.ufl.edu/HAVENLKLD.

HARVEST DAYS Saturdays and Sundays at Keel Farms beginning Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Celebrate fall on the farm with the family. Enjoy hay rides, a visit to the pumpkin patch, a kid zone, shopping, and more! Plus, you’ve got to have some wine & cider! Visit keelfarms.com for more info. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS Football is back! Watch the Bucs play twice at home in October. They play the Green Bay Packers on Oct. 4 at 1 p.m. Then they play the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 18 at 1 p.m. Games are played at Raymond James Stadium. Purchase tickets and find stadium and parking information at buccaneers.com. HOWL-O-WEEN 5K Oct. 4, 9 a.m. at Gadsen Park. Run or walk with your dog in this “Run for the Dogs 5K!” Proceeds benefit the Mission of Florida Giant Dog Rescue. They help to rescue, re-home, and reduce the number of gentle giant dogs in need with commitment and compassion. Sign up at runsignup.com. BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB Oct. 6 – 11 at the Straz Center. Singer Omara Portuondo, once known as the “Queen of Feeling,” was celebrated throughout Cuba until she vanished from the spotlight. When a young record producer brings her an opportunity, the elusive diva must finally deal with her past. strazcenter.org NURSE JOHN Oct. 9 & 10 at Duke Energy Center for the Arts. Stand-up comedian Nurse John comes back with all-new material, offering fans an even deeper look into the comedy and camaraderie of healthcare life in his show, “Against Medical Advice.” Nurse John has over 17 million fans, thanks to his viral sketches of the unfiltered realities of being a nurse. themahaffey.com FALL PLANT FESTIVAL Oct. 10 & 11 at the USF Botanical Gardens. This is a two-day celebration of all things plants. Shop from over 50 local growers, rare and native plants, artisan goods, food trucks, and family-friendly activities. Both experienced and new gardeners will find something they love, plus the expert advice needed for success. usf.edu SPOOKTACULAR SCIENCE Oct. 17, 6 – 9 p.m. at MOSI. Begin with a spooky cosmic journey in the Saunders Planetarium. Next, visit creepy candy stations, frightfully fun entertainment, create your own slime in the Potions Lab, take control of a drone during a Phantom Flight, and enjoy food and drinks available for purchase. Family-friendly, buy tickets at mosi.org. TAMPA PIG JIG Oct. 17 at Julian B. Lane Park. Choose from some of the best competition BBQ around and then listen to live music, all for a great cause. The lineup includes Thomas Rhett, Midland, Kameron Marlowe, Sister Hazel, and Cassidy Daniels. Purchase tickets in advance at tampapigjig.com. ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW TOUR Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m. at the Straz Center. “The Rocky Horror Picture Show Spooktacular Tour” brings Patricia Quinn, who played Magenta in both the stage and film versions, for the screening of a newly restored 4K version of the film. Plus, a live shadow cast and plenty of audience participation. strazcenter.org GOLDEN GIRLS Oct. 24, 7 p.m. at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Find Sophia out on bail after being busted by the DEA for running a drug ring for retirees. Blanche and Rose have founded CreakN, a thriving sex app for seniors, and Dorothy is trying to hold it all together with help from a younger lover. rutheckerdhall.com

EPCOT FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL Through Nov. 21 at EPCOT. Travel “the world” and taste food and wine from six continents. The Eat to the Beat concert series includes Smash Mouth, Tiffany, and Starship. Included with park admission, food and wine purchased separately. Find the full schedule at disneyworld.disney.go.com. MILK MART SPOOKY SOIREE Oct. 4, noon – 6 p.m. along Bumby Ave. Shop from over 300 local artists, makers, chefs, and small businesses from The Nook on Robinson to Otto’s High Dive, and everywhere in between! Costumes are highly encouraged. milkmartorlando.com EVIL DEAD THE MUSICAL Oct. 2 – 4 at Dr. Phillips Center. Yes, you read that right. Evil Dead the Musical. Expect demons, chainsaws, iconic music, laughs, nostalgia, rock music energy, and over-the-top theatrics just in time for spooky season. Ages 17+ only. Purchase tickets at drphillipscenter.org. MOVIE IN THE PARK Watch “Monster House” (2006), Rated PG, for free in Central Park in Winter Park on Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. This is an animated adventure with Halloween thrills for the whole family. Produced by Robert Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg. Bring a blanket to sit on and snacks! enzian.org GATORS, GHOSTS, AND GOBLINS Select nights beginning Oct. 10 at Gatorland. This is a family-friendly daytime event. Guests will have animal meet-andgreets, photo ops, a children’s costume parade, and more! Meet Gatorland’s own Florida Bigfoot, the Skunk Ape and his cousin, Eddie the Yeti. gatorland.com ORLANDO MAGIC The NBA is back in October! The Magic will play two preseason games: Oct. 13 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers and Oct. 16 vs. Miami Heat. The first home game of the regular season is Oct. 21 vs. Atlanta Hawks. They play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 23. All games begin at 7 p.m. at the Kia Center. nba.com/magic THE SLEEPING BEAUTY Oct. 15 – 18 at Dr. Phillips Center. Performed by the Orlando Ballet with live music from the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. Prince Florimund journeys through an enchanted forest to find his love. With a kiss, he breaks the spell, awakens Aurora, and restores life to the kingdom. drphillipscenter.org ART NIGHT OUT Oct. 14 at the Orlando Museum of Art. Guests will celebrate Day of the Dead - Dia de los Muertos with Florida artist, Gabriela Hernandez. Learn the art of skull painting! Learn about this celebration of life and decorate a ceramic calavera to take home. Register in advance. omart.org COME OUT WITH PRIDE Oct. 17, noon at Lake Eola Park. Experience the most colorful parade, shop the local vendors at the marketplace, enjoy live performances, and finish the day with the most epic fireworks finale. This day celebrates the full diversity of Florida’s LGBTQIA+ community. comeoutwithpride.org DOG DAY Oct. 31, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Leu Gardens. Bring your dog and explore the 50+ acres of gardens. Plus, participate in one of three Hall–O–Ween canine costume parades where your pup could win a prize! Bring the entire family and celebrate Halloween outside. Find more info and a schedule at leugardens.org.

FIRST FRIDAY CONCERT SERIES Oct. 2 in Downtown Winter Haven. First Friday in Winter Haven just got louder with a monthly concert series on Central Ave between 3rd and 4th St. The street will be closed, the stage will be up, and Ripperduski will play live from 6 - 9! Bring a chair, grab a bite and a drink from a restaurant nearby (open container during FF), and enjoy! FB @whfirstfriday. RAINBOW ROOTS Oct. 4, noon at Lake Mirror Auditorium in Lakeland. Hosted by the Rose Dynasty Foundation, the Rainbow Roots Festival is a safe and inclusive space that uplifts LGBTQ+ voices through history, art, music, local vendors, and more. More info on FB @rosedynastyfoundation. ROOTSTOCK Oct. 3, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Bok Tower Gardens. Shop from the top plant vendors, take a hayride through the Pine Ridge Reserve, and enjoy live music throughout the day. October marks the start of the Florida gardening season, and there is no better way to celebrate than a day in the Gardens. boktowergardens.org WILLY WONKA Oct. 8 – Nov. 1 at Theatre Winter Haven. Step into a world of pure imagination with Roald Dahl’s “Willy Wonka.” This scrumptious musical adventure follows young Charlie Bucket hoping to find a coveted Golden Ticket. theatrewinterhaven.com OKTOBERFEST Oct. 9, 6 – 9 p.m. at Central Park in Winter Haven. This is Main Street Winter Haven’s 19th annual celebration! They will have over 30 beers to sample, German food, live polka & classic music, and the famous wiener dog race! For more info or to register your wiener dog for the race, visit mainstreetwinterhaven.com. POLK STATE FALLFEST Oct. 10, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Polk State Winter Haven. For nearly four decades, FallFest has provided local families with a fun-filled Saturday. The event is free and open to the public. FallFest features more than 100 booths from local vendors, businesses, and college clubs. polk.edu WICKED WINE WALK Oct. 16, 5 p.m. in Downtown Lake Wales. Come dressed to impress for the adult costume contest, take on the Haunted Scavenger Hunt, and enjoy plenty of wicked surprises along the way. Your ticket includes wine tastings, appetizers, a commemorative Wicked shot glass & swag bag, and a dance party! centralfloridatix.com BIENVENIDO A BSP Oct. 10, 3 – 9 p.m. at Bonnet Springs Park. Celebrate the flavors, colors, and rhythms of Hispanic and Latino cultures with live bands, an artisan market, a live DJ, food trucks, and so much more! Admission is free, and open to all ages. Find the schedule and pre-purchase parking at bonnetspringspark.com. THE LONESOME COWBOY STRANGERS Oct. 24, 6:30 p.m. at The Ritz. Dwight Icenhower presents this tribute to the golden era of country music, celebrating the authentic honky-tonk sound. Hear songs by George Jones, Buck Owens, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Faron Young, and Johnny Paycheck. theatrewinterhaven.com ZOMBIE TAKEOVER! Oct. 30, 6 p.m. Dress like a zombie and takeover Bowen Yard! Instead of eating brains, choose from delicious food specials, themed cocktails, and mocktails! Bully for You will play all night. Participate in the Zombie Walkoff and costume contest! All ages, but it might be scary for some. FB @bowenyardwh

ROOTSTOCK Oct. 3, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Bok Tower Gardens. Shop from the top plant vendors, take a hayride through the Pine Ridge Reserve, and enjoy live music throughout the day. October marks the start of the Florida gardening season, and there is no better way to celebrate than a day in the Gardens. boktowergardens.org RAINBOW ROOTS Oct. 4, noon at Lake Mirror Auditorium in Lakeland. Hosted by the Rose Dynasty Foundation, the Rainbow Roots Festival is a safe and inclusive space that uplifts LGBTQ+ voices through history, art, music, local vendors, and more. More info on FB @rosedynastyfoundation. FALL FAMILY FESTIVAL Oct. 3, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at The AGB. This free event is designed for visitors of all ages, with fun activities throughout the Museum. Enjoy games, art activities, facepainting, balloon-bending, magic shows, music, and scavenger hunts to explore the galleries! agbmuseum.org HALL OF FAME GALA Oct. 6, 6 p.m. at Lake Eva Event Center. The Polk Arts and Cultural Alliance will honor seven Hall of Fame inductees, celebrate recipients of six Arts & Culture Awards, experience the “Best of Polk” Visual Art Exhibition, and enjoy a plated dinner among community leaders, artists, and supporters. polkarts.org/gala ATHENA LEADERSHIP AWARDS Oct. 7, noon at Bonnet Springs Park. The ATHENA Leadership Awards recognize local women excelling in service to their community and assistance to women in attaining professional excellence and leadership skills. lakelandchamber.com PINKALICIOUS Oct. 9, 10, & 11 at Lakeland Community Theatre. Pinkalicious can’t stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. This lands her at the doctor’s office with Pinkititis, which turns her pink from head to toe, a dream come true for this pink-loving enthusiast. lakelandcommunitytheatre.com BIENVENIDO A BSP Oct. 10, 3 – 9 p.m. at Bonnet Springs Park. Celebrate the flavors, colors, and rhythms of Hispanic and Latino cultures with live bands, an artisan market, a live DJ, food trucks, and so much more! Admission is free, and open to all ages. Find the schedule and pre-purchase parking at bonnetspringspark.com. POLK STATE FALLFEST Oct. 10, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Polk State Winter Haven. For nearly four decades, FallFest has provided local families with a fun-filled Saturday. The event is free and open to the public. FallFest features more than 100 booths from local vendors, businesses, and college clubs. polk.edu LAKELAND RECORD FAIR VIII Oct. 11, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Lake Mirror Auditorium. Browse from 25+ vendors selling new and used LPs, CDs, cassette tapes, memorabilia, and more! For the first time ever, you can participate in a Halloween costume contest! Plus, they’ll have food and coffee for purchase. More info on FB @JesseCarlVinyl. LAKE MIRROR CLASSIC A weekend of fun benefiting local charities. Oct. 16, 5 – 9 p.m. is Visit Central Florida’s Hot Rod Rendezvous. On Oct. 17, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. is the Concourse d’Elegance and a Downtown Classic Car Show from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Oct. 18 is the Sunday Road Tour from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. The Grand Marshal is Bobby Rahal. More info at lakemirrorclassic.com.

THE CARETAKER By Marcus Kliewer From a new titan of the macabre and unsettling, comes an eerie supernatural horror about a young woman who accepts a caretaking job from Craigslist, only to discover the position has consequences far greater—and more dangerous—than she ever could have imagined. KISS, SLAY, REPLAY By Rachel Harrison A masked killer strikes during the wedding of Willa’s best friends. Then, she wakes up on the morning of the wedding. Was what she experienced a dream, déjà vu, or something more sinister. After a horrifying turn of events, Willa comes to understand that she’s stuck in a loop of carnage and terror that she must learn how to escape or else suffer a fate worse than death, being an eternal wedding guest. THE CALAMITIES By Chuck Wendig The heir to one of the world’s most influential families reckons with the demonic secret of their power in this contemporary dark fantasy that melds occult magic with shocking family drama, from the New York Times bestselling author of “The Book of Accidents.” FABULOUS BODIES By Chuck Tingle Fashion influencer and grave-robber, Poppy is on call when Eddie Michaels, a flamboyant, piano-slamming rockstar and queer icon, unexpectedly dies. All Poppy has to do is retrieve Eddie’s body from the medical examiner’s office, but what starts as a routine delivery quickly goes off course when Eddie wakes up. Poppy must fight for her life in a blood-soaked night of carnage and fabulous entertainment all across Palm Springs. OUR CUT OF SALT By Deena Helm In this lyrical debut, three generations of Palestinian women must put the haunting of their ancestral home to rest, before the secrets of the past drown them all. “Our Cut of Salt” is a powerful and intimate look at what it means to make a home, to lose it, and to return, only to find it irrevocably changed. THE DORIANS By Nick Cutter Five elderly volunteers agree to a secret experiment to stall, or even reverse the clock, via an ancient biological agent with a single-minded will to survive. The dark heart of unbridled human ambition finds its apex in an unholy experiment that now tests the limits of both creator and subject, eclipsing all bounds of morality and sanity. YOU DID NOTHING WRONG By CG Drews Elodie’s new husband has whisked her and her autistic son, Jude, away to the crumbling family house he’s renovating. Everything is perfect. Until Jude claims he can hear voices in the walls. He says their renovations are “hurting” the house. Even Elodie can’t ignore it, something strange is going on. The question is, is it with the house, or with her son? WOLF WORM By T. Kingfisher Scientific illustrator Sonia Wilson agrees to go work for Dr. Halder. Once there though, she encounters dark happenings in the Carolina woods, and even darker questions come to light, like what happened to her predecessor? Why are animals acting so strangely, and what is behind the peculiar local whispers about “blood thieves?” HOW TO KILL A GUY IN TEN DATES By Shailee Thompson A humorous, swoony, and downright terrifying slasher rom-com in which a cinephile gets caught in the middle of a murder spree at a speed-dating event and must use her encyclopedic knowledge of the romance and horror genres to make it as a real-life Final Girl. STAY BURIED By Jennifer McMahon Some towns stay isolated for a reason. From the New York Times bestselling author of “Children on the Hill” comes a queer folk horror in which a woman must confront decades of secrecy and superstition to learn the truth about her mother’s death.

THE CARETAKER By Marcus Kliewer From a new titan of the macabre and unsettling, comes an eerie supernatural horror about a young woman who accepts a caretaking job from Craigslist, only to discover the position has consequences far greater—and more dangerous—than she ever could have imagined. KISS, SLAY, REPLAY By Rachel Harrison A masked killer strikes during the wedding of Willa’s best friends. Then, she wakes up on the morning of the wedding. Was what she experienced a dream, déjà vu, or something more sinister. After a horrifying turn of events, Willa comes to understand that she’s stuck in a loop of carnage and terror that she must learn how to escape or else suffer a fate worse than death, being an eternal wedding guest. THE CALAMITIES By Chuck Wendig The heir to one of the world’s most influential families reckons with the demonic secret of their power in this contemporary dark fantasy that melds occult magic with shocking family drama, from the New York Times bestselling author of “The Book of Accidents.” FABULOUS BODIES By Chuck Tingle Fashion influencer and grave-robber, Poppy is on call when Eddie Michaels, a flamboyant, piano-slamming rockstar and queer icon, unexpectedly dies. All Poppy has to do is retrieve Eddie’s body from the medical examiner’s office, but what starts as a routine delivery quickly goes off course when Eddie wakes up. Poppy must fight for her life in a blood-soaked night of carnage and fabulous entertainment all across Palm Springs. OUR CUT OF SALT By Deena Helm In this lyrical debut, three generations of Palestinian women must put the haunting of their ancestral home to rest, before the secrets of the past drown them all. “Our Cut of Salt” is a powerful and intimate look at what it means to make a home, to lose it, and to return, only to find it irrevocably changed. THE DORIANS By Nick Cutter Five elderly volunteers agree to a secret experiment to stall, or even reverse the clock, via an ancient biological agent with a single-minded will to survive. The dark heart of unbridled human ambition finds its apex in an unholy experiment that now tests the limits of both creator and subject, eclipsing all bounds of morality and sanity. YOU DID NOTHING WRONG By CG Drews Elodie’s new husband has whisked her and her autistic son, Jude, away to the crumbling family house he’s renovating. Everything is perfect. Until Jude claims he can hear voices in the walls. He says their renovations are “hurting” the house. Even Elodie can’t ignore it, something strange is going on. The question is, is it with the house, or with her son? WOLF WORM By T. Kingfisher Scientific illustrator Sonia Wilson agrees to go work for Dr. Halder. Once there though, she encounters dark happenings in the Carolina woods, and even darker questions come to light, like what happened to her predecessor? Why are animals acting so strangely, and what is behind the peculiar local whispers about “blood thieves?” HOW TO KILL A GUY IN TEN DATES By Shailee Thompson A humorous, swoony, and downright terrifying slasher rom-com in which a cinephile gets caught in the middle of a murder spree at a speed-dating event and must use her encyclopedic knowledge of the romance and horror genres to make it as a real-life Final Girl. STAY BURIED By Jennifer McMahon Some towns stay isolated for a reason. From the New York Times bestselling author of “Children on the Hill” comes a queer folk horror in which a woman must confront decades of secrecy and superstition to learn the truth about her mother’s death.

Best Breakfast EGG HAVEN 301 3rd St SW, Winter Haven Year after year, Egg Haven continues to dominate the breakfast category. We get it. The staff is super friendly, your food comes fast, it’s delicious, and it’s affordable. That’s eggs-actly what we all need right now. Congratulations on another win, Egg Haven! Thank you for being you. 2nd: First Watch 3rd: 1st Street Diner Best Brunch SAUVAGE 254 W Central Ave, Winter Haven Served only on Sundays, the Sauvage brunch menu is heavily inspired by the owner’s Pacific Islander heritage with the usual dose of humor that we love from Sauvage. Some of the menu items include a Miso Bloody Mary, a Hawaiian Skillet with Spam and pineapple fried rice, and the classic Hawaiian comfort dish, Loco Moco, which is a burger served on Jasmine rice with brown gravy and an egg. Yes, yes, and yes. I’ll be there at noon, save me a seat. 2nd: Lucille’s American Cafe 3rd: First Watch Best Coffee Shop RICHARD’S FINE COFFEES 330 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven Congratulations to Richard’s for celebrating their 30th anniversary this year AND for winning the Best Coffee Shop! Richard’s is an old-school staple in Downtown Winter Haven. From a cup of black coffee to their inventive seasonal drinks, bakery items, and a full menu of breakfast and lunch items, there’s something for everyone, and we appreciate that. Cheers to another 30 years! 2nd: Haven Coffee Roasters 3rd: Concord Coffee Best Bakery NOISETTES BAKESHOP 3027 Cypress Gardens Rd, Winter Haven Congratulations! This is the first win for Noisettes! Wendy Theroulde-Miller is the owner and baker who opened up shop in January, 2024. Wendy learned from the French pastry chef, Johan Martin, and now offers French pastries including croissants, cakes, cinnamon rolls, bread, and more. She is the only one back there mixing, rolling, baking, and serving, so go show her some love! This is a must-visit. 2nd: Gourmet Goodies 3rd: Honeycomb Bread Bakers Best Donut Shop THE DONUT MAN 1290 6th St NW, Winter Haven In the eight years that we’ve held the Best of Haven awards, nobody has ever beaten The Donut Man for Best Donuts. We donut know who the actual “Donut Man” is, but he’s obviously doing something right! They offer freshly made donuts every day and have a drive-thru if you need them in a hurry. 2nd: Sokai Donuts 3rd: Donut Palace Best Diner EGG HAVEN 301 3rd St SW, Winter Haven The winner for the Best Breakfast also wins the Best Diner! They have a very extensive menu along with daily specials for both breakfast and lunch. From burgers and patty melts to liver & onions, they’ve got the classic diner comfort food that we all love, plus affordability and super nice service. 2nd: Andy’s Igloo 3rd: 1st Street Diner Best Burgers ADLER’S 113 Ambersweet Way, Davenport 543 Ave B SW, Winter Haven 200 E Park St, Auburndale Locals love Adler’s, making them a repeat winner year after year. (By a landslide!) One of our favorites is the Bad Hombre burger topped with grilled whiskey onions, jalapeños, and cheddar. For something different, try the Italian burger with lettuce, tomato, onions, salami, fresh mozzarella, and pesto aioli. But honestly, there’s nothing bad on Adler’s menu. Congratulations on another win! 2nd: Lucille’s American Cafe 3rd: Sauvage Best Cuban Sandwich SOUP’R CUBANS 1502 42nd St NW, Winter Haven This Cuban sandwich has pressed out the competition! Made with ham, pork, Genoa salami, Swiss Cheese, and mustard on fresh Cuban bread, this is a sandwich you’ve got to try. They’ve been at it for over 25 years, so you know they’re doing something right. Soup’R Cubans also offers six soups daily, salads, subs, and more. Congrats! 2nd: Richard’s Fine Coffees 3rd: Kokomo’s Cafe Best Pizza J. BURNS’ PIZZA SHOP 5535 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven Multiple locations in Lakeland This repeat winner has definitely stolen a pizza our hearts. For over 50 years, J. Burns’ Pizza has been serving us thin, crispy pizza cut into squares, and we can’t get enough. (Me, I’m talking about me.) Customize your toppings or choose from one of their signature pies. Heads up, they also offer a gluten-free crust. 2nd: Upper Crust Pizza 3rd: Pizza Connection Best Fried Chicken LOVEBIRD ALMOST FAMOUS CHICKEN 199 6th Street NW, Winter Haven 2101 S Florida Ave, Lakeland This is the first year for this category, and we’re not surprised that LoveBird flew away with the win. Ever since they hatched in town, locals have swarmed there. This is not your usual chicken place. You can order your chicken Southern fried or grilled with “no heat, lil heat, lotta heat, or crazy heat.” Don’t forget the sides. The braised collard greens with smoked ham and bacon are the best around. Congrats to LoveBird for their win! 2nd: Lucille’s American Cafe 3rd: Country Chicken & Fish Best Tacos THE LAKE HOUSE KITCHEN 308 4th St. SW, Winter Haven Multiple food truck locations The Lake House street tacos have won for a second year in a row, congratulations! You can get your tacos made with steak, chicken, pork, grilled vegetables, or beans, topped with onions and cilantro. So simple, yet so delicious. They also offer taco platters that come with rice and beans and your choice of salsa. Congrats! 2nd: Tacos My Friend 3rd: Angel’s Kitchen Best Wings THE APPLE LOUNGE & GRILL 2803 Recker Hwy, Winter Haven Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings. I’m talking about you. For a third year in a row, The Apple Lounge has earned the top spot! Serving Polk County since 1982, longtime locals know this is the best place for wings. You can choose from 13 different sauces, including the usuals like mild, medium, hot, and RF hot, and the “unusuals” like Mango Wango or Bang Bang. The wings are served with celery and carrots and your choice of housemade blue cheese or ranch dressing. 2nd: Blackburn’s BBQ 3rd: Tipsy Hen Best French Fries ADLER’S 113 Ambersweet Way, Davenport 543 Ave B SW, Winter Haven 200 E Park St, Auburndale This is the first year for this category, and we were curious to see who would win! We’re not surprised that it is Adler’s with their hand-cut fries. Congratulations! They know how to turn a simple potato into the perfect accompaniment for their award-winning burgers. If salty potato is your love language, then get your booty to Adler’s, stat! Remember, sharing is caring; you know where to find me. 2nd: Lucille’s American Cafe 3rd: Sauvage Best Greek | Mediterranean Restaurant THE KRAZY GREEK 6366 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven Opa! This “krazy” hometown favorite has wrapped up another well-deserved win with its menu of gyros, souvlaki, Greek salads, spanakopita, and more. They serve delightful small plates or platters the size of Mount Olympus. Don’t forget dessert, we all need more baklava in our lives. Congratulations to The Krazy Greek! 2nd: Mediterranean Fresh Grill 3rd: Andrea’s Family Restaurant Best Oysters GARY’S OYSTER BAR & SEAFOOD HOUSE 660 E Alfred Dr, Lake Alfred Raw on the half shell, steamed, or grilled, Haven readers have voted Gary’s as the best place for oysters! Since 1978, they’ve been serving the freshest seafood at the best prices, so shuck yea! Get your oysters char-grilled with parmesan or jalapeno and bacon. We love them raw with a little hot sauce. No matter how you like them, Gary’s is the place to get them. Congrats! 2nd: Old Man Frank’s 3rd: Maritime Best Salad LUCILLE’S AMERICAN CAFE 205 3rd St SW, Winter Haven It’s about time we added this category! Sometimes you go crazy and just need a big salad for dinner, and that’s where Lucille’s comes in. They offer a selection of “big salads” including our favorite, the strawberry spinach salad with goat cheese and candied walnuts tossed in a mint-infused white balsamic vinaigrette. If you’d like, you can add a protein like chicken, shrimp, mahi, or a scoop of tuna salad. 2nd: LoveBird Almost Famous Chicken 3rd: J. Burns’ Pizza Shop Best Sub Sandwich J. BURNS’ PIZZA SHOP 5535 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven Multiple locations in Lakeland Yo Meatball! is the name of a sub that has, yes, you guessed it, meatballs. The Quirky Turkey has, you guessed it again, turkey. The Hamtastic has ham. You see where I’m going with this. The Mob Boss, however, does not have any actual mob boss in it. Well played, J. Burns’ and congrats for beating out Publix this year; those Pub Subs are a worthy opponent! 2nd: Publix 3rd: Jersey Mike’s Subs Best Asian Restaurant THAI HAVEN 309 W Central Ave, Winter Haven Year after year, Thai Haven brings home the gold. We love all of the starters. We love the soups. We love the sizzling & customizable hot pot. We love the red curry, the pad Thai, the param, the basil bliss ... I could go on. Whether you like it spicy or not, Thai Haven serves up the most authentic Thai food in town. Congratulations on your win again this year, we’re big fans! 2nd: Tsunami Sushi 3rd: Sakura Japanese Steakhouse Best BBQ Restaurant BLACKBURN’S BBQ 169 N 5th St, Eagle Lake Another year, another win for Blackburn’s! With over 2,000 Google reviews and a 4.8 rating, customers rave about the food AND the amazing service. The deviled eggs are always a hit, and the ribs are the best around. Congratulations to this repeat winner, they have smoked out the competition for so many years, nobody has come close to beating them. 2nd: The Smokin’ OX Premium Barbecue 3rd: Smokin’ DJ’s Best Chinese Restaurant CHINA GARDEN 6027 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven Congratulations! China Garden offers authentic New York-style Chinese food, and guests love it. Customers rave about the large portions, the authentic flavors, and the handmade egg rolls. Wok your way to the best Chinese food in East Polk County, where they will be soy glad to serve you. 2nd: Golden Wok 3rd: Eddie’s Chinese Takeout Best Italian Restaurant ARABELLAS RISTORANTE 346 W Central Ave, Winter Haven Arabellas is a repeat winner in this category! Locals are tortellini obsessed with this place, and for good reason. A favorite antipasto is the Fiocchi al Gorgonzola, purse-shaped raviolis filled with pear and cheese in a Gorgonzola cream sauce. For lunch or dinner, you have choices: linguine, rigatoni, ravioli ... like my mother used to say, don’t get upsetti, eat more spaghetti. 2nd: Floridino’s Italian Kitchen 3rd: L’Incontro Italian Restaurant Best Mexican Restaurant AZTECA D’ORO MEXICAN RESTAURANT 5860 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven Congratulations on winning year after year! With over 5300 Google reviews and a 4.5 rating, locals and visitors love this restaurant. One reviewer wrote, “My only regret was not coming here sooner,” and raved about the housemade guacamole being the best they ever had. If that wasn’t enough, reviews praised the service just as much as the food. 2nd: El Olivio Mexican Restaurant 3rd: Las Comadres Restaurante Mexicano y Marisqueria Best Seafood Restaurant HARRY’S OLD PLACE 3751 Cypress Gardens Rd, Winter Haven This is the sixth year that Harry’s Old Place has won the Best Seafood Restaurant category! Locals find them shrimply the best, while the local alligators steer clear. A popular starter is the fried gator tail served with “swamp sauce.” Check out the blackboards for their daily fresh fish selection, which you can have cooked one of eight fin-tastic ways. 2nd: Harborside 3rd: Maritime Best Sushi Restaurant TSUNAMI SUSHI 5937 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven Tsunami has been on a roll year after year, nobody has ever beaten them in this category! That’s soy impressive. Stop in for lunch or dinner and get the freshest sushi around. We love the Heaven Roll made with spicy tuna and the Godzilla Roll with smoked salmon. Congrats to Tsunami for ricing to the top every year! 2nd: Tsukiyomi Sushi 3rd: Sakura Japanese Steakhouse Best Vegan Options VEGAN MONARCH BAKERY & CAFE 371 Ave D NW, Winter Haven Another win for Vegan Monarch this year!! Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, they offer a full vegan menu. Besides fresh raw organic juice, they offer favorites like calzones, burgers, lasagna, soul food, burritos, sandwiches, and more. The bakery is no joke, either. Everything is vegan, and they cater! Need a vegan birthday cake? Wedding cake? They can do that as well. Congratulations on another win! 2nd: BG’s Indian Cuisine 3rd: Vegetation Cafe Best Outdoor Dining | Pet-Friendly TANNERS LAKESIDE 1006 Lake Howard Dr SW, Winter Haven Whether you arrive by boat or car, everyone will get those gorgeous lake views. Tanners is open for lunch and dinner with an extensive menu that includes everything from fried cheese curds and smoked fish dip to sandwiches, salads, steaks, and seafood. They have a fully stocked bar, live music on the weekends, and fun events that include paddleboarding, live wrestling matches, and more. 2nd: Lucille’s American Cafe 3rd: The Twisted Prop Bar & Grille Best Casual Dining LUCILLE’S AMERICAN CAFE 205 3rd St SW, Winter Haven First they win for Best Salad, and now this?? There’s no stopping Lucille’s. Paul & Beth are so knowledgeable about the industry that OF COURSE they won! (They’re a repeat winner, too!) From Brunch on the weekends, Happy Hour at the bar, and everything in between, you’re sure to have an excellent experience. Lucille’s has a 4.7 Google rating with over 2000 reviews raving about not only the food but the service as well. Congrats! 2nd: Las Comadres Restaurante Mexicano y Marisqueria 3rd: J. Burns’ Pizza Shop Best Fine Dining ARABELLAS RISTORANTE 346 W Central Ave, Winter Haven This is old-school, white-tablecloth fine-dining at its best. Established in 2004, Arabellas has been the locals’ go-to for a special night out, year after year. Not only were they voted Best Italian Restaurant, but you can also get Steak Lady Diana or a chateaubriand prepared tableside. End the evening with a bananas Foster or a cherries jubilee prepared tableside, as well. Now that’s classy. 2nd: Aria Steakhouse 3rd: Nutwood Best Restaurant with a View HARBORSIDE 2435 7th St SW, Winter Haven Although Harborside is temporarily closed, we can still think about that gorgeous view of Lake Shipp. If you’re lucky enough to be there at sunset, you just can’t beat it. We can’t wait for Harborside to reopen so we can order a cocktail, seafood or a steak and sit back to see the beauty of living on the Chain of Lakes. 2nd: The Twisted Prop Bar & Grille 3rd: Tanners Lakeside Best Dessert Menu LUCILLE’S AMERICAN CAFE 205 3rd St SW, Winter Haven You know that question the servers ask you every time you’re finished eating? That sweet, sweet little question, “Would you like to see the dessert menu?” Well, if you’re at Lucille’s, the answer is always yes. From housemade bread pudding and carrot cake to freshly baked pie, warm fudge brownie sundaes, s’mores with ice cream, milkshakes, malts, and ice cream floats, there’s something for everyone. Say yes to that dessert menu, thank me later. 2nd: Blackburn’s BBQ 3rd: Arabellas Ristorante Best Ice Cream Shop ANDY’S IGLOO 703 3rd St SW, Winter Haven We love the iconic sign. But we love the ice cream more! Andy’s has been open since 1951, so long-time locals love the nostalgia, the 30 flavors of ice cream to choose from, the convenient walk-up window to order from, and the freshly made toppings. To make things even sweeter, they’re famous for their shakes, especially the “Fruit Salad.” Andy’s also has sherbet, sundaes, and more. I mean, come on. Why are you still sitting there without an ice cream cone in your hand? 2nd: Delectable Delights 3rd: Carmen’s Ice Cream Parlor Best Place to Grab a Beer GROVE ROOTS BREWING COMPANY 302 3rd St SW, Winter Haven I’m so hoppy that Grove Roots won this category. Inspired by Florida’s citrus history, this husband-and-wife team has created a destination in the heart of Downtown Winter Haven. With their award-winning craft beers, live music on the weekends, food trucks, and the “Mug Club” for the serious fans, this familyfriendly brewery is a staple for locals and visitors. As my mom always used to say, don’t worry, beer happy! Congratulations on their tenth anniversary this month! 2nd: Somewhere Sports Bar & Grill 3rd: Barrel 239 Best Cocktails SAGE COCKTAIL LOUNGE 99 3rd St NW, Winter Haven Congratulations to Sage on their first win! Sage offers classics like Manhattans, negronis, and martinis. But they also have a menu of signature cocktails that include Purple Rain made with Empress Gin, housemade blueberry syrup, lemon juice, and a dry ice pellet. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. If you don’t know what to order, they can help! You’re definitely going to find something to love on the menu. 2nd: Sauvage 3rd: Barrel 239 Best Mocktails SAUVAGE 254 W Central Ave, Winter Haven The era of mocktails is here, and Sauvage has taken it to a new level. They give mocktails the same love they give their cocktails. Thoughtful, creative, balanced, and completely delicious. Avoid the hangover with a bergamot espresso martini made with Almave (alcohol removed tequila by Lewis Hamilton), Earl Grey, Vietnamese coffee, and cinnamon. Or get a painkiller, a matcha pistachio sour, or the lilikoi mojito; all virgin, all amazing. 2nd: Lucille’s American Cafe 3rd: Sage Cocktail Lounge Best Beer List GROVE ROOTS BREWING COMPANY 302 3rd St SW, Winter Haven Grove Roots serves award-winning craft beers, made onsite, and they are GOOD. They have “flagship” brews, available year-round, like Slanted Ladders, their signature pale ale made with a blend of American hops and a malt base. Or try the Rind & Shine made with local grapefruit and tangerine zest. They offer seasonal brews, and the “Mug Club” for the serious beer lovers. Our favorite brew: Honey on the Double! 2nd: Union Taproom 3rd: Lucille’s American Cafe Best Wine List OBSCURE WINE COMPANY 276 W Central Ave, Winter Haven Founder & sommelier, Wellie Liao, has done it again! Winning year after year, Obscure is THE place to go for a glass or a bottle of wine from producers who practice biodynamic, sustainable, organic, or la lutte raisonée, along with ethical business operations. Stay for one glass or share a bottle with friends, Obscure can help guide you to find your next favorite pour. 2nd: Aria Steakhouse 3rd: Sage Cocktail Lounge Best Happy Hour AVE BAR 340 W Central Ave, Winter Haven Locals appreciate the dollar-off house wines, drafts, and well drinks along with the Happy Hour food menu and the excellent service. We love getting a glass of red wine and the tenderloin tips with Gorgonzola and caramelized onions. Or the fiocchi, or the chicken parm sliders, or the burger sliders with bacon jam, or the calamari. What a way to end your day, am I right? Whether you’ve had a bad day, a great day, or just a day, treat yourself to Ave Bar. 2nd: Lucille’s American Cafe 3rd: Maritime Best Bar BARREL 239 239 3rd St SW, Winter Haven Cheers to Barrel 239 again this year! They are Winter Haven’s first and only dedicated whiskey bar with over 250 varieties. With a Google rating of 4.7 and over 550 reviews, it’s no surprise that they’ve won again. One reviewer wrote, “Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or just beginning to explore, you’ll find an impressive variety of rare finds, classic favorites, and expertly recommended pours.” Congratulations! 2nd: Sage Cocktail Lounge 3rd: Sauvage Best Bar Service BARREL 239 239 3rd St SW, Winter Haven It’s only right that the Best Bar has also won for Best Service! Congratulations to the staff at Barrel, they are some of the friendliest and best bartenders around. Whether you know what you want to order or need some guidance, they’re the ones to do it. The staff is knowledgeable and ready to help you with the best pour decision you’ll make all day. As my mom always used to say, whiskey is always a good choice. 2nd: Sage Cocktail Lounge 3rd: Sauvage Best Catering THE CATERING COMPANY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA 2090 Havendale Blvd NW, Winter Haven Winning for the third year in a row, The Catering Company has dominated this category. Whether you just need hors d’oeuvres for a party, are hosting a rehearsal dinner, or need your entire wedding catered, they’re the first to call. To make things even more convenient, you can host a party at their on-site venue, all you have to do is show up! How easy is that? Congratulations on another win! 2nd: TLC Catering by Terrie Lobb 3rd: Our Noire Kitchen Best Food Truck OUR NOIRE KITCHEN ournoirekitchen.com Chef Kadean and Laures have done it again! For the second year in a row, they’ve won Best Food Truck, and we can totally see why. When you see them roll up, you know it’s going to be good. Gouda grits. Six cheese mac. Brisket burger. Mojo yuca fries. If you haven’t tried them yet, please. Take my advice. When you see them parked & serving, just go. Go directly to them. Order food. Enjoy food. Repeat. You’re welcome. Congrats again, ONK! 2nd: Swamp Boys BBQ 3rd: A Boy Named Sous Best Hidden Gem MARIA PETIT FOOD BOUTIQUE 227 E Lake Ave, Auburndale This little house in downtown Auburndale has BIG flavors inside. Owned by Maria Franco, you can visit and have a healthy lunch or dinner there, or if it’s been a long day, pick up prepared meals to-go. Focusing on health, these meals are guilt-free and super nutritious. This “hidden gem” is truly a gem. 2nd: Nutwood 3rd: Kokomo’s Cafe Best New Restaurant KOKOMO’S CAFE 322 4th St NW, Winter Haven Congratulations to Chloe Shreeve’s new place for winning the Best New Restaurant! They are “ready to welcome you for your morning coffee, quick lunch, evening drinks, or just a place to unwind with a good book.” Kokomo’s is cute, the food is great, and you can’t help but root for this place. The carefully curated menu has something for everyone, and can be tailored in case of allergies. The vibe when you walk in is totally Chloe and totally cool. You’re going to love it here. 2nd: Texas Roadhouse 3rd: Fully Loaded Bar & Grill Best Restaurant Service LUCILLE’S AMERICAN CAFE 205 3rd St SW, Winter Haven Best Salad, Best Dessert Menu, Best Casual Dining Restaurant, AND Best Restaurant Service. Is it Lucille’s best day or what? We’re not surprised that people voted for them. The moment you walk in, you’re greeted with a smile. The servers may have a lot on their plate (restaurant humor), but you wouldn’t know. They treat you like you’re the only person in the room, and we appreciate it. Congratulations to the staff at Lucille’s, you’re the best! 2nd: Aria Steakhouse 3rd: Arabellas Ristorante Best Guilty Pleasure PICKLE LEMONADE FROZEN MARGARITA FROM SAUVAGE 254 W Central Ave, Winter Haven You read that right. It’s frozen lemonade with pickle juice in it! We’ve had it, we can vouch for it. It’s unusual, but in all the right ways. You can order it as is without alcohol, or ask them to add tequila or whiskey. Either way, it’s totally refreshing and worth a try. 2nd: Espresso martini from Jensen’s Corner Bar 3rd: Sokai Donuts

Best Gift Boutique EVERYTHING LOCAL 219 3rd St SW, Winter Haven Everything Local’s mission is “to create an experience that sparks joy and inspiration.” They’re a relatively new shop, and they’re quickly becoming our favorite place. They offer Florida-inspired items made by local artists along with some of our other favorite brands. If it’s a lovely gift for someone you love, or you want to treat yourself, check them out, you’ll be happy you did. 2nd: The Red Geranium 3rd: The Florida Room Best Clothing Boutique NICK’S FOR MEN Eagle Ridge Mall, Lake Wales For over 30 years, Nick’s for Men has been dressing local men for all of their special occasions. From proms to weddings, they will expertly tailor your suit in-house so it fits like a dream. Need a matching hat? Tie? Shoes? They’ve got those, too. With over 1000 suits in stock, this place is a one-stop shop. Congratulations on their first win! 2nd: Island Dreaming 3rd: Tennessee Jane Best Antique Shop TREASURE HOUSE ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES 232 6th St NW, Winter Haven The Treasure House wins again this year! Walking throughout Treasure House is like walking through time. You could literally be there all day; there’s something to look at from floor to ceiling. From jewelry, toys, kitchen items, and clothing to Christmas decor, collectibles, and furniture, you will definitely find a treasure. Congratulations on another win! 2nd: KT’s Attic 3rd: The Barn Antiques Best Bookstore THE BOOK SHELTER 5999 Dundee Rd, Winter Haven Congratulations! The Book Shelter is an independently-owned bookstore with a large selection of gently used books. All of the hardcover books are $5 each; paperbacks $3; and kids’ books are $1. How easy and affordable is that? If you lack any shelf control, book it over to The Book Shelter and pick up your next favorite read. 2nd: The Bookshelf 3rd: Friends of the Winter Haven Public Library Best Furniture Store THE BARN ANTIQUES 167 Hwy 557A, Lake Alfred If you’re looking for Mid-Century Modern or antiques from across the pond, this is your place. What began in 1969 has grown every year, with the third generation of family members traveling to England every year to search for the most special pieces to sell in Polk County. The store is closed for the summer but will reopen in October with a fresh inventory. 2nd: Sister’s Junktiques Vintage Market 3rd: The Red Geranium Best Jeweler GRINER’S JEWELERS 195 Ave A NW, Winter Haven Griner’s opened in 1948 and is still owned and operated by the Griner family. They offer new jewelry sales, jewelry repairs, loose diamonds, watch repair, and custom jewelry design. Have your love set in stone with a trip to Griner’s. Reviews also rave about the service, calling staff knowledgeable and very friendly. 2nd: Tally-Ho Jewelers 3rd: Mayer Jewelers Best Specialty Shop HIBISCUS BELLE VINTAGE SHOP 303 3rd St NW, Winter Haven Congratulations to this repeat winner! Hibiscus Belle is a magical little shop with a carefully curated selection of retro and vintage clothing. The clothing is gently used, and in gorgeous condition. Frequently praised for their excellent service, one reviewer wrote, “Highly recommend stopping by if you’re looking for unique vintage pieces and a genuinely welcoming shopping experience!” 2nd: Polk Cycles 3rd: The Potting Bench Best Thrift Store ST. JOHN’S THRIFT STORE FOR MISSIONS 130 Desoto Rd, Winter Haven I’m going to be honest with you. This win is bittersweet. I’m so happy that St. John’s has won again this year, they deserve it. But ... I’m not happy that more people will be showing up to my most favorite thrift shop in Polk County. This place is a real gem. It’s clean, it has amazing items, the volunteers are so nice, and the prices are great. I love it there. You will see me there. I’ll be the one smiling with my hands full of secondhand treasures. 2nd: Thrift Store of Meals on Wheels 3rd: Saint Matthew’s Thrift Shop Best Western Wear Store BETH’S WESTERN WEAR Treasure House Antiques & Collectibles 232 6th St NW, Winter Haven Step inside the Treasure House and look for Beth’s booth. It will be the one full of vintage and new cowboy boots, vintage belts, belt buckles, hats, clothing, denim, and even home decor! If you want a little extra style and a boot-scootin’ new look, ride your horse (don’t really) over to the Treasure House and pick yourself up something vintage that nobody else will be wearing. 2nd: Cowhide & Whiskey Boutique 3rd: Eli’s Western Wear Best Winter Haven Farmers Market Vendor SHAY’S SUGAR Every Saturday on Magnolia Ave between 2nd St SW and 3rd St SW in Downtown Winter Haven Shayla has won again this year! Shay’s Sugar continues to be a success every Saturday. She bakes all night and brings fresh loaves of sourdough, cinnamon rolls, banana bread, English muffins, granola, focaccia, garlic twists, and so much MORE! She loves to experiment with flavors, so you never know what goodies she’s going to dream up and bring next. Don’t sleep on this market or vendor, she will sell out! Congratulations! 2nd: Pecan & Proper 3rd: San Felipe Spice Trading Best Pawn Shop TRADER’S PAWN SHOP 2880 Havendale Blvd NW, Winter Haven Trader’s Pawn has cashed in another win this year. Year after year, they are voted the best, congratulations! You never know what you’re going to find, but you can bet that the prices will be great. From tools and electronics to gold, you’re going to find a treasure. You can trade up or simply treat yourself. This is a one-stop shop for deals & unique finds. 2nd: La Familia Pawn & Jewelry 3rd: GC Pawn Winter Haven Best Customer Service POLK CYCLES 247 3rd St SW, Winter Haven Let’s all pop a wheelie for Polk Cycles!! Congratulations on your win for having the friendliest service! Cruise into Polk Cycles to purchase Aventon, Cannondale, Specialized, and Sun bikes. They also do repairs and maintenance to keep you rolling. If you’re looking for a bike, stop by Polk Cycles for expert advice. They won’t steer you wrong. 2nd: The Treasure House Antiques and Collectibles 3rd: Stacy’s Printing