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

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

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

After paying his way through medical school working in the shipyard and serving as a flight surgeon on the Yorktown during World War II, Dr. Benjamin J. Bond envisioned a “one-stop” medical clinic in Winter Haven. He selected pediatrician Dr. Rita Marotti, OB/GYN, Dr. T.C. Karamidas, and primary care physician Dr. William Steele to help him realize this vision. They opened Bond Clinic in the New Coker Building on June 1, 1949. By 1954, the clinic had expanded to six physicians and opened a new facility across from Winter Haven Hospital on First Street. They later outgrew this location and moved to their current main campus on Central Avenue in 1978. Today, Bond Clinic is a professional association comprising over 100 providers encompassing 28 specialties. Dr. Panagiotis Iakovidis, a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon, joined the clinic in 1996 and became the president and CEO of Bond Clinic in 2009. The first challenge Dr. Iakovidis faced in 2009 was the operations of the clinic. Once they were able to streamline and develop efficiencies within the operational part of the clinic, they looked to where healthcare was going in the future with the technology that existed at that time. “At that point, it was pretty clear to us that value-based care would be the best option for healthcare, not just for Bond Clinic but our society. And that’s what we embraced,” Dr. Iakovidis said. “We spent a significant amount of time learning about it, searching for partners, and developing a program and a plan that would be implemented over the following five to 10 years.” Discussing the legacy Bond Clinic has forged throughout its 75 years in operation, the CEO said, “I think the legacy of the Bond Clinic that has been established has been quality care and commitment to the community.” He noted that their physicians are leaders in the local healthcare community who bring with them new ideas learned through their training and residencies. “We took initiatives where physicians of the Bond Clinic started unique programs that helped Winter Haven Hospital.” A testament to this legacy was Bond Clinic’s acceptance of the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce’s Large Business of the Year award several years ago. More recently, the Winter Haven City Commission proclaimed September 2023 ‘Bond Clinic Month’ in celebration of its 75th anniversary. “This is a huge honor for us, for this organization that has been here for 75 years,” said Dr. Iakovidis. “I think that’s a reflection on this change that we’ve made as a quality organization, but now we’re focused on a significantly higher level to what we were doing before.” Asked how they’ve celebrated this milestone anniversary, Dr. Iakovidis remarked, “At Bond Clinic, we celebrate every day that we’re in the Bond Clinic. It’s an honor and responsibility for us to be part of this organization, and we’re looking forward to the future, but at the same time, we enjoy the precious time we spend within the organization and all the challenges that healthcare has today.” Dr. Iakovidis’ most impactful memory over his tenure with the clinic has been their ability to adjust to value-based care. “I think the team put forth a tremendous effort and continues to do so to accomplish the goals. The best competition that we’ve created is ourselves,” he said. “Those three things (quality, access, and affordable care) we want to be the legacy of the Bond Clinic that not only is part of the past but becomes a future goal as we elevate the care that we deliver.” Proud to be a part of the Winter Haven and its surrounding areas, Bond Clinic dedicates time and resources throughout the community. They regularly participate in community events and health fairs, partner with area colleges/trade schools to offer clinical training for students, and support many local sports clubs and organizations through donations and sponsorships. “That’s why this organization exists,” said Dr. Iakovidis. “It’s not only the healthcare delivery that we are proud of. The majority of our doctors live in Winter Haven. Our goal is to have our physicians and members of this medical community be part of the community.” Bond Clinic Marketing Director Ashley Scanlan agreed, adding, “This is our home. What can we do to make this the best it can be?” Dr. Iakovidis reflected on the organization’s roots and its founding physicians. “I think they would be very proud. They were individuals that had a unique view. Winter Haven was very different then. They had different backgrounds. From what we heard and saw, the care that they delivered was at the highest level at the time. I think they also took great pride in what they did.” Not only proud but perhaps they would even be surprised at the level that Bond Clinic has raised. “I think we are representing them well, and we hope that the next generation of doctors that join the Bond Clinic and become the leaders in this community will also do the same.” Scanlan noted, “The family members of those physicians are still around, and some of them are still patients here. To be able to hear those stories is incredible. It started with [four] physicians, and now we have over 100 providers covering 28 specialties. Dr. Bond’s idea was to have healthcare for the whole family, and I think we have more than accomplished that.” A look through photos in the lobby at the main campus gives a glimpse into how important this history is to Dr. Iakovidis. Given these pictures by family members of the founding doctors, it was at his direction to put them in the lobby for all to see. A look at provider photos outside the boardroom wall on the second floor is a testament to the clinic’s lasting relationship with its providers. “We want physicians that will stay here for their whole career,” said Dr. Iakovidis. “That’s what we take pride in, that doctors come here and stay for the rest of their lives.” A photo that may one day join that wall alongside his father is Dr. Triantafilos Iakovidis, the CEO’s son (the first father and son team at the clinic). Aside from quality healthcare, steadfast community engagement, and provider retention, Bond Clinic has focused on expanding its reach. “Until 2014, Bond Clinic had never had a successful clinic outside of Winter Haven,” said the CEO. A part of their future success relied on creating satellite clinics – extensions of Bond – throughout the community. They’ve been successful in this endeavor with primary care physicians and specialists in Davenport, an orthopedic building with physical therapy in front of LEGOLAND, and their Lakeland office. “We’re very thankful that with the support of this community and many partners we’re able to continue our efforts every day and in the future,” Dr. Iakovidis said. “Our doctors have helped create the healthcare experience in our neighborhood now,” said Ashley Scanlan. From cardiology to OB/GYN, Bond Clinic has paved the way for community healthcare. “Our doctors were part of bringing that and ensuring our community had the best.” The clinic’s future looks to continue partnerships with similar-minded entities, according to Dr. Iakovidis. This will ensure they continue to meet their goals and differentiate them from other healthcare organizations. “Quality, access, and affordable care to our community at large are the three pillars for our success, but at the same time, the three pillars that will connect us even closer to our community.” Bond Clinic, P.A. 500 E Central Ave, Winter Haven (Main Campus) (863) 293-1191 IG @bondclinic_fl FB: Bond Clinic, PA Bondclinic.com

If you’ve enjoyed a fresh bagel at your local coffee shop, there’s a good chance it’s from this Lakeland deli. Off Old Road 37 is a little slice of the Big Apple – a deli and bodega featuring freshly baked bread, meals made with family recipes, and a whole lot of passion. “Uncle Nick” DeBellis was born and raised in the Bronx. He started working in the food industry at 14 and owned his deli, Mountain Top, in New York for 25 years. “He was so famous in such a small town,” said his great-nephew, Sam DeBellis. “He never cut down on the value of his products. He always gave the best service, the best products that he possibly could.” According to DeBellis, Uncle Nick would wake at 4 a.m. each morning and head to work at the deli. He was admired for his work ethic, uncompromising quality, and customer service. Ever the family man, Uncle Nick passed these methods for longevity and success down through generations. Along with Mountain Top, the family owned an eatery called DeBellis Brothers with Sam’s father, Ken, his brothers, and grandfather. “We’ve been in the deli business pretty much our whole lives,” DeBellis said. Originally from the Bronx, the family sold their deli and moved to Florida from upstate New York 12 years ago. The DeBellis’s brought their 30 years of food service experience to the Sunshine State along with a New York feel. “Uncle Nick” DeBellis passed away 11 years ago, but his legacy lives on through his family and namesake Lakeland deli. In October 2015, Sam partnered with his father, Ken, and opened Uncle Nick’s Italian Deli & Bagels off Shepherd Road. Who better to pay homage to than the man, the myth, the legend? “He was a humongous mentor to my father,” DeBellis said of Uncle Nick. “Just was an amazing person. […] He pretty much started it all.” “We’re a New York Italian deli,” DeBellis said. Almost everything in the deli is made from scratch, including fresh daily bagels, sub rolls, New York Kaiser rolls, and mozzarella. “We have 25 varieties of bagels made fresh every day. There’s never a single bagel in our store that’s used the next day,” he said. They supplement their house-made offerings with imported Italian goods and New York favorites like Junior’s Cheesecake and Kimbo Coffee. In addition to a fully operating bakery serving fresh bread, cookies, and ‘mozz,’ Uncle Nick’s offers a variety of Boar’s Head deli meat cheaper than you’d find at the supermarket. And, if you don’t feel like cooking dinner, grab a take-and-bake entrée from the case. Uncle Nick’s has three full-time employees making meals to fill the case with dishes like antipasti salad, and chicken, or meatball parmesan. Almost everything on the menu is homemade, but Sam’s favorite is the meatball parm. “Everything on the meatball parm is made from scratch. We make all our own meatballs, the fresh mozz is made in-house, and the sauce is made in-house,” he said. The recipes have all been passed down through the family, from his great-grandmother to Uncle Nick. And don’t skip out on breakfast and a hot cup of Kimbo coffee. “If you come in the morning, you’re not going to have a better breakfast sandwich anywhere around.” Uncle Nick’s is lauded for their fresh deli sandwiches, along with bagels and breakfast, soups, salads, and entrees. The ‘Vincenzo’ aka the Italian, is piled high with Boar’s Head ham, genoa salami, pepperoni, mortadella, mild provolone, and fresh mozz on a fresh ciabatta roll topped with lettuce, tomato, red peppers, and Italian dressing. We tried this big beauty during our visit. The portion was so generous we had to share it. There’s no comparison to a regular sammy when your base is fresh bread – it might be the perfect sandwich. Uncle Nick’s is a family-owned and operated deli with Sam, his parents, his wife, and several cousins all working to bring that New York feel to the Swan City. His 77-year-old grandfather recently retired from Uncle Nick’s, too. Trying to gain footing in an area with ample ‘New York Style’ restaurants, the first three years of business was tough. “You see it so much that it’s just a burnt-out saying,” DeBellis said. Then, like magic, in year four, business took off. “Lakeland has been amazing to us,” he said. “It’s been a blessing for the last eight years, for sure. Love being here.” Aside from fresh deli delights, what sets Uncle Nick’s apart? “The number one thing is probably our customer service,” he said. “You walk in, and we just give you that home feel. A lot of our customers become family. When you come to work, you expect your regulars every day.” “We have so many people who view us as their daily tradition,” he said. “It makes us so happy.” Uncle Nick’s had four locations at one time: three in Lakeland and one in Bradenton. Now, they’re focused on their Old Road 37 Lakeland locale. “We want to make this as legendary as we possibly can. We want it to be a destination location,” DeBellis said. “We want to be here forever, for sure.” Uncle Nick’s also offers flexible catering and wholesales to many businesses around the city. He and his wife have a seven-year-old and another on the way, with DeBellis remarking, “I want to make it here for them. [I want my kids] to be able to grow up here and run this place the way we run it now.” “We’re good at what we do, but we can always be better, and I think that’s what we focus on every day is giving the best quality products, the best service we can to every customer that comes through the door,” DeBellis said. “We love it here. We want to take care of the people. We want to take care of the community – that’s all we really care about.” Photography by Amy Sexson Uncle Nick’s Italian Deli & Bagels 6955 Old Rd 37, Lakeland (863) 333-4917 FB: Uncle Nicks’s Italian Deli Bagels and Catering Lakeland IG @unclenicksitaliandeli unclenicksitaliandeli.com

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

I: Chekhov’s Cave Painting In early 2019, a team of scientists announced they had made an incredible discovery. After shimmying up a fig tree on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, in search of an entrance to a remote cave system, a member of their research group had stumbled upon a previously unknown prehistoric pictograph. By analyzing the calcite “popcorn” that had built up over millennia on the surface of the paint (a method of chronometric dating based on the slow decay of uranium into thorium, as well as some other scientific shit I don’t fully understand involving isotope levels), they were able to determine that the pictograph was nearly 44,000 years old. To put that into perspective, whoever this ancient artist was, who scrambled up that rock face with a coconut husk or horn or skull-bowl full of primitive paint and tagged that wall like some Fred Flintstone Banksy, did so forty thousand years before the Great Pyramid at Giza was built. Though not the earliest pictograph ever uncovered, the find at Sulawesi is certainly no slouch. When ranked strictly on a timeline, it slots comfortably into the top three. Age, however—as so many vibrant, older folks are fond of saying—is just a number; and the “when” of this particular painting, (impressive though it may be), is not what makes it so special. It is, of course, the “what” of the thing. On its face, the pictograph depicts a simple hunting scene. It is only upon closer inspection that it becomes clear the human characters have been rendered with exaggerated, animal-like features. Long snouts. Beaks. Horns and tails. Anthropologists refer to these types of artistic figures that appear in early human cave art all over the world, as “therianthropes.” A fancy word for Animal-People. Hybrids or shapeshifters. In the painting, the hunters wield spears and face off against a menagerie of beasts that—although recognizable as native fauna—have been portrayed as outsized, disproportionate monsters. Kaiju-sized dwarf buffalo. King Kong warthogs. Taken together—the therianthropic flourishes of the hunters, the gigantic creatures—these artistic liberties suggest the pictograph may in fact be an expression of prehistoric folklore. Something more akin to mythology, or a fantasy narrative, than to a simple act of rote record-keeping. Put simply, the Liang Bulu’Sipong 4 pictograph may very well be the oldest known example of recorded storytelling in human history. Right around now you might start to wonder where the hell I’m going with all of this (admittedly pretty cool) cave painting history blather. That’s fair. Perhaps you’ve even backtracked to check you haven’t missed something. Or skimmed ahead, searching out keywords to confirm you’re reading the right article. Wasn’t this supposed to be about a local filmmaker? Something about that grumpy-looking bearded guy at the local brewery making some kind of monster movie? Don’t worry, you’re in the right place. I’m just having a bit of fun with storytelling structure. Employing a common entertainment trope known as “the cold open,” in which a movie or TV show begins suddenly, often in an unexpected setting, with unfamiliar characters, in media res. Essentially, the audience is dropped into the middle of an ongoing drama, devoid of context, and expected to trust that the storyteller will make it all make sense later. Believe it or not, I do actually intend to try to draw a line across a vast chasm of time, and connect a moment in ancient human prehistory directly to my own personal pre-high school adolescence. Because forty-four thousand years after that story went up on that cave wall in Indonesia, in the Summer of 1993, my life changed forever. Now, whether or not I manage to connect those two moments in a remotely convincing (or at the very least, compelling) way without running this whole thing off a cliff into a sea of pretension is still very much up in the air. Fifty-fifty, I’d say. For one, because how any one reader responds to any piece of writing is an inherently subjective experience. Also, quite simply, I haven’t written it yet. So, you’re just going to have to trust me. To help in that regard, you should know that I am also utilizing another, quite famous, storytelling trope in this opening. More of a “rule,” really, and one I have always endeavored to follow. Known as “Chekhov’s Gun” it is a narrative principle, established by Russian playwright Anton Chekhov, which states that if, in the beginning of a story, a gun is mentioned, or seen hanging on a wall, by the third act, it had better be fired. Otherwise, it shouldn’t be there. The Sulawesi cave painting is Chekhov’s Gun. II: The Couch, and the Door. I saw a couch in front of a door. That’s how we got here. How all of this started. The script I wrote. The movie it became. On up to this very article, even. This is, of course, a wild oversimplification. The main thrust of the screenplay—concerning long term relationships and the inevitable resentment that festers when one person shoulders the lion’s share of the sacrifice necessary to maintain it—had been percolating in the dark parts of my head and heart for years before I ever had “the vision.” Similarly, my singling out those three specific milestones—screenplay, movie, this article—intentionally glosses over the countless, arguably more important bits that came between them. All the hard parts. The really tough stuff. It ignores the struggle. The best, most rewarding experiences. The blood in the veins. The meat on the bones. The shit that really sticks in your teeth. Moments that, were I writing a different article, would be milestones in and of themselves. It is, in fact, another example of the profound power of storytelling: Its ability to collapse time. To turn entire epochs into ellipses. Those bits of white space between the script, the movie, and this article, essentially add up more than a quarter of my entire life. But in the interest of brevity (something I’ve never been particularly interested in, and as a result, have rarely managed to achieve) I have no choice, for now, but to leave those moments in the ellipses… And get back to that damned couch in front of that door. To be clear, it wasn’t a dream. I didn’t sit bolt-upright in bed, break out in a cold sweat, and reach for a notebook on the nightstand. I never considered it a premonition or prophecy of any kind because, well, that would be crazy. And I only previously made reference to it as a capital-V vision with my tongue planted firmly in the meat of my cheek. It was just an image. A flash across my mind’s eye that lasted all of an instant. Come from nowhere. Apropos of nothing. Like a bug smacking a windshield. There wasn’t even anything particularly interesting about either the couch or the door outside of their unusual proximity to one another. There was no corpse on the couch. No family sat on it, all dressed up in period clothes, like Dust Bowl-era farmers in their Sunday best; only with black eyes and their mouths sewn shut. There was no enormous Saint Bernard sprawled across the cushions, either. Slobbery, slick red muzzle. Gnawing on a long bone… With a foot on the end of it. It was just a couch. It was every couch ever made. All distilled down into one. The couch from every classic sitcom. The one the title family all piles onto in the opening credits. All shouldered together, smiling and being silly. The door was equally unremarkable. There were no bullet holes. No misspelled Beatles song title scrawled across it in blood. It wasn’t at the end of a long hallway, locked from the outside, with a peephole in the middle, looking in. Nor did it open on a rickety staircase that disappeared into a basement… where something, somewhere down in the dark, was growling softly. It was just a door. Wood. Painted, off-white, maybe. Maybe not, I’m not sure. But there was one other curious detail that stood out about it at the time: It was a front door. The main artery through which family and friends, food, overdue homecomings, big hugs, and sometimes bad news and even bad guys, flow directly into the heart of a home. And that couch, the one shoved up against it–it should be noted–was on the inside of the house. All but wedged into a narrow foyer. Its plush, curving arms scraping the walls on either side. I was, of course, immediately aware this was an unusual place to find a couch, not least because it flew in the face of nearly every, unassailable tenet of Feng-shui. I simply had to know more. Who would do such a thing? Why would they do it? Certainly, it wasn’t to stop someone getting out. Moving the couch to get out the door would be annoying, no doubt; and it would surely slow any attempted escape. But it was, at most, a minor inconvenience. Perhaps then, I surmised, it had been dragged out into the mud room and shoved up against the door in an attempt to keep someone out. Maybe even something. That had to be it. It was the only thing that made sense: I was looking at a rudimentary, hastily constructed barricade. I still had no idea who had put it there, but I had just managed to hook my fingertips on the edge of the “why.” Which, of course, turned out to be merely the flaky skin on the outside of an onion; and my peeling it away had managed only to reveal layer after layer of countless new questions. Not least of which was: If the couch was in front of the door to keep something out… What the hell was trying to get in? I sat down at my computer, opened my screenwriting software, and wrote the following: INT. HOUSE - MORNING HANK wakes up on the couch. He is in his early thirties but is carrying a few more years under his eyes, and in the wiry beard on his neck and jowls. He swings his feet to the floor and yawns and cracks the knuckles of his toes on the hardwood. Two things suddenly make this otherwise pedestrian moment quite surreal: The first, is when he pulls an enormous double-barrel shotgun from the cushions behind him and lays it casually across his lap. The second, is when it becomes apparent that the couch... IS BARRICADED AGAINST THE FRONT DOOR. Hank yawns. He scratches his greasy head. He claws the crust from the corners of his eyes. Then he stands with the shotgun and stretches and groans and lumbers out of frame. For a moment we linger on that bizarre image: A couch, in front of a door. Boom! Mystery solved. I had figured it out! The person who had built the strange couch-barricade was… A guy named Hank, apparently. Who–not coincidentally (on the off-chance I managed to finish whatever this was and get it made)–happened to look quite a bit like me. Though I still had no idea who this man really was, where he was, what he did for a living, or what he was trying to keep out of his house, I had made a bit of progress. That opening scene amounted to almost one single page of a screenplay. And this, dear reader, is but a glimpse into the maddening, inefficient, nightmare that is–and has always been–my writing process. Try as I might, to plot out my stories with Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey, or make “mind-maps” or beat sheets, or lay three acts out on Syd Field’s Screenplay Paradigm, or in Dan Harmon’s Story Circle, I have never once managed to actually do it. Everything I have ever finished has been the result of a flash of inspiration, followed by weeks, months, and often years of blindly groping in the dark for breadcrumbs and lifelines. This article is no exception. It is part of the reason I resisted committing to it for so long. It is also why I have amassed no fewer than nine individual documents comprising an equal number of false starts over two months attempting to write it. And it is why I am still bushwhacking through word thickets on the eve of a deadline while my wife works my shift at the bar, to give me every last minute to maybe find my way out of the writing woods. Speaking of the woods… III: The Terrible Wilderness of the Middle. When I first saw the A.A. Stivender House, there was a moment—however brief—in which I thought I had actually manifested the damned thing. That I might literally have written it into existence. Willed the house into the world through sheer force of imagination. The power of a pen on paper. I could almost see it happening. Set back from the road as it was, hidden in a hug of oak trees behind curtains of Spanish moss, literally building itself, a board at a time. Not all at once, but over months and years. Each time I wrote a sentence referencing Hank’s home it would grumble awake in the woods and grow a little more. A little bit bigger. From the foundation to the wide wraparound porch, on up to the tall brick chimney jutting from the roof like a castle spire. Its crown choked by an enormous osprey nest. A beautiful green bloom of infection threatening to spread over the whole of the place that called to mind “The Lonely Death of Jordy Verill,” from George Romero’s Creepshow. In reality, of course, none of that happened. The enchanting, imposing, Italianate-style home that would become a major character in my third feature film was already standing a full hundred years before I was even born. Built in 1881, by a dentist from Alabama in what would become the city of Leesburg, Florida, (but at the time was a small citrus-industry outpost known as Eldorado,) it was absolutely perfect. So perfect, in fact, it had already been featured in a major motion picture years earlier. Away We Go was a sweet, rambling dramedy starring Maya Rudolph and John Krasinski, as a couple on the verge of parenthood who travel the country visiting friends and family, looking for the perfect place to put down roots. In the end, they decide on the childhood home of Rudolph’s character. Enter, the A.A. Stivender House. This connection was no coincidence of course. The house had been suggested to us by our friend, Juan Ortiz, who is a talented filmmaker in his own right. (Seriously, if you’re curious what I look like in a knit panda mask eating a severed thumb, check out his film Fingers). Anyway, years earlier, Juan had been hired to sit at the Stivender property to ensure no one vandalized the Away We Go set overnight. During these security details, he would often call Christian Stella, my co-director and lifelong filmmaking partner, just to have someone to talk to in order to distract him from the spooky sounds and pitch-black darkness of the location. It is no wonder he insisted we consider the place for our monster movie. Which, by the way, we were finally, officially, actually making. And it had only been six years since I first saw that couch in front of that door. In that time the script had gone through countless rewrites. Some, a product of my own restless tinkering; but a fair amount that were insisted upon by a rogue’s gallery of producers (with mostly good intentions) who mostly, eventually, just quietly vanished. My personal life had changed dramatically in that time, and I had begun to question, if we ever managed to get the movie made, whether I would still be able to relate to the themes and emotions that had inspired me to write it in the first place. By the last of those endless drafts, one character had been cut down to nearly nothing, two characters had been collapsed into one, (come to think of it, two monsters had been collapsed into one) and nearly thirty pages had been excised completely. Somehow though, I mostly still recognized it as the story I originally wrote. The biggest change to the script however, wouldn’t be implemented until that final rewrite. During a conference call with investors and producers, I got the sense that interest might be flagging a little when the subject of where we envisioned shooting the film was raised. From the very first draft, I had always imagined the story taking place in New England. I was living in Connecticut when the story was written, and we had shot our previous two features in the upstate town of Kent, near the border of southwestern Massachusetts. At that time, there had been quite a few recent indie, artsy, horror movies set in the moody, foggy forests and meadows of old-world America, and for some reason, without running it by my partners, I blurted out something along the lines of: “I’ve always wanted to make a movie in the middle of Florida. In the part of Florida most people don’t see. The part that feels like the south. No beaches or theme parks. I’m talking about sweet tea and Spanish moss. Snakes and gators and swamps and old orange groves and good old boys in big trucks.” A month later, we were knocking on doors in Leesburg, trying to find the owner of the house I thought I might have written into the world. IV: Making a Monster Much ink (and even more audio) has been spilt on the making of After Midnight. And why not? Filming a movie is the fun part. Running around town scouring flea markets and thrift stores and filling a box truck with enough furniture and knick knacks and bric-a-brac to turn a hundred year old home with no electricity or running water into something that looked warm and loved and lived-in. Catching a half dozen beautiful yellow rat snakes that seemed to be furiously mating and occasionally dropping from the rafters onto the porch. Working with some of my favorite creative people in the world. Trying not to crack up laughing next to Henry Zebrowski, one of the funniest comedians alive, every single time he was on camera; and at one point having to be gently told by producers during the editing process: “You know you can’t leave every single one of his ad-libs in the final movie, right?” Getting permission to sing, on screen, the entirety of a song that was a touchstone anthem of the early nineties. And of course, having the unbelievable opportunity to have one of my special effects heroes make a full-body, practical monster suit inspired by words I wrote, and then getting to actually physically fight that monster. It was a dream. Every single day. Of which I believe there were exactly eighteen. That’s it. Eighteen days. Less than three weeks. Then it was off to a dark room to edit and color correct and sound design and sound mix and add temp score and argue and wait for the real score and phone calls and phone calls and notes and notes and notes and notes and flying to Los Angeles to make monster roars and snarls and growls and oh by the way, I wasn’t working while all this was happening so pretty soon it was back to the day job! Which brings me to another reason I politely declined the offer to write this piece, and screen our film, in the past: I don’t particularly like telling people I’m a filmmaker. More often than not, I would rather most people not know I make movies. I am well aware what a difficult circle that is to square, given the three thousand bloviating words I’ve dedicated to talking about precisely that subject up to this point. And in the spirit of transparency—to peel back the curtain a bit—this particular section has proven such a difficult and delicate one to write, I have in fact skipped it, written the ending, and come back to it now to tackle it last. There is just simply no easy way to say you would rather the public at large be unaware of your ambitions, without sounding either ashamed of said ambitions, or otherwise ungrateful of the job that keeps your lights on and supports your pursuit of those goals. And yet I am neither ashamed nor ungrateful of either. On the contrary, were my moviemaking endeavors ever considered to be even the faintest of freckles on the vast body of cinematic history (somewhere on the back of the thigh probably) it would be one of the proudest achievements of my life. Similarly—though it may be harder to believe—I consider my day job slinging beers at Grove Roots Brewing, to be one of the most rewarding “obligations” I’ve ever had the privilege of lucking into. Had I not weaseled my way into such a warm, supportive place, there is little to no chance my wife and I would still be in this town, let alone the state. It may be a cliche to say your coworkers are your family; but if they all end up members of your wedding party, and their children are your flower girl and ring-bearer, or when they’ve given you six months off to make a movie, and so many customers ask after you that they name a beer “Where’s Jeremy?”, the sentiment rings a bit more true. Nevertheless, regardless how I feel about my involvement in either my day job or my dream job, they are rarely symbiotic. Consider the following, fairly common scenarios: INT. BREWERY - NIGHT Jeremy is behind the bar. A customer approaches. JEREMY How we doin today? CUSTOMER Good, good. JEREMY Can I help you find something? CUSTOMER Don,t you make movies? JEREMY Uhh, well... Kinda, yeah- CUSTOMER Cuz I make videos too. I got this new drone, and I,m trying to make a bunch of promo stuff... Jeremy sighs. DISSOLVE TO: INT. BREWERY - AFTERNOON Jeremy hunches over the sinks behind the bar, washing dishes. A customer approaches. CUSTOMER Hey you make movies right? JEREMY I’ve made a couple, yeah. CUSTOMER What are they called? JEREMY Well there's a few, but the ones I wrote and directed myself- CUSTOMER Cuz I got one of those Fire Sticks, so I can watch pretty much any movie for free. Jeremy sighs. INT. BREWERY - NIGHT CUSTOMER I heard you make movies. JEREMY On occasion. CUSTOMER You gotta cast me in the next one. INT. BREWERY - EVENING CUSTOMER Are you the guy that makes the movies? JEREMY Uhh, I mean. Probably, yeah. CUSTOMER Well there,s no paper towels in the men,s room. Obviously, these interactions are the exception, not the rule. And for the most part the people I have met in this town have been supportive and generous, to an almost sickening degree. In fact, when it was announced After Midnight would have its international premiere at a festival in Switzerland, the regulars at the brewery were the ones who bought nearly a thousand dollars worth of t-shirts I’d designed to try and raise money to make the trip. Most of them never even picked up the shirts. They just wanted to help. The reality is, I have gone bowling with [name redacted] and competed in a Moon Pie eating competition with [name redacted]. I have snuck out of a live performance in Montreal to get burgers with [name redacted] and done a live, drunken reading of the Road House screenplay for charity with [name redacted]. I have stood for an hour, signing autographs in a foreign country after a sold-out screening of my film, and been all over the world and won countless audience and acting awards. I did a People magazine photo shoot at the Tribeca Film Festival where my last movie had its world premiere, and if all of that sounds a bit pompous that’s because it is supposed to. Because I often find it very difficult to explain these things to people when they think it is “cute” that I make “videos.” And I rarely feel like a filmmaker, when I’m sweeping up glass or cleaning up spills. So, why have I agreed to write this at all? Well, first and foremost, because twenty-five years ago, in my hometown of Kissimmee, Florida, someone thought it worthy to organize a film festival. Because of that person, that event, and that communal space, my friends and I felt inspired to make our first feature film. We also met numerous other aspiring filmmakers we never would have known were making the same kinds of silly movies in the same stupid town. One of those people, twenty years later, would ask me to put on a panda mask and eat a man’s thumb, and later lead us to that hundred-year-old house I might have manifested. So if writing this article, or screening our film, somehow facilitates an interaction between a few shy kids who feel like they’re alone in wanting to make weird movies in this big, weird, state, well, then every unsolicited audition I’m forced to endure, or drone reel video I’m forced to watch on someone’s phone while I’m working will be worth it. Now, about that cave painting… V: Chekhov’s Cave Painting 2: The Paintening. I was twelve years old in the summer of 1993; so the particulars of the night itself escape me. But considering it was the middle of June in the middle of Florida, it’s probably safe to assume it was pretty damn sticky outside. And for my money, humanity has yet to dream up a more perfect sanctuary from the heat than the cool, dark of a movie theater. Which is where I found myself that evening. I have to assume some of the more film-savvy readers, by this point, have long figured out what it was I saw that night, so I won’t beat around the bush any longer… It was Jurassic Park. Steven Spielberg’s classic sci-fi adventure may seem like little more than big budget, high-brow Hollywood camp to some people; but I imagine those people weren’t twelve when they first saw it. I was obsessed with dinosaurs as a child. My grandmother is fond of recounting being told by my first-grade teacher that I corrected her spelling of Diplodocus. And here they were, larger than life, flesh and blood, as real as anything I’d ever seen. Jurassic Park is not my favorite film of all time, but it will always have a piece of my heart, and it changed the trajectory of my life because I became so infatuated with the film (mind you, this was before the internet) that I gobbled up every bit of media I could find about it in an effort to stay connected to the feeling I had from watching it. Magazines. Newspapers. TV news shows like 60 Minutes and late night talk show interviews with the cast. As a result, I became, for the first time, keenly aware of the making of a movie, irrespective of the experience of simply seeing it. I was twelve years old in the summer of 1993; so the particulars of the night itself escape me. But considering it was the middle of June in the middle of Florida, it’s probably safe to assume it was pretty damn sticky outside. And for my money, humanity has yet to dream up a more perfect sanctuary from the heat than the cool, dark of a movie theater. Which is where I found myself that evening. I have to assume some of the more film-savvy readers, by this point, have long figured out what it was I saw that night, so I won’t beat around the bush any longer… It was Jurassic Park. Steven Spielberg’s classic sci-fi adventure may seem like little more than big budget, high-brow Hollywood camp to some people; but I imagine those people weren’t twelve when they first saw it. I was obsessed with dinosaurs as a child. My grandmother is fond of recounting being told by my first-grade teacher that I corrected her spelling of Diplodocus. And here they were, larger than life, flesh and blood, as real as anything I’d ever seen. Jurassic Park is not my favorite film of all time, but it will always have a piece of my heart, and it changed the trajectory of my life because I became so infatuated with the film (mind you, this was before the internet) that I gobbled up every bit of media I could find about it in an effort to stay connected to the feeling I had from watching it. Magazines. Newspapers. TV news shows like 60 Minutes and late night talk show interviews with the cast. As a result, I became, for the first time, keenly aware of the making of a movie, irrespective of the experience of simply seeing it. PLEASE JOIN US FOR A PRIVATE SCREENING OF  AFTER MIDNIGHT WHILE WE RAISE FUNDS FOR THE HISTORIC RITZ THEATRE. Q & A WITH DIRECTORS JEREMY GARDNER AND CHRISTIAN STELLA TO FOLLOW. OCTOBER 26, 7 PM VERY LIMITED SEATING, PLEASE RESERVE YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE. CENTRALFLORIDATIX.COM

Bartow Ford has been giving away a truck during the fall for as long as Bartow Ford President Benny Robles Jr. can remember. He noticed that when it came time for the giveaway, only a few finalists and family members would show up. “I always felt like, especially back in the day, when you hear about a dealership giving away a vehicle, you kind of write it off as a hoax or a gimmick to get people in the door. And we really are giving away an F150,” he said. “I wanted to come up with an idea where a lot of people would be there from the community, but I wanted it to be fun for the community. There’s no radio spot or TV commercial I can do that’s going to make someone buy a vehicle that day, but if I can have a wonderful time with the community and they have a wonderful time at the dealership, and in the meantime, we raise a lot of money for local charities – that should stay pretty top of mind,” Robles said. “We feel like the community is really what makes Bartow Ford special, whether it’s the employees that we have or the customers that we have – we feel like they’re part of our family. To be able to get together, have a great time, listen to some country music, and give away an F150 sounded like a good idea.” Last year, the dealership launched Bartow Ford’s Concert on the Lot Series. They’re revving up again for a premier county music concert featuring multi-platinum GRAMMY nominee and CMA and ACM award winner Lee Brice. Joining Brice on the Bartow Ford stage is good friend and country music vocal powerhouse Randy Houser. “We are so excited to bring this entertainment experience to Polk County at a ticket price that makes it affordable for more people in our community,” Robles said. “We promise it will be a night to remember.” Bartow Ford is partnering with 97 Country and The Dallas Bull for the November 11 event, which will be held at the dealership. Doors will open at 5 pm, and music begins at 6:30 pm. A variety of food and beverage vendors will be on hand. In addition to the night’s entertainment, one lucky concert attendee will win a Ford F150. Contest details will be available on BartowFord.com as the event gets closer. Bartow Ford is committed to charitable work with organizations like the Achievement Academy and VISTE, and this event will be no different. Tickets, which can be purchased at BartowFord.com, are $31. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Humane Society of Polk County and the Wounded Warrior Project. According to woundedwarriorproject.org, “The WWP mission is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors who incurred a physical or mental injury, illnesses, or wound, co-incident to [their] military service on or after September 11, 2001.” As the concert falls on Veteran’s Day, Robles said, “I also want to take care of the veterans because we appreciate all the sacrifices they’ve made.” Robles said he looks forward to interacting with the community at the event. “I feel like that’s what makes it special, that connection.” LEE BRICE When Lee Brice isn’t selling out arenas, writing and recording songs, or building new brands like American Born whiskey, you’ll find the family man with his wife Sara, two young boys, and baby daughter. Meanwhile, with more than 14 million in RIAA-certified sales and streams, and nearing three billion spins on Pandora, Brice continues to enjoy massive success at country radio, digital streaming services, and on the road. Lee is also a GRAMMY nominee, a CMA nominee, and a double ACM award winner, and he’s taken six radio singles to Number One: “A Woman Like You,” “Hard To Love,” “I Drive Your Truck,” “I Don’t Dance,” “Drinking Class,” and “Rumor.” Garth Brooks, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, and others have recorded his songs, and he’s performed on numerous TV shows, including NBC’s Today, ABC’s The Bachelor, NBC’s The Voice and FOX’s Miss USA 2018. Lee’s “Rumor” is the current single from his fourth studio album, Lee Brice, released November 3, 2017, on Curb Records. The RIAA Certified Platinum single is Lee’s sixth number-one hit, appearing in the top spot on the Billboard, Mediabase Country Radio, and SiriusXM’s “The Highway” Top 30 charts. It has also surpassed 280 million on-demand audio & video streams in the US, with over 300 million worldwide. For more information, go to LeeBrice.com. RANDY HOUSER With an inimitable voice, The New York Times describes as “wholly different, thicker and more throbbing, a caldron bubbling over,” Randy Houser racked up three consecutive No. 1 hits and more than four million in singles sales to date with his Stoney Creek Records album How Country Feels. He topped the charts with the title track, “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” and “Goodnight Kiss” (also his first No. 1 as a songwriter) and earned critical acclaim for his powerful delivery of the Top 5 smash and CMA Song of the Year-nominated “Like A Cowboy.” Houser added a fourth No. 1 to his catalog with “We Went” from his 2016 album, Fired Up. Houser’s sixth studio album, Note To Self, is available now via Magnolia Music Group and features ten tracks, all co-written by the Mississippi native. Currently in the top 30 and climbing at Country radio, lead single and title track “Note To Self” marked his “powerful return” following 2019’s critically-acclaimed album Magnolia, with MusicRow boasting the Mississippi-native, remains one of country music’s very finest vocalists.” With multiple sold-out shows in 2022, including an at-capacity stop at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, Houser wrapped his coheadlining tour with longtime friend Jamey Johnson and is currently on the road with Cody Johnson. Along with preparing new music and a relentless touring schedule, Houser landed onscreen roles in Martin Scorsese’s upcoming film Killers of the Flower Moon starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and more, as well as the inspiring The Hill starring Dennis Quaid. For more information, go to RandyHouser.com.

If you’re craving something, chances are it’s on the menu at Cravin’ Haven. This rotating menu food truck boasts “food with no borders” and an inviting patio dining space. What started as ‘just something to do’ became the Best Food Truck in Winter Haven in only a year. Winter Haven resident Phillip Brooks worked in construction for 25 years. A year and a half post-retirement, Brooks was getting restless. Ex-wife Mandy Brooks encouraged Phillip that if he was going back to work, it should be something he wanted to do. He decided to open a food truck. “I’ve done a little competitive cooking,” Brooks said. “I’ve just always loved to do it. I didn’t realize it was such a big job until we got this place here.” After a year of preparation, Cravin’ Haven opened off Dundee Road on September 23, 2022. Just a few days later, Hurricane Ian barreled through the state. To say it was a rough opening would be an understatement. But, a year later, Cravin’ Haven has built a loyal following and was voted Best Food Truck in the 2023 Best of Haven readers’ choice awards. THE FOOD “I knew that I wanted to be able to serve what I want to,” Brooks said. “I always knew I’d be serving some sort of barbecue.” But Cravin’ Haven isn’t a barbecue joint by any means. This Dundee Road dining destination offers “food with no borders.” Patrons might get a barbecue brisket sandwich one day and a banh mi another. Brooks has chosen not to limit his offerings to one culinary genre. Their rotating menu includes fan favorites like brisket, pork, or ahi tuna tacos, as well as their famous smash burger. “The most fun part is I just love cooking and coming up with new menus,” Brooks said. Cravin’ Haven’s tacos come served in upright stands, so they don’t slide all over the place – an appreciated touch. Though each delicious in its own right, the ahi tuna tacos stole the show. Two tacos are filled with succulent seared ahi tuna and topped with micro greens, avocado, fresco cheese, sprinkled with sesame seeds, and finished with house wasabi lime aioli. Second only to the tuna tacos was the gourmet smash burger made with a homemade ¼ pound burger piled with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onion, served with fries and coleslaw. Their fresh, all-natural jumbo chicken wings are also climbing the ranks for a top spot on the menu, available in garlic parmesan, barbecue, or Buffalo (mild, medium, or hot). Don’t skip out on the authentic Cuban sandwich pressed with house-smoked pork, ham, pickles, Swiss cheese, and mustard on Cuban bread. Though one might be tempted to take their food and escape to the air conditioning from the oppressive Florida heat, Cravin’ Haven’s screened-in patio is a shaded spot to lounge for lunchtime. A breeze wafts teasing aromas from the food truck into a screened-in patio with ample seating and string lights. THE TEAM “When I opened it, I opened it for me, so I’d have something to do. I never thought for a second that it would take off like this,” Brooks said. Some of his biggest supporters have been ex-wife and friend Mandy Brooks and her mother, Brenda Mitchell. Brooks said of Mandy, “She’s been a massive help from day one.” Brooks now has four employees and a traveling food trailer in addition to the stationary food truck. Daughter Katie is on the team, along with prep cook Renee, and Ryan, who works in the traveling trailer. “The biggest surprise is how we’ve been accepted,” Brooks said. “It grew really fast around me.” Katie, who formerly worked in a food truck at LEGOLAND, discussed the best part about working at Cravin’ Haven. “Just working with family is good and getting to know all our customers,” she said. She noted the food truck’s success: “It’s amazing. […] I’m so honored.” A year in, Brooks has his sights on a brick-and-mortar with no set plans just yet. “I think that’s anyone’s dream to see their food truck go to a brick and mortar. Just waiting on that one investor,” he said. “I like this, what I’m doing. But a brick-and-mortar would be the payoff. It would mean I made it.” Photography by Amy Sexson Cravin’ Haven 3223 Dundee Rd., Winter Haven 863-604-9423 cravinhavenfl.com FB: Cravin’ Haven IG @cravinhavenfl

Kevin Aydelott and Jimmy Fox, from different West Texas towns, met at church in 1998. They’ve been best friends ever since. Twenty-five years later, the pair established The Cultivated Pig, a refined live-fire mobile restaurant specializing in Texas-inspired smoked meats. Years after they met, Kevin moved to Dallas-Fort Worth, and started culinary school, while Jimmy moved to Jacksonville as a software programmer. He would be promoted to IT Director at his company while Kevin climbed the ranks as a chef at the Four Seasons Resort in Dallas. Six years later, Chef Kevin was moved to the new Four Seasons at Disney, and Jimmy went on to start another tech company. Kevin started doing barbecue competitions on the side and asked Jimmy to help. “We had a tiny little smoker,” Jimmy said, laughing. Where they grew up, according to Jimmy, “Texas barbecue is basically only brisket. It’s about cooking the meat, so the meat tastes really beefy. It should taste beefier than a really good steak. […] We realized that’s not the theme in competition circuits. They have a vision, and it’s whoever can get closest to that vision, not necessarily what tastes the best.” They did a few competitions before realizing that wasn’t their arena. According to the pair, “Being native Texans, we were used to having the meat stand-alone by itself and not adding any sugary sauces to it to achieve a certain flavor profile.” A few years later, the pandemic descended. “Covid kind of put a lot of things into perspective for me,” said Kevin. “I wanted to do my own thing for a while.” He was furloughed for nine months during the pandemic. “I built up the courage to go out on my own.” He, of course, asked his best bud, Jimmy, to join him on his barbecue journey. Looking to turn their barbecue competition team into a bona fide business, the two friends sought out a commissary kitchen. “We came to Catapult, met [Kitchen Director] Maggie [Leach], and saw the facilities, and I was like, ‘There’s nobody better than this,’” said Kevin. “Lakeland has been a really good, fostering area for small businesses,” Jimmy added. The Cultivated Pig has been in business as a live-fire mobile restaurant for over a year and it has become both of their “double full-time” jobs. Over that year, they’ve built a Cultivated Pig cult following and battled everything from unpredictable thunderstorms to sweltering heat. (Traveling with a 16-foot smoker, the ambient temperature can get up to 140 degrees during the summer.) THE FOOD The Cultivated Pig boasts Texas-inspired fare. Jimmy and Kevin have their own dry rub to season the meat and don’t use sugary sauces. Though they offer sauce for customers to use at their discretion, “We’ve dubbed our barbeque sauce, ‘After-THOT (those hogs over there) Sauce,’” said Jimmy. “I think what sets us apart is where most people use apple cider vinegar to spray with; we use wine,” said Kevin. They use Lakeridge Winery’s Southern Red. The two friends smoke everything from brisket and pulled pork to spareribs, pork belly, and whole turkeys. “We don’t take any shortcuts,” Kevin said. “If it takes 15 hours to cook, it takes 15 hours to cook.” One of their most popular dishes doesn’t have any meat in it. This vegan dish consists of Japanese eggplant cooked directly on the coals, served on a bed of garlic hummus, mint, extra virgin olive oil, and tajin. “We sell that vegan option to more meat eaters than we do vegans,” said Jimmy. The Cultivated Pig recently won a grant from Catapult for a dry-ager. They plan to start making biltong, a South African dried, cured meat, using various types of meat like beef, lamb, and ostrich. If all this talk of succulent barbecue has you salivating, check out the Cultivated Pig menu for Swantoberfest (they’ll be there on October 13 from 3-10 pm): house-made smoked pastrami, duck fat-braised red cabbage, beer-braised brats, TCP smoked sausage hot dogs on a pretzel bun with house-made sauerkraut, regular, spicy, and whole grain mustards, baked potato salad, and a pulled pork sandwich with mustard sauce and sauerkraut on a pretzel bun. I see beer and brats in my future. THE FUTURE The pair recently met the owners of Whiskey Bent BBQ Supply, whom they hope to partner with for manufacturing. “We’re trying to keep things honest-to-God, Lakeland-local,” Jimmy said.  “We would prefer to get a lot of our raw ingredients from local farmers and ranchers, not just pay lip service to it.” “We call this phase being ‘on tour,’” Jimmy said. Their aim is to build exposure before entering a brick and mortar. “There are different things we want to do, not just be a restaurant,” said Kevin. They hope to be a dining destination similar to Franklin Barbecue in Austin, Texas, where people from across the country come to eat. “We don’t want to be pigeonholed into ‘barbecue.’ Because when people think ‘barbecue,’ they think sugary sauces, cheap stuff. But barbecue is a style of cooking,” said Kevin. “We want to offer a different experience.” The Cultivated Pig could be a live fire smokehouse before we know it. Fingers crossed! Photography by Amy Sexson The Cultivated Pig FB: The Cultivated Pig IG @thecultivatedpig thecultivatedpig.com

BEST PARK BOK TOWER GARDENS 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales (863) 676-1408 FB: Bok Tower Gardens IG @boktowergardens boktowergardens.org Twenty-three million visitors have meandered the stunning garden paths to Bok Tower since it opened in 1929. From the 1930s Mediterranean-style Pinewood Estate to the Visitor Center & Exhibit Hall, there’s plenty to take in at the Gardens. Those who adventure to Bok Tower Gardens can enjoy photography, birdwatching, geocaching, and hiking. Guests can trek the 1.5- mile Preserve Trail or 3/4-mile Pine Ridge Nature Trail and take the kids to the Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden. After taking in the flora and fauna and the carillon concert, which rings out throughout the Gardens each day at 1 and 3 p.m. with short selections played on the hour and half hour, conclude your visit with a tasty bite at the onsite restaurant, Blue Palmetto Cafe. Don’t forget to pick up a memento of your trip at The Shop at Bok or The Plant Shop. 2nd: Bonnet Springs Park 3rd: Central Park, Downtown Winter Haven BEST DATE NIGHT GROVE ROOTS BREWING CO. 302 3rd St SW, Winter Haven (863) 291-0700 FB @groverootsbrewing IG @groverootsbrewing groveroots.com It would be hard to think of a better date night than the laid-back atmosphere at Grove Roots, with the Best Beer and Best Live Music. There’s plenty to do whether it’s your first date or your twentieth. The brewery offers a selection of local craft beers, unique food trucks, live music, and plenty of seating inside and outside to be in the heart of it all or tucked away by yourselves. They offer free trivia every Tuesday, and fun events throughout the year. Check their socials for the daily food truck. 2nd: (tie) Obscure Wine Company 2nd: (tie) Laugh Out Lounge 3rd: Nutwood BEST GOLF COURSE CYPRESSWOOD GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB 1099 Clubhouse Rd, Winter Haven (863) 324-6174 FB @cypresswoodcc IG @cypresswoodgolfcourse cypresswoodcc.com Why did the golfer wear two pairs of pants? In case he got a hole-in-one. Tee-hee. Another win FORE! Cypresswood Golf & Country Club! This repeat Best Of Haven winner is an 18-hole championship golf course designed by award-winning designer Ron Garl. In addition to the course, Cypresswood has a putting green, chipping green, and driving range and is open to the public yearround from sunrise to sunset. After a day on the course, grab lunch at Cypresswood Pub and make a trip to the pro shop. 2nd: The Country Club of Winter Haven 3rd: Willowbrook Golf Course BEST DANCE STUDIO THE WRIGHT STEP SCHOOL OF DANCE 316 Ave C SW, Winter Haven (863) 294-5300 FB: The Wright Step School of Dance IG @thewrightstepschoolofdance thewrightsteponline.com Our readers think The Wright Step School of Dance is the best. And they’ve got a pointe! With three studios spanning 5000 square feet, specialized wood flooring, and instructors trained in all dance styles, you know this Winter Haven dance studio is doing it Wright! The Wright Step School of Dance is a multi-genre dance studio opened in 2001 by Amy and Kevin Wright. “Faculty are industry professionals with a heart for sharing their love of our art!” The Wright Step Xtreme Team, founded in 2004, comprises about 70 dancers aged 5-18. In addition to their community outreach, the Xtreme Team has won numerous “Entertainment” awards, “Judges Choice” awards, and national overall placements. 2nd: Barbara’s Centre’ For Dance 3rd: The Ballet Conservatory BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE GROVE ROOTS BREWING CO. 302 3rd St SW, Winter Haven (863) 291-0700 FB @groverootsbrewing IG @groverootsbrewing groveroots.com Beers. Bands. Big-time Best Of Haven winners. This Winter Haven hangout is the place to enjoy a variety of locally brewed craft beers while listening to local talent. Grove Roots guests can imbibe the Best Polk County Beer (Tropical Dilemma) and hear live music ranging from solo acts to full bands every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night, and Sunday afternoon. Check their online calendar to see who’s playing this week! Pint-loving patrons can expect unique food trucks and ample places to hang out inside and out. 2nd: Tanners Lakeside Restaurant & Bar 3rd: Jessie’s Lounge BEST MUSEUM POLK MUSEUM OF ART AT FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE 800 E Palmetto St, Lakeland (863) 688-7743 FB: Polk Museum of Art IG @polkmuseumofart polkmuseumofart.org Some 140,000 visitors come to the Polk Museum of Art annually. Admission to the Museum is free, and exhibits typically change every few months. PMA patrons can enjoy their diverse collection of more than 2,800 objects with a focus on collecting and exhibiting contemporary art, Asian art, Pre-Columbian art, African art, and decorative art. Some exhibitions are from their collection, but many are from local, nationally, and internationally known artists such as Pablo Picasso, Albert Paley, Miriam Schapiro, Donald Sultan, James Rosenquist, Andy Warhol, and many others. In 2022, the Museum announced plans for a $6 million expansion and renovation project slated for completion in the summer of 2024. 2nd: Florida Children’s Museum 3rd: Museum of Winter Haven History BEST MURAL HAVEN BY GILLIAN FAZIO 343 Ave. C SW, Winter Haven FB: Gillian Fazio Art IG @gfazioart gfazioart.com The Haven mural located on the back wall of the Alan L. Ulch building depicts the word “HAVEN” in crisp white letters with a butterfly atop the “A.” It is backdropped by mirror-still water dotted with lily pads and pink and white water lilies. In an interview with WFTS Tampa Bay, artist Gillian Fazio said, “I just wanted to make something that makes everybody feel happy and uplifted whenever they see the wall. So all my work tends to have bright colors, fun patterns, and some aspect of nature.” The mural is dedicated, “In loving memory of Mary Lou Ulch.” 2nd: Lady on the Wall by Kenneth Treister and William Larence 3rd: (tie) Falling Man by Paul O’Neill 3rd: (tie) Jensen’s Guitar BEST VISUAL ARTIST GILLIAN FAZIO 343 Ave. C SW, Winter Haven FB: Gillian Fazio Art IG @gfazioart gfazioart.com Gillian Fazio is no stranger to the Best Of Haven winners list. Her Haven mural took first place again this year for Best Mural, and she’s won Best Visual Artist multiple years in a row. Her talent can be seen in colorful, nature-inspired pieces around Polk County, like in the Create mural at Catapult in Lakeland or the oranges and butterflies in Slice of Happiness in Lake Wales. A Lakeland native, Fazio graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from the University of Florida in 2017. Fazio has painted over 20 murals across Central Florida from Tampa to Anna Maria Island and describes herself as a “new age flora and fauna artist.” 2nd: William Larence 3rd: Paul O’Neill BEST BAND 99 IN THE SHADE FB: 99 in the Shade Best Of Haven voters are rocking out to this high-energy variety and dance band. In addition to gigs at clubs, weddings, corporate, and private events, you can catch this rockin’ quartet regularly at Somewhere Sports Bar & Grill and Tanners Lakeside. Since 2015, 99 in the Shade has been getting crowds on their feet with classic to current music – everything from Journey to Bruno Mars! 2nd: B.Haven 3rd: Daniel Pepin BEST DRAG QUEEN TRISHELLE MICHAELS FB: Trishelle Michaels IG @trishellemichaels Polk County drag performer Trishelle Michaels is dynamite on stage with killer costumes and fun lip-syncing solos. “When I’m on the mic, I try to make people laugh. I think that’s one of my attributes, and what draws people into me is my personality,” said Michaels. She regularly performs across the county. In her own words, “Trishelle is a role model. Trishelle is a promoter. Trishelle is someone that you could come and talk to. [...]” If you’re looking for plenty of laughs and to be awed by a top-rate performer – you’ve got to see Trishelle! 2nd: Momma Ashley Rose BEST ANNUAL COMMUNITY EVENT CAROLS IN THE PARK Kick off the holiday season with community and caroling! Winter Haven is dazzled by local choral groups during the annual Carols in the Park. Main Street Winter Haven presents this downtown holiday event, bringing artisans and specialty food vendors to Central Park for over 30 years. There are activities for children of all ages, pictures with Santa Claus, live music and plenty of the holiday spirit! 2nd: Bark in the Park 3rd: Bandit Market BEST LOCAL MAKER THE PIN + NEEDLE FB @thepinandneedle IG @ pin.needle.shop thepinandneedle.etsy.com Based in Winter Haven, Pin + Needle’s Lyndsey Venrick makes funny and subversive cross stitch and embroidery. Some of our favorites from her shop are cross-stitch minis. These cute framed minis have funny phrases with an adorable cross stitch flower or rainbow to soften them up. Grab your friends a “bitch please,” “Treat yo self,” or “mind your business,” framed mini cross stitch today! Or, order a cross stitch kit from Pin + Needle to create for yourself. Send Lyndsey a message, and she can get a pet or family portrait started for a future birthday or housewarming gift. “Our motto is ‘We don’t ask questions, and we don’t judge,’” so don’t be afraid to really ask for what you want! 2nd: Reservations4five Crafts 3rd: Rosemary’s Garden Florals BEST HIDDEN GEM CIRCLE B BAR RESERVE 4399 Winter Lake Rd, Lakeland (863) 534-7377 polknature.com/explore/circle-b-bar-reserve Circle B Bar Reserve is one of the county’s finest hidden gems. It can be a quiet respite away from it all and an adventure full of nature and wildlife. Located on the northwest shore of Lake Hancock, Circle B is a former cattle ranch consisting of several distinct ecosystems across its 1,267 acres. This nature oasis offers activities like hiking, photography, and painting and has picnic shelters, restrooms, and paved parking with handicapped-accessible and grassy areas. According to the Polk County Environmental Lands Program, “You’re almost guaranteed to see alligators in Lake Hancock, often considered the headwaters of the Peace River, which flows more than 100 miles from Polk County southwest to the Gulf of Mexico.” 2nd: Artcade 3rd: Friends of the Winter Haven Public Library Bookstore

BEST FLORIST BLOOM SHAKALAKA 640 E Main St, Lakeland (Inside The Joinery) (863) 417-3007 FB: @bloom.shakalaka1 IG @bloom.shakalaka bloomshakalaka.com Have you stopped to smell the roses lately? Bloom Shakalaka is a funky fresh flower shop and gift boutique started by Laura Helm. They offer flower wraps and arrangements, wearables, full-service event florals, subscriptions, and a pick-your-stems flower bar. Need some peonies in a pinch? They offer next-day delivery in the Lakeland area! “At Bloom Shakalaka, we want to be known as the funky, fresh flower shop whose mission is to spread joy. We believe that every single bloom is a miracle of both strength and hope - and we love getting to offer that to others.” 2nd: Flower Cart Florist 3rd: Golden Wild Florals BEST WEDDING VENUE HAUS 820 820 N Massachusetts Ave, Lakeland (888) 428-7820 FB: Haus 820 IG @haus820 haus820.com This renovated historic warehouse is a blank canvas for clients to make their own. It’s a wedding spot for the cool kids. Haus 820 is an industrial chic event venue built in 1924 as an A&P grocery store, then a furniture warehouse, before it was brought back to its roots and restored, including original wall-to-wall white brick, 17-foot exposed rafters, and charcoal-stained and sealed cement floors. In addition to the main spacious area, Haus 820 features a permanent 16-foot bar, catering finishing kitchen, restrooms, and a bridal suite in the building next door with private bathrooms. The private courtyard was created from the original loading docks and is perfect for a sunny afternoon ceremony or vows under the stars. 2nd: Bonnet Springs Park 3rd: White Horse Venue BEST PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER WERLOSTBOYS MEDIA COLLABORATIVE FB: werlostboys IG @werlostboys werlostboys.com This Lakeland media collaborative was started in 2019 when freelancing videographer Cole Adams teamed up with photographer and entrepreneur Earnest J. Odom. Together they formed a film production and creative agency. Since partnering with Lakeland event series Buena Market, over 50 clients have seen their visions materialize through werlostboys’ photography, videography, and design services. “Our team of experienced photographers, filmmakers, and designers strive to create unique visuals that truly capture the essence of each story. From promotional videos for small businesses to event highlight reels for organizations in the community, we are dedicated to delivering stunning images and videos that showcase the best of what Lakeland has to offer.” 2nd: Jonicia Rodrigues 3rd: Tina Sargeant Photography BEST EVENT ENTERTAINMENT DREAMS COME TRUE ENTERTAINMENT 214 Traders Alley, Lakeland (863) 944-1264 FB @DreamsComeTrueEntertainment IG @dctemagicalmemories dreamscometrueentertainment.com It’s all in the name! Dreams Come True Entertainment sets out to create magic for party-goers by providing character entertainment for all ages. After all, “all it takes is faith, trust, and a little pixie dust.” They can make an appearance at your private party, host your private event at their Enchanted Fairytale Hollow, or you can join them for weekly and monthly events! Award-winning custom-made costumes and experienced actors bring an unmatched level of authenticity to each fairytale and superhero character. Owner Amy Sharpe says, “It has always been my dream to make children happy and make a difference in their lives, and with my new company, now I can do that while doing something I love and bring magic and hope into hearts young and old. I strive my hardest to be the most memorable, authentic, and fun entertainer you ever meet!” 2nd: Momma and Friends Brunch Show (Rose Dynasty Foundation) 3rd: Graingertainment BEST FUNERAL SERVICES HEATH FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORY 328 S Ingraham Ave, Lakeland (863) 682-0111 FB: Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory heathfuneralchapel.com “Funeral care that’s state-of-the-heart.” Heath Funeral Chapel has been family-owned and operated since 1959. In addition to their Best Of LKLD win this year, Heath has been honored numerous times with the Pursuit of Excellence Award by the National Funeral Directors Association. “Heath has been continuously recognized for professional, ethical excellence and for providing quality, compassionate care, and aftercare to all families served.” That care is reflected in their many glowing reviews. One heartfelt review reads, “Heath Funeral Chapel took great care of our family and helped us through the very hard times you face after the death of a loved one. We have used their services twice since 2020 and they have been professional and keep in frequent contact during the steps in the cremation and service process.” 2nd: Gentry-Morrison Funeral Homes 3rd: Coney Funeral Home BEST DRY CLEANER GARMENT CARE PROS AT SOUTHSIDE CLEANERS 901 Florida Ave S, Lakeland (Second location in Plant City) (863) 688-4747 FB @SouthsideCleaners garmentcarepros.com The clever signs draw you in – the quality dry cleaning services keep your business. Garment Care Pros at Southside Cleaners continues to be a Best Of LKLD voter favorite. Since 1954, Southside Cleaners has provided Lakeland with the highest quality of care for their garments. They are one of the only eight companies worldwide to have multiple employees pass the rigorous training to become a Certified Garment Care Professional (CGCP). This team of garment care professionals offers traditional dry cleaning and laundry services, weekly home/office service plans, and historic garment and wedding gown restoration. One freshly laundered customer wrote, “They give great time and attention to my dry cleaning requests and my clothes always look good as new when they are delivered.” 2nd: Regal Cleaners 3rd: Executive Cleaners & Launderer BEST DAYCARE LITTLE SHEPHERDS PRESCHOOL 175 Lake Hollingsworth Dr, Lakeland (863) 616-9196 FB: First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland, Florida IG @fpclakeland littleshepherds.fpclakeland.org This licensed preschool for children three months to four years old has served Lakeland for over 25 years. Little Shepherds is a church-supported program regulated by the Polk County Health Department/Department of Children and Families with oversight from the session, pastors, and church administration of First Presbyterian Church (FPC), Lakeland. The preschool prides itself on providing quality, safe childcare, noting, “The mission of Little Shepherds Preschool is to communicate God’s message of love and redemption through Christ by prayer, teaching, example, worship, and play.” 2nd: Country Lane Child Enrichment Center 3rd: Bright Imaginations Learning Centers of Lakeland BEST AUTO REPAIR LEVY’S IMPERIAL TIRE & AUTO SERVICE 833 Florida Ave S, Lakeland (863) 688-7131 This tire dealer and automotive repair shop take the worry and hassle out of car repairs. Whether your A/C is on the fritz or your check engine light is aglow, Levy’s is the place to go! Customers laud Levy’s Imperial Tire & Auto for good, honest service. One forever patron writes, “I had a nail in my tire four years ago and I never forgot the wonderful service I received when I visited Levy’s. Today I bought a brand new set of tires from the same man who helped me back then and I am naturally very happy with the service I received today! You have a customer for life, Levy’s! Thank you for the consistently awesome customer service!!” 2nd: Webb’s BP Services Center 3rd: Christian Brothers Automotive BEST AUTO DEALER BARTOW FORD 2800 US-98 North, Bartow (863) 533-0425 FB: Bartow Ford Company IG @bartowford bartowford.com Proudly serving Central Florida for over 75 years, Bartow Ford provides unmatched customer care. They specialize in selling and servicing new Ford vehicles and all used makes and models. According to Ford Motor Company, Bartow Ford was the #1 Volume Truck Sales Dealership in Florida for 2014, is part of Ford Motor Credit’s Top 25 Commercial Vehicle Center franchises, is a 30-time Ford’s Top One Hundred Club member, and a 19-time President’s Award Winner. With over 250 employees across their 30-acre facility, Bartow Ford has what you need, whether that’s a Service Department, Parts Department, Collision Center, Heavy Duty Shop, Rental Center, or appointment-free Quick Lane for oil changes. One of thousands of five-star reviews reads in part, “I’ve brought a couple trucks from here and have always been satisfied with the entire process. This dealership is not pushy and really tries to do everything they can to get [you] the best deal for your budget. [...]” 2nd: Regal Honda 3rd: Lakeland Automall BEST CAR WASH MISTER CAR WASH Multiple Locations FB: Mister Car Wash IG @mistercarwashhq mistercarwash.com Mister Car Wash – “Inspiring people to shine!” Since opening their first Houston, Texas location in 1969, Mister Car Wash has become a premier car wash company, committed to offering customers a clean, dry, shiny car every time using their patented Unity Chemistry system. Whether you’re looking for a single wash or to become a member of the Ultimate Wash Club, Mister Car Wash’s team members are committed to a quality experience. One Mister Car Wash South Florida location customer wrote, “I wish I would have come here ages ago! One of the last full service options out there. They cleaned the car inside and out. [...]” 2nd: Waters CarWash 3rd: Love Express Car Wash BEST RV DEALER CAMPING WORLD 7400 E State Rd 60, Bartow (866) 906-9517 FB: Camping World IG @campingworld rv.campingworld.com/dealer/tampa-florida-bartow Camping World is the nation’s largest retailer of RVs, RV accessories, and RV-related services, with over 185 Camping World SuperCenters across the country. They won by a landslide in this category, not even a close 2nd in sight! Not only do they offer a full-service call center, but their comprehensive website also features thousands of quality products for RVs, camping, towing, and outdoor living. One Bartow Camping World customer raved, “Super experience in all respects! Staff is friendly, knowledgeable & ready to serve your needs. I purchased a new premium camper & the selection process was facilitated by Rhonda, a great sales associate. Took delivery today and am looking forward to my first expedition!” BEST RV PARK CAMP MARGARITAVILLE AUBURNDALE 361 Denton Ave, Auburndale (863) 455-7335 FB: Camp Margaritaville Auburndale IG @campmargaritavilleauburndale margaritavilleresorts.com/camp-margaritaville-rv-resort-auburndale Chill at Camp Margaritaville! This Auburndale luxury RV resort offers 326 RV sites, including 11 Super Premium RV Sites, along with 75 Cabana Cabins. Guests can enjoy a tiki bar, fire pits, resort pool, entertainment stage, playground, dog parks, and putting course, or plan a day with the crew hiking, biking, or sightseeing. One happy camper noted, “First time stay and will definitely come back! The resort is very clean and organized. The staff is friendly, helpful and FUN! There are plenty of activities all day long for kids and adults! Our boys loved Gaga ball! Our adult group loved the License to Chill bar and Name That Tune! Our dogs loved the dog park!! Thank you for a great ending to our summer!!” 2nd: Sanlan RV & Golf Resort 3rd: The Outpost Luxury RV Resort Park and Community BEST POWERSPORTS DEALER SKY POWERSPORTS OF LAKELAND 1638 Kathleen Rd, Lakeland (863) 682-4607 FB: Sky Powersports IG @skypowersports_lakeland skypowersportslakeland.com Have you been to Sky Powersports? We hear they’re wheelie good. “Fantastic dealership and even better staff. Was there yesterday and purchased a Polaris XP 1000 NorthStar Edition and a trailer. Jeff the salesperson was phenomenal. Bre and Jeremy were fantastic as well. They made the process smooth, easy, and a warm exchange all around. Thank you all at SkySports Lakeland! We will be back soon!” writes one powersport patron. Sky Powersports has a large selection of new and pre-owned models of motorcycles, ATVs, and sideby-sides and is an authorized Indian Motorcycle®, Polaris®, Slingshot®, Suzuki, Victory Motorcycles®, and Yamaha powersport dealership. They are the most progressive multi-line powersports dealer in Florida, with a team of professional sales members, finance experts, service technicians, and a knowledgeable parts and accessories staff. 2nd: Fun Bike Center Motorsports 3rd: 92 Powersports BEST OIL CHANGE LEVY’S IMPERIAL TIRE & AUTO SERVICE 833 Florida Ave S, Lakeland (863) 688-7131 Best Auto Repair and Best Oil Change?! Best Of LKLD voters are revved up about Levy’s Imperial Tire & Auto Service. Known for reliable, honest service, Levy’s is the place to go for that oil change you’re overdue for. One customer writes, “Competitively priced and great service. They helped us out one time and it really stayed with us and recommend them, always. Family establishment and if you hang around for your car you can play with the dog. Highly recommend.” 2nd: Take 5 Oil Change 3rd: Christian Brothers Automotive BEST PRINT OR SIGN SHOP WHATEVER TEES 4020 Kidron Rd #6, Lakeland (863) 370-0740 FB: Whatever Tees Screen Printing & Embroidery IG @whatevertees whatever-tees.com “Could not be happier with our shirts and the customer service of Whatever Tees! I had messaged and even stopped into four other local companies for quotes and never heard back from any of them. When I emailed Whatever Tees, I had a response within minutes and each subsequent email was answered just as promptly. They were able to do exactly what I wanted, offered suggestions, and completed the project quickly. Would recommend them to everyone looking to have shirts screen printed. [...]” raves one Whatever Tees customer. This family-operated embroidery and screen printing shop focuses on quick turnaround, quality work, and customer service. “We can handle any size order, as many as you need, or just one shirt. Whatever!” 2nd: Dixie Signs 3rd: iNK Screen Printing BEST CPA PARRISH & PARRISH CPAS, P.A. 6700 Florida Ave S STE 19, Lakeland (863) 709-8337 FB: Parrish & Parrish CPAs, P.A. parrishcpas.com Parrish & Parrish, P.A., is a Certified Public Accounting firm with offices in Lakeland and Plant City, providing a wide variety of accounting, tax and financial management services tailored to meet the needs of their business and individual clients. “Our Certified Public Accounting (CPA) services are designed to make your job easier and provide you with more time to focus on building your business. We keep abreast of tax law changes throughout the year to ensure that you are taking advantage of ALL tax incentives.” Their Lakeland-based team has over 50 years of combined accounting experience with experts in the areas of Business and Individual Tax Preparation, Tax & Estate Planning, IRS Problem Resolution, Sales Tax Audit Representation, Accounting, Bookkeeping, Payroll, QuickBooks, Guardianship Accounts, New Business Formations, Financial Statements, Business Valuation, and Litigation Support. 2nd: Kellie M. Deitrick, P.A. CPA 3rd: Brinton Fairchild, LLC - CPAs BEST FINANCIAL ADVISOR CPS INVESTMENT ADVISORS 205 E Orange St #310, Lakeland (863) 688-1725 FB: CPS Investment Advisors IG @cpsinvestmentadvisors cpsinvest.com Since 1975, CPS Investment Advisors have helped clients plan for the future and achieve financial independence. They’ve forged trusting, long-lasting relationships to craft comprehensive financial plans that deliver long-term security and success. “We provide each client with a highly coordinated team of finance, tax, investment, and business experts, all working together to provide clients with comprehensive solutions as unique as their situations.” Clients praise CPS for their friendly, knowledgeable staff and individualized customer service. 2nd: Allen & Company 3rd: CORE Wealth Advisors BEST ATTORNEY DOUG BURNETTI LAW OFFICES OF BURNETTI, P.A. 211 Florida Ave S, Lakeland (888) 444-8508 FB: Burnetti, P.A. IG @burnetti_pa burnetti.com “As a board-certified civil trial lawyer, I have had the opportunity to handle many different types of cases in the courtroom, including auto accidents, premises liability, medical malpractice, nursing home neglect, and products liability. As the founder of Burnetti, P.A., I am very pleased to have watched the firm develop over the years,” says Doug Burnetti. The personal injury attorneys at Burnetti, P.A. have served clients across the state for over 25 years. One client testimonial reads in part, “My Burnetti experience was amazing. I felt the concern and care they had for me. They were always calling to check on me and keep me updated on my case. I highly recommend Burnetti P.A. as a great and caring law firm. [...]” 2nd: Brooks Law Group 3rd: Lauriane Ciccarelli | Troiano & Roberts BEST BANK MIDFLORIDA CREDIT UNION Multiple Locations FB @MIDFLORIDA IG @midflorida_creditunion midflorida.com MIDFLORIDA, a repeat winner for Best Bank, is not-for-profit and member-owned, offering banking products and services from personal and business banking to loans, mortgages, and investing. It began in 1954 as Polk County Teachers Credit Union and now has more than 60 branches as Central Florida’s community credit union. MIDFLORIDA emphasizes personal attention and competitive rates “Because your money isn’t just a string of numbers on an account statement. It’s personal—and we think the way you bank should reflect that.” 2nd: (TIE) Citizens Bank & Trust 2nd: (TIE) SouthState Bank 3rd: Bank of Central Florida BEST INSURANCE AGENT JOY MORSE | STATE FARM 5727 US Hwy 98 S, Lakeland (863) 647-2915 FB @JoyMorseInsurance joymorse.com “My team of licensed insurance professionals and I are here to help make insurance & financial services easy to understand. We are here to protect you from everyday risks and make sure that your insurance program doesn’t have gaps or caps that you are unaware of.” Joy Morse is in her 35th year of business serving Lakeland and the surrounding areas. Her agency has qualified for multiple State Farm Awards over the years, including Ambassador Travel, State Farm Crystal Honor, and State Farm Chairman’s Circle. The Joy Morse State Farm Insurance Agency can help you with Car, Home, Life, Renters, Boat, Motorcycle, and Health Insurance and assist small business owners with their Commercial Insurance. 2nd: Ewing Blackwelder & Duce Insurance 3rd: Mark Lanier | State Farm BEST SPA DAYDREAMS DAY & MED SPA 1463 Town Center Dr. E, Lakeland (863) 686-5859 FB @DayDreamsDaySpaLakeland IG @daydreams.dayspa daydreamsdayspa.com This is the stuff dreams are made of. “A brand that is synonymous with luxury, beauty, and high-end services,” DayDreams Day & Med Spa offers spa packages, massages, facials, chemical peels, HydraFacial/Oxygeneo, permanent makeup, nails, waxing, lashes and brows, and even a kid’s spa. One pampered patron writes, “I love the atmosphere of the spa. It smells great, it instantly relaxes you, the staff is always friendly and who doesn’t love a mimosa? I’ve had several massages, eyebrow and nail treatments and they have all been amazing. I leave feeling relaxed and pampered. I have recommended DayDreams to numerous people.” 2nd: Vega Spa 3rd: Pura Vie Holistic Studio BEST MEDICAL SPA DAYDREAMS DAY & MED SPA 1463 Town Center Dr. E, Lakeland (863) 686-5859 FB @DayDreamsDaySpaLakeland IG @daydreams.dayspa daydreamsdayspa.com Get back your glow at DayDreams Day & Med Spa in Lakeland. This med spa offers premium services in medical esthetics performed by licensed healthcare providers. Whether you’re in the market for Botox and fillers or facial resurfacing, DayDreams can assist you. The spa recommends one of its most popular services, the DayDreams Medical Esthetics procedure. “In a true spa setting, cutting-edge technology, top-notch products, and decades of medical aesthetic experience make for the area’s premier medical spa experience.” Step into a plush robe and slippers, enjoy complimentary guest services, including infused waters, coffee, tea, and snacks, and relax. You deserve it! 2nd: Bella Viságe Medical & Aesthetic Rejuvenation 3rd: Ageless Aesthetics & Wellness BEST HAIR SALON BLOWN BEAUTIFUL DRY BAR 1021 E County Rd 540A, Lakeland (863) 937-3428 FB: Blown Beautiful Dry Bar IG @blownbeautifuldrybar bbdrybarlakeland.com Best Of LKLD voters are blown away by this dry bar! Blown Beautiful Dry Bar is a luxury beauty bar dedicated to providing clients with a premier experience. “We’ve created a space for individuals to come, take a relaxing moment for themselves, be pampered, and leave feeling empowered, confident, beautiful, and ready to conquer the world!” Known for their signature blowouts, Blown Beautiful has a full menu of other services, from hair and makeup to waxing and extensions. “I highly recommend Blown Beautiful because I have had an amazing experience every time that I have gone,” writes one beautified babe, “The staff is so friendly and personable, and I always leave there feeling confident and beautiful.” 2nd: Local Remedy 3rd: Woodlund Salon BEST BARBER SKULLY’S BARBER SALON 434 W Pipkin Rd, Lakeland (863) 224-3507 FB: Skullys Barber Salon IG @skullysbarbersalon skullysbarbersalon.com Skully’s can’t be stopped! This year after year Best Barber went from “a tank of gas and a dream” to an award-winning mobile and brick-and-mortar salon. A master barber, Skully founded his hair biz doing house calls in 2015 and opened his mobile barbershop out of a 32-foot RV in 2017. Now Skully’s Barber Salon has a physical location on W. Pipkin Road in Lakeland. Skully can hook you up with a haircut, skin fade, beard trim, or shave (he does women’s hair too)! One customer review reads, “I just moved into the area after having seen my previous barber for seven years. Totally was not looking forward to having to go through all the trials of finding another good one. I was super impressed by how good of a job Skully did with my cut. He’s [won] best barber shop for years in a row and I can see why. Really great price for the cut as well. I absolutely found my next seven-year guy!” 2nd: Lakeland Barber Company 3rd: Gents Classic Cuts BEST NAIL SALON PAINT NAIL BAR 1486 Town Center Drive, Lakeland (863) 777-2947 FB @paintnailbarlakeland IG @paintlakeland paintnailbar.com/lakeland-fl “I have been visiting this nail salon for about a year now, and my experiences have been consistently amazing. The salon creates a welcoming atmosphere, and its cleanliness and organization are impeccable, [...]” writes one freshly painted patron. Now, it’s time for an Uptown Girl mani/ pedi! PAINT nailed it again this year. They are committed to their client’s health and the earth through their choice of product lines. They also opt for ceramic pedicure basins over whirlpool jets (which often harbor bacteria). “Whether it is cleanliness, color selection, client service, nail art, environment, attention to detail, or the wonderful energy at PAINT… you name it, we’ve thought of it, developed it, and fine-tuned it based on staff and client feedback.” 2nd: Noire The Nail Bar 3rd: Lee Spa Nails BEST TATTOO STUDIO BLACK SWAN TATTOO 1119 Florida Ave S, Lakeland (863) 937-9777 FB @blackswantattoo IG @blackswantattoo blackswantattoo.com Taking the top tattoo spot again this year, Black Swan provides a relaxed atmosphere, a clean environment, and tattoos worth talking about. Established in 2007, they now have six artists with over 70 years of combined experience, versed in all styles of tattooing. One Black Swan patron writes, “One of my favorite shops to go to. All the artists are talented and very professional. Shop is always clean and provides a positive environment for everyone.” Clients consistently rave about the level of service and quality of work they receive from this Best Of LKLD voter favorite shop. 2nd: Patterson Tattoos 3rd: (TIE) Gaslight Tattoo Company 3rd: (TIE) Holy Grail Tattoo BEST PIERCING HOLY GRAIL TATTOO 121 E Alamo Dr, Lakeland (863) 510-5990 FB: Holy Grail Tattoo IG @holygrailtattoos holygrailtattoos.com Best Of LKLD voters say this place is the Holy Grail of piercing. Holy Grail Tattoo is a premier custom tattoo and piercing studio in South Lakeland, dedicated to quality and customer satisfaction. The shop boasts hundreds of five-star reviews, many of which applaud the shop’s piercer. One freshly pierced patron writes, “Janet is the by far the best piercer I’ve been to. I have had multiple piercings and jewelry upgrades performed by her. She’s always welcoming and makes sure to thoroughly explain the process so you’re always aware of what’s happening. Not to mention her amazing style and creative piercing plans and ideas. Will not be going to anyone else!” 2nd: Gaslight Tattoo Company 3rd: Black Swan Tattoo