Best Clothing Store TOP BUTTONS BOUTIQUE 236 N Kentucky Ave, Lakeland (Other locations in Winter Haven and Bartow) (863) 220-2464 FB @TopButtons IG @topbuttons topbuttons.org On trend and on a mission! Top Buttons is a faith-based nonprofit organization founded by Sarah Powers in 2012. This Kentucky Ave. boutique and designer thrift shop empowers young women through mentorship, education, and fashion. At their designer thrift and boutique storefronts in Lakeland, Bartow, and Winter Haven, Top Buttons serves women through programs that provide attire at inexpensive prices. You can find new and gently used thrift items and feel good about where you shop as each purchase at Top Buttons helps to fund their charitable efforts. 2nd: Amelia Paige Boutique 3rd: Babe’s Shoes & Apparel Best Gift Shop SCOUT & TAG 244 N Kentucky Ave, Lakeland (863) 225-2426 FB @scoutingVintage IG @scoutandtag scoutandtag.com In 2013, Nikki Hunt began selling her painted furniture and found decorative items at the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market. Now, her Downtown shop, Scout & Tag, is the place to grab a cute, thoughtful, Lakeland-centric gift. Shop their 3,500 square foot storefront for home and gift items and an “ever-changing array of locally sourced and Lakeland celebrated home decor and gifts.” In addition to offering a selection of hand-painted furniture, decor, and gifts, Scout & Tag is also a Local Stockist of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint as well as an exclusive local retailer of Rafa Natural. 2nd: Bungalow Boutique & Gifts 3rd: Yates & Hagan Best Jewelry MUNCHEL’S FINE JEWELRY 3227 Florida Ave S, Lakeland (863) 619-6269 FB @Munchels IG @munchelsjewelry munchels.com Munchel’s Fine Jewelry has been putting a sparkle in the Swan City for over 30 years. Munchel’s is family-owned and operated and offers a large selection of jewelry, diamonds, and gemstones including engagement rings, wedding bands, earrings, pendants, loose diamonds, custom jewelry, and jewelry repair. Looking for an heirloom or antique? At Munchel’s you’ll also find collectable items including coins, watches, lockets, and necklaces. 2nd: Gaines Jewelers 3rd: Foshee Jewelers Best Antique Store JUNE TAYLOR 125 N Kentucky Ave #103, Lakeland (863) 670-2154 FB @junetaylorshop IG @junetaylorshop junetaylorshop.com You never know what treasures you’re going to find at June Taylor. You might go home with a rattan chair, vintage rug, or ceramic vase. You may find yourself hanging a new piece of art on your wall or hunting the perfect spot in your office for the brass swan you procured. June Taylor’s new Downtown location offers a “transitional mix of midcentury, boho, and classical pieces.” One June Taylor patron wrote, “Such a great shop. I love thrifting, markets, and antique shops, but June Taylor is very unique and really one of a kind.” 2nd: Dixieland Relics 3rd: Biggar Antiques Best Bike Shop DAVID’S WORLD CYCLE 2125 Florida Ave S, Lakeland (863) 682-7160 FB @davidsworldlakeland davidsworld.com David’s World Cycle is a family-owned chain of 21 bicycle stores throughout Central and Northern Florida. They’ve been in business for over 30 years and in that time have serviced over 30,000 bikes and sold over 170,000. In addition to a bustling service center with the ability to help any customer find the perfect set of wheels for them, David’s rents bicycles, does bicycle trade-ins, has a kids’ bike trade-up program, and offers custom bikes. Customers agree that David’s World Cycle in Lakeland is a wheelie great place for all your bike needs. “These guys were awesome to work with. They had all the parts I needed readily on hand, installed them quickly, and charged a very reasonable price for everything I got. Super happy with my experience here,” reviewed one customer. 2nd: Bent’s Cycling 3rd: LeRoy’s Bikeworks Best Thrift Store GOODWILL LAKELAND SUPERSTORE 5411 Florida Ave S, Lakeland (863) 646-4301 Whether you’re a bargain hunter looking to upcycle a coffee table or snag a newto-you vintage outfit, Goodwill Lakeland Superstore’s regularly refreshed inventory is a thrifting goldmine. And you can feel good about your purchase (or donation) too! Goodwill’s mission is to “transform lives through lifelong learning and the power of work” through employment services, training programs, and affordable housing. In addition to being a more sustainable option for fashion, furniture, household items, and more, thrifting at Goodwill or donating to them enables the organization to offer the aforementioned programs and services with 86.8% of their operating budget dedicated to them. 2nd: Top Buttons Boutique 3rd: Peace River Center Thrift Shoppe Best Florist BLOOM SHAKALAKA 640 E Main St, Lakeland (Inside The Joinery) (863) 417-3007 FB: Bloom Shakalaka IG @bloom.shakalaka bloomshakalaka.com The flower child of Ashton Event’s Laura Helm, Bloom Shakalaka is a floral hub within The Joinery offering “funky, fresh blooms served up on the daily!” No matter the occasion, Bloom Shakalaka has some pretty flowers for it. Be sure to check out their Bloom Bar where they keep a display of blooms available by the stem. You can pick your own and have them wrapped or peruse the menu and let one of Bloom’s floral designers create an arrangement for you. Don’t be shy about asking for special requests and yes, they deliver! Visit their website or follow their socials for hours of operation. 2nd: Flower Cart 3rd: The House of Flowers Best Pool Supply PINCH A PENNY Multiple Locations FB @PinchAPennyPool IG @pinchapennypool Pinchapenny.com Cool off this summer without breaking the bank! There’s a reason Pinch A Penny is known as ‘the perfect people for a perfect pool.’ Get ready to lounge poolside and let them do the work. Pinch A Penny offers pool cleaning and maintenance, equipment installation and repair, renovations, and leak detection and repair. They offer additional services to beautify your whole outdoor space including pressure washing, home landscape lighting and design, outdoor living design, screen repair, and rescreening services. Plus, you can shop all the pool, spa, and patio accessories, equipment, and supplies you need! 2nd: Michael’s Pool Service Inc. 3rd: Leslies Pool Supplies Best Dispensary SURTERRA WELLNESS 1222 Florida Ave S, Lakeland (850) 391-5455 FB @surterrawellness IG @surterrawellness surterra.com Giving the saying “laughter is the best medicine” a run for its money, Surterra Wellness provides safe, high quality cannabis to Lakeland and surrounding communities. Surterra brand products are cultivated naturally in the largest greenhouse on the East Coast without harmful chemicals and ingredients. They are working to make cannabis accessible through their online marketplace, storefronts (with plenty of product choices), and ongoing advocacy. Surterra Wellness customers regularly comment on how friendly, accommodating, and knowledgeable staff are. 2nd: MÜV Dispensary 3rd: Trulieve Best Wellness Store ANTHONY’S HEALTH HUT & RESTAURANT 5329 Florida Ave S, Lakeland (863) 644-5330 FB @anthonyshealthhut IG @anthonyshealthhut anthonyshealthhut.com Anthony’s Health Hut & Restaurant, known for their homemade soups, juices, and selection of vitamins, has been serving the needs of health-conscious customers for over 43 years. The Health Hut has an extensive selection of health foods and products from herbs and spices to vitamins and supplements, while the Restaurant serves up fresh eats like the Tarragon Chicken Salad or a Veggie Sandwich as well as healthier burger options on a whole wheat bun. The hearty and eclectic menu boasts salads, soups (rotating weekly), sandwiches, wraps, smoothies, juices, and more. 2nd: Chamberlin’s Natural Foods 3rd: Your CBD Store Lakeland Best Furniture Store CLAUSSEN’S FURNITURE 4715 Florida Ave S, Lakeland (Second location in Winter Haven) (863) 647-1000 FB @ClaussensFurniture claussensfurniture.com Get fashionable with your family room and update your dining area at Claussen’s! This family-owned furniture store has been serving Central Florida’s home furnishing needs since 1975. Their furniture selection spans the whole home including living room, dining room, bedroom, entertainment, home office, mattresses, and outdoor. One customer reviewed, “Claussen’s is top notch! We received excellent quality sofas and exceptional customer service from the sales team from the moment we walked in the door to the end from their excellent delivery team. Claussen’s far exceeded our expectations!” 2nd: Havertys Furniture 3rd: Badcock Home Furniture &more Best Bookstore BOOKS-A-MILLION 1520 Town Center Dr, Lakeland (863) 688-6382 FB @BAMLakeland IG @booksamillion booksamillion.com Looking to grab that best-seller or find a new copy of your favorite classic? BAM! Look no further than Books-A-Million. This massive one-stop-book-shop has everything you’re looking for across genres from new releases and classics to poetry, pop culture, Manga, and more. The Lakeland location is often remarked upon by customers to be clean, well-organized, and staffed by friendly folks. 2nd: Inklings Book Shoppe 3rd: Bookends Used Books Best Golf Course THE CLUB AT EAGLEBROOKE 1300 Eaglebrooke Blvd, Lakeland (863) 701-0101 FB @TheClubatEaglebrooke IG @clubateaglebrooke eaglebrooke.com A not so far away fairway surrounded by natural lakes and shady oaks is The Club at Eaglebrooke golf course, designed by architect Ron Garl. It opened in 1996 and has been the envy of other courses in Central Florida ever since. Eaglebrooke has a classic links-style design with over 100 feet of elevation change and six sets of tees on each hole. The Eaglebrooke golf course was the first in the nation to use Greg Norman’s GN 1 grass, “the fastest growing and greenest grass available” and has been consistently rated four and a half stars by Golf Digest. You could say they have the golf experience down to a tee! 2nd: Cleveland Heights Golf Course 3rd: Grasslands Golf & Country Club Best Auto Dealer REGAL HONDA 2615 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland (863) 400-5298 FB @RegalHonda regalhonda.com Regal Honda makes it easy with a tailored car buying experience. Professional associates are available to assist you in choosing the right new or pre-owned model from their expansive selection. Regal Honda is a familyowned and operated Honda dealership and home of the Lifetime Warranty. Committed to a stress-free car shopping experience, Regal Honda offers in store and online purchase options. One car-buyer wrote of Regal, “Very professional, upfront and helpful. The Regal Team was easy to do business with. We will be repeat customers!” 2nd: Fields Motorcars 3rd: Bartow Ford Best Boat Dealer OUTCAST WATERSPORTS 4020 Bartow Rd, Lakeland (863) 816-6081 FB @outcastboats IG @outcastws outcastwatersports.com Lakes abound in Polk County – heck, our city even has it in the name. Time to sail-abrate all that freshwater fishing and fun with a new boat, and Outcast Watersports is the place to get one! This bay area boat dealer has been serving Tampa Bay’s boat sales and service needs since 1996. They expanded to Polk County in 2016 and brought with them decades of experience and technical knowledge with mechanics on staff required to attend Yamaha school yearly for their continued education. Expect top brands, quality customer service, and a family feel at Outcast. We’ve heard buying a boat with them is a ‘reel’ pleasure! 2nd: Marine Supply 3rd: Old Salt Marine

Best Family Doctor CELESTINO VEGA, MD | LAKELAND REGIONAL HEALTH 208 Main Street, Auburndale (863) 284-5000 FB @LakelandRegionalHealth IG @lakelandregionalhealth Dr. Celestino Vega has been practicing Family Medicine since 1995 and joined the staff at Lakeland Regional Health, where he currently practices, in 2016. He attended medical school at Universidad Central del Este, completed his residency at the University of Louisville and is Board Certified with the American Board of Family Medicine. Working as a Family Medicine Physician in LRH’s Auburndale primary care location, Dr. Vega sees patients ages two years and older. He often works with families, treating multiple generations which he says is special to him. Dr. Vega loves science and medicine and has a passion for helping others. His patient care philosophy is, “I believe prevention is the key to good health. We want to be proactive and not wait till there’s a problem. I aim to be compassionate and very caring with my patients.” 2nd: Jason C. Saylor, DO | Watson Clinic 3rd: Jeremy M. Katzmann, MD, FAAFP | Watson Clinic Best Hospital LAKELAND REGIONAL HEALTH Multiple Locations FB @LakelandRegionalHealth IG @lakelandregionalhealth Mylrh.org Congratulations to the more than 550 medical staff and physicians practicing in over 25 specialties at Lakeland Regional Health for being voted Best Hospital again this year! The hospital has a history spanning back over 100 years and is now the fifth largest hospital in Florida and the second largest private employer in Polk County with their health system employing over 5,400 full-time and part-time team members. Through compassionate care given to each patient, Lakeland Regional Health strives to “deliver the best outcomes and safest care by placing people at the heart of all we do. We improve lives every day by promoting wellness, education and discovery.” 2nd: Tampa General Hospital 3rd: Bartow Regional Medical Center Best Urgent Care WATSON CLINIC URGENT CARE 1600 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland (863) 680-7271 1033 North Parkway Frontage Road, Lakeland 863-647-4047 FB @watsonclinicfl IG @watson_clinic watsonclinic.com No appointment? No problem! When you need on-demand care for minor emergencies, illnesses and accidents, you don’t have to go to the emergency room. Watson Clinic Urgent Care is fully staffed by board-certified specialists and highly trained care team members to treat earaches, small cuts and fractures, upper respiratory infections and more. Watson Clinic’s walk-in care facilities also provide rapid and PCR COVID tests to the community. With onsite access to X-ray, laboratory, CT, and other diagnostic testing, Watson Clinic Urgent Care is “an appealing, lower-cost alternative to an emergency room.” 2nd: Owl Now Urgent Care 3rd: Lakeland Regional Health Best Pediatric Care RAUL ALVAREZ, MD | LAKELAND REGIONAL HEALTH 430 E Central Avenue, Winter Haven (863) 284-5000 FB @LakelandRegionalHealth IG @lakelandregionalhealth Dr. Raul Alvarez attended medical school at the University of Puerto Rico/Medical Science Campus and completed his residency at Keesler Medical Center USAF Medical Center - Pediatrics. Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, Dr. Alvarez has practiced Pediatrics for almost thirty years and joined the Lakeland Regional Health team in 2013 where he practices general pediatric care, as well as adolescent and young adult care. His patient care philosophy is, “I listen and observe patients’ needs before dispensing care or advice.” 2nd: Matthew J. Cory, MD, FAAP | Lakeside Pediatrics & Lakeland Regional Health 3rd: Kendra Velez Rodriguez, MD | Watson Clinic Best Eye Specialist/ Optometrist EYE SPECIALISTS OF MID-FLORIDA, P.A. 2004 Co Rd 540A, Lakeland (863) 937-4515 3350 Harden Blvd, Lakeland (863) 662-3010 FB @EyesFL IG @eyespecialistsmidfl eyesfl.com What started as a modest ophthalmology/ optometry practice in Downtown Winter Haven in the early 1960s, Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida, P.A. has grown into multiple locations offering specialized treatment throughout Central Florida. You don’t need glasses to see what makes Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida the Best Of LKLD (and Haven). They focus on personalized, high-quality eye care including ophthalmology, optometry, glaucoma, Lasik, laser surgery, treatment of cataracts, and eyelid lifts. Additionally, they carry a full range of eyeglass lenses and frames, contact lenses, sunglasses, frame repair, and optical accessories. According to Eye Specialists of Mid Florida, “Our commitment has always been to put our patients first and to provide the level of care our patients deserve.” 2nd: Eyes on Lakeland 3rd: Hubbell Eye Clinic Best Orthopedic Doctor PHUC VO, MD | WATSON CLINIC 1600 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland 863-680-7214 FB @watsonclinicfl IG @watson_clinic Watsonclinic.com Dr. Phuc Vo graduated from the University of Florida College of Medicine and did an internship, residency, and fellowship at the University of Florida as well as a fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania Sports Medicine Center. He joined Watson Clinic in 1994. His areas of expertise include arthroscopic surgery, minimally invasive surgery, computer navigation surgery, partial joint resurfacing, total joint replacement, ligament reconstruction, cartilage/meniscus repair and resection, fracture care, rotator cuff repair, surgical and non-surgical treatment of orthopedic and sports-related injuries (especially of the knees, shoulders, hips, elbows, and ankles), and orthopaedic services for patients ages two and up. 2nd: Obafunto Abimbola, MD, MPH | Watson Clinic 3rd: Paul M. Morin, MD, BSc, BMSc, FRCSC | Bond Clinic Best Dentist/ Orthodontist SCOTT ORTHODONTICS 5030 S Lakeland Dr, Lakeland (863) 709-1941 211 6th St SE, Winter Haven (863) 299-1261 FB @DrScottSmiles IG @scottortho scottsmiles.com Make an appointment with “The Smile Specialists” today! The board-certified orthodontists at Scott Orthodontics offer comprehensive orthodontic options for children, teens, and adults. Whether you’re in the market for traditional metal or clear ceramic braces, or more advanced appliances and braces like Invisalign, Damon Smile, Incognito hidden lingual braces, or InOvation C – Scott Orthodontics is sure to make you smile. Best Of LKLD voters trust their pearly whites to the dedicated team at Scott Orthodontics (so much so that they’ve won two years in a row)! 2nd: Thomas F. Plunkett, DMD 3rd: Paul Saari, DDS Best Rehabilitation Services CORA PHYSICAL THERAPY LAKELAND 3127 US Hwy 98 N, Lakeland (863) 665-8881 3317 US-98, Lakeland (863) 213-1291 FB @CORAPhysicalTherapy IG @corapt coraphysicaltherapy.com “A leader in physical therapy and occupational therapy,” CORA Physical Therapy focuses on communication to identify and achieve outcomes for their patients. They offer services including postsurgery rehabilitation, athletic training, pain management, neurological rehabilitation, back stabilization, work injury rehabilitation, senior rehabilitation, and more. One patient of the CORA Physical Therapy Lakeland location remarked, “Wonderful team of specialists that treat their patients like family. Would recommend to anyone that wants a friendly atmosphere while working to get better.” 2nd: Watson Clinic 3rd: Bond Clinic Physical Therapy Best Chiropractor LOVE CHIROPRACTIC CENTER 5227 US Hwy 98 S, Lakeland (863) 709-1600 FB @LoveChiropracticCenterFL IG @love_chiropractic lovechiropracticcenter.com Best Of LKLD voters are head over heels for this Lakeland-based chiropractor. You might even say they’re in Love! Drs. Steve and Tiffany Love and Dr. Chris Terry of Love Chiropractic work to address patient problems expediently and effectively with many patients noticing a difference in just a few visits. Love offers chiropractic services, auto injury treatment, and a host of specialized services. One patient testimonial reads, “I cannot say enough great things about Dr. Love and the entire staff. Always friendly and professional and will go out of their way to help you. By far the best chiropractic care and sports medicine care in Central Florida.” 2nd: Velocity Chiropractic & Rehabilitation 3rd: Advanced Spine & Wellness Best Vehicle Customization TUNES-N-TINT 4980 US Hwy 98 N, Lakeland (863) 617-7280 FB @TunesNTint IG @tunesntint tunesntint.com Time to tune-up your ride and not just the engine! Tunes-N-Tint is the place in Lakeland for everything to customize your car including car electronics, truck accessories, lighting products, leather interiors and window tinting. See what your new truck accessory will look like while perusing their fully functional displays showcasing nearly all of their products. Tunes-N-Tint prides themselves in friendly, knowledgeable, and Mobile Electronics Certified Professionals (MECP) staff including several MECP Advanced Installation Technicians and one MECP Master Installation Technician. “Fantastic help with understanding products and attention to detail. Fair to do business with too,” wrote one reviewer. 2nd: JC’s Customs 3rd: Mild 2 Wild Custom Accessories Best Oil Change TAKE 5 OIL CHANGE 5126 US Hwy 98 N, Lakeland (863) 274-2083 6059 Florida Ave S, Lakeland (863) 213-0089 FB @Take5OilChange IG @take5oilchange take5oilchange.com Boasting “the quickest oil change in Lakeland,” Take 5 Oil Change offers drivethru service with no appointment necessary. Home of the 10 minute oil change, all you have to do is pick your oil from the technician’s options, sit back and get your oil changed. Take 5’s expert technicians will change your oil and filter, replenish under-hood fluids, and check your air filter and wiper blades. One enthusiastic oil change recipient wrote in part, “This was hands down the best oil changing service in my entire life.” 2nd: Jiffy Lube 3rd: America’s Oil Express Best Storage Facility LIFE STORAGE 4400 US Hwy 98 N, Lakeland (863) 858-6464 FB @lifestorage2 IG @lifestorage lifestorage.com Have some excess baggage? Don’t we all. No matter the circumstances, when storing personal belongings, you want a storage unit that is safe, convenient, and you usually need it fairly quickly. What if you could rent a storage unit 100% contact free and get access to your unit today? At Life Storage, you can! Life Storage of Lakeland offers climate controlled storage, drive-up accessible storage, extended access hours, surveillance cameras, is fenced and lighted, offers vehicle/ boat parking, moving boxes and supplies, and hand carts and moving dollies. Life Storage customers say staff are informative, helpful, and dedicated to customer service. 2nd: Century Storage 3rd: Extra Space Storage Best Auto Repair WEBB’S BP SERVICES CENTER 2820 Florida Ave S, Lakeland (863) 686-5498 webbs-servicecenter.business.site Maybe it’s their all-work guarantee or that they staff Master ASE certified mechanics – whatever the reason, Best Of LKLD voters keep lauding Webb’s BP Services Center as the BEST place for auto repair around. If your check engine light pops on or your battery bites the dust, Webb’s has you covered! Is your AC wheezing or your power locks pooping out on you? They can take care of that too! Webb’s is a family-owned and operated complete automotive repair shop covering oil changes, tune-ups, and much more. 2nd: Levy’s Imperial Tire 3rd: Joyce Automotive Best Dry Cleaner GARMENT CARE PROS AT SOUTHSIDE CLEANERS 901 Florida Ave S, Lakeland (863) 688-4747 2117 Co Rd 540A, Lakeland FB @SouthsideCleaners IG @southsidecleaners garmentcarepros.com Which has been your favorite Southside Cleaners sign quippy quote this year? It’s hard for a dry cleaners to be iconic, but in Lakeland, Garment Care Pros at Southside Cleaners is just that. Since 1954, Southside Cleaners has provided Lakeland with the highest quality of care for their garments. Garment Care Pros at Southside Cleaners is one of the only eight companies in the world to have multiple employees pass the rigorous training to become a Certified Garment Care Professional. This team of literal garment care professionals offer traditional dry cleaning and laundry services as well as historic garment and wedding gown restoration. Best Of LKLD voters agree – there’s no one else they’d trust their wardrobes to. Congrats on winning again this year! 2nd: Regal Cleaners 3rd: Touch of Class Dry Cleaners Best Doggy Daycare ORCHID SPRINGS ANIMAL HOSPITAL 615 Overlook Dr, Winter Haven (863) 324-6964 FB @OrchidSpringsAnimalHospital IG @orchidspringsanimalhospital osahvets.com This one’s for the dogs! Your pup needs plenty of exercise, socialization, and puppy lovin’. The Doggy Daycare at Orchid Springs Animal Hospital (OSAH) offers standard and luxury pooch care services which include two potty breaks and one playtime or pool time session. According to OSAH, benefits of attending doggy daycare include making furry friends, becoming more comfortable around friends both two-legged and fourlegged, staying physically fit, and learning positive behavior to keep them out of trouble (and the trash) at home. 2nd: Das Hund Haus 3rd: Four Paws Only Best Wedding Venue HOLLIS GARDEN 702 E Orange St, Lakeland (863) 834-2280 www.lakelandgov.net/departments/parksrecreation/hollis-garden/ Picture saying ‘I do’ in a magical garden framing the view of a Lake Mirror sunset. Hollis Garden is a 1.2-acre formal botanical garden. Neoclassical architecture, public art, fountains, patterned flower beds and over 10,000 flowers, ornamental shrubs, and native trees are the elements that give Hollis Garden its charm. The garden’s beauty is inherent but polished, lending itself to nuptials both extravagant and understated as it can stand as the dreamy background or focal point of your big day. 2nd: Haus 820 3rd: Adams Estate Best Gym PLANET FITNESS 4315 Florida Ave S, Lakeland (863) 816-6800 6208 US Hwy 98 N, Lakeland (863) 853-3322 FB @planetfitness IG @planetfitness planetfitness.com Take your fitness to a whole other planet! Planet Fitness offers an out of this world gym experience and Judgement Free Zone in which anyone can feel comfortable approaching their fitness goals. Members get unlimited access to their home Planet Fitness club with more extensive memberships available. Take fitness into your own hands with the additional benefits of the PF Black Card or get extra guidance with their free fitness training. “It’s our goal to provide a clean, safe, welcoming environment for anyone who walks through our door, and all the equipment, amenities and support you need once you’re here.” 2nd: Crunch Fitness 3rd: The Balance Culture Best Dance Studio JUST DANCE ACADEMY OF DANCE AND ETIQUETTE 124 S Kentucky Ave, Lakeland (863) 940-4701 FB @JustWantToDance IG @smilejustdance smilejustdance.com “Smile, it’s just dance!” Just Dance takes the top spot for Dance Studio again! This “often imitated, but never duplicated” Downtown Lakeland dance studio teaches eager learners how to Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Rumba, Cha Cha, Swing and more through private lessons and group classes. Ensuring classes are safe, fun, and affordable, Just Dance has been promoting dance and the arts to the Lakeland community for some ten years. 2nd: Ultimate Dance Center 3rd: Southern Grace Dance Company Best Yoga Studio YOGA POINTE 2539 Florida Ave S, Lakeland (863) 937-8069 FB @YogaPointe IG @yoga_pointe yogapointe.com No ifs, ‘oms,’ or buts about it, Best Of LKLD voters prefer to find their inner peace at Yoga Pointe. This Lakeland yoga studio, located in the Southgate Shopping Center, offers beginner yoga, hot yoga, yin, flow, private sessions, yoga for the workplace, teacher training, and more. One happy yogi wrote of Yoga Pointe, “Fantastic environment. Every teacher is knowledgeable and patient. Classes for all levels including hot /warm yoga and you can register for classes online to ensure you have a spot. I highly recommend this studio.” 2nd: Just Dance Academy of Dance and Etiquette 3rd: The Balance Culture Best Yoga Instructor JOYCE PRESTON | JUST DANCE ACADEMY OF DANCE AND ETIQUETTE 124 S Kentucky Ave, Lakeland (863) 940-4701 FB @JustWantToDance IG @smilejustdance www.smilejustdance.com Lakeland yogis re’Joyce’! Best Of LKLD voters agree that Joyce Preston with Just Dance Academy of Dance and Etiquette is the BEST yoga instructor in the Swan City. For information on when you can get into the Goddess pose groove or perfect your Warrior II with Joyce Preston, visit the Just Dance website or give them a call! 2nd: Beth at Yoga Pointe 3rd: Marnie at Yoga Pointe Best CPA DIANE HERRINGTON, CPA, P.A. 202 Lake Miriam Dr # E8, Lakeland (863) 644-7125 FB @drhcpa dianeherringtoncpa.com Polk County native Diane R. Herrington has been working in the accounting field since 1970 and became a licensed CPA in Florida in 1980. Herrington founded her accounting firm in 1983, providing personalized services in tax preparation, tax planning, and business consulting services for individuals, businesses, estates, and trusts. Backed by decades of experience and detailed customer service, Diane Herrington’s customers often rave about her professionalism, quality, responsiveness, and the value of her services. 2nd: David R. Ramos, CPA 3rd: Brinton Fairchild Best Attorney LAURIANE CICCARELLI | TROIANO & ROBERTS, P.A. 317 S Tennessee Ave, Lakeland (863) 686-7136 ext 118 FB @TroianoRobertsPa troianolaw.com A 1996 Stetson University College of Law graduate, Lauriane Ciccarelli practices in the areas of Real Estate, Real Estate Planning, General Civil Litigation, and has been involved in thousands of Eminent Domain cases. She joined the firm, Troiano & Roberts, P.A. in March of 2004. A review of Ciccarelli’s services reads, “I am a Realtor and have been doing Real Estate since 2006 and I recommended them with one of my clients and Lauriane was very respectful and helpful and will use them again when needed.” 2nd: Scott H. Langston 3rd: Victor J. Troiano Best Bank MIDFLORIDA CREDIT UNION Multiple Locations FB @MIDFLORIDA IG @midflorida_creditunion midflorida.com What began as Polk County Teachers Credit Union in 1954, MIDFLORIDA has become Central Florida’s community credit union with nearly 65 branches. MIDFLORIDA is not-forprofit and member-owned, offering banking products and services from personal and business banking to loans, mortgages, and investing. MIDFLORIDA places importance on 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: Citizens Bank & Trust 3rd: SunTrust Bank Best Insurance Agent WAYNE PEACE 2325 S Florida Avenue, Lakeland (863) 688-8920 FB: Wayne Peace - State Farm Agent State Farm Insurance Agent Wayne Peace is a lifelong Lakeland resident. This former University of Florida starting quarterback #15 (1980-1983) and Team Captain (1983) has been representing State Farm, the US #1 Auto Insurer since 1987. Peace and his team offer services including auto, homeowners, and renters insurance, personal article policies, business insurance, life insurance, health insurance, banking, and annuities. 2nd: Buzz Tarver 3rd: Luetta Cain Best Veterinarian DORIAN LARA, DVM | SPCA FLORIDA 5850 Brannen Rd S, Lakeland (863) 646-7722 FB @SPCAFlorida IG @spca_florida spcaflorida.org A round of ap’paws’ for Dr. Dorian Lara, voted Best Veterinarian by our LKLD voters! Dr. Dorian Lara was welcomed to the SPCA Florida Medical Center Management Team in late 2019. As Director of Surgery, Dr. Lara oversees surgical procedures, advanced surgical equipment, and the highest standards of professional surgical care. “Dr. Lara brings extended skills and talent to expanded procedures and techniques that will benefit Polk County’s four-legged friends,” reads a November 5, 2019, SPCA Florida press release announcing his hiring. It appears Dr. Lara’s service to the SPCA has indeed been a benefit worth barking for! 2nd: Dr. Mitsie Vargas | Orchid Springs Animal Hospital 3rd: Dr. Holly Daniels | All Creatures Animal Clinic Best Spa BELLA VISÁGE MEDICAL & AESTHETIC REJUVENATION 119 Traders Alley, Lakeland (863) 333-0553 FB @BellaVisageLakeland IG @bellavisagelkld bellavisagelakeland.com Take some time for yourself – you deserve it! Prepare to unwind at Bella Viságe with services from health and wellness, body contouring, medical rejuvenation, and laser tattoo removal, to laser hair removal, feminine health, aesthetician services, and massage therapy. They also carry several lines of beauty, skincare, and home products including Skinade, a “natural peach, and mangosteen flavored anti-aging collagen drink,” body care line Farmhouse Fresh, Swan City Chandlery small batch 100% soy wax candles, and more. 2nd: DayDreams Day Spa 3rd: Pura Vie Holistic Studio Best Hair Salon VENUE SALON 5035 S Lakeland Dr, Lakeland (863) 644-0102 FB @venueaveda IG @venuelakeland venuesalon.com Are you ready to achieve your hair goals? Venue is an Aveda Concept Salon offering hair, skincare, and waxing services using eco-friendly products, innovative techniques, and sustainability standards. Whether you’re looking for a cut, color, highlights, extensions, and beyond – Venue stylists have you covered. Show your stylist hair inspo and tell them about your hair, and according to Venue, “We’ll listen and share the smartest ways to get your hair looking healthy, happy, and beautiful.” 2nd: Studio 323 3rd: Blushing Blondes Salon Best Barber SKULLYS BARBER SALON 434 W Pipkin Rd, Lakeland (863) 224-3507 FB @skullysbarbersalon IG @skullysbarbersalon skullysbarbersalon.com “With a tank of gas and a dream, he created Florida’s first, and so far only, mobile barber salon.” Skully founded his hair biz doing house calls in 2015 and opened his mobile barbershop out of a 32-foot RV in 2016. Voters showed up AGAIN this year to scream that Skullys is the BEST! Now, this mobile barber has a physical location on W. Pipkin Road in Lakeland. Need a haircut, color, styling, or beard trim? Skully’s got you! One review of his barbershop reads in part, “Skully can do hair for young and old, from trim to fades, he has the skills to make you look & feel good.” 2nd: Kirkland’s Barber Shop 3rd: Lakeland Barber Company Best Nail Salon NOIRE SPA & NAILS 3540 Harden Blvd Ste 107, Lakeland (863) 738-2868 FB @NoireSpaNailslakeland Treat yourself! From basic mani/pedis to extravagant styles and designs, Noire Spa & Nails can do it all. They offer monthly promotions and customers rave about their cleanliness, attention to detail, and the relaxing experience they provide. One customer (with freshly done nails) wrote, “Very clean, the technician who did my nails took her time and was very thorough. She also did my eyebrows which turned out fantastic. Now I have two favorite nail salons. Make sure to get the member card for the discount on your future visits!” 2nd: United Nails & Spa 3rd: Van Spa & Nails Best Dog Groomer LOVE AN FLUFF DOG GROOMING 1015 E County Rd 540A, Lakeland (863) 646-5445 FB @loveanfluffdoggrooming loveanfluff.com Is your Bichon Frise overdue for a blowout? Terrier in need of a trim? LKLD voters are in puppy love with Love An Fluff Dog Grooming AGAIN this year! One pleased dog mom wrote, “Love this place and so does my Rexi! He won’t let very many people near him but loves the staff here, to me that says a lot! Won’t ever go anywhere else.” Established in 1970, Love An Fluff backs their bark-worthy service with over 50 years in business and is family-owned. They are an all-breed grooming business with “excellent employees who will take care of your pet and make you feel welcomed.” 2nd: Doggie Divas Grooming Salon 3rd: Four Paws Only Best Wedding Planner PERFECT DAY PRODUCTIONS (863) 608-1945 FB @pdpweddings IG @pdpweddings pdpweddings.com Planning a wedding can be overwhelming. Let certified wedding planner, Lora B. Gardner help you make your day perfect! Perfect Day Productions is a full-service wedding and event planning company with the goal to “bring your vision to life through professional hands-on planning customized to fit your individual needs.” Perfect Day Productions offers three packages to fit the needs of any bride and groom including a “Day of Coordination” package called ‘Down the Aisle,’ a partial planning package called ‘From This Day Forward,’ and ‘Knee to Knot’ for full-service wedding planning and coordination. PDP couples have nothing but great things to say about Lora and her team. Congratulations on your big day, and happy planning! 2nd: Ashton Events 3rd: 2 Sisters Events & Design Best Wedding Photographer SUNGLOW PHOTOGRAPHY FB @SunglowPhotography IG @sunglowphoto (863) 510-8702 sunglowphotography.com There’s nothing sweeter than looking back on photos from your wedding day! Dustin with Sunglow Photography has an eye for capturing every ear-to-ear grin, happy tear, excited pre-wedding jitters, and that once in a lifetime down the aisle moment. A look through his portfolio is a look into the happiest day of his client’s lives and they have nothing but compliments for his work. One bride’s review reads in part, “We hired Dustin to do our engagement photos and wedding photos. We were not disappointed either time. We have gotten so many compliments on the quality and style of the photos. Dustin captured the elegant and timeless look we were hoping for.” 2nd: Petal and Vine Photography 3rd: Anthony Scott Best Event Entertainment Company DREAMS COME TRUE ENTERTAINMENT 214 Traders Alley, Lakeland (863) 944-1264 FB @DreamsComeTrueEntertainment IG @dctemagicalmemories dreamscometrueentertainment.com Can you imagine the excited ‘eeeeks’ and giggles when Cinderella saunters into your child’s birthday party? Dreams Come True Entertainment can make sure she will bippity boppity be there! With high-quality, fun, and unique character entertainment for all ages, Dreams Come True creates magic for little ones with the chance to meet their favorite fairytale or superhero characters. You can book experienced actors in award-winning costumes for your next birthday party, shower, or corporate event. Follow their social media to keep up to date on the magical character events held regularly at Enchanted Fairytale Hollow! 2nd: Graingertainment 3rd: Fun Factory Inflatables

Best Pizza BISTRO PIZZA 326 W Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 875-4894 FB @bistropizza326 arabellas.us/bistro-pizza What kind of person doesn’t like Bistro Pizza? A weirdough that’s who. Bistro’s brick oven pizzas are hand-tossed and made with the freshest ingredients. You can choose a classic variety like the Pizza Italia, made with mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, fresh tomatoes, basil, and garlic, or the Pizza Rustica with mozzarella and ricotta cheese, ham, bacon, garlic, and olive oil. Or, you can create your own! This Central Ave pizzeria also features a full menu of calzones, strombolis, antipasti, baked pasta, ovenbaked subs, and salads – not to mention a full wine list and bar are available. 2nd: J. Burns’ Pizza Shop 3rd: Floridino’s Italian Kitchen Best Burgers ADLER’S BURGERS 113 Ambersweet Way, Davenport (863) 438-4324 543 Ave B SW, Winter Haven (863) 875-6615 FB @Adlers.TCB IG @adlerstcb adlersburgers.com Meat your heart out other burger joints, Adler’s is burger goals! These all-American lettuce-on-top legends just don’t stop “takin’ care of burgers” – they’ve claimed the top spot for Best Burger two years running. It all starts with Midwest, high-fat content ground beef, smashed to perfection on the grill and dressed up with an artisan bun. Get it with a side of hand-cut fries and a craft soda (or Jalapeno Fire Crackers mmmm….). The Adler’s Classic is a no-frills feast topped with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, American cheese, mayo, ketchup, and mustard. Try something new with the Italian, Bad Hombre, or Bourbon BBQ burgers, and follow their socials for the tasty and campily named specials! 2nd: Tempo 1930 3rd: Andy’s Igloo Best Tacos TACOS MY FRIEND 3899 Recker Hwy, Winter Haven (863) 837-7416 FB @tacosmyfriend IG tacos_my_friend Forget about Taco Tuesday, it’s Taco Everyday at Tacos My Friend. This Recker Highway foodie respite serves authentic Mexican fare from tacos (of course) to sopes, tamales, tostadas, and more. Again they take the top taco spot on our Best Of Haven list and no wonder because there is nothing like one of their warm tortillas hugging steak, onion, and cilantro with a squeeze of lime and a drizzle of salsa verde. One bite from Tacos My Friend and you’ll be taco besties! 2nd: Angel’s Kitchen 3rd: Azteca D’ Oro Best Wings BEEF ‘O’ BRADY’S 300 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven (863) 293-9464 FB @MyBeefs beefobradys.com/winterhaven With beef in the name, you might not think they’d knock it out of the park with their wings – but you’d be wrong. Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Award-Winning Jumbo Wings are always made fresh to order and tossed in one of their dry rubs or famous sauces. They come traditional or boneless and can be made into a combo or a basket. From Garlic Parmesan to Atomic, there’s a heat level and flavor for everyone. The best bet is to just ‘wing’ it and try out a variety of their sauces and dry rubs. Beef’s Signature Buffalo, Nashville Hot, Boom Boom, and Sweet Thai Chili anyone? 2nd: Hurricane Grill & Wings 3rd: Floridino’s Italian Kitchen Best Cuban sandwich SOUP’R CUBANS SANDWICH SHOP 1500 42nd St NW, Winter Haven (863) 967-6277 FB: Soup’R Cubans The named Soup’R Cubans may be a play on words for the six soups they offer daily, but Best Of Haven voters think they make Super Cubans! “Making it fresh since 2000,” this Winter Haven soup and sandwich shop offers fresh subs, soups, salads, specials, and more. But we’re here for the Cubans, baby! They pile their Cuban sandwich with ham, pork, Genoa salami, Swiss cheese, pickles, with a mustard and mayo mix spread over fresh Cuban bread. It’s then pressed on a hot grill for a perfectly crispy Cuban. Soup’R Cubans’ Best Of Haven-winning sandwich is available as a 10-inch Super Cuban or a 7-inch Regular. 2nd: Richard’s Fine Coffees 3rd: Chef Neil’s Bistro Best Italian ARABELLAS RISTORANTE 346 W Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 293-1797 FB @ArabellasRistorante arabellas.us If you’re craving Linguine Ai Gamberi for lunch or Steak Lady Diana for dinner, consider Arabellas Ristorante, the superlative for Italian cuisine in Winter Haven. Arabellas was established in 2004 and is open for lunch and dinner. Pair your meal of Trancio di Salmone Arrosto con Carciofi, roasted salmon filet with artichoke in a white wine and lemon butter sauce, with a glass or bottle from Arabellas’ extensive wine list or a nightcap at Ave Bar next door. The Downtown Times Square bistro prides itself in excellent food, service, and atmosphere. 2nd: Olive Garden 3rd: Carrabba’s Italian Grill Best Sushi TSUNAMI SUSHI 5937 Cypress Gardens Blvd #300, Winter Haven (863) 324-6777 (Second location in Lakeland) FB @TsunamiSushi2013 IG @tsunamisushiwh tsunamisushi.net Tsunami is a sushi spot we can roll with! Year after year Best Of Haven voters make waves in the ballots for their favorite sushi restaurant. Tsunami boasts a menu of dishes that look as fantastic as they taste from sashimi and makimono, to tempura, miso, and more. You can’t go wrong with any of their special rolls like the Godzilla Roll, Sweet Heart Roll, or Tuna on Fire Roll. Tsunami, you’re our sushi soymate, we’ll never let you gyoza. 2nd: Sakura Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi 3rd: Royal Asian Fusion Best BBQ BLACKBURN’S BBQ 169 5th St, Eagle Lake (863) 287-9975 FB @BlackburnsBBQ IG @blackburnsbbq Blackburn’s BBQ is quintessential south in your mouth. Their oak-smoked BBQ is fall-off-the-bone delicious. This Eagle Lake eatery features favorites like pulled pork sandwiches, dinner plates including brisket, turkey, smoked sausage, meat by the pound, and family meal deals. Blackburn’s southern sides like sweet coleslaw, southern potato salad, fresh collard greens, and Mimi’s corn casserole are made from scratch. Finish off your meal with homemade banana pudding or a slice of fresh apple or pecan pie. Not to be too forward, but Blackburn’s, we think you’re smokin’! 2nd: Gaskins Barbecue & Lobster 3rd: Sonny’s BBQ Best Donuts THE DONUT MAN 1290 6th St NW, Winter Haven (863) 293-4031 FB @thedonutmanWH The Donut Man does what he can! Thankfully for Winter Haven that means the best sugary and sprinkle-topped treats around. Their Amazing Apple Fritters draw foodies far and wide but I don’t want to glaze over their other offerings of assorted cake donuts, filled donuts, and raised donuts along with sandwiches, bagels, muffins, croissants, coffee, and more. Congrats on another donut hole-in-one in the Best Of Haven Donut category! Donut Man, thanks for the sugarhigh, we donut know what we’d do without you. 2nd: Dunkin’ 3rd: Donut Palace Best Subs PUBLIX FB @publix IG @publix publix.com Pub Subs or bust! Best Of Haven voters like their subs like they like their groceries – from Publix. This iconic sandwich has become the envy of the nation with an array of options to try from the Boar’s Head Jerk Turkey & Gouda Sub to the Publix Philly Cheese Sub. The tried-and-true Pub Sub is of course the Chicken Tender Sub made with Publix Deli’s famous double hand-breaded chicken tenders. Enjoying these supreme sammys on the regular is obligatory to keep your Florida card. 2nd: Firehouse Subs 3rd: Jersey Mike’s Subs Best Mexican AZTECA D’ORO 5860 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven (Multiple locations in Orlando, Lakeland, and New Smyrna) (863) 295-9080 FB @AztecaDoroWinterHaven IG @aztecadorowh aztecadoro.com Azteca D’Oro is known for authentic food, friendly service, and an encha-lot-of flavorful Mexican cuisine! Their lunch and dinner menus feature ceviche, nachos, elotes Mexicanos, fajitas, burritos, enchiladas, tortas, tacos, signature dishes, desserts, and more. According to Azteca D’Oro, “As authentic ambassadors of our culture and culinary arts, we want to offer our guests the best of our cuisine, keeping alive the legendary Mexican flavor because our food is a labor of love stemming from the most authentic and traditional recipes.” 2nd: El Olivo Mexican Restaurant 3rd: San Diego’s Mexican Grill and Sport Bar Best Breakfast EGG HAVEN 301 3rd St SW, Winter Haven (863) 268-8269 FB: Egg Haven egghavenwinterhaven.com Egg Haven has been voted Best Breakfast AGAIN? You butter believe it. This 3rd Street diner which opened in 2013, serves its eggcellent breakfast all day. Drive by (or drive-thru) any morning and you’ll see patrons enjoying their Egg Haven Benedict, biscuits and gravy, chocolate chip pancakes, and blueberry French toast on the sunny patio. Congratulations, Egg Haven, here’s a (butter and jam) toast to you! 2nd: First Watch 3rd: Big Tom’s Diner Best Seafood HARBORSIDE 2435 7th St SW, Winter Haven (863) 293-7070 FB @HarborsideFL IG @harborsiderestaurant harborsidefl.com Seafood with a waterfront view! Harborside offers premium Lake Shipp scenery, steaks, seafood, and other upscale casual fares. A variety of seafood dishes line the menu both fresh and fried like Ahi Tuna and Smoked Salmon Dip appetizers, Lobster and Crab Alfredo, Gulf Oysters on the half shell, Snow Crab, Stuffed Flounder, and Grouper Sandwich entrees. One Harborside review reads in part, “Always the best place in the Winter Haven area for seafood. The fish and seafood dishes are spot-on for flavor and freshness.” 2nd: Harry’s Old Place 3rd: Crazy Fish Bar And Grill Best Thai THAI HAVEN 309 W Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 291-8085 FB @ThaiHaven IG @thaihaven_fl thaihaven.com Thai Haven is a family-owned and operated Downtown dining destination. They offer authentic made-to-order Thai cuisine in an intimate setting overlooking Central Avenue. Their menu of appetizers, soups, salads, curries, specials, noodle dishes, fried rice dishes and more is extensive, offering levels of spice to suit any palate. A hot cup of coconut milk soup is perfect for a fall afternoon and their curry is a great pick-me-up to Thai you over anytime! 2nd: Spice Thai & Sushi 3rd: Royal Asian Fusion Best Mediterranean MEDITERRANEAN FRESH GRILL 6035 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven (833) 633-4745 FB @MediterraneanFreshGrillWinterHaven IG @freshgrillmediterranean mediterraneanfreshgrill.com Mediterranean Fresh Grill is well-loved for its beautiful presentation and flavors alike. Chef Chadi Mokbel makes Mediterranean magic in the kitchen with authentic Lebanese cuisine. On the menu you’ll find food that is prepared fresh daily and cooked to order, accommodating many dietary needs and choices including vegetarian, vegan, low carb, Keto, and gluten-free options. A few menu faves include garlic whip, tabbouleh, spicy feta dip, kabobs, and shawarma. 2nd: The Krazy Greek 3rd: Cafe Zuppina Best Chinese CHINA GARDEN 6027 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven (863) 318-1900 chinagardenwinterhaven.com “This is absolutely a five-star for me. I haven’t tasted all their food, but the ones I’ve had are very tasty and enjoyable,” wrote one China Garden patron. Their menu offers all the Chinese food staples you can think of from sweet and sour chicken and crab rangoons to vegetable lo mein and moo shu pork. Customers rave about tasty takeout, fair prices, and friendly, family-run service. 2nd: Beijing Restaurant 3rd: Evergreen Best Oysters GARY’S OYSTER BAR & SEAFOOD HOUSE 660 E Alfred St, Lake Alfred (863) 956-5055 FB: Garys Oyster Bar garysoysterbar.com Gary’s, “the oldest oyster bar in Polk County,” is a not-so-hidden gem offering a cozy, casual atmosphere and “a true Florida seafood experience.” Their Char-Grilled Parmesan Oysters and the Jalapeño Bacon Oysters compete for guest favorite. Gary’s oysters, steamed or raw, will leave you in half-shell heaven, thinking ‘Why the shuck did I wait so long to try this place?’ 2nd: Harborside 3rd: Tempo 1930 Best Ice Cream ANDY’S IGLOO 703 3rd St SW, Winter Haven (863) 293-0019 FB: ANDY’S IGLOO Andysigloo.com Their Americana diner vibe and sign are iconic, their burgers are noteworthy, but their ice cream is the cherry on top! You may have to exercise a little self-‘cone’trol as Andy’s Igloo boasts homemade sherbets, milkshakes, and over 30 flavors of hard ice cream as well as Royal Treats like their Banana Split, SpinThe-Wheel, Banana Bonanza, and Parfait (plus, the toppings and sherbets are made in-house). There’s nothing a little whipped cream and sprinkles can’t fix. Andy’s, Best Of Haven voters are melting for you! 2nd: Dairy Queen 3rd: Culver’s Best Food Truck TALLULAH’S TABLE BY THE SEA (863) 289-6255 FB @tallulahstable IG @tallulahstable Tallulah’s Table by the Sea swims to the top for Best Food Truck again this year! Maybe you’ve had their grouper fingers at Grove Roots or a Lobster Bahn Mi at the Lakeland Food Truck Rally, that’s the beauty of this mobile bistro – they travel far and wide serving up delicious seafood along the way. Tallulah’s is available for public or private events and offers succulent seafood bites like Mermaid Shrimp (fried shrimp tossed in homemade sweet and spicy sauce, blue cheese crumbles, and cilantro), Mahi Tacos for Two, Tropical Shrimp Ceviche, and more. Float on over to their Facebook to see where they’ll be next! 2nd: Happy Ending Food Truck 3rd: Jimmy’s Famous Seafood Express Best Diner ANDY’S IGLOO 703 3rd St SW, Winter Haven (863) 293-0019 FB: ANDY’S IGLOO Andysigloo.com There’s no better place for a burger, crinklecut fries, and a shake! Andy’s is an old-school Americana eatery boasting the BEST ice cream, and diner vibes that can’t be beat. The Igloo opened in 1951 and now serves diner fare from burgers, BBQ, and chicken baskets to hotdogs, seafood baskets, sandwiches, and more. Oh, and did someone say banana split? 2nd: Big Tom’s Diner 3rd: Egg Haven Best Fine Dining ARABELLAS RISTORANTE 346 W Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 293-1797 FB @ArabellasRistorante arabellas.us Drenched in ambient lighting, with exposed brick walls, and billowy window treatments framing palatial windows, Arabellas is where Winter Havenites go for a fine dining night on the town. Guests can expect a premier dining experience from food to atmosphere and everything in-between as Arabelles was also voted Best Italian Food and Best Romantic Restaurant. One patron wrote, “One of our favourite restaurants in the area. Service and food we will always give top marks for. It’s a great place to go for special occasions. It’s nice to dress up a bit too.” 2nd: Nutwood 3rd: Fire Restaurant Best Patio TEMPO 1930 58 4th St NW, Winter Haven (863) 875-5323 FB @Tempo1930 IG @tempowh1930 tempo1930.com Enjoy first-rate cocktails with a breeze downtown! Tempo 1930 remains the Best Of Haven for patio dining again this year. Expansive (open when the weather is nice) front windows overlooking Central Park, exposed brick, and warm decor make for an enjoyable indoor dining experience. But patrons particularly love the back patio strung with little lights for ambiance complete with a jazz-inspired mural. 2nd: Nutwood 3rd: Tanners Lakeside Restaurant & Bar Best Waterfront HARBORSIDE 2435 7th St SW, Winter Haven (863) 293-7070 FB @HarborsideFL IG @harborsiderestaurant harborsidefl.com Harborside’s wave-lapping, sunsetting views of Lake Shipp make for an idyllic respite to enjoy surf and turf and a beachy cocktail. In a landslide again this year, Best Of Haven voters singled out Harborside as the premier place for waterfront dining across the county. It is a top destination by car, boat, even seaplane for fresh seafood, steaks, and other casual bites. Their Chain of Lakes views are unmatched! 2nd: Tanners Lakeside Restaurant & Bar 3rd: The Twisted Prop Bar & Grille Best Bar TEMPO 1930 58 4th St NW, Winter Haven (863) 875-5323 FB @Tempo1930 IG @tempowh1930 tempo1930.com A historically significant building in Downtown Winter Haven, Tempo 1930 has the vibes and the cocktails to easily take the top bar spot. Tempo refers to the live music played throughout the weekend, and 1930 pays homage to George Jenkins and the very first Publix store he opened in that location on September 6, 1930. Whether you like it shaken or stirred, Tempo 1930 can make it for you. Pick your poison and head out back to the patio – Maple Walnut Old Fashioned anyone? 2nd: Ave Bar 3rd: Grove Roots Brewing Company Best Cocktails TEMPO 1930 58 4th St NW, Winter Haven (863) 875-5323 FB @Tempo1930 IG @tempowh1930 tempo1930.com Best Patio, Bar, and Cocktails – is there anything Tempo 1930 can’t do? A Central Park breeze and a warm jazzy atmosphere make for a supreme cocktail spot. Tempo 1930’s cocktail list incorporates the flavors of the season with a seasonal cocktail menu. Tempo’s signature cocktails include a Grapefruit Basil Martini, Lavender Vanilla Martini, Key Lime Martini, and Maple Walnut Old Fashioned. Cheers to so many Best Of Haven wins, Tempo! 2nd: The Social Cocktail Lounge 3rd: Ave Bar Best Wine Menu GRAPE EXPECTATIONS WINE BAR 5535 Cypress Gardens Blvd #150, Winter Haven (863) 318-8800 FB @GrapeExpectationsWineBar IG @grapeexpectationswinebar “I stole her heart away and put wine in its place.” – Charles Dickens, Grape Expectations (that’s not the real quote or book title of course). Grape Expectations Wine Bar is a repeat winner! Boasting the largest selection of wines by the glass in Winter Haven, two for one daily wine specials, and an expensive selection of California and international wines, Grape Expectations is the Best place in Winter Haven to un‘wine’ from a hard day. Sip your Sauvignon Blanc there or buy a bottle to go. Follow their Facebook to find out the next Yappy Hour when you can bring your furry little booze hounds on the patio with you. The next time you’re there, be sure to congratulate them on 13 years in business! 2nd: Arabellas Ristorante 3rd: Nutwood Best Coffeehouse HAVEN COFFEE ROASTERS 140 3rd St SW, Winter Haven (863) 251-9619 FB @HavenCoffeeRoaster IG @thehavencoffeeroasters havencoffeeroaster.com The new kid on the block has quickly become everyone’s favorite cup of joe pick-me-up. Haven Coffee Roasters was opened in March of this year by Jonathan and Lynsey Lane. The only roastery on this side of the county, Haven has taken the local coffee scene by storm, one Americano, cold brew, and chai latte at a time. A family-owned and faith-based shop, Haven is the kind of community coffeehouse where the baristas know your name and you’re bound to run into someone you know. They regularly host live music, yoga, and other community events. Congratulations Haven Coffee Roasters, Best Of Haven voters love you a latte! 2nd: Richard’s Fine Coffees 3rd: N+1 Coffee Best Beer List GROVE ROOTS BREWING COMPANY 302 3rd St SW, Winter Haven (863) 291-0700 FB @groverootsbrewing IG @groverootsbrewing groveroots.com Cheers to the Best Beer List! Grove Roots, “where hops meet heritage,” is a favorite Winter Haven hangout not only for the relaxed community atmosphere and friendly service but of course, the beer. Grove Roots has something for casual beer drinkers and craft brew purists alike with their flagship beers – Slanted Ladders, Wakes of Grain, Rind & Shine, and 6am Pickers. Owner Joe Dunham and his team are always coming up with an inspired rotating selection of seasonal and special-release beers to add to the tasting room board. 2nd: Union Taproom 3rd: Jessie’s Lounge Best Florida Wine LAKERIDGE WINERY & VINEYARDS 19239 US-27, Clermont 1-800-768-WINE (9463) FB @LakeridgeWines IG @lakeridgewinery lakeridgewinery.com Lakeridge Winery, opened in 1989, sits on a sprawling 127-acre estate in the rolling hills of Clermont. On a complimentary self-guided walking winery tour and wine tasting, guests can taste a selection of Lakeridge wines. The winery itself overlooks 80 acres of planted vineyards, “pioneering the production of native muscadine grapes.” Lakeridge Winery produces over 100,000 cases (over 1 million bottles) of wine and is so popular that an estimated 160,000 people visit the winery annually. Under their Lakeridge and Lakeridge Reserve brand wines, the labels have won more than 600 awards for excellence in winemaking. 2nd: Island Grove Wine Company 3rd: Keel + Curley Winery Best Polk County Beer TROPICAL DILEMMA | GROVE ROOTS BREWING COMPANY 302 3rd St SW, Winter Haven (863) 291-0700 FB @groverootsbrewing IG @groverootsbrewing groveroots.com There Grove Roots ‘gose’ again! The only dilemma you’ll run into with this tropical delight is having only one. Tropical Dilemma is a crisp sour 4.4% ABV beer with fruity tropical and strawberry notes. Available by the growler or the glass, one Untappd user described it as, “Juicy, natural tasting strawberry. Some saltiness and tartness. Wellbalanced gose.” 2nd: The Florida Brewery 3rd: Swan Brewing Best U-Pick WHITEHEAD’S BLUEBERRY FARM 1024 Macon Rd, Winter Haven (863) 860-4575 FB @whiteheadsblueberryfarm IG @whiteheadfarm Best Of Haven voters love this U-pick farm berry much. Whitehead’s Blueberry Farm takes the top U-Pick spot again this year! During the blueberry season which typically runs from the first Wednesday of April through mid-May, guests can grab a basket and pick as many blueberries they want for $4 per pound (or $6 if you want them to pick for you). The family farm has over 30,000 blueberry plants across 15 acres. 2nd: Ridge Island Groves 3rd: Lonesome Oak Blueberry Farms Best New Restaurant THE RANCH TAPROOM & COFFEEHOUSE 247 E Park Ave, Lake Wales (863) 589-5100 FB @theranchtaproomandcoffeehouse IG @the_ranch_taproomcoffeehouse Since opening in Downtown Lake Wales in April, The Ranch Taproom & Coffeehouse has become a new Polk County must-try. They offer coffee drinks, an extensive selection of craft beer, and wine by the glass or bottle. The Ranch menu features lighter lunch and dinner offerings like the Pimento Grilled Cheese and a Chicken Bacon Ranch Salad, as well as small bites including Pretzels & Beer Cheese or a Charcuterie Board. One Ranch Taproom reviewer wrote, “Coffee, craft beer, tasty food, and southern hospitality right in Downtown Lake Wales. This is such a welcomed change to the community and I can’t wait for what’s to come! Plus, the female founders and their families have been in Lake Wales for generations. It’s great to see locals invest in the community they’ve called home for such a long time.” 2nd: Charm City 3rd: The Lokale Eatery Best Catering THE CATERING COMPANY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA 2090 Havendale Blvd NW, Winter Haven (863) 207-7057 FB @thecateringcompanyofcentralfl IG @cateringco.ofcentralflorida thecateringcompanyofcentralfl.com With The Catering Company, clients can customize their event menu to their palate and budget. Brunch, corporate, charcuterie, rehearsal dinner – no matter the size or scope of the event – The Catering Company will use fresh ingredients and work to “provide flavor-forward dishes, custom to each event menu to fit any budget!” One review of The Catering Company reads in part, “The Catering Company of Central Florida is the ABSOLUTE BEST! Not only was the food incredible but the service matched perfectly!” 2nd: Blackburn’s BBQ 3rd: Catering Oasis Best Romantic Restaurant ARABELLAS RISTORANTE 346 W Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 293-1797 FB @ArabellasRistorante arabellas.us A fine dining date night in Downtown Winter Haven, what could be better? Established in 2004, Arabellas also takes the top spot for Best Fine Dining and Best Italian. The ambient atmosphere in the restaurant and dreamy string lights cascading along Central Avenue make for a romantic evening out. Continue your night out with a bottle of wine or cocktail from the adjacent Ave Bar. 2nd: Nutwood 3rd: Harborside Best Vegan VICTOR & MIKA’S BAKERY 3106 Havendale Blvd NW, Winter Haven (863) 734-9148 FB @VictorMikaBakery IG @vandmbakery victormikabakery.com You don’t have to be vegan to know Victor & Mika’s Bakery is the BEST! Victor & Mika’s Bakery prepares high-quality plant-based, vegan, and gluten-free foods. “Being vegan has changed our lives and has also saved Mika’s life ever since her diagnosis of fibroid tumors,” according to the bakery. V&M regularly attend events and markets around the county like the Winter Haven Farmers Market and Downtown Lakeland First Friday. In addition to catering services, they offer goodies like donuts, cannolis, gluten-free bagels, churros, cakes, pastries, and more. To try Victor & Mika’s tasty vegan recipes at home, pick up their cookbook, “Chasing Vegan: Baking Vegan Fun.” 2nd: Bambu Cafe 3rd: Thai Haven Best Dog-Friendly Restaurant THE TWISTED PROP BAR & GRILLE 615 7th St SW, Winter Haven (863) 293-1937 FB: The Twisted Prop Bar & Grille IG @thetwistedprop The Twisted Prop’s regulars love their waterfront views of Lake May, tasty pub food, and good-time, dog-friendly atmosphere. Chill out on The Chain with your fourlegged best buddy while enjoying drinks and casual bar fare including wings, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and more. The Twisted Prop Bar & Grille is the ‘ultimutt’ dog-friendly restaurant according to Best Of Haven voters! 2nd: Tempo 1930 3rd: Union Pizza (Inside Union Taproom) Best Bakery GOURMET GOODIES BAKE SHOP 68 4th St NW, Winter Haven (863) 318-1400 FB @GourmetGoodies IG @gourmetgoodieswinterhaven ggcupcake.com Year after year, Best Of Haven voters let us know just how sweet Gourmet Goodies Bake Shop is. They are sugar and spice and everything nice in a charming Central Park facing bakery. Gourmet Goodies offers a selection of gourmet baked goods including incredible custom cakes, cupcakes, cookies, cheesecake, French macarons, and more. In need of a last-minute birthday pick-me-up or treat for a special occasion? GG has you covered with its selection of beautiful and tasty cakes. If you’re having a rough day, just walk into the shop. The oh-so-sweet sites, smells, and tastes in their display case will cheer you right up! 2nd: Publix 3rd: Sugar & Slice Bakery

Best Realtor OMAR ANDREASEN | THE ANDREASEN GROUP (407) 883-2989 FB @AndreasenTelesRealEstateGroup IG @theandreasengrouprealty theandreasengroup.com Honesty, customer service, and communication are paramount to Omar Andreasen and his team. Primarily serving Central Florida, Andreason has gone as far as Miami for a client and says he’ll go anywhere in the state if it means meeting his clients’ needs. He handles residential and commercial real estate as well as building and loves the challenges that come with the job. With customer satisfaction at the forefront, he hopes to see The Andreasen Group become the dominating real estate team in Polk County. 2nd: Michael Webb | Trade Winds Realty 3rd: Jenna Henderson | Century 21 Myers Realty Best Realty Company CENTURY 21 MYERS REALTY 304 E. Park St Auburndale (Additional locations in Polk County) (863) 875-5656 FB @c21myers century21myersrealty.com Century 21 Myers Realty is a full-service realty and property management company specializing in single-family and commercial properties. Their team pride themselves in being highly motivated, committed to their clients and investors, honest, and professional. One Century 21 Myers Realty client wrote last year, “Excellent customer service and viewing properties followed all CDC health and safety guidelines. Great experience with knowledgeable local Realtors.” 2nd: The Andreasen Group 3rd: Trade Winds Realty Best Mortgage Broker COMPASS MORTGAGE LLC 2015 S Florida Ave, Lakeland (863) 802-1242 FB @compassmortgagellc IG @compassmortgagelkld compassmortgagellc.com Helping clients navigate residential mortgages and refinancing, Compass Mortgage LLC is a locally-owned and operated Broker offering mortgage and loan products including FHA, VA, USDA, and Conventional. They’ve got the “Broker Advantage” of thousands of different loan products, which affords them the ability to find the right loan product for a specific client. “Compass Mortgage LLC offers you the latest in financial tools and expert advice, which makes the loan process easy. We can help you make sound financial choices.” 2nd: Citizens Bank & Trust 3rd: Carlos Unzueta | CrossCountry Mortgage Best Home Remodeling ALAN L. ULCH 343 Ave C SW, Winter Haven (863) 294-7240 FB @AlanLUlchInc alanulch.com Established on September 9, 1971, Alan L. Ulch, Inc. entered the commercial market in 1974, building restaurants for Burger King, Ponderosa, and Steak & Shake. Since then, the company has taken on more complex projects for the Polk County School Board, the National Guard, Mountain Lake, and industrial clients. They have received numerous accolades for craftsmanship, exceeding sales volume, “Flatness of Concrete” by the National Concrete Association, and a Building of Distinction Award. Today, Alan L. Ulch offers services including Commercial, Residential, and Industrial Construction, Pre Engineered Metal Buildings, Design Build Services, Construction Management, Industrial Maintenance, Kitchen & Bath Design Services, Remodel and Renovation, and Historical Renovation. The Polk County-based construction firm focuses on communication, craftsmanship, and customer satisfaction. 2nd: Black Marlin Construction 3rd: EMC Home Remodeling Best Painting GATOR INDUSTRIES OF CENTRAL FLORIDA 1115 6th St SW, Winter Haven (863) 294-7917 FB @GatorIndustries86 IG @gatorindustries86 gator-industries.com Is it time for your home exterior to get a facelift? Gator Industries started as a pressure cleaning business with just one truck and a dog in 1986. Not only has their employee base grown, so too have the services they offer. Custom painting, pressure washing, commercial roofing, custom pavers, decorative concrete, and more – Gator’s got you! One customer wrote in part, “Our house was in need of a paint job and Gator’s company came highly recommended. I understand why. They did a great job from the beginning to the end. I own multiple rental properties and have used many painting contractors over the years. I will only be using Gator from here on out.” 2nd: Bill’s Painting 3rd: Kok’s Custom Painting and Coatings llc. Best Home Inspector HOME SWEET HOME INSPECTION SERVICES LLC 6039 Cypress Gardens Blvd #199, Winter Haven (863) 324-5349 hshinspect.com Inspector and Managing Member of Home Sweet Home Inspection Services, Thomas Wells, has over 25 years of industry experience in residential remodeling and new construction. Wells has extensive training through InterNachi, PHII, AHIT, and has completed the National Home Inspector Examination. Their inspection services include Standard Inspections, Wind Mitigations, 4 Point Inspection, and Roof Certification. Of the locally-owned family business, one customer reviewed, “Cannot rate this company highly enough. Home Sweet Inspections did an extremely detailed report and were able to complete the inspection the day after calling to inquire. The owners of the company made themselves available to answer any questions regarding the inspection report the same day the report was issued - highly efficient company!” 2nd: Ryan Bataille | White Inspection Services 3rd: Chimera Homes Best AC Repair RIDGE ENERGY SAVERS 135 S Acuff Rd, Lake Wales (863) 676-2665 FB @RidgeEnergySavers ridgeenergy.com Did your AC give out? Don’t sweat it! Ridge Energy Savers to the rescue! Tom and Judy Harmeling established the AC and heating installation and maintenance company in 1974. Serving Polk County customers for some 47 years, Ridge Energy Savers grew from just a few employees, to now over 25 full-time employees. They offer an extensive list of residential and commercial heating and cooling services in addition to indoor air quality, duct repair and cleaning, and generators. Many reviews of the Lake Wales-based business rave about their professionalism, punctuality, quality, responsiveness, and value. 2nd: Springer Bros. Air Conditioning & Heating 3rd: United Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Best Roofing Company EZ ROOFING SYSTEMS 120 W Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 875-1033 FB @EZroofingsystems IG @ezroofingsystems ezroofingsystems.com Roofing made EZ! The name of this 2021 Best Of Haven Roofing Company is actually in honor of beloved family dog, EZ. This familyowned and operated business backs its work with years of experience. Their family roofing legacy spans over 60 years, but EZ Roofing has been serving Florida since 2007. Best Of Haven voters trust EZ Roofing Systems with all their roofing needs including roof replacement, repairs, flat roof restoration, and insurance inspections. Call for a free estimate today! 2nd: R.I.G. Construction and Roofing 3rd: Taylor’s Roofing Best Plumbing CYPRESS PLUMBING INC. 1776 Executive Rd, Winter Haven (863) 294-7319 FB @CypressPlumbingFL Whether you’re haunted by a phantom running toilet or a mysterious clog in your pipes, Cypress Plumbing will take a crack at it (plumber crack joke). Cypress Plumbing has been serving Polk County for over 29 years offering plumbing services in installation, repairs, repipes, and backflows for residential, commercial, and new construction. “Excellent! I called this morning to have my faucet and drain repaired and they dispatched someone later in the afternoon. He fixed both issues and did an excellent job! I would certainly use Cypress Plumbing again. Very pleased,” reviewed a Cypress Plumbing customer. 2nd: Daughtry Plumbing, Inc. 3rd: Dickens Plumbing Inc. Best Patio Screening MID-FLORIDA ALUMINUM & RESCREENS (863) 289-2368 FB @Midfloridaaluminumrescreens Voted Best Patio Screening Company again! Mid-Florida Aluminum & Rescreens are a Licensed and Insured full-service aluminum, vinyl and screen company specializing in screen rooms, seamless gutter, vinyl siding, soffit/fascia, sliding garage screens and more. Based out of Polk County and serving all of Central Florida, Mid-Florida Aluminum is a certified dealer for LifeStyle Screens, Genius Retractable, and Rollaround Screens. This allows them to offer more than the standard type of screen enclosure for any home or business. Call or message them for more information or a free quote today! 2nd: Bobby Kelton Aluminum 3rd: Cool Screens Florida Best Construction WHITEHEAD CONSTRUCTION 601 6th St SW, Winter Haven (863) 293-6473 FB @whiteheadconstruction whiteheadconstruction.com Whitehead Construction has been “Building Florida since 1954.” You’ve seen the handprint of their superior workmanship and “commitment to excellence from concept to completion” on many buildings, churches, commercial, industrial, and municipality projects around Polk County and beyond including the likes of Bond Clinic, Grove Roots, RainGarden Apartments, and Heartland Church. Whitehead Construction is one of the most respected names in large-scale contracting and takes pride in three generations of family ownership. The community and clients alike give Whitehead Construction five stars across the board. 2nd: A.O. Construction Company Inc. 3rd: Alan L. Ulch Best Retirement Community LAKE ASHTON 4140 Ashton Club Dr, Lake Wales (863) 324-8664 FB: Lake Ashton IG @lakeashtonresales lakeashton.com Set on over 1,200 acres including three lakes and nature preserves, Lake Ashton is an idyllic and secure setting to relax and enjoy retirement. Lake Ashton boasts an unending list of amenities and activities for its residents including a 26,000-square-foot clubhouse, Grand Ballroom, movie theater, bowling alley, two pet parks, a library, indoor basketball, 30,000 square foot health and fitness center, and two 18-hole privately owned golf courses – just to name a few. “Lake Ashton sets the standards of excellence in design, construction, amenities, lifestyle, location, security and affordability for Florida retirement communities.” 2nd: Four Lakes Golf Club 3rd: Traditions at Lake Ruby Best Hotel COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT WINTER HAVEN 6225 Cypress Gardens Blvd SE, Winter Haven (863) 292-3000 FB @CourtyardWinterHaven marriott.com Best Of Haven voters choose Courtyard by Marriott Winter Haven when they need lodging for visiting family or a not-so-faraway get-away. This Cypress Gardens Boulevard hotel is located centrally to LEGOLAND Florida Resort, Bok Tower Gardens, and all the dining and retail Winter Haven has to offer. In their comfortable rooms and suites, Courtyard by Marriott features free Wi-Fi, flat-panel Smart TVs, mini-refrigerators, and microwaves. Their onsite Bistro offers breakfast and dinner options for purchase, a bar, and specialty beverages made with Starbucks coffee. Or, guests can pick up a snack from the 24-hour Market! 2nd: LEGOLAND Resort Hotel 3rd: Holiday Inn Winter Haven, an IHG Hotel Best Apartment CARLTON ARMS OF WINTER HAVEN 7676 Carlton Arms Blvd, Winter Haven (863) 875-1700 FB @CarltonArmsofWinterHaven carltonarmsofwinterhaven.com Lakefront views, a fitness center, lakeside pools, pet-friendly, 24/7 emergency maintenance – what more could you want in an apartment community? Carlton Arms of Winter Haven is located on 122 acres with 23 spacious floor plans to fit your needs. Apartment features include valet trash removal, high-speed internet access, private patios/ balconies, Spectrum Select Cable TV, and more. Residents enjoy the community luxuries of two lakeside pools, a heated pool, social lounge, car care center, and more. “With its cascading fountains, beautifully landscaped grounds, peaceful woods and 5 freshwater lakes, this resortstyle community provides every resident with professional management and maintenance that are trademarks of all Mahaffey planned properties.” 2nd: RainGarden Apartments 3rd: 20 on Second Apartments Best Moving Company TWO MEN AND A TRUCK 3220 Atlantic Ave, Lakeland (863) 594-1002 FB @TwoMenandaTruckPolkCounty twomenandatruck.com/movers/fl/lakeland Two Men and a Truck have been shouldering boxes, lugging couches, and taking the stress out of moving for Polk County residents since 2007. Over the years, these “Movers Who Care” completed more than 30,000 moves offering local moving, junk removal, longdistance moving, parking services, loading and unloading services, and boxes and supplies. With no minimum charges, you only pay for the actual time Two Men and a Truck professionals spend on your move! 2nd: Daryle and Sons Moving Service 3rd: Wink’s Moving Best Residential Cleaning ALL ABOUT THE GRIME CLEANING SERVICE (863) 855-0546 FB @allaboutthegrime Your vacation rental will be spotless in no time with All About The Grime Cleaning Service! This professional cleaning company doesn’t mind getting dirty so their clients’ properties can be clean. All About The Grime is licensed, bonded, and insured, serving realtors, property management companies, and vacation rentals. You might say they’re mopping the floor with the competition! 2nd: Orchid Cleaning Service 3rd: On The Spot Cleaning Solutions LLC

Best Clothing Boutique MICHELLE’S RESALE CLOSET 253 Ave A SW, Winter Haven (863) 662-4029 FB @MichellesResaleCloset IG @michellesresalecloset michelles-resale-closet.myshopify.com On the hunt for a refreshed work wardrobe, girls night out dress, or a new pair of sunnies? Step into Michelle’s Resale Closet! This Downtown Winter Haven boutique offers a varied selection of pre-owned and new clothing across many sizes and styles. According to Michelle’s Resale, “Our goal is to build style, confidence, and relationships through clothing.” The team at this Best Of Haven Clothing Boutique is focused on customer service and will assist you in searching their racks for the perfect outfit! 2nd: The Red Geranium 3rd: 417 Boutique by Cate Best Gift Shop/ Boutique THE RED GERANIUM 605 E Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 291-8585 FB @TheRedGeraniumwh IG @theredgeranium_wh The Red Geranium carries gifts that everyone can enjoy! This ‘affordable gift market and boutique’ specializes in home and garden decor, kitchen specialties, jewelry, women’s clothing, and more. Shop The Red Geranium SHE SHED for vintage and estate sale furniture too! Follow their social media to see exciting new finds in stock. What are you in the market for – a comfy throw blanket, Winter Haven-themed decor, or a shabby chic farmhouse table? 2nd: Amy’s Cards, Party & Gifts 3rd: Love Lindie Boutique Best Jewelry J.C. JEWELERS 504 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven (863) 294-5221 FB: JC Jewelers Their reputation with customers shines as brightly as their jewelry selection! J.C. Jewelers is a family-owned and operated shop that has served Winter Haven for 40 years. They offer jewelry and watch repair, custom work, an array of gold and silver jewelry, and pre-owned Rolex products. All repairs are done in-house at J.C. with some repairs available for pick up the same day! One J.C. customer raved, “Excellent selection, helpful knowledgeable staff. They even sized the ring while I waited. Highly recommend these folks!” 2nd: Tally-Ho Jewelers 3rd: Griner’s Jewelers Best Antique Store TREASURE HOUSE ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES 232 6th St NW, Winter Haven (863) 875-7921 FB @treasurehousetwo treasurehouseone.wixsite.com/ treasurehouseantique Treasure House Antiques & Collectibles is every antiquer’s wildest dream! The over 10,000-square-foot antique mall opened in 2000, and features an ever-changing inventory of hand-selected, gently used clothing, furniture, and home goods including second-hand items from top brands. Enjoy these tasteful, upcycled antiques and collectibles at affordable prices. Their team is dedicated to providing a satisfactory donation, sales, or consignment experience for their customers. One such second-hand shopper reviewed, “The name ‘Treasure House…’ isn’t a lie. This is a great antique and collectibles shop. They have a lot of quality treasures to choose from. We’ll be back!” 2nd: Bless This Mess 3rd: The Barn Antiques Best Bike Shop THE BIKE SHOP OF WINTER HAVEN 249 3rd St SW, Winter Haven (863) 299-9907 FB @bikeshopwh IG @thebikeshopwh bikeshopofwinterhaven.com The Bike Shop rolled into the number one spot again this year! The shop has been in business for 30 years and was purchased in 2017 by husband and wife (and avid cyclists), Stewart and Meghan Mackie who relocated to Downtown Winter Haven. The Bike Shop carries a vast selection of new bikes and gear, used bikes, and has a service department to handle tune-ups and repairs for your ride. While you’re there, pop in next door for a latte at N+1 Coffee. 2nd: David’s World Cycle 3rd: Play It Again Sports Lakeland Best Thrift Store ST. JOHN’S THRIFT STORE FOR MISSIONS 130 Desoto Rd, Winter Haven (863) 875-5703 FB: St. John’s Thrift store Enjoy the thrill of the thrift with a wide selection of inventory and plenty of deals to delight in at St. John’s Thrift Store For Missions. Shoppers will find clothing for all ages and sizes, books, household items, and furniture at this Winter Haven second-hand wonderland. One customer wrote, “The most beloved and cared for thrift I have ever entered. They serve their community very well!!!” 2nd: Top Buttons 3rd: The Salvation Army Best Florist LASATER FLOWERS 254 W Central Ave Suite A, Winter Haven (863) 294-3213 FB @lasaterflowers IG @lasaterflowers lasaterflowers.net You grow girl – Lasater Flowers was voted Best Florist again! Best Of Haven voters were ‘root’ing for you. Established in 1958, this Downtown Winter Haven floral design studio and market offers on-trend arrangements and plants for any occasion. Every day is a good day for flowers. No matter if you’re planning for a wedding, want to treat yourself, or brighten someone’s day with a fresh bloom, voters agree Lasater Flowers is the place to go. They now offer a fresh flower subscription with personalized plans to fit your style, budget, and delivery frequency. 2nd: Golden Petal Designs 3rd: Carlton’s Flowers Best Pool Supply PINCH A PENNY Multiple Locations FB @PinchAPennyPool IG @pinchapennypool Pinchapenny.com Cool off this summer without breaking the bank! There’s a reason Pinch A Penny is known as ‘the perfect people for a perfect pool.’ Get ready to lounge poolside and let them do the work. Pinch A Penny offers pool cleaning and maintenance, equipment installation and repair, renovations, and leak detection and repair. They offer additional services to beautify your whole outdoor space including pressure washing, home landscape lighting and design, outdoor living design, screen repair, and rescreening services. Plus, you can shop all the pool, spa, and patio accessories, equipment, and supplies you need! 2nd: Mannix Pools and Grills 3rd: Pool and Patio Center Best Dispensary SURTERRA WELLNESS 514 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven (850) 391-5455 FB @surterrawellness IG @surterrawellness surterra.com Giving the saying “laughter is the best medicine” a run for its money, Surterra Wellness provides safe, high-quality cannabis to Winter Haven and surrounding communities. Surterra brand products are cultivated naturally in the largest greenhouse on the East Coast without harmful chemicals and ingredients. They are working to make cannabis accessible through their online marketplace, storefronts (with plenty of product choices), and ongoing advocacy. Surterra Wellness customers regularly comment on how friendly, accommodating, and knowledgeable the staff are. 2nd: Liberty Health Sciences 3rd: Trulieve Winter Haven Best Wellness Store HEALTHY HABITS 362 3rd St NW, Winter Haven (863) 875-4826 FB @healthyhabitsforyou IG @healthyhabitswinterhaven 509 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven (Third location in Lakeland) (863) 875-6551 FB @healthyhabitsblvd IG @healthyhabitsontheboulevard Healthy Habits serves the needs of its healthconscious customers with two locations in Winter Haven and one in Lakeland. They offer a selection of vitamins, supplements, nutrition, and other health-related products. “It is our belief that implementing positive changes in our daily routines can have a profound effect on our future health and well-being. We truly care and are here to help you with these healthy habits,” according to their social media. Healthy Habits customers praise them for their vast selection of goods and helpful customer service! 2nd: Home Remedy Winter Haven 3rd: Your CBD Store Best Furniture Store BADCOCK HOME FURNITURE & MORE (Multiple locations) 1399 6th St NW, Winter Haven (863) 251-2039 FB @badcockfurniture IG @badcockfurniture badcock.com Furniture for every room of your house (&more). Best Of Haven voters trust Badcock when redecorating their home not only for furniture but mattresses, appliances, and electronics too! On their website, Badcock offers a Room Planner where you first select the room that fits your home, style the space using the hundreds of Badcock items to choose from, and shop those items by checking out online or save it for in-store purchase. A review of the 1399 6th St NW, Winter Haven location reads, “We are very pleased with the service and friendliness we received at our local Badcock Home Furniture store. Our sales associate, Melissa, was helpful and made our purchase super easy. Perfect shopping experience.” 2nd: Love Lindie Boutique 3rd: Brooks Furniture Best BookStore THE BOOK SHELTER 907 Dundee Rd, Dundee (785) 577-4284 FB @TheBookShelterFL IG @thebookshelterfl The Book Shelter is chock full of lonely books looking for a good home. In March of 2018, husband and wife Sam and Jacqui Terry opened a small used bookstore in Downtown Lake Wales. Their name, The Book Shelter, pays homage to their mission – to save used books. Their Lake Wales location closed in August this year, but there are still plenty of page-turners at the Dundee store looking to take up space on your shelf. Whether you love classics, nonfiction, textbooks, kids’ books, or something different, you’re sure to find a good read at The Book Shelter. Follow their social media to see what programs, sales, and giveaways they’re up to! 2nd: Friends of the Winter Haven Public Library 3rd: Books-A-Million Best Golf Course CYPRESSWOOD GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB 1099 Clubhouse Rd, Winter Haven (863) 324-6174 FB @cypresswoodcc IG @cypresswoodgolfcourse cypresswoodcc.com Best Of Haven voters agree Cypresswood Golf & Country Club is the best by par! This 18-hole championship golf course was designed by award-winning designer Ron Garl. The course is open to the public every day of the year from sunrise to sunset. In addition to the course itself, Cypresswood offers a putting green, chipping green, and driving range. After a round or two of golf, you’re in ‘fore’ a good time at their Pro Shop, wellness center, lounge, dining rooms, swimming pool, and tennis courts. 2nd: The Country Club of Winter Haven 3rd: Willowbrook Golf Course Best Auto Dealer JARRETT-GORDON FORD WINTER HAVEN 3015 Lake Alfred Rd, Winter Haven (863) 294-8539 FB @JarrettGordonFordLincoln jarrettgordonfordwinterhaven.com Jarrett-Gordon Ford Winter Haven is part of The Jarrett Ford Automotive Group which was founded in 1978 by William Richard Jarrett in Dade City. Customers of JarrettGordon Winter Haven can expect a wide selection of new Ford and Lincoln cars, trucks, and SUVs, as well as pre-owned inventory. Their knowledgeable staff will work with you to find the best vehicle to suit your needs. After you’ve found the car for you, JarrettGordon’s finance department will help you secure used vehicle financing or assist you in taking out a new auto loan. According to them, “Once you’ve driven that new vehicle all over Winter Haven, you can bring it back into our service and parts departments for a tune-up.” 2nd: Winter Haven Honda 3rd: Hill Nissan Best Boat Dealer MARINE SUPPLY 717 6th St SW, Winter Haven (863) 293-1156 1491 3rd St SW, Winter Haven FB @marinesupplyboats IG @marinesupplytheboatingcenter marinesupplyboats.com Marine Supply The Boating Center has new and used boat inventory as well as all the services you’ll need to float your boat! Need a rental, battery replacement, oil change, tune-up, electrical repair and installation, or storage? Then it’s a-boat time you stop into Marine Supply. Best Of Haven voters know working with Marine Supply’s knowledgeable and friendly staff is always a pleasant ‘oar’ deal. 2nd: Hoppy’s Marine 3rd: Freedom Boat Club

Best Family Doctor CELESTINO VEGA, MD | LAKELAND REGIONAL HEALTH AUBURNDALE 208 Main Street, Auburndale (863) 284-5000 FB @LakelandRegionalHealth IG @lakelandregionalhealth Dr. Celestino Vega has been practicing Family Medicine since 1995 and joined the staff at Lakeland Regional Health, where he currently practices, in 2016. He attended medical school at Universidad Central del Este, completed his residency at the University of Louisville, and is Board Certified with the American Board of Family Medicine. Working as a Family Medicine Physician in LRH’s Auburndale primary care location, Dr. Vega sees patients ages two years and older. He often works with families, treating multiple generations which he says is special to him. His patient care philosophy is, “I believe prevention is the key to good health. We want to be proactive and not wait till there’s a problem. I aim to be compassionate and very caring with my patients.” 2nd: Eduardo Torres, MD | Bond Clinic 3rd: Kyle Pochcial, MD | Gessler Clinic Best Hospital WINTER HAVEN HOSPITAL 200 Ave F NE, Winter Haven (863) 293-1121 FB @WinterHavenHospital IG @baycare baycare.org/whh Founded in 1926, Winter Haven Hospital has an outstanding reputation for superior, patient-centered care. Their mission statement is “to improve the health of the people we serve, by providing the highest quality and most effective care and services -- and to return value to the people in our communities.” By upholding this standard of excellence, in all that they do, they are able to provide patients throughout Central Florida with customized, state-of-the-art treatments in a comfortable environment. 2nd: Lakeland Regional Health 3rd: AdventHealth Heart of Florida Best Urgent Care BOND CLINIC URGENT CARE 325 1st St N, Winter Haven (863) 293-1191 ext. 3693 FB @BondClinic IG @bondclinic_fl bondclinic.com/urgent-care-emergency-room/ If your primary care doctor is booked up and you have a non life-threatening injury or illness, consider Bond Clinic Urgent Care – no appointment necessary. Experienced providers at their First Street Campus can treat you for ailments like cold and flu, minor cuts, ear pain, fever, and mild burns. Open to established patients and the general public, anyone can get premium medical treatment at Bond Clinic Urgent Care with bright waiting areas and new exam rooms with toptier equipment and x-ray. They even offer flu shots and COVID testing too. 2nd: Owl Now Urgent Care 3rd: Watson Clinic Urgent Care Best Pediatric Doctor RAUL ALVAREZ, MD | LAKELAND REGIONAL HEALTH WINTER HAVEN 430 E Central Avenue, Winter Haven (863) 284-5000 FB @LakelandRegionalHealth IG @lakelandregionalhealth Dr. Raul Alvarez attended medical school at the University of Puerto Rico/Medical Science Campus and completed his residency at Keesler Medical Center USAF Medical Center - Pediatrics. Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, Dr. Alvarez has practiced Pediatrics for almost thirty years and joined the Lakeland Regional Health team in 2013 where he practices general pediatric care, as well as adolescent and young adult care. His patient care philosophy is, “I listen and observe patients’ needs before dispensing care or advice.” 2nd: Josef S. Kleine, MD | Kleine Pediatrics 3rd: Heather Sammons Whitworth, MD | Nemours Children’s Primary Care, Kinder Clinic Best Eye Specialist/ Optometrist EYE SPECIALISTS OF MID-FLORIDA, P.A. 407 Ave K SE, Winter Haven (863) 294-3504 FB @EyesFL IG @eyespecialistsmidfl eyesfl.com What started as a modest ophthalmology/ optometry practice in Downtown Winter Haven in the early 1960s, Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida, P.A. has grown into multiple locations offering specialized treatment throughout Central Florida. You don’t need glasses to see what makes Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida the Best Of Haven (and LKLD). They focus on personalized, high-quality eye care including ophthalmology, optometry, glaucoma, Lasik, laser surgery, treatment of cataracts, and eyelid lifts. Additionally, they carry a full range of eyeglass lenses and frames, contact lenses, sunglasses, frame repair, and optical accessories. 2nd: Kevin L. Henne, OD | Family Eye Care 3rd: Edward J. Attaway, OD | Eye Specialists of Mid Florida Best Orthopedic Doctor LARRY R. PADGETT, MD | ADVANCED ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY AND SPORTS MEDICINE 250 3rd St NW #201, Winter Haven (863) 318-9696 larrypadgettmd.com Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Larry Padgett practices in the areas of Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine. Dr. Padgett was a Team Physician for the Cleveland Indians from 1998 through 2008 and is currently the Florida Team physician for the Atlanta Braves and Team Physician for Florida Southern College, Webber International University, and Warner University. He previously worked as the physician for the Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team, Assistant Team Physician for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Event Physician for the Women’s World Pro Ski Tour, and was the Major League Physician for the World Baseball Classic in 2006. According to his bio, “Dr. Padgett enjoys caring for athletes of all ages. He consults as the team physician for many local high schools and Advanced Orthopedic Surgery provides athletic trainers for many of the high schools and their football programs.” 2nd: Paul Morin, MD | Bond Clinic, P.A. 3rd: Samuel Messieh, MD | Messieh Orthopedic Clinic Best Dentist/ Orthodontist JAMES A. TRUITT, DMD, PA 144 Avenue B NW, Winter Haven (863) 294-2128 jamesatruittdmd.com Dr. Truitt has provided dental care for the whole family since 1989. He and his staff place an emphasis on patient relationships and delivering compassionate care. Teddy from Winter Haven writes in a patient testimonial, “The staff is always professional and courteous. They are very considerate of my schedule. Dr. Truitt explains all procedures. I always feel confident and comfortable in the chair.” Best Of Haven voters agree year after year that Dr. Truitt and his team make them smile. Congratulations Dr. Truitt, we think you deserve an award for this… maybe a little plaque? 2nd: Jamie W. Odom, DMD | Polk Dentistry 3rd: Dr. Viet Ho | Viet Ho Prosthodontics & Implant Dentistry Best Rehabilitation Services POLK THERAPY 295 1st St S #2, Winter Haven (863) 291-8644 FB @PolkTherapy polktherapy.com Polk Therapy provides Winter Haven with comprehensive physical and speech therapies and rehabilitation. Care at Polk Therapy always includes flexible hours to accommodate their patient’s lifestyle, aftercare and wellness programs, prompt appointment scheduling, direct billing to insurance carriers, and frequent communication with your physician. Patients value Polk Therapy’s personalized rehabilitation programs and friendly, quality care. One patient wrote, “I am getting great results at Polk Therapy. Everyone there is really nice and professional and really interested in helping you improve.” 2nd: CORA Physical Therapy Winter Haven 3rd: Bond Clinic Physical Therapy Best Chiropractor THE NEWBERRY CLINIC 1619 6th St SE, Winter Haven (863) 293-3893 FB @TheNewberryClinic chirowinterhaven.com Headaches, back pain, neck pain, work or auto injury? Sounds like you need The Newberry Clinic. The clinic offers services and techniques from chiropractic and spinal decompression to physical therapy modalities and therapeutic massage. According to The Newberry Clinic, “Unlike conventional medicine, which focuses on attempting to treat disease once it occurs, Newberry Clinic emphasizes improving your health in an effort to reduce the risk of pain and illness in the first place.” Patients of The Newberry Clinic can expect three general phases of chiropractic care – Phase 1: Relief Care, Phase 2: Corrective/ Restorative Care, and Phase 3: Wellness Care. Whatever your ailment, don’t worry, The Newberry Clinic has your back! 2nd: Smith Chiropractic 3rd: Trueheart Chiropractic Best Wedding Venue VENUE 650 650 6th St SW, Winter Haven (863) 287-3814 FB @venue650 IG @venue650 venue650.com Soaring ceilings and oversized windows make this space seem somehow larger than the plenteous 10,500-square-feet that it offers. Its style is described as “Modern, vintage, industrial yet with an elegant balance of chic creating a versatile space for any occasion.” A star of this venue is a stunning courtyard garden space, perfect for a wedding under the twinkly night sky. Additional Venue650 features include high speed internet, ample well-lit parking, a catering kitchen, and dressing suites. One review reads in part, “Venue 650 is an incredible location for your wedding! The staff are super friendly and helpful, and really go the extra mile to make sure you have everything you need.” 2nd: Adams Estate 3rd: Garden Ballroom Best Gym JUST MOVE 5636 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven (863) 291-4653 FB @JustMoveWH IG @justmovewh justmovewinterhaven.com 1164 Havendale Blvd NW, Winter Haven (863) 294-4653 FB @JustMoveHD IG @justmovehd justmovehavendale.com It’s time to achieve your goals – Just Move! “The beauty of Just Move is that it embraces the idea that every person can get one step closer to feeling fit by just moving forward.” Just Move creates a custom fitness experience featuring weight machines, circuit training, a women’s only area, personal training, group fitness, boxing, racquetball, and more. 2nd: Habitat Health and Fitness 3rd: Planet Fitness 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 If you’re going to learn dance, do it Wright! The Wright Step has sashayed its way to the Best Dance Studio spot! The multi-genre dance studio was opened in 2001 by Amy and Kevin Wright. The Wright Step has three studios spanning 5000 square feet complete with specialized wood flooring to “act as a shock absorber to prevent strain and injury to the muscles and joints.” The Wright Step employs instructors who are trained in all dance styles, and “know how to make a class challenging and also fun.” 2nd: Barbara’s Centre’ For Dance 3rd: Ballet Conservatory Dance Centre Best Dry Cleaners TOP HAT CLEANERS 212 N Main St, Auburndale (863) 967-2287 FB @TopHatDryCleaners2013 Stubborn stain on your new shirt? Top Hat can handle that! Top Hat Cleaners is owned and operated by Michelle Womble and has over 20 years of clean laundry and happy customers. This Polk County laundromat has four convenient locations and uses ecofriendly GreenEarth technology. Customers often remark on the value of their services and friendly, professional staff. 2nd: Dry Clean America 3rd: Long’s Dry Cleaners Best Doggy Daycare LITTLE WOLFE’S PET RESORT 555 6th St NW, Winter Haven (863) 293-7327 FB: Little Wolfes Pet Resort IG @littlewolfespetresort littlewolfes.com Little Wolfe’s Pet Resort is a pawsome place for all your doggy grooming, boarding, and daycare needs. Opened in 1986 by Anne E. Wolfe, Little Wolfe’s doggie daycare, ‘Camp Little Wolfe’s’ has substantial play areas for pups of all sizes. Being a dog can be ruff, so size and disposition are taken into account to place pups into a group that’s best for them. During daycare, these groups are supervised so the dogs can sniff and play and make fur friends. “Been taking my dog here for about a year now. And she just can’t live without it. Highly recommended!!” writes one dog mom. 2nd: Paw Printz 3rd: Orchid Springs Animal Hospital Best Auto Repair STEWART AUTO REPAIR 1990 42nd St NW, Winter Haven (863) 965-2526 FB @stewartautorepair IG @stewartautorepair stewartautorepair.com Stewart Auto Repair is a NAPA Gold Certified Shop with quality work, NAPA EasyPay financing options, professionalism, local labor coverage extended to 3 years/ 36,000 miles, and more to back it up. Their extensive list of services covers everything from A/C repair and brakes to maintenance, collision repair, tire/ wheels, and everything in between. The reasons to choose Stewart are endless – 24-hour vehicle drop-off, online appointments, play area for the kids, free local shuttle, roadside assistance – need we say more? One Stewart customer wrote, “Brought in my elderly parents car for general service. My parents trust this business and I can see why. Very attentive, honest and professional. Thanks for serving us and the community so well!” 2nd: M & D Auto Repair 3rd: Tires Unlimited Best Vehicle Customization JC’S CUSTOMS 515 5th St SW, Winter Haven (863) 293-5555 FB @jcscustoms IG @jcscustoms jcscustoms.com It’s time to deck out your vehicle the way you’ve always wanted to and become a JC’s Custom-er. JC’s Customs has been making Polk County look cooler since 1979. In addition to vehicle customization and accessories (including audio and video systems), this year-over-year Best Of Haven winner can even tint your car, home, and office windows. One JC’s patron said, “They did a great job with my truck! Kevin really took the time to help me make sure that I was getting exactly what I wanted. Their shop is very clean and professional. Their customer service is outstanding!” 2nd: TruckMasters USA 3rd: Mild 2 Wild Custom Accessories Best Oil Change TAKE 5 OIL CHANGE 1530 1st St S, Winter Haven (863) 658-6075 FB @Take5OilChange IG @take5oilchange take5oilchange.com Boasting “the quickest oil change in Winter Haven,” Take 5 Oil Change offers drive-thru service with no appointment necessary. Home of the 10-minute oil change, all you have to do is pick your oil from the technicians’ options, sit back and get your oil changed. Take 5’s expert technicians will change your oil and filter, replenish under-hood fluids, and check your air filter and wiper blades. One enthusiastic oil change recipient wrote in part, “The guys working here are great! Great service, friendly staff, clean and organized environment. Best oil change I ever had!” 2nd: Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center 3rd: Tires Unlimited Best Storage Facility THE EXTRA CLOSET 231 5th St SW, Winter Haven (863) 877-1876 FB @ExtraCloset winterhavenflstorage.com Instead of your ‘home away from home,’ The Extra Closet is your ‘closet away from closet!’ Keep your belongings safe with The Extra Closet’s climate-controlled units, portable storage, and more. They even have a spot for your boat, offering small 3x4 units up to large 11x15 units, as well as vehicle, RV, and boat storage. Customers of The Extra Closet appreciate their pricing, cleanliness, and customer service. Congratulations on winning Best Storage Facility AGAIN this year! 2nd: StoreRight Self Storage 3rd: Century Storage Best Yoga Studio INSIDE OUT YOGA (863) 224-2311 FB @ioyogastudio IG @insideoutyogawh ioyogastudio.com Winter Haven yogis agree Inside Out is the Best! Inside Out Yoga was opened by Kerry Wilson in 2013 in the former B.F. Goodrich Tire Store (where The Bike Shop is today) and relocated to a studio facing Central Park in 2017. (New location coming soon, please contact them for details.) Find your inner peace at their daily group yoga classes, private instruction, corporate yoga & mindfulness (a Haven Magazine staff favorite), workshops and specialty classes, or yoga teacher training and CEU’s. Whether you’re into Baptiste Power Yoga, Flow Yoga, Crystal Bowl Sound Bath, or have never done yoga, this Winter Haven yoga studio has something for you! 2nd: Yoga Bliss Studio 3rd: Peaceful Yoga Counselor (Pieces to Peace Counseling) Best Yoga Instructor JODY REECE | INSIDE OUT YOGA (863) 224-2311 FB @ioyogastudio IG @insideoutyogawh ioyogastudio.com Anyone who has ever done yoga with Jody Reece can be thankful that she listened to her curiosity which brought her to the practice in 2000. Hooked from her very first class at a Rec Center and inspired by her own teacher, Reece thought, “If I can share even a little bit of the bliss experienced on the mat with others. Well, that’s what I want to do.” Upon completing her 200-hour training through FlFIYS in Tampa, Reece began teaching in 2005. According to her bio, she holds certifications in yin, Divine Sleep yoga nidra®, prenatal yoga, and graduated with a 500- hour certification from the Kripalu affiliated yoga center, Lotus Pond in Tampa. Jody Reece makes yoga an accessible activity, even for beginners. Her compassion and music playlists for class make yoga enjoyable from the first class (perhaps inspiring future yoga teachers)! 2nd: Prima Burney | Inside Out Yoga 3rd: Jhoanna Mukai | Inside Out Yoga Best CPA CONNER & ASSOCIATES LLC 20 3rd St SW Suite 306, Winter Haven (863) 268-4374 FB @ConnerCPA IG @connerandassociatesllc conner-cpa.com Serving Winter Haven and the surrounding areas, Conner & Associates LLC offers tax, accounting, payroll, and business consulting services. The accounting firm’s mission is “to ease the burden of entrepreneurship on small business owners.” Clients value Conner & Associates’ reliability and consistency in providing proactive consulting. One client raved, “Conner & Associates is knowledgeable and proficient in providing accounting services to the Polk County area. We’ve been with them since their inception and I wouldn’t go to anyone with our accounting needs. Honest and trustworthy, we appreciate their work!” 2nd: Jacob Burton, CPA | Wiggins, Smit, Burby, Reineke & Company, P.A. 3rd: Christina Hansen, CPA | Accounting & Tax Edge Best Attorney WEAVER LOVELESS LAW 240 E Park Ave, Lake Wales (863) 657-0770 FB: Weaver Loveless Law lakewaleslaw.net Weaver Loveless Law has over 40 years of experience backing their personalized and effective legal services. Their areas of practice include estate planning, probate, real estate law, elder law, business and commercial law. A Lake Wales-based law firm, Weaver Loveless Law attorneys are personally and professionally engaged in the community through civic organizations and legal associations. They are committed to the clients and community they serve. One of their clients reviewed, “A truly professional firm. Handled my family’s needs with class and dignity. Would highly recommend the firm for your estate planning needs. Thanks for the prompt service.” 2nd: The Law Offices of Carter J. Adams 3rd: Brooks Law Group Best Bank MIDFLORIDA CREDIT UNION Multiple Locations FB @MIDFLORIDA IG @midflorida_creditunion midflorida.com What began as Polk County Teachers Credit Union in 1954, MIDFLORIDA has become Central Florida’s community credit union with nearly 65 branches. MIDFLORIDA is not-forprofit and member-owned, offering banking products and services from personal and business banking to loans, mortgages, and investing. MIDFLORIDA places importance on 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: Citizens Bank & Trust 3rd: SouthState Bank Best Insurance Agent KAREN BRYAN | STATE FARM INSURANCE 5937 Cypress Gardens Blvd Ste 200, Winter Haven (863) 268-2800 FB @chooseKaren IG @choosekaren choosekaren.com Need assistance with Auto, Home, Liability, Jewelry and other valuables, Small Business, Commercial, Workers Comp, or Life and Health products? Choose Karen! Karen Bryan is a repeat winner in this category and has over 30 years of experience with State Farm, serving customers in Winter Haven and across the state of Florida. One customer who highly rated Karen Bryan for professionalism, quality, responsiveness, and value, wrote, “Best customer service in the insurance industry!” 2nd: Fred Simons | Farmers Insurance 3rd: Lynn Polston | Allstate Insurance Best Veterinarian ORCHID SPRINGS ANIMAL HOSPITAL 615 Overlook Dr, Winter Haven (863) 324-6964 FB @OrchidSpringsAnimalHospital IG @orchidspringsanimalhospital osahvets.com Fur babe not feeling well? This Winter Haven-based animal clinic was established in 1996 by Dr. Mitsie Vargas. What was once a small clinic grew into a five thousand square foot building with a bone-shaped pool (used for exercise, rehabilitation therapy, and entertainment). In 2008, Dr. Vargas made room for a larger treatment area and luxury boarding rooms called “The World Suites.” OSAH has plenty of services to offer pooch (or cat) parents including medical services, acupuncture therapy, boarding, daycare, grooming, training, dental services, veterinary medical manipulation, canine massage, canine rehabilitation, and Chinese herbal medicine. 2nd: Cypress Animal Hospital 3rd: Garden Grove Animal Hospital Best Spa SPA HAVEN 634 1st St S, Winter Haven (863) 514-0667 FB @spahaven IG @spahaven634 spa-haven.com Welcome to your Winter Haven relaxation respite. Esthetician, Lash Artist, and Nail Technician, Megan Gillis offers nail, facial, and skincare services. The Spa Haven service menu includes facials (even for gentlemen), microdermabrasion, dermaplaning, chemical peels, enzymatic peels, and more. Best Of Haven voters continue to choose Spa Haven when they need a wax, lash lift, tan, or other beauty treatment. 2nd: Massage and Spinal Therapy of Winter Haven 3rd: Luna Esthetics Studio Best Hair Salon POSH SALON AND DAY SPA 3210 Cypress Gardens Rd (863) 325-8700 FB @poshsaloninc IG @poshsalonwinterhaven Poshsaloninc.com Babe, it’s time for a new do! Treat yourself to a luxury beauty experience at Posh Salon and Day Spa. Posh’s pampering services include hair, body waxing, lash extensions, and permanent makeup. Once Posh’s skilled staff have your locks looking lovely, book an appointment upstairs at their private day spa for a massage or facial. Reading through their reviews, one thing that stands out is how much Posh stylists seem to click with their customers. 2nd: U Salon 3rd: Diosa Hair Studio Best Barber STEPHEN STYLES | DIOSA HAIR STUDIO 160 2nd St SW, Winter Haven (863) 875-6226 FB @Cstudiowh IG @stephen.styles Stephenstyles.square.site With a name like Stephen Styles it makes sense he’d be the Best Barber around. Styles and his wife MJ own the recently renovated Diosa Hair Studio in Downtown Winter Haven. He has been a licensed barber for four years and does everything from traditional haircuts to modern skin fades. His customers appreciate his style-driven, detail oriented service with one client writing succinctly, “Been going to Stephen for over 4 years. Best haircuts ever.” 2nd: Ringside Cuts 3rd: Mr. Clippers Barber Shop Best Nail Salon OASIS SPA & NAILS WINTER HAVEN 5535 Cypress Gardens Blvd #140, Winter Haven (863) 875-8869 FB: Oasis Spa & Nails IG @ oasis.spa .nails oasisspanails.com Oasis Spa & Nails – you nailed it! “Our priority is to make our clients feel pampered and relaxed while getting beautified here at our salon,” says this Best Of Haven Nail Salon winner. In need of a mani/ pedi, gel, or acrylics? Oasis is on it! In addition to their nail services, Oasis offers facials, massage, waxing, and eyelash extensions. 2nd: Spa Haven 3rd: Talk of the Town Nails & Co. Best Dog Groomer LITTLE WOLFE’S PET RESORT 555 6th St NW, Winter Haven (863) 293-7327 FB: Little Wolfes Pet Resort IG @littlewolfespetresort littlewolfes.com If Big Tony needs his toenails clipped or Buster is begging for a bath, Little Wolfe’s Pet Resort is the place to go! This Best Of Haven winner for Dog Groomer and Doggie Daycare offers haircuts, full grooming services, nail trimming, baths, and even show-quality trims by appointment only, Monday through Saturday. Expect your pup’s bath or grooming appointment to take between two and a half to three hours. One Little Wolfe’s client wrote, “The rates are the best in the area for grooming and boarding. They always smell amazing when back from being groomed. They also have weekend hours which are convenient.” 2nd: Grooming Deals 3rd: Paw Printz Best Wedding Planner BE TRU EVENTS (863) 632-2790 FB @betruevents IG @betruevents Have a stunning event, but Be Tru to who you are! Shanna Trudell with Be Tru Events pours her heart into making the smallest details of her clients’ weddings – from eye-catching centerpieces to oh so sweet dessert tables and everything in between – a ‘tru’ reflection of the bride and groom. According to Be Tru Events, “Your wedding is about you and your love, and Be Tru Events is here to execute the vision you have for your big day, including insight and support along the way to ensure a relaxed and enjoyable planning experience! ” 2nd: Lorraine Nevot | Events by Lorraine 3rd: Honey Belle Events Best Wedding Photographer GONZALEZ LUGO PHOTOGRAPHY 5603 Struthers Ct, Winter Haven (863) 589-8438 FB: Gonzalez Lugo Photography, LLC IG @gonzalezlugophoto gonzalezlugophoto.com Gonzalez Lugo Photography’s Maryel and Alfredo sparked and grew their love through capturing it for others. This creative couple has a knack for catching just the right moments to immortalize their subjects. A sweet first kiss, dancing bride, a groom’s smile while straightening his bowtie – all timeless testaments to Maryel and Alfredo’s craft. One Gonzalez Lugo Photography client wrote in part, “They are two of the sweetest and professional photographers I have met. They are humble, kind, and truly know what they are doing. You show them your vision and they make it come true.” 2nd: Lindsey Cassidy Photography 3rd: Danielle Owens Photography Best Event Entertainment NEXT LEVEL ENTERTAINMENT LLC 770 Ave B SW, Winter Haven (727) 614-3652 FB @nextlevelent1djs wedding-and-events-by-dj-melvin.business.site Weed out those wallflowers with Best Of Haven Event Entertainment at your next party! One client of Next Level Entertainment reviewed in part, “Best DJ I ever hired, hands down! DJ Melvin just did my daughter’s quinceañera this past weekend. Not only did he keep the crowd going, he made sure my daughter’s playlist was perfect. This company is great!” If you need DJ services, a photo booth, lighting, or special effects for your upcoming wedding, birthday, or corporate party – take it to the Next Level. 2nd: Triviosity Live Events 3rd: DJ MINi C Productions

Best Park CIRCLE B BAR RESERVE 4399 Winter Lake Rd, Lakeland (863) 668-4673 polknature.com/explore/circle-b-bar-reserve This former cattle ranch sits on the northwest shore of Lake Hancock with several ecosystems over 1,267 acres. Circle B Bar Reserve’s many maintained, marked trails are perfect for hiking (you’ll probably see an alligator or two). Nature photographers and painters alike also set up on the reserve to capture the wildlife and stunning Central Florida scenery. Have a Circle B picnic at one of their five first-come, first-serve covered picnic areas with grills. 2nd: Central Park Winter Haven 3rd: Bok Tower Gardens Best Live Music Venue GROVE ROOTS BREWING COMPANY 302 3rd St SW, Winter Haven (863) 291-0700 FB @groverootsbrewing IG @groverootsbrewing groveroots.com Grove Roots has the beers AND the bands! Best Of Haven voters love to sip a Jammy Sammy and jam out to local musicians at this laid-back community brewery. Grove Roots Brewing Co. was also voted number one for Best Beer List and Best Polk County Beer for their crisp, fruity sour, Tropical Dilemma. One Grove Roots groupie wrote in part, “This is a local spot. We come here for live music, food truck vendors, new beer offerings, and the all-inclusive vibe. Great outdoor seating that offers a wide variety of comfortable options. Lots to do outside that will keep the kids and puppies happy as well.” 2nd: Jensen’s Corner Bar 3rd: Tanners Lakeside Restaurant & Bar Best Art Gallery MICHAEL CREWS GALLERY AT LAKE WALES ARTS CENTER 1099 FL-60 E, Lake Wales (863) 676-8426 FB @LakeWalesArtsCouncil IG @lakewalesartscouncil lakewalesartscouncil.org Polk County art aficionados appreciate the world-class work exhibited at the Michael Crews Gallery. The gallery is housed in a former church that was built in 1927 and named for Michael Crews, founder of the Lake Wales Chorale, as well as President of the Community Concert Association, and an instrumental force in merging that organization and the Lake Wales Arts Council. According to the Lake Wales Arts Council, “Lake Waleans who had known Mike Crews and his love for arts, suggested that the new building be named in his honor and memory. The Lake Wales Arts Council unanimously agreed.” 2nd: Ridge Art Association 3rd: Polk Museum of Art Best Public Art ALLIGATOR MURAL BY NICOLE HOLDERBAUM “NICO” 435 6th St SW, Winter Haven Could there be anything more Polk County appropriate than a giant alligator and a dreamy burnt orange sunset? This vibrant prehistoric beauty adorns the north side of the Refrigeration & Electric Service building. The alligator was painted by Nicole Holderbaum aka “Nico,” a Florida-based visual artist, muralist, creative director, and designer. 2nd: Slice of Happiness Mural by Gillian Fazio 3rd: The Calm Mural by David De La Mano & Pablo S. Herrero Best Visual Artist GILLIAN FAZIO FB @gfazioart IG @gfazioart gfazioart.com Whether you’ve been inspired by her Create mural in Lakeland, or snapped a selfie in front of the oranges and monarchs that grace Slice of Happiness in Lake Wales – Gillian Fazio has probably brightened your day at some point. A Lakeland native, Fazio grew up attending art schools and found a love of painting very young. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors’ Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Florida in 2017. Fazio shifted from canvas to large-scale public art when she returned home and has since created over 20 murals across Central Florida. As a “new age flora and fauna artist” Fazio says her interest is in “using natural elements such as animals’ divinely designed patterns that serve a function and purpose, combined with purely aesthetic cultural patterns. [...] As the artist, my goal is to create an encounter for the audience, appreciating the intricacy of both senses of artistic intelligence.” 2nd: Trent Manning 3rd: Cathy Hall Best Photographer POTTHAST STUDIOS 234 W Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 294-4920 FB @PotthastStudios IG @potthaststudios potthaststudios.com Located in Downtown Winter Haven, Potthast Studios offers professional photography services including portraits, commercial photography, video production, photo restorations, digitizing services, and photography classes. Their spacious studio facilities boast flash strobe, constant and natural light studio capabilities, concrete cycloramic for seamless white/blue/green screen projects, and more. According to Potthast Studios, “Putting together a great photoshoot is about much more than just lights, camera, action. We understand it takes coordination, communication, talented design, and styling before the shoot, and talent behind the camera, to make it all come together. After the shoot, we aim for consistent and dependable delivery of client work.” 2nd: Lindsey Cassidy Photography 3rd: Paris Scott Photography Best Musician DANIEL PEPIN FB @DanPepinMusic YouTube: Daniel Pepin SoundCloud: Daniel John Pepin danielpepinmusic.com Daniel Pepin has played “everything from stadiums to little tiny dive bars.” His love of music ignited when he listened to his grandmother’s “Eight Days a Week” record as a kid. Many guitar lessons and tons of natural talent later, Pepin would attend music school, give music lessons, and start a band called The Letdown (now The Mighty Letdown) that would go on to open for top names at the time, like Godsmack and Disturbed. These days he’s serenading audiences across Polk County and beyond with his Spanish guitar skills ranging from melodic to pick-on-fire. Catch him regularly at venues across the county like the Winter Haven Farmers Market, Haven Coffee Roasters, The Pink Piano, and Swan Brewing. 2nd: B.Haven 3rd: Coastal Acoustic Barefoot Music Best DJ DJ MINI C PRODUCTIONS (863) 812-7035 FB @DJMINiCpro IG @djminic djminic.com They may specialize in weddings, but they can get the crowd moving at corporate events, school dances, sporting events, anniversary parties, fashion shows, birthdays, class reunions, proms – any event. DJ MIni C Productions has been serving Lakeland and surrounding areas since 2010 with their DJ and entertainment services including photo booths, wedding coordinating, wedding planning, lighting, and beyond. Platform Art said in their review of DJ MIni C, “We hired DJ Mini C to DJ for our PlatformKids art event and we were very happy with the result! They arrived early to set up and were also very friendly, professional, and easy to work with. DJ Mini C had some good music mixes and kept our audience entertained in between our performances.” 2nd: DJ Bracken Entertainment & Lighting 3rd: Triviosity Live Events Best Maker KORTLYN DOUGHERTY | ROGUE’S RELICS Etsy: RoguesRelicsJewelry FB @roguesrelicsjewelry IG @roguesrelicsjewelry Around the beginning of 2020, Kortlyn Dougherty started her Etsy shop, Rogue’s Relics (named after her Miniature Australian Shepherd, Rogue), selling wire-wrapped stones, earrings, bracelets, pendants, and the like. She began experimenting with a process called electroforming, making one-of-a-kind jewelry and decor with everything from snake, frog, and lizard skeletons, to rat skulls, ginkgo leaves, oak leaves, dragonflies, and butterflies that are coated in copper and given an antique finish. You can pick up a stunning Rogue’s Relics piece at one of the many markets Dougherty attends like the Winter Haven Farmers Market and Buena Market, or online at her Etsy shop! 2nd: Lyndsey Venrick | Pin + Needle 3rd: Jessica Garrett | Modish Collection Best Tattoo Studio ACES INK 1132 6th St NW, Winter Haven (863) 875-3798 FB @acesinktattoo IG @acesinktattoo Best Of Haven voters think this tattoo shop is dealing all Aces! The shop says its mission is “to provide you with quality tattoos/ piercings in an amazing and sterile environment.” A look through the Aces Ink online portfolio – a lifelike black and white portrait of JAY-Z, Wranglers jeans patch on a buttcheek, colorful cartoon caricatures – is a testament to the clean, creative, quality tattoos their artists consistently produce. One client wrote, “Everyone at the shop is so friendly! Scheduling appointments is easy. Choosing which artist to use is a bit more difficult, as all their work is amazing!” 2nd: Skinfinity Tattoo Company 3rd: Angry Elephant Tattoos and Piercings Best Piercing DAKOTA LARUE | ACES INK 1132 6th St NW, Winter Haven (863) 875-3798 FB @acesinktattoo IG @acesinktattoo Professional Body Piercer Dakota LaRue is so good at what she does, many clients say it doesn’t even hurt! You could say she’s pretty sharp. In the “amazing and sterile environment” at Aces Ink, LaRue offers an array of piercing services that her clients rave about. One pleased and freshly pierced patron said, “Dakota the piercer was AMAZING!! Very gentle and had a lot of knowledge on how to make sure they heal properly. She did an amazing job!” 2nd: Atomic Tattoos 3rd: Piercings by Pinky Pierce

“It’s magical,” said 25-year-old seaplane pilot Abbie Kellett. “You’ll see – it’s just amazing.” Some 500 feet below the yellow airframe of the Piper J3 Cub, semis and Suburbans move along like toy cars. Breaking up the cityscape and pastoral patchwork are deep blue-green lakes dotted between baseball fields, highways, hospitals, woods, and pastures. Like swollen raindrops, some lakes appear perfectly round from our vantage point and others less so. An alligator suns himself in the shallows of a marshy creek connecting two larger bodies. We circle around to see him a second time. I am exhilarated – uplifted in more ways than one. “It was built in the 1940s. They were originally designed to train people for World War II,” said Kellett of the seaplane we were soon to board. Kellett is Assistant to the Director for the Seaplane Pilots Association (SPA) and an instructor at Jack Brown’s Seaplane Base. Dandelion is an apt enough description of the plane’s hue. It sits on 1500 straight floats allowing it to move through water as it does through the air. The 1940s Piper J3 Cub has undergone a complete restoration by Jack Brown’s Seaplane Base mechanics. The base take their seaplanes to a maximum altitude of 500 feet and hop from lake to lake like a frog spoiled for choice, springing across an unending esplanade of lily pads. A small tractor pulled the seaplane to the base of a series of shallow wooden steps descending toward the water. The plane would then be hand-guided onto the ramp steps and eased into Lake Jessie, one of the northernmost lakes on The Chain. This scene has played out thousands of times and has made many a seaplane pilot since 1963. Abbie Kellett earned her pilot’s license at just 17 and got her seaplane rating at Jack Brown’s as a Christmas present. She went to college for communications and landed a job (pun intended) in New York flying seaplanes off the East River into East Hampton. She returned home to Winter Haven, where she obtained her Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate. Kellett has been a flight instructor at Jack Brown’s for two years and joined the SPA team as an assistant to the director in October 2020. For Kellett, love of flight is familial. Her father, Ken Kellett, is a Restoration Specialist at Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, building and maintaining small aircraft from throughout history, mostly from WWI. “The small airplanes are kind of what I’m used to with dad,” she said. How does Kellett like being a seaplane instructor? “It has its ups and downs.” JACK BROWN’S SEAPLANE BASE “The seaplane base was founded by Jack Brown in 1963,” began Jack Brown’s Seaplane Base owner and president, Ben Shipps. Founder Jack Brown began flying an Aeronca C-3 Floatplane on the Kanawha River in West Virginia. He took his piloting expertise with him into the military during World War II, in which he flew the Grumman “Flying Boats” and PBY’s. Brown worked as a civilian instructor and test pilot for the United States Air Force station in Central Florida after the war and eventually settled in Winter Haven, becoming the fixed base operator at the Winter Haven Airport. “Jack’s affection for seaplanes gave him a grand vision for an overgrown area on Lake Jessie, located just southwest of the Winter Haven Airport. Jack launched a Piper J-3 Cub on floats to introduce a friend to the freedom of float flying, and a seed was planted for Jack Brown’s Seaplane Base,” according to their website. Brown ran the seaplane base for twelve years until his passing in 1975. The business was passed on to his oldest son, Jon Brown. After 42 years of operating the base, Jon Brown would sell the business in 2019 to his son-in-law, Ben Shipps. “I had the dream of going to Alaska. At the time, I was a private pilot with a restricted medical, and I couldn’t go fly commercially there, but I wanted to go out there for a summer adventure and work the line and fuel airplanes,” said Shipps of what led him to pursue his seaplane rating. Not too far from his home in Venice, Florida, Jack Brown’s Seaplane Base was the logical choice for training. “That seaplane rating at Jack Brown’s led to a job offer if I ever got my CFI, that I could come teach here,” he said. Shipps earned his rating in the summer of 2010 and changed his major in school to become a commercial pilot and CFI to come back and teach at the base. He started instructing full-time in the summer of 2011, the same year he was introduced to Jon Brown’s youngest daughter. The two would go on to marry, and Brown would eventually approach Shipps about taking over the family business. In 2018, he became an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner and bought Jack Brown’s Seaplane Base from Jon in 2019. Jack Brown’s may not be the largest seaplane base by size, but it does train more pilots than any other base in the world. Some 25,000 pilots have been trained to fly seaplanes at the Lake Jessie base throughout its almost sixty-year history, with around 450 to 500 pilots training there annually. Their fleet includes five Piper J3 Cubs, a Piper Super Cub (with a second Super Cub being assembled by their mechanics), an M-7-235 Super Rocket, and a recently acquired ICON A5. Shipps attributes relatively idle airspace and abundance of freshwater lakes to what makes Winter Haven ideal for such an illustrious seaplane training base. “We can launch out of our lake here and go less than half a mile in any direction we have other lakes adjacent to it,” he said. There are well over 500 naturally freshwater lakes in Polk County, and within the ten-mile radius around Winter Haven Regional Airport, instructors at the seaplane base have over 100 bodies of water to use for training. THE SEAPLANE PILOTS ASSOCIATION Down the road from Jack’s Seaplane Base is the Winter Haven Regional Airport at Gilbert Field. Last year, The Seaplane Pilots Association (SPA) moved from Lakeland to the airport in Winter Haven, where they plan to build their world headquarters. “This is an incredibly seaplane-friendly community in Winter Haven. The city council and the mayor have always been incredibly supportive of the seaplane community here, which makes it unique and wonderful,” said SPA executive director Steven McCaughey. The SPA was founded in 1972, celebrating its 50th anniversary next year. Their mission is simple – ‘protect and promote water flying.’ The SPA is an international organization, the only one of its kind, “solely focused on representing the interests of seaplane pilots, owners, and operators,” according to their website. It goes on to note, “SPA is dedicated to promoting safe seaplane operations, and to protecting the sharing of our nation’s waterways with other user groups.” FLYING FEVER SINCE FIFTH GRADE Fort Lauderdale native Steven McCaughey became the Seaplane Pilots Association executive director ten years ago. He had been a member of the organization 25 years before that. He started flying to Jack Brown’s Seaplane Base in 1983, with Jon Brown having signed three of his licenses over the years. McCaughey’s aviation addiction started in the fifth grade with his best friend, Michael Wagner. “His father was an airline pilot for National Airlines and flew from Miami to Lima, Peru, as his route. For some reason, that planted an unbelievable seed in me,” said McCaughey. “I started memorizing every statistical data point of every airline airplane made that the airlines were flying – how many passengers, what the engines were, wingspan, length, weight – everything about the airplane.” At age ten, he hand-typed 200 letters to every airline of which he could get a name and address. The letter went something like this: “My name is Steve McCaughey. I’d like to pursue aviation as a living. I’m ten years old. I’d appreciate anything you could send me or any guidance you could give me to help me pursue my path.” McCaughey got 146 responses, three of which were personal letters from the CEOs of Delta, Braniff International Airways, and Eastern Airlines. In his late teens, McCaughey decided he didn’t want to fly the airlines. He wanted to pursue more ‘interesting, hands-on flying.’ He gravitated towards aerobatics, tailwheel, warbirds, and historical airplanes and seaplanes. McCaughey went into special operations for the air force. Coming out of the military, he and his wife used their engineering backgrounds to design rocket components and work on deep-dive submarines. He left his own company to become the executive director of the SPA. ADVOCACY FOR FAIR AND EQUAL ACCESS Current SPA advocacy focuses include seaplane safety, protecting waterway access and saving seaplane bases, invasive species, environmental issues, promoting the next generation of seaplane pilots, and educating resource managers, policymakers, and the general public about seaplanes. The SPA has some 5-6k members internationally. With a modest staff, the organization relies on its many volunteers, also known as field directors. “Volunteers are the bread and butter – they are the backbone,” said Kellett. “Being a field director is so important. What those people do is pretty amazing. They’re setting up events, they’re doing safety groups, they’re talking to local politicians, trying to get legislation in favor of seaplanes, and collecting membership because there is strength in numbers.” According to McCaughey, the SPA wants to protect and expand waterway access for seaplanes and protect pilots from a safety aspect. A large part of that, says the executive director, is educating those in charge of regulating waterways. “Most of what we’re confronted with as opposition is due to lack of understanding. Very few people from the regulator side know anything about seaplanes.” Many assumptions made about seaplanes involve pollution of water, noise, the transmission of invasive species, hazard to public safety, and that boats and seaplanes can’t operate safely in the same water. This is all a lack of understanding posit the SPA. The difference, McCaughey says, between the seaplane and boating communities is that you can buy a boat and launch it, and you’re on your way as a boater. “By the time you get a seaplane license, most of the pilots have invested about sixty thousand dollars in training on average.” In addition to a monetary investment, there is a significant investment of time. To obtain a private pilot’s license requires an average of 60 to 85 hours. “The level of experience that we have going into the water to operate where we’re dealing with boats, we generally take 100 percent responsibility for avoidance and safety. We don’t put any burden on the controlling agencies. We don’t put any burden on the boaters. We’re going to take the burden to make sure that we’re operating safely. We’re trained to do that, unlike the typical boater,” said McCaughey. “With all the regulators and groups that we work with, we want to be a sincere partner,” he continued. “We go in and say, ‘We’re going to partner with you, and we’re going to look at the data, and if we don’t have the data, we’re going to try to find the data and then if we need to make changes we’re going to try to engineer ways to make those changes.” In answer to the perception that seaplanes produce excessive noise, the organization initiated noise studies. “It’s easy to identify because you hear the noise, and you see the airplane taking off. But what people don’t realize is you’re talking about 18 to 40 seconds where you have that noise footprint,” he said. That initial noise spike is minute in comparison when looking at a composite noise footprint of, say, a motorcycle idling, a ski boat on the lake all day, or someone mowing the lawn. “You get that spike of noise, but you don’t have the duration, so your actual footprint is much different than other activities,” said McCaughey of seaplanes. The perception that seaplanes aren’t safe is another relative fallacy when looking at other user groups, says McCaughey. The SPA obtains a detailed annual report from the U.S. Coast Guard measuring all on-water accidents. In almost every state annually, there are more fatalities involving boats than seaplanes. And as far as boating accidents involving seaplanes, it’s virtually unheard of, said the executive director. “Boaters hit boaters. We don’t hit boaters.” “My job is to go to the regulators and the communities and bring this message home. This isn’t our data; this is U.S. Coast Guard data, and they’re measuring all on-water accidents. We don’t show up in the report usually because we’re not even a measurable number,” he said. In addition to advocacy work and providing resources for their members, the SPA conducts some fifty workshops each year from Alaska to Australia. Six years ago, the SPA began hosting exclusive seaplane excursions for members. In Lake Como, Italy, “We would park up on a beach and have lunch at an Italian villa on the side of the lake, and you’ve got the Swiss Alps behind you, and you’re looking across the lake to the rose garden at the Bellagio,” said McCaughey. “I wanted to create the adventure of a lifetime for our members where we could take a small group of our members, 35 to 65 people, and give them an epic adventure that they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.” To promote future seaplane pilots, the SPA awards several scholarships annually. These include the Tyler Orsow/ Chuck Kimes Memorial Seaplane Rating Scholarship and the LIFT (Ladies in Flight Training) Scholarship, with plans to continue expanding their scholarship programs. “Our goal is to award twelve zero-cost seaplane ratings per year to people based on achievement,” said the executive director. Abbie Kellett discussed the LIFT Scholarship as a response to the low number of female seaplane pilots – just three percent. “A lot of it is that they don’t know it’s an option for them. It’s not that anyone is keeping them from flying, but they just don’t know that it’s a viable option,” she said. The first-ever LIFT Scholarship was awarded last month. “We want to be a positive force,” said McCaughey. Being a good neighbor is paramount to this aviation advocacy group. “We want to make sure that our presence is an asset. We want to bring the community more into our world, and we also want to be an active and vibrant part of the community,” said the Seaplane Pilots Association executive director. Jack Brown’s Seaplane Base 2704 US-92, Winter Haven (863) 956-2243 Brownsseaplane.com FB @Jack Browns Seaplane Base IG @browns_seaplane The Seaplane Pilots Association 2072 US Highway 92, Winter Haven (863) 701-7979 seaplanepilotsassociation.org FB @SeaplanePilotsAssociation IG @seaplanepilotsassociation Photography by Amy Sexson

Some of the Sunshine State’s Most Unusual Destinations Beaches, Disney World, snowbirds, alligators, and ‘Florida Man’ are about all the space most people have in their heads for our peculiar peninsula. I’m not sure if it’s the heat, invasive pythons, or what, but we tend to attract (or create over time) a different breed of folks. My native Floridians, we are not absolved from this – we’re all a little cooky here. Some 900 people move to Florida every single day. That’s 900 new bad drivers, consistent sunburn havers, Pub Sub face-stuffers, and oversize fiberglass statue lovers (I personally find the giant wizard in Kissimmee to be a real delight). That’s also 900 new brains to think up ideas for offbeat roadside attractions and questionable tourist traps – two of my favorite things. You’ll find plenty of them on this list of very ‘Florida’ destinations. Through personal experiences, scouring the web, and using www.atlasobscura.com as an invaluable source, I’ve done my best to compile a motley mix of odd and interesting so that the least ‘Florida’ of you and the most ‘Florida’ of you will get something out of it. Psychics, haunted dolls, gator feeding, underwater hotels? We’ve got it! Erotic art, wax figures, serial killers, snake milking? You better believe it. I’d like to think that if this list were any more ‘Florida’ it would be in the county jail with pending ‘theft of a taxidermied flamingo’ or ‘use of hotdogs as nunchucks,’ or ‘robbery of a 7-Eleven wearing suspenders connected to assless chaps’ charges. Anyway… I hope you like it! Weeki Wachee Over 70 years ago, on October 13, 1947, guests gathered in an 18-seat theater to watch the first Weeki Wachee mermaid show. In the decades following, the park has grown and continued its magical mermaid tradition. Weeki Wachee was named by the Seminoles, meaning “little spring” or “winding river.” A seemingly bottomless natural spring, its absolute depths have yet to be reached. One hundred and seventeen million gallons of 74-degree, crystal clear spring water flows every day from the spring into the Weeki Wachee River before making its way another 12 miles into the Gulf of Mexico. By the 1950s, Weeki Wachee was one of the nation’s most popular tourist attractions. In 1959, the American Broadcasting Company purchased Weeki Wachee and started promoting the mermaid shows across America. They updated the theater to sit 16-feet below the surface of the spring. The three-inch glass walls across the front allow everyone in the 400-seat theater to see the show. By the 1960s, there were 35 mermaids, eight shows a day, and a half-million visitors a year. Limestone makes up the side of the spring’s 100-feet wide basin where the mermaids swim. In 1982, Buccaneer Bay water park opened. The park is Florida’s only spring-fed water park. Kayak rentals and paddling adventures are also available at the 538-acre Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, which became a Florida State Park in 2008. A know before you go update for the park on www.floridastateparks.org/WeekiWachee states: Effective May 21, 2021: Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The mermaid show and the ranger experience offer limited seating. Guests who wish to secure a seat for the mermaid show are encouraged to arrive when the park opens. 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill (352) 592-5656 Weekiwachee.com Robert the Doll Apology letters routinely arrive at the Fort East Martello Museum in Key West – all of them addressed to one Robert the Doll. The 117-year old doll is well-worn, donning a sailor suit and cap, holding a stuffed puppy of his own, looking at patrons through the museum glass with eyes as dark as the deepest recesses of Hell. That’s right, Robert the Doll is – you guessed it – HaUnTeD! This little demonic cutie can be traced back to toymaker, the Steiff Company, credited with being the first to manufacture the Teddy Bear. Before his residency at the museum, Robert belonged to a little boy of the same name, Robert Eugene Otto. As legend would have it, Otto began to blame strange and terrifying happenings on the doll. Otto kept him into adulthood, even placing him in an upstairs window at his home. According to Atlas Obscura, “Schoolchildren swore that he would appear and reappear, and they avoided the house.” Even upon changing hands to Myrtle Reuter after Otto’s death, the oddities continued from changing expressions on the doll’s face, sounds of giggling and footsteps, lights flickering, and Robert moving around on his own. Robert the Doll was donated to the museum in 1994. Robert’s reign of terror continues. Museum patrons are encouraged to introduce themselves to Robert and ask his permission before snapping a photo. And don’t dare leave without saying goodbye. Those who find themselves on Robert’s bad side report temporary camera malfunction and repercussions after leaving the museum from a string of bad luck to divorce and even injury. Specter seekers can now go on a ghost hunt featuring Robert the Doll. The adventure takes place throughout Fort East Martello, a Civil War fortress built in 1862. The museum claims the most extensive collection of haunted artifacts in the state. Gutsy ghost hunters can expect a 60-minute guided hunt through the glim fort and a 25-minute sitdown lockdown with Robert the Doll. Be sure to mind your manners, or you may pay dearly and find yourself begging his forgiveness. Fort East Martello Museum 3501 S Roosevelt Blvd, Key West (305) 296-3913 kwahs.org/museums/fort-east-martello/visit robertthedoll.org Spook Hill Ah, Lake Wales, Crown Jewel of the Ridge, home to Bok Tower Gardens, rows of blossoming citrus trees, the friendliest people, and (wiggles fingers in a menacingly scary way) Spoooooook Hill. Posted on a sign just before the hill is the legend of Spook Hill. The sign reads: “Ages ago, an INDIAN TOWN on Lake Wailes lake was plagued with raids by a HUGE GATOR. The town’s GREAT WARRIOR Chief and the gator were killed in a FINAL BATTLE that created the huge swampy depression nearby. The chief was buried on its north side. Later PIONEER HAULERS coming from the old ARMY TRAIL atop the ridge above found their horses LABORING HERE… at the foot of the ridge … and called it Spook Hill. IS THE GATOR SEEKING REVENGE, OR THE CHIEF PROTECTING HIS LAND???” Then it states simple instructions: Stop car on white line, place in neutral, and let it roll back. I’ve heard that Spook Hill is an optical illusion, but I’m not sure what’s so spooky about it. When I tried it with a group of friends, all we could collectively conceive was that maybe there was a smaller hill at the bottom producing this trick of the eye. Though I didn’t see the chief or the giant gator, it was fun to try out. I give Spook Hill three out of five Exorcist head spins since it was not very scary but made for a fun trip with plenty of laughs! Shell Museum The only accredited museum dedicated solely to shells and mollusks in the United States, the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum uses “exceptional collections, aquariums, programs, experiences, and science to be the nation’s leading museum in the conservation, preservation, interpretation, and celebration of shells, the mollusks that create them, and their ecosystems.” Daily programming includes Touch Pools in which guests can touch live mollusks while learning about the animals, a Scavenger Hunt testing your knowledge of shells and mollusks with different levels and prizes, and a Mollusk Movie – a short film about mollusks in Sanibel. The museum offers over 30 permanent exhibits as well as several temporary ones like “Shells of Sanibel & Captiva,” “Shells from Around the World,” “Record-Breaking Shells” (including some of the largest shells ever found on display), “Shells in Architecture, Art, and Human History,” and “She Sells Sea Shells by the Seashore.” (That last exhibit is a joke, of course.) 3075 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel (239) 395-2233 www.shellmuseum.org Skunk Ape Headquarters You’ve heard of the Yeti, an abominable snowman-type creature covered in hair as white as the snowy mountainous landscape they’re said to roam. And Bigfoot, the elusive giant ape-man that traverses the backcountry of the Pacific Northwest only to be caught in a blurry photo or two. Florida has its own legendary creature – the Skunk Ape. The Florida Skunk Ape is said to be a tall, bipedal animal with reddish-black fur and a strong odor similar to rotten eggs. In the heart of the Everglades, about three hours south of Polk County within the Big Cypress Preserve, past a speckling of airboat tours and the tiny Ochopee post office is The Skunk Ape Headquarters. After a selfie with the Skunk Ape replica or the 28-foot fiberglass cougar statue out front, tourists can enter the small gift shop and purchase a magnet, hat, t-shirt, mug, or their very own copy of the Everglades Skunk Ape Research Field Guide. For a fee, visitors can step through a door in the back to see a collection of animals – different species of snakes, including a massive Reticulated Python, baby alligators, turtles, and birds, to name a few. A part of the Trail Lakes Campground, this one-stop-Skunk Ape shop and research headquarters was started by Dave Shealy, an authority on the creature and a self-described Skunk Ape expert. Shealy heard tales of the Skunk Ape growing up and became obsessed with the cryptid when he first encountered it at age ten. Dave and his older brother Jack were hunting in the glades when Jack saw something walking in the distance. Only about 100 yards from the boys, Dave couldn’t see it over the tall grass. “He picked me up, and I looked, and there it was,” said Dave. They agreed that it looked exactly as it had been depicted in the stories they’d heard growing up. Dave has dedicated most of his life to researching the Skunk Ape. He’s taken multiple photos and a video of the creature. Shealy has been featured on The Discovery Channel, The Travel Channel, TLC, Inside Edition, and other national and international media outlets. 40904 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee (239) 695-2275 www.skunkape.info Jules’ Undersea Lodge Key Largo, Montego, baby, why don’t we go to… Jules’ Undersea Lodge (we’ll scuba fast and then we’ll scuba slow… that’s where we want to goooooo… to Jules’ Undersea Lodge instead of Kokomo). This oceanic inn began as La Chalupa research laboratory, “an underwater habitat used to explore the continental shelf off the coast of Puerto Rico.” The lodge is located in a mangrove lagoon plentiful with reef fish like tropical angelfish, parrotfish, barracuda, and snappers, along with anemones, sponges, oysters, and feather duster worms. The underwater structure sits on legs roughly five feet off the lagoon floor and is filled with compressed air, preventing water from flooding the rooms. Divers enter the hotel through a five by seven-foot “moon pool” and into a wet room. The lodge’s most notable feature is a 42-inch round window in each room where guests can look out into the lagoon and the wildlife teeming within it. Principal developers of the project, Ian Koblick and Dr. Neil Monney, named the lodge after “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” author Jules Verne. The Lodge’s unique experience has drawn celebrity guests, including former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, rock stars Steve Tyler of Aerosmith and Jon Fishman of Phish. According to their website, Jules’ is the first and only underwater hotel in which scuba diving is the only way to get to your room and the first underwater research lab to be made accessible to the public. According to Ian Koblick, owner and codeveloper of the Lodge, as quoted on their website, “Jules’ Undersea Lodge serves as an artificial reef, providing shelter and substrate for marine animals. And the flow of air to the Lodge constantly adds oxygen to the entire surrounding body of water, creating a symbiotic relationship between the technology of man and the beauty of nature.” 51 Shoreland Dr, Key Largo (305) 451-2353 jul.com The Bubble Room “It’s always Christmas at the Bubble Room.” The eccentric eatery opened in 1979 and began its whacky multi-themed decor with 1930s and 1940s toys. Now a Captiva Island staple, The Bubble Room is a colorful, whimsical, kitschy restaurant with year-round Christmas lights, an ‘Elf Room,’ moving trains on all three floors, photos covering the walls, and a rainbow Candyland-esque facade. 15001 Captiva Dr, Captiva (239) 472-5558 www.bubbleroomrestaurant.com Last Resort Bar A last resort destination for those who prefer their ice-cold beer with a bloody backstory is a biker bar in Port Orange. At the Last Resort Bar, on January 9, 1991, one of America’s most notorious female serial killers, Aileen Wuornos, was finally apprehended by police. Wuornos murdered at least seven men between 1989-1990. 5812 S Ridgewood Ave, Port Orange (386) 761-5147 Coral Castle Museum The 28-year toil of one man, the Coral Castle (now a museum) in Miami was carved by Ed Leedskalnin between 1923 and 1951. The sculpture kingdom is made up of over 1,100 tons of coral rock, including a 9-ton gate that ‘moves with just a touch of the finger,’ as well as rocking chairs and a Polaris telescope constructed entirely from stone. “Since it is documented that no one ever witnessed Ed’s labor in building his beloved Coral Castle, some have said he had supernatural powers. Ed would only say that he knew the secrets used to build the ancient pyramids, and if he could learn them, you could too,” reads the Coral Castle Museum website (coralcastle. com). Guests can take narrated and guided tours through this otherworldly realm of rock with narration available in English, Spanish, French, and German. 28655 S Dixie Hwy, Homestead (305) 248-6345 coralcastle.com Monkey Island Amidst what resembles a nautical-themed miniature golf course on an island in the Homosassa River, spider monkeys reign supreme. In a kingdom all their own, these mischievous monkeys spend their days swaying from ropes, scampering along platforms, up their miniature lighthouse, and on their beached boat, the USS Primate. Barriers act to keep curious boaters from trespassing on the island (which is under 24-hour surveillance), and the water keeps curious monkeys from escaping and monkeying around Homosassa. You can see these playful primates from the Florida Cracker Riverside Resort (formerly the Homosassa Riverside Resort), The Florida Cracker Monkey Bar, or by walking down an adjacent observation dock. historicmonkeyisland.com Spongeorama Tarpon Springs is a coastal Gulf town known for its rich Greek heritage, culture, shopping, food, and for being the Sponge Capital of the World. Boat tours and sponge diving demonstrations with divers in full vintage diving gear, complete with the hard-hat helmet, are a great way to learn about the town’s former leading export. Or, you could stop in at the world-famous Spongeorama Sponge Factory, complete with a museum exploring Tarpon Springs, the Sponge Docks, and the Sponge Industry. After a stroll around the sponge museum, you can learn what exactly a sponge is and where they come from in their movie theater (both the museum and movie are free). Their gift shop features many aquatic gifts like conchs, barnacles, and of course, sponges. 510 Dodecanese Blvd, Tarpon Springs (727) 943-2164 spongeorama.com Stiltsville Off Key Biscayne Beyond the cerulean shallows of Biscayne National Park is a smattering of wooden structures built on stilts, now aptly called ‘Stiltsville.’ The first of these seemingly floating flats was built in the 1930s by “Crawfish” Eddie Walker, followed by more construction over the years. According to a post by the National Parks Service, this ocean hamlet stirred up stories of illegal alcohol and gambling, which led to several police raids on the Bikini Club and Quarterdeck Club. The article (www.nps.gov/bisc/learn/ historyculture/stiltsville.htm) goes on to say, “At its peak in 1960, there were 27 structures on the flats, but hurricanes, fires and the ravages of being in such an exposed place made every building relatively short-lived. In 1985, the bottomland on which the stilt structures sit was deeded by the State of Florida to the Federal Government as part of Biscayne National Park. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew left only seven buildings standing, none of which existed during the area’s heyday.” Public access to the structures is by permit only (contact the Stiltsville Trust for permit details), but there are several charter boat tours to choose from, like the Stiltsville Guided Historic Tour from Deering Estate, Ocean Force Adventures Miami Boat Tours, and Island Queen Cruises and Tours. Christ of The Abyss If you dive down about 25-feet off the coast of Key Largo in the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, you will literally have a ‘Come to Jesus’ meeting. A nine-foot-tall, 4,000-pound bronze statue of Christ by Italian sculptor Guido Galletti was submerged there in 1965, the final of three to be installed in oceans around the world. The first statue was situated beneath the waves of the Mediterranean Sea in 1954, followed by another off the coast of St. George’s, Granada, in 1961. The Key Largo blessed bronze depicts Christ with arms outstretched and face towards the heavens. Christ of the Abyss is a popular site for scuba diving and snorkeling. History of Diving Dedicated to aquatic avocation, the History of Diving Museum tells “the international story of the attempts to explore, understand and venture under the sea. We also celebrate the special role that South Florida and the Florida Keys played in this untold story.” Dive into exhibits like the Timeline of Diving, Underwater Photography, The Treasure Room, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Deep Diving in the Abyss, or their featured exhibition, Diving in Pop Culture. 82990 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada (305) 664-9737 divingmuseum.org Robert is Here Fruit Stand The year is 1959. Six-year-old Robert was set on a corner to sell his father’s cucumber crop. As the story goes, “Robert sat all day that Saturday, and no one even stopped. That evening, Robert’s father decided that ‘There can’t be that many people who don’t like cucumbers; they must not see this little boy standing here on the corner.’” Determined to sell his crop the next day, Robert’s father placed signs around the little fruit stand with big red letters that said: “Robert is Here.” The signage must have done the trick because, by noon, Robert was walking home after selling out of his father’s cucumbers. A neighboring farmer added produce to his display, and Robert took on occasional help from his little sister Rose. His mother arranged for the bus to pick him up and drop him off each day at his fruit stand, which grew with such gusto that by age nine, Robert hired a neighbor to work for him while he attended school. The young fruit-selling mogul bought his first ten acres when he was fourteen, on which he planted an avocado grove and rented out the house. Today, passers-by are drawn in by the “Robert is Here” signage, now in huge white lettering atop a much larger building than the stand in which he started. What began as a modest fruit stand continues as a family-owned and operated tourist destination specializing in rare and exotic fruits and veggies grown mostly on their Homestead, Florida farms. In addition to produce, guests can indulge in fresh fruit milkshakes and homemade key lime pies. There is also an animal farm, play area, picnic tables, and live music on weekends and holidays. 19200 SW 344th St, Homestead (305) 246-1592 www.robertishere.com Barberville Yard Art Emporium On occasion, I drive by a mini-golf course and think to myself, ‘A 7-foot fiberglass T-Rex would be a tasteful addition to my front yard.’ If you have similar thoughts, head on down to Barberville Yard Art Emporium for all your yard art needs. Do they have a lifesize pink rooster? Probably. The Virgin Mary? You betcha. The Statue of Liberty and a Big Boy Burger boy? I’d certainly hope so. Sprawling over two acres, you’ll find an eclectic selection of indoor and outdoor items, produce, jams, boiled peanuts, peanut brittle, and more. Items at the Barberville Yard Art Emporium range from average to oversize, and most are made of aluminum or wrought iron. They also boast an array of Authentic Talavera Pottery, handmade and brought directly from Mexico. 140 West, FL-40, Pierson (386) 749-3562 www.barbervilleroadside.com Showmen’s Museum Ladies, gentlemen, boys, and girls – step right up and win a prize! The International Independent Showmen’s Museum boasts over 54,000 square feet of artifacts, midway memorabilia, and photographs that capture over a century of traveling shows in America. This collection of carnival vestiges preserves American carnival and traveling show history through exhibits like acres of show wagons, one of the first Ferris wheels in the country assembled and in operating condition within the museum, one of burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee’s slinky black beaded costumes, and an outfit worn by the 9-foottall, 425-pound, “Viking Giant,” Johann K. Petursson. According to their website, “The museum features thousands of rare photographs of carnivals, circuses, wild west shows, and early traveling shows that brought the main and sometimes the only form of entertainment that many towns throughout America would enjoy all year. Visitors will also be able to walk through antique wagons and trailers with ornate facades where show people lived or ran the day to day business of the carnival.” The International Independent Showmen’s Museum is open every Saturday and Sunday from 12-5 pm. 6938 Riverview Dr, Riverview (813) 671-3503 Showmensmuseum.org Cassadaga Known as the “Psychic Capital of the World,” this unincorporated community of Spiritualists was established over 120 years ago and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. According to www. cassadaga.org, after being told during a seance that he would be instrumental in founding a Spiritualist community in the South, a young New Yorker, George Colby, would see that prophecy fulfilled. Colby put roots down in Cassadaga while continuing to travel for work as a medium. In 1894, the Southern Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp Meeting Association was formed, and in 1895, Colby deeded over 35 acres to its founders. Today, the Spiritualist camp is sprawled over 57 acres and made up of 55 homes and a community of spiritual folks, including many mediums, psychics, and healers. As defined on their website, Spiritualism is “The Science, Philosophy, and Religion based upon the principle of continuous life demonstrated through mediumship. Spiritualism embraces the concept of individual responsibility and the belief that the door to reformation is never closed.” The resident Spiritualists of Cassadaga welcome believers, skeptics, and the curious alike. Things to check out in addition to visiting the Camp (and its bookstore) are the historic and allegedly haunted Hotel Cassadaga, The Shoestring Theatre, The Cassadaga Spiritualist Psychic Center, and the Devil’s Chair. The latter of which is a brick throne of sorts, sitting graveside at the Lake HelenCassadaga Cemetery. Legend has it if you sit in the Devil’s Chair at midnight, Lucifer himself will communicate with you. Plan your visit now! I bet they already know you’re coming. The Wonder House Built without blueprints by inventor and oddities collector Conrad Schuck, The Wonder House sits in grand juxtaposition to the average neighborhoods surrounding it. Currently a full-time private residence, this Bartow abode is open for historic tours on a limited basis. As the name implies, the spacious estate is full of wonders. The house is made with a blend of steel-reinforced concrete inlaid with glass and tile mosaics and stands four stories tall with two stories underground. The Wonder House amalgamates an eccentric dreamer’s boundless imagination and vision, from beautiful tile mosaics and hand-painted ceiling panels to hidden rooms and clever inventions. Some of the home’s notable features include a moat with two bridges spanning it and two pools on the third floor (one of which has since been concreted in by a previous owner) used as bathtubs, swimming pools, and then koi ponds. According to their website, “The house featured many time-saving devices like delayed light switches, a laundry chute, and inventions including air conditioning in the 1920s!” Historic Tours of the Wonder House are available only by booking a reservation online in advance. 1075 Mann Rd, Bartow www.wonderhousebartow.com FB @wonderhousebartow Tour The Bulk Candy Store Have you ever had sweet dreams of touring the history and production of candy at a one-of-a-kind candy emporium? At the Bulk Candy Store in West Palm Beach, you can ‘experience the evolution of candy’ through a live guided tour and video presentation. The family-owned candy shop has been slinging sweets and treats since 1992. Throughout a 40-minute tour at their candy store, guests will sample the sights and tastes of confections and have the opportunity to shop copious candies and over 50 flavors of gourmet popcorn. 235 N Jog Rd, West Palm Beach (561) 540-1600 www.bulkcandystore.com Reptile World Serpentarium Opened in 1972, Reptile World Serpentarium in St. Cloud houses a collection of over 80 species of snakes from around the world. This includes six species of cobra (including an over 13-foot king cobra), a black mamba, East African green mamba, and 11 kinds of rattlesnakes, in addition to more innocuous non-venomous snakes. Also on display are several species of lizards, a Nile crocodile, an alligator, turtles, and tortoises. What sets them apart is their regular venom extraction shows performed in front of visitors. According to their website (www. reptileworldserpentarium.com), “Though there may be only fifty snakes on public display at any given time, behind the scenes are hundreds of venomous snakes just waiting to be “milked” for their valuable venom. Reptile World Serpentarium ships this precious commodity worldwide for use in medical and herpetological research.” Venom shows begin with a verbal presentation about snakes and their venom. Then, behind a glass barrier, owner George Van Horn handles venomous snakes, which are “coaxed into sinking their fangs through a clear membrane stretched over a collection glass” for medical and herpetological research purposes. 5705 E Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, St Cloud (407) 892-6905 reptileworldserpentarium.com Dysfunctional Grace In this Ybor City art gallery and gift shop, you may find antiques and oddities from skulls and skeletons of various animals to vintage door knockers or a pair of taxidermied squirrels playing a game of cards. “The only shop in Ybor where death and dysfunction dance in a graceful ballet.” 1903 E 7th Ave, Tampa (813) 842-0830 dysfunctionalgrace.shop Dome House Four stilted concrete dome structures (initially six) make up an abandoned home sitting about 300 feet offshore from Cape Romano just south of Marco Island. These domeshaped pods commissioned by now-deceased oil producer, Bob Lee, seem to be a testament to perhaps what ‘the future’ looked like from a past perspective. The smattering of pillared domes, construction of which began in 1980, today attracts fishermen and tourists. Solomon’s Castle Solomon’s Castle is one man’s masterpiece, tucked amongst orange trees and cow pastures in Ona, Florida. Howard Solomon, who unfortunately passed away in 2016, had an imagination that overflowed into everything he did. According to Solomon’s daughter, Alane Solomon, after buying the property and realizing there wasn’t much room to build out, he built up. What came of that was an eclectic castle. Solomon estimated the property to be about 10,000 square feet with a restaurant in a 65-foot ship made of recycled wood called “The Boat in the Moat,” a lighthouse, a replica facade of the Alamo, and more. The artist’s work throughout the property is made from carburetors, gas tanks, oil drums, beer can bottoms, coat hangers, and other recycled materials. Solomon made everything from people, creatures (real and imaginary) to boats, cars, and beyond. Today, guests can tour the castle, meandering through the galleries and home of its builder, boat, and lighthouse. Taking the tour several years ago, my tour guide, Cindy, described Solomon as “The Da Vinci of debris, the Rembrandt of reclamation, the wizard of odds and ends, and the savior of salvage.” 4533 Solomon Rd, Ona (863) 494-6077 Solomonscastle.com Shell Factory And Nature Park A tourist draw for over 80 years, the Shell Factory (now including their Nature Park and Scallywags Fun Park) offers over 50,000 square feet of shopping, including millions of shells, gifts, nautical décor, jewelry, pearls, toys, coral, fine jewelry, Christmas collectibles, pick your own pearl, and much more. The eclectic destination offers a “dizzying and constantly changing array of diversions and amusements reminiscent of Florida roadside attractions of yesteryear, which, by the way, the Shell Factory was one of the first. The changes will never be complete,” according to their website. Die-hard holiday fans will love The Shell Factory’s year-round Christmas House, or if that’s not up your alley try the Fossil and Gemstone Mining Rig, Game Room, US Post Office, Gulf Coast Homemade Fudge and Ice Cream Shop, and a Hunt Brothers Pizza shop. Scallywags Fun Park & Mini Golf boasts a zip line, and the Nature Park has over 400 animals, a petting farm, three walk-thru aviaries, a full-scale dinosaur exhibit, and a Touch Center with daily shows in which kids can touch and hold animals. 16554 N Cleveland Ave., North Fort Myers (239) 995-2141 www.shellfactory.com National Comedy Hall of Fame It is often said that laughter is the best medicine. I guess that makes the National Comedy Hall of Fame the pharmacy. The NCHF aims to “preserve and celebrate the history of Comedy and to honor the “Great Legends of Comedy” who have dedicated their lives to improve the world we live in by sharing with us their humor and bestowing upon us the greatest gift of all, laughter.” The museum has a substantial collection of comedy memorabilia, from original movie posters and comedy albums to authentic puppets, studio photographs, and more. “Short films that display rare footage accompany each comedian’s exhibit, like Charlie Chaplin’s slapstick, Jack Benny’s violin dexterity and Phyllis Diller’s wit,” according to the museum’s website (nationalcomedyhalloffame.com). Guests can chuckle and howl at short films and comedy sketches in the museum’s in-house theater. 2435 US-19, Holiday (727) 944-4453 Nationalcomedyhalloffame.com Gatorama This roadside wildlife attraction, open for some 60 years, promises the biggest gators and crocs along with plenty of thrills and education. Gatorama offers your run-ofthe-mill (for Florida, that is) gator and croc feeding shows as well as up-close encounters with tortoises, pythons, and more. Brave Gatorama guests can opt for the Fast Hands Challenge and feed hungry leaping gators and crocs from the bridge. Not for the faint of heart is the Face to Face Challenge in which you can get up close and personal with these prehistoric monsters with ‘little more than a Gator Stick between you’ and feed the beastly gator, Big Daddy. Of course, you’ll need a photo for bragging rights and probably a new pair of shorts. If you’d prefer less thrill and more education, check out their numerous exhibits of alligators, crocs (including Orinoco, Cuban, and Saltwater), other reptiles, Kinkajou, bobcats, and the Florida panther. 10665 N US Hwy 27, Palmdale (863) 675-6023 www.gatorama.com The World Erotic Art Museum Expect your fair share of tasteful hoo-hoos and ha-has in this steamy Miami museum dedicated to all things erotic. Standing erect in the Art Deco Historic District of Miami Beach is The World Erotic Art Museum, or WEAM. The museum has received global attention and was founded by Naomi Wilzig (1934-2015), known as ‘an authority on exotic art.’ In part, her obituary reads, “Naomi Wilzig presented her collection with the aim of imparting a historically and culturally comprehensive picture of erotic art. She explained that she wanted to evoke the sensual experience of the pleasure and pain of love, and also wanted to send a message of tolerance in acknowledgment of the community and diversity of mankind.” The extensive collection at WEAM includes African - Native North American Art, Art Deco, Asian Art, Glass Art, Folk Art, Gay Art, Indigenous Art of the Americas, Pin-Up, Photography, Boxes, Figurines, and Hidden Art, Humor, Iconic Artists, India - Tibet Art, Lady Godiva, Leda, and the Swan, Outsider Art, P and P, Prints, Realism, Surrealism, and Wunderkammer. 1205 Washington Ave, Miami Beach (305) 532-9336 www.weammuseum.com Fairyland Figures Tampa’s Ulele eatery features native-inspired food and spirits as well as an on-site brewery. Only slightly more magical than their Gouta Grouper or Seafood Risotto is the collection of remnants from Tampa’s former attraction, Fairyland, which ran from 1957 into the 1990s. According to their website, “The Humpty Dumpty character on the Ulele roof is part of 11 remaining vignettes,” from Fairyland. “Columbia Restaurant Group owner Richard Gonzmart bought the discarded figures at a city auction last year because Richard had such fond memories of them from childhood visits. He recently had them restored by local artist Jason Hulfish.” 1810 N Highland Ave, Tampa (813) 999-4952 www.ulele.com Potter’s Wax Museum St. Augustine is the oldest and one of the most haunted cities in the country. So, of course, this spooky settlement would vaunt America’s first and oldest wax museum (with an entire section devoted to horror movies) located within the country’s oldest pharmacy. Potter’s Wax Museum opened in the mid-century by George Potter and now houses over 160 wax figures, including Harry Potter, Henry the VIII, Freddy Krueger, Abraham Lincoln, Jack Sparrow, Cleopatra, Annie Oakley, and more. “Potter set out to preserve the likenesses of great American leaders and statesmen for posterity and proceeded to procure the very best wax from France, the finest hair from Italy, and the most highly skilled artisans to give shape and form to it all. Belgium was where the first production facility was located, and the first run of wax figures found their way to what would become Potter’s Wax Museum back in 1949,” according to their website. Guests can take photos with the likenesses of celebrities, politicians, historical figures, musicians, sports stars, royal families, and an expansive list of fictional characters. 31 Orange St, St. Augustine (904) 829-9056 www.potterswaxmuseum.com

It’s a little humid but not too bad for a summer morning in Florida. The hum of player chatter is interrupted by the clack of one disk colliding with another on this Tuesday at the Winter Haven shuffleboard courts. We were invited to meet with the Winter Haven Shuffleboard Club by one of its members, Kat Davis-Cooke, and spent the morning learning about the game. Using a long stick called a cue, players push a weighted disc across the narrow court to marked triangular areas. The objective is to accumulate more points than the team you’re playing against by maneuvering the disk into certain areas while avoiding others. Shuffleboard is a popular recreation activity aboard cruise ships, at hotels, and among retirees. It has origins going back at least 500 years in Europe but didn’t make its way to America until 1913. Robert Ball, the owner of Lyndhurst Hotel in Daytona Beach, played shuffleboard on a cruise ship during his vacation and was so enthused with the sport, he decided to make his own shuffleboard court on the sidewalk in front of his hotel. He then “went about assembling the necessary equipment – some long, pronged poles and some small wooden discs and the first shuffleboard court on dry land made its debut,” according to Chuck Moulton in his article, “Shuffleboard: From Table Top… To Decks… To Courts,” on www.zephyrhillsshuffle.com. Moulton goes on to say, “The sport quickly became popular, especially among retired people, and it was quickly adopted at other resorts and in the retirement communities that sprang up in Florida during the 1920s.” In 1923, St. Petersburg’s City Park Board built two public courts at Mirror Lake Park. “It’s a place sacred in the lore of shuffleboard since it gave rise to the Mirror Lake Shuffleboard Club, where the first organized and competitive games were played,” writes Moulton. According to “The History of Florida Shuffleboard,” a booklet compiled by FSA Historian, Dorothy Spillman Wagasky, Winter Haven Shuffleboard Club is the second oldest club in the state, established in 1926. Shuffleboard clubs cropped up around the state, and in 1928 the Florida Shuffleboard Association (FSA) was formed, leading to the formation of the National Shuffleboard Association (NSA) in 1931. Shuffleboard saw the height of its popularity in the 1950s, and in 1979 the International Shuffleboard Association (ISA) was founded in St. Petersburg. Though its popularity has declined since its 1950s prime, the sport continues to draw avid players and fans and is played competitively between clubs internationally. In recent years, shuffleboard has garnered popularity with a younger crowd as well. Every Friday night, twenty- and thirty-somethings gather to play, drink and socialize at the St. Pete Shuffleboard Club. To find out more about a game so beloved throughout history and making a come-back with younger generations, we spoke with resident retired pro and District Tournament Director for the FSA Central District, George Adyns. A husky New England accent gives away Adyns’s northeastern origins. He moved to Florida from Massachusetts in 2000 and started playing shuffleboard in 2001. In 2003, after meeting a couple of shuffleboard professionals, Adyns was invited to the Winter Haven Shuffleboard Club. He took notice right away of the difference between the recreational shuffling he’d been playing and tournament-style shuffling at the club and became hooked on the latter. “I remember my first day here. I joined in March of 2003. I played in the summer here, and when a fellow by the name of Ron Crawford, who was a pro, was here all summer too. I learned more from Ron Crawford than anyone else in the state of Florida. He was so good to me that first summer. I think it’s because of him I liked the game,” said Adyns. The District Tournament Director has since taken roles as president, vice president, secretary, and director for the club. Adyns has never been the treasurer, though. The retired accountant promised his wife, “When I retire, I am retiring from numbers,” and he’s kept that promise. “On the first tournament after Thanksgiving, I had already accumulated my five points to become pro the following October,” said Adyns. He played in the state championship tournament, held in Port Charlotte that year, with Bish Kowicz as his teammate. They won the state’s amateur championship double tournament that year. Adyns turned professional and played for about three more years, slowed down only by progressive pain in his shoulders. He eventually found that he had arthritis, and there wasn’t a thing to be done about it, ostensibly ending his shuffling career. This news came between the 2011-2012 seasons. “That was the end of my playing shuffleboard,” he said. “I was devastated. To tell you the truth, I cried. I just loved to play the game.” But, looking at the shuffleboard silver lining, Adyns knew there was always a shortage of tournament directors. He started on the path of becoming a tournament director in October of that year. He did one year as an apprentice, became certified in March 2013 as a director, and spent two years in that position. He was later elected to his current position on the board of directors. “I’ve stayed involved with the community only because they’re a bunch of great people. But I miss playing,” he said. In March of 2020, George Adyns was inducted into Winter Haven’s Shuffleboard Hall of Fame with a service award. The club presently has around 40 active members. According to member Kat Davis-Cooke, the club is doing Summertime Shuffles for the first time in recent history. During Summertime Shuffle, they gather and play every Tuesday and Thursday at 9 am, weather permitting. During the winter, that shifts to Wednesday and Sunday afternoon, says Adyns. The club has 24 courts that can accommodate 96 players at one time. They use these courts to practice and host tournaments, including one state amateur tournament and some seven or eight district tournaments. The largest of these is a two-day tournament held in February, says Adyns, an open mixed doubles (open to all players, two players on each team, one man and one woman). “This district alone is quite large. Territory-wise we are the largest district under the umbrella of the Florida Shuffleboard Association,” said Adyns. The City of Winter Haven plays a supportive role to the Winter Haven Shuffleboard Club. The City owns the shuffleboard courts and made the investment about a year and a half ago to resurface the courts, working with the club for specs of the Nidy surface. The City also provides the Shuffleboard Hall of Fame and allows the club to use the building during tournaments. The more, the merrier at the Winter Haven Shuffleboard Club. Members welcome all who are interested in the game. According to Adyns, the club typically requires interested players to come once as a guest, the second time as a friend, and join as members on the third visit. Membership is $20 per year. According to Adyns there are two types of shuffleboard games. The first is called a ‘frame game’ in which 16 frames are played to get the highest score after those frames, or 75 points, whichever comes first. State-sanctioned tournaments play ’75 games’ in which the first team to accumulate 75 points wins. The shuffleboard pro knows a thing or two about the game. Adyns talked tricks of the trade using shuffleboard slang like ‘snuggling’ and ‘the kitchen’ and says he’s willing to share his knowledge with anyone interested in learning more about shuffleboard. “It can be complicated, but yet it’s very easy,” he said. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, says Adyns. “Nobody has to be afraid of a pro shuffleboard player because I’m willing to bet that 90 percent of the pros would be more than willing to help an amateur or a beginner. […] Help is always available, and we always welcome new people.” For more information about the Winter Haven Shuffleboard Club, check out their public Facebook Group of the same name. They play at their 24 lighted courts at 250 South Lake Silver Drive SW in Winter Haven and host open shuffles from October to April on Wednesdays and Sundays at 1 pm. Check out Summertime Shuffles every Tuesday and Thursday at 9 am where they offer free instruction, beginners are welcome, and there is no experience or equipment necessary Photography by Amy Sexson

Independent bookstore and coffee shop, Pressed had their grand opening on July 29. The page-turning proprietors, Christina and Paul Needham, are offering a hand-curated selection of new books (classics and new releases) and a small cove of used books, along with Ethos Coffee Roasters coffee, tea, and Honeycomb Bread Bakers baked goods. Pressed patrons can enjoy their Ray Bradbury with a bagel or a new copy of Frankenstein with fresh espresso from ‘Florence,’ the newly named espresso machine. Christina Needham has lived in Lakeland for twenty years, save for her college years. In college, she met her husband, Paul, who hails from Durham, North Carolina. The Needhams moved back to Lakeland nine years ago when their daughter was born. Pre-Pressed, Christina Needham was a Music Education teacher instructing elementary, middle, and high school students in private piano and voice lessons. Her music lessons paralleled her book store dreams. “In music, you’re teaching so much about overcoming fears and expressing yourself. I was telling this to my students, and at the same time, it was giving me confidence,” said Needham. “This last year was a different time for everyone. We had a lot of time to reflect on life and goals and dreams. While music was fulfilling me very much, I also had this other dream about starting a bookstore,” she said. The realization of that dream started last November while walking downtown and spotting a ‘For Lease’ sign on a Kentucky Ave. storefront. She called to inquire about the space, and so it all began. Needham registered her bookstore business without having a confirmed location, hopeful that the Pressed pieces would fall into place. The initial Kentucky Avenue space fell through, and Christina found herself in March without a clear path to opening her book shop. “I felt like I hadn’t gotten anywhere. I thought maybe this isn’t the right time.” At the end of that month, another landlord called her about the Bay Street space formerly occupied by Twenty Seven and Honeycomb Bread Bakers. “I knew the space,” said Needham. “I had been in here before, and I thought it was perfect.” A FAMILY LOVE OF LITERATURE Christina Needham’s mother is an English teacher, which meant plenty of books in their home. “Growing up, I was surrounded by books,” she said. As a child, she was more into music and playing piano than reading but enjoyed it all the same. Her favorite childhood story was one that her dad would read to her, called Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey. “My love of books really sparked as an adult,” said Needham. Her husband’s family are also voracious readers with books filling their family home – a point of connection between Christina and Paul’s mom. “My mother-in-law would hand me things on holidays and recommend different books to read,” she said. Today, her favorite genre is historical fiction, whereas Paul’s interest is piqued by biographies, philosophy, and other nonfiction reads. When the Needhams started their family, they wanted their three children, now nine, six, and four, to have the same love of literature that their families shared. “For us, books open up a world of imagination and stories, and connect us with things that we don’t know. I think it’s so important right now to learn and grow as a person by expanding your knowledge of the world and of different people’s beliefs and behaviors. I think books open that up for us. That’s why books are so important to us and our children,” said Needham. IM-‘PRESSED’ WITH THE CONCEPT When Christina and Paul first had the idea to open a bookstore a few years ago, they began visiting bookstores whenever they would travel. They browsed the shelves at places like Letters Bookshop in Paul’s hometown of Durham, Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh, and Parnassus Books in Nashville. “We saw the magic of a bookstore, especially in a local community, and we thought Lakeland would benefit from having a bookstore,” she said. Excited to see their dream come to life, the Needhams began to form a concept they thought the community would enjoy. “When we decided to bring the bookstore to Lakeland, we felt like it would succeed having another element to it as a gathering space. Not just selling books, but also a place where people can come and sit and gather,” said Needham. So, they added a coffee shop. The Pressed owners have been intentional about adding local elements into their space. “Lakeland is growing, and new businesses are coming here, including us, that want to be here and want our city to thrive and are passionate about Lakeland,” said Needham. This shared passion for the city is why they chose to offer coffee from local roasters, pastries from a local baker, feature books from local authors on their shelves, and art from local artists on their walls. Along with the children’s book section with curation help from the Needham kids, their selection of adult books was handselected as well. “The curating process was where we tap into our experience of what we’ve read, what we’ve enjoyed and making the experience of buying a book a little less intimidating,” said Needham. She went on to acknowledge that “Books are an investment of your time and money,” and as such, having a smaller, more diligently curated selection from which to pick makes for a better investment of both, rather than sifting through a sea of titles at big box stores. Opening in late July, the plan is for Pressed to kick-off events in the fall. Those in the forefront of Needham’s focus include book clubs, writing workshops, author spotlights, book signings, and storytime for kids. “I think it would be fun to have different people in the community come read during storytime,” she said. Though the book shop owners haven’t had much time to read while preparing to open, they did have a few recommendations and books they’re excited about. Christina gave high praise to The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah and said she is looking forward to reading The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller as well The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune. Paul is keen to sink his teeth into The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race by Walter Isaacson. These and many other titles will be available at the indie Lakeland book shop. For months, brown paper has obscured from view the transformation taking place within 213 E. Bay Street. Pressed is shaping up to be what I can only describe as (and I include myself in this) a book nerd’s paradise. The cozy atmosphere – greenery here, a stylish rug there – is like being in the living room of someone very, very cool who also happens to love books. There are reading nooks, tables for studying, cozy seating, and a green velvet couch – among other mid-century modern features contributing to a comfy bookish vibe. Across the coffee bar are works from Vakti Gallery by local artists Paul O’Neill, Seungdo Hyun, and Mockingbird Artist. A colorful Twenty Seven mural is the backdrop for the children’s books section, which Christina Needham plans to keep, saying, “It’s so sweet and whimsical.” Now that the paper has finally come down and the community is invited to share in their love of books, Christina Needham reflects on her Pressed journey. She described their book shop as an extension of themselves. “We have big dreams for the place. I think Pressed has such potential. […] I think our ultimate vision is that it’s a gathering space for people to work, read, study, have conversations, host community events, and be a place where people want to come, and it brings them joy.” 213 E. Bay Street, Lakeland www.pressedlkld.com FB @pressedlkld IG @pressedlkld Photography by Amy Sexson

In May of this year, St. Louis, Missouri native and twenty-year Lakeland resident Derrick McBride released his debut selfpublished novel, “One Search for All.” Inspired by true events that transpired in 1970s Fulton, Missouri, the story follows Miss Willie Swanson Edwards and the author’s grandfather, Jack McBride. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Following years spent in program development and fundraising within the nonprofit sector, Derrick McBride turned his focus to presenting, keynote, and motivational speaking. Through his work, McBride hopes to motivate people “to become better versions of themselves, create better opportunities for themselves, and to do exactly what they’ve always dreamed.” Derrick McBride is the founder of Vizon Quest, a nonprofit dedicated to providing services to youth ages 6-18 in education and career development, health and life skills, sports, fitness, and recreation. He co-founded event management company Eventrics and is well-known locally as the Executive Director of the YMCA/ First Tee program in Lakeland. First Tee is an international program utilizing afterschool and in-school programs to introduce the game of golf to young people. “It’s meant to bring diversity to the game of golf,” said McBride. “We were able to do some amazing things in the community through that program.” He has also worked as CEO/ Executive Director of a Boys and Girls Club. ONE SEARCH FOR ALL When Miss Willie goes missing one frigid February morning in 1974, friends Ortis ‘OT’ Williamson and Jack McBride will stop at nothing to find her. “One Search for All’’ is a moving account passed down by McBride’s grandfather exploring the “realities of racism, homelessness, despair, and desperation.” Miss Willie is described as a fiercely intelligent woman who loved literature and poetry. An excerpt from the book reads, “In her early years she was a confident woman, whose beauty was like the fire-gold flame of dawn. Her thoughts flowed with wisdom, and that heart of hers would be the source of love that so many young people would cherish.” Another passage asserts, “She commanded respect from all who knew her, and even though she was denied many opportunities because of the color of her skin, she continued to hold her head high.” Polk County educator for over twenty years, Michelle Snell, synopsized the book, writing, “It offers an insightful glimpse into the lives of Black people and injustices happening in the 1970s. The story centers around a homeless Black woman that goes missing and the search to find her. The book unravels a shocking, surprising story that takes the reader back to a time where racial tension was at its peak.” An 18-year-old McBride was struck when his grandfather first told him the story of the search for Miss Willie. “After he told me, I knew I wanted to share it with the world. I didn’t know how I was going to do it. I didn’t know what method it was going to be, what media, but I knew I had to,” he said. McBride and contributor Laird Garner took time fact-finding, regularly consulting with Jack McBride, and organizing information for historical accuracy and pertinence to the story. “Even before we started writing, we had to gather up information about Miss Willie, about the City of Fulton, about laws, about music, about candy,” said McBride. “He played an integral part in helping me with the book,” McBride said of Garner. Compelled to relay the tale, McBride noted, “I don’t know if it’s something that I wanted to tell. I thought it was something that you would want to hear as a reader. […] This is one of the best true stories I’ve ever heard. It doesn’t get any better than this.” And an extraordinary true story it is. Towards the book’s conclusion, the narrator aptly recounts, “I couldn’t help but realize that this entire search wasn’t just about finding Miss Willie, it was about finding the American dream, whatever it may be, to whomever it may be.” ‘FOLK HERO’ JACK MCBRIDE McBride described his grandfather Jack as “a folk hero back home.” Many in Fulton and surrounding areas were familiar with Miss Willie’s story from Jack McBride, who wrote his account in a journal. “So many people liked the story that he sold that journal,” said McBride of his grandfather’s book, “The Search: The True Story of Miss Willie Swanson Edwards.” Jack McBride, now 96-years-old, is a civic leader in Missouri, contributing to the Fulton Chapter of the NAACP, the Youth Life Improvement Association, the Callaway Alcohol and Drug Awareness Action Committee, Habitat for Humanity, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. State Commission, and Governor Mel Carnahan’s Advisory Committee. His efforts have been recognized through honors, including the 1994 Fulton Chamber of Commerce J.H. Atkinson Award for Outstanding Community Service, the 1992 Fulton Kiwanis Club Community Spiritual Advancement Award, and the Central Missouri Negro League George Washington Carver Achievement Award. “I don’t know if I really knew what kind of person he was until I started writing the book,” said Derrick McBride. Growing up, McBride regarded his grandfather, who the family calls ‘Hi Pop’ as “rock solid.” Spending time on his grandfather’s farm was the highlight of McBride’s summers growing up. He admired Jack but didn’t quite realize the depths of his character and community impact until diving into “One Search for All.” “People in his community loved him. He advocated to bring diversity to the state of Missouri and to the surrounding cities he worked in. He was a big component of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. He was really big on bringing people of different colors together for a common goal,” said McBride. A GOAL TO GET IN SCHOOLS Drawing from the real lives and experiences of Miss Willie, Jack McBride, and others, the book delivers an impactful, twisty read filled with beats of profound sadness, injustice, revelation, and triumph. “I did want to stir up emotions,” said McBride. “I wanted to stir up feelings, and I wanted to stir up thoughts. Even if it did make you mad and you couldn’t do anything – what can you do today?” Each reader will doubtlessly walk away with something different from the story. McBride certainly gleaned something from telling it. “It took me a long time to write the book, and there were several times that I got stuck. I’d set it down, but I kept pushing through. I think that if you have a dream to do something, you have to push through, and you learn that about yourself.” “I don’t even know how to feel about it yet,” he said. McBride had a deadline, finished the book, and it came out in a whirlwind. “Now I’m just able to sit back and go, ‘I did that.’ […] It was a tough journey. There were times as I wrote the book when I was in some difficult places in my life. Some of the best chapters in that book were in those difficult times.” The “One Search for All” author is currently on tour to promote his book. McBride has designs on several more books that would expand on Miss Willie’s life and that of his grandfather, as well as a motivational book nearing finished, titled “There’s a Hole in My Sock.” His goal is to get “One Search for All” into middle and high schools. “I want to get a paperback version into schools with a curriculum and a workbook,” he said. McBride envisions a workbook with exercises that will spark conversation, and if asked, he would love to speak to students about it. Educator Michelle Snell noted, “As a teacher, I’d love to see Mr. McBride get his book into our Polk County schools. Our world needs more unity and compassion. This book touched my heart, and I’m sure it will for all who have the privilege to read it.” One Search for All To purchase, visit: theonesearchforall.com FB @OneSearchForALL IG @onesearchforall