Polk County born and raised Chef Chad Clevenger’s aptitude in the kitchen has taken him across the world. His culinary roots are intertwined with his southern heritage. This is where it all started, in fact. Clevenger was born and raised in Winter Haven. At 18, his dad told him he needed a job and to go down to talk to Gary Schack at Schack’s Bar-BQue. Clevenger’s father was friends with Schack and they even lived in the same neighborhood. Chad and Gary Jr. were good friends growing up too. “A lot of the kids that we grew up hanging out with at some point probably worked at the restaurant as a dishwasher or busboy or cook,” said Clevenger. He started out washing dishes and traces his professional culinary origins to the Schack’s kitchen. His general love of food began much earlier. Clevenger explained that many of the women in his life – his mom, grandmother, aunts, sister-in-law – are fantastic cooks. Another culinary influence was a woman who used to babysit him – Mama Jewel. From under a year old through kindergarten whether or not she knew it at the time, Mama Jewel contributed to his affinity for food. “I could ask for anything and she would make it,” he said. “She would sit me up on her countertop and I’d eat salted butter out of her cupboard. [She had an] old school southern way of cooking and thinking about food.” “Between her and all those women in my family, that’s kind of where I [learned to] love eating and cooking,” said the chef. CULINARY MILESTONES When he was 21, Clevenger moved to Austin, Texas to attend culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu. This is where his palette for biscuits and cornbread began to shift south of the border. He indulged in Austin’s Mexican and Southwestern scene before moving to Santa Fe, New Mexico for an externship. His resume to intern at the Coyote Café in Santa Fe, under Chef Mark Miller was accepted. He progressed, eventually becoming a cook, then sous-chef and at age 26 was named the executive chef of the Southwestern bistro. His time in Austin and Santa Fe solidified his specialty in elevated Mexican cuisine. With an urge to move from Santa Fe, Clevenger settled on Denver as his next stop. There, he worked for Melvyn Master before the owner decided to close that location and open a few other concepts that didn’t quite fit for the young chef. He asked Clevenger if he’d like to go and cook in France for a friend of his. Clevenger picked up and moved to France for six months to be the private chef for acclaimed composer and lyricist, Leslie Bricusse who penned music for the likes of The Pink Panther, James Bond, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. After his shift as summer chef, Clevenger returned to Denver to work for Master again. At 29 years old, with the help of his brother, Clevenger purchased the restaurant, aptly named Mel’s. This was in August of 2008, mere months before the housing and loan crisis would ravage the economy causing even the most long-standing reputable restaurants to close their doors under the financial pressure. Even still, Clevenger made Mel’s work for two years before closing it in 2010. His last day at the restaurant is one he will always remember. Clevenger remembers trying to clean up the space and his brother telling him to sit down. “I ended my restaurant and my father died all in the same day,” said Clevenger. Photo by Heidi Geldhauser Before he closed the restaurant, the chef bought a food truck and opened it, post-Mel’s as The Porker. He remembers being only the second or third food truck to pop up in Denver at the time. He served all things pork – from ribs and pork belly with a seasonally changing menu and daily specials of one pork dish and one vegetarian dish. From there he did consulting work for other local restaurants while on the hunt for another culinary position. He picked five major cities that he could see himself living in with a robust foodie scene and began seeking out work in those cities. “I was on Denver Craigslist and I saw this ad: ‘Restaurant group in Atlanta opening new Mexican Restaurant,’” he remembered. He bit, sent them his resume and received a call the next day. Within three weeks he was living in Atlanta. He started in 2011 as the opening chef for Alma Cocina, an upscale eatery boasting modern Mexican fare in downtown Atlanta. Though the chef says he has between five and eight dishes he considers to be signatures, his favorite by a mile is the huitlacoche empanadas. The chef explained that huitlacoche is somewhat of a Mexican truffle. The corn fungus is caused by moisture between the kernels. “Huitlacoche is a delicacy in Mexico,” said Clevenger. “Corn on the cob is, what, four for a dollar in the summer? One pound of huitlacoche is $10.” The executive chef even sources this delicacy not too far from home from a grower in Clermont, Florida. “I like that empanada dish because it’s different – not many people are using huitlacoche worldwide,” he said. He described this mouthwatering dish beginning with the filling comprised of huitlacoche, Oaxaca cheese, charred tomatoes, charred jalapenos, onion, garlic and spices that are then wrapped in empanada dough, fried and served with ranchero sauce and garnished with a chiffonade of a Mexican herb called epazote. A new direction in his career, Chef Clevenger is opening Alma Cocina Buckhead as the executive chef. Alma Cocina Downtown did so well, that the group is opening a second location in the prestigious uptown Buckhead district. “Buckhead is like the Beverly Hills of Atlanta,” he said. “It’s a beautiful restaurant, a much different feel and décor from Downtown.” Alma Cocina Buckhead is set to open on February 4. He will continue to be involved with the downtown location as well as Fifth Group Restaurants’ Chinese cuisine establishment Yum Chao. “Downtown has been home for a while. A huge part of my staff has been there with me since day one,” said Clevenger. Though the move away from his home kitchen and staff is bittersweet, he said, “I’m looking forward to a new challenge, new guests, new equipment, a different feel, and a new team to work with.” UP AGAINST BOBBY FLAY It only makes sense that with the killer empanadas Chef Clevenger makes regularly at Alma Cocina that this would be the dish to defeat culinary heavyweight, Bobby Flay. On Season 19, Episode 2 of Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay entitled “Take Him to Fresno” our very own Chef Chad Clevenger went up against two opponents. He wowed the judges, Food Network’s Alex Guarnaschelli and actor Ben Rappaport in round one using the secret ingredient, Fresno chilis to compose a Mexican-style sauteed prawn in a Fresno hot sauce. He sent opponent, owner and chef of Yountville, California bistro Protéa, Anita Cartagena home with his thoughtful utilization of the chilis. In round two up against Bobby Flay, the two made pork empanadas. Though Flay put up a good fight, Clevenger’s chorizo empanada with ranchero sauce and cilantro tomato salad sealed the deal with judges. In a two-one vote, Chef Clevenger won! What was the feeling Clevenger had when they called his name as the victor? “It was awesome,” he said. “You’re sitting there while they’re tasting it and replaying all the steps in your head and critiquing things […].” “It was a relief and excitement – there were a lot of emotions going on,” he said. Clevenger was glad to have his wife, Andrea in the audience for support. (Side note: Chad and Andrea have a five-month-old Boxer puppy. She’s named Piper Cub because Andrea liked the name Piper and a Piper Cub is the model of airplane that Clevenger’s grandfather used to own and fly.) Clevenger even saved the sweaty, food-stained shirt and shoes he was wearing on the show as a memento of the occasion. “I got back to the hotel and was in the shower and just started crying,” he said. “I don’t know [why],” he said. “Maybe it was for my parents and that I had accomplished something. […] Something about that day made me tear up.” POLK COUNTY MUST-EATS AND CULINARY ADVICE When Chef Clevenger comes home to Polk County, he has a few go-to restaurants. First, of course, “I’ve always got to go see my extended family at Schack’s,” he said. He and his buddies always make a run to Peebles Bar-B-Q in Auburndale when he’s in town. “I’ve eaten there since I was a kid. My dad used to eat there when he was in his twenties and had stories of being broke and just eating the bread and the barbecue sauce,” said Clevenger. Pizza Connection and Andy’s Igloo are chef-staples and Clevenger said he is impressed as well with what Chef Rojas at Nutwood is doing. From humble beginnings as a dishwasher at Schack’s Bar-B-Que to executive chef at a top Atlanta restaurant, Alma Cocina and winner of “Beat Bobby Flay” – this seasoned chef had advice for anyone reading this with similar culinary aspirations. “This industry is tough,” he said. “If you decide to go the culinary route, it doesn’t so much matter about a fancy culinary school – CIA, Le Cordon Bleu, whatever – it’s what you put into it. And that goes for anything.” He encouraged practicing at home and emphasized the importance of knife skills. “Read a lot of cookbooks, read menus, if you don’t understand an ingredient – Google it,” he said. What it all comes down to is grit, he said, “passion, drive, and taking the initiative to learn a craft.”

Lake Wales artist Blair Updike draws inspiration from her home. Florida culture, cowboys and Seminoles, even modern-day authors inspire her to illuminate the beauty and history of the region. Two years ago we met in her studio off of Lake Amoret to discuss her work. As her painting exhibition of Florida landscapes is opening later this month at the Lake Wales Arts Center, it seemed fitting to revisit her story. The 8th generation Floridian grew up on The Ridge. Creativity was a natural resource for Updike, even as a child. She was always drawing or painting. Remembering her earliest work, she said, “I’d do these whole scenes where it was the landscape with all different kinds of trees, a waterfall, and squirrels, and otters.” Anywhere there could be an animal, she put one. Updike majored in Art at Stetson University before switching her focus to English. “I put down the painting for years,” she said. She went to work for her family’s company Peterson Industries in Lake Wales. © beau 2020 “When my youngest child was two, I had a picture of her that I thought was really cute and I wanted to make a painting of it,” Blair remembered. She and the canvas were reacquainted and she picked up her brushes once again. The artist now homeschools her two girls and works as the Clerk for Highland Park where she lives and paints. A multi-faceted artist, painting with watercolors and sculpting, her primary medium is oil paints. Her stunning portraits hang on the walls of her studio in handpicked frames – some antique, others custom from a local framer. A palette layered with paint from portraits past rested beside her easel – a piece of art in its own right, it was a colorful testament to the hours of work she puts into her craft. “I mostly do Florida cultural and landscape themes just because I feel like it’s beautiful and the cultural aspect is something that needs a little more attention,” Blair explained. “I’d rather reflect something that’s a little authentic about Florida than just to do pretty scenes.” Blair’s subjects range from her daughters, cowboys, Seminoles, authors, self-portraits, families in commissioned pieces. She’s even captured Mike Osceola, descendant of the war chief, Cheif Osceola who led a Seminole resistance in the Second Seminole War. Blair does many portraits, some commissioned and some that catch her eye, landscapes, sunsets, still life’s – a little bit of everything. She is constantly evolving. When we spoke she was working on painting from memory. In Italy the Spring before, Blair met a group from Boston that she stays in touch with. She said, “I sent four panels up for an event they had last week. Something went wrong with the first two panels.” She improvised and painted the first two panels from memory, without reference. “It kind of set me free to be able to make stuff up,” she said. On her walks every afternoon or evening, Blair would try to remember what she had seen and return to her studio to paint it from memory. “It’s the difference between observing something and finding it [...] in your own head,” she said. This, she said is less about creating and more about learning. “I’m directed by what I’m interested in learning now.” Updike admires many other artists. She noted Quang Ho, David Leffel, and Sherrie McGraw as modern artists that she appreciates as well as Spanish Impressionist, Sorolla as an incredible inspiration. About five years ago, she studied with “modern Rembrant” portrait artist, David Leffel. “From him, I learned the logic behind painting and about composing for the light. I’ve gone to workshops to study with quite a few of our contemporary masters, but the conclusion that I’ve come to is that I know enough by now, and it’s time to practice it,” said Updike. “So now instead of studying with someone, I have painting mentors and I put the most energy into working as opposed to studying.” She’s gone to Tuscany twice with well-known painter, installation artist, and Bostonian Michael Dowling who serves as one of her mentors. “We stay in a Benedictine monastery in San Gimignano and walk out and paint in and around the town,” she said. “Michael’s emphasis is more on just discovery through the work as opposed to trying to control the whole process or think through it. The joy is in the absorbing and creating, not in the controlling.” Updike’s latest project has been a collection of Florida landscape portraits for her exhibit “Orange & Oil” opening February 13 at the Lake Wales Arts Council. She spoke about her inspiration for the series of paintings. “I spent a lot of time out at Tiger Creek, especially around the bluffs. There are a lot of cabbage palms just because I love their form. They’re so sculptural,” said Updike. Clouds also drew interest from the artist. “I cloud-watch when I’m driving the kids around and I get very into studying them as if I could logic them out. There is order to them but it’s as vast as the sky, so my human mind can only grasp a piece of it and then rely on imagination or inspiration for the rest,” she said. Realizing she was painting scenes just to show off the clouds, she decided to make some of them cloudscape instead of a landscape. One single piece doesn’t speak to Updike more than another in the collection. In fact, in true artist fashion, she said, “I alternate between loving and completely loathing the paintings when they’re done. A lot of the time I’ll keep the finished ones in another room so they don’t aggravate me while I’m working.” Updike has enjoyed working on such a grand scale for the show. Though completing six-foot paintings in succession isn’t typical for the Lake Wales artist, she said it was “an intriguing challenge.” She remarked, “I was complaining to Michael a couple of months ago about the investment in such large canvases and he said, ‘You’ll feel better after you butter them.’ And I do.” As you meander through the Michael Crews Gallery, admiring the collective brushstrokes that have come together to create Blair’s unique perspective on the Florida landscape, she leaves it up to the beholder what they choose to take away from her work. Her goals were simply to “reveal the beauty of the scene and make the paint look its best,” she said. “I can’t improve on the Creator’s work, but I can remind people of the beauty that’s there and do it in a way that justifies my medium,” said Updike. “If it’s oil paint, the paint itself needs to look good. I think the technical term is ‘surface quality,’ but all I’m thinking is whether it looks interesting or beautiful on the canvas.” Keep an eye on what’s coming up at the Lake Wales Arts Center this year urged Blair. “The exhibits and musical performers are all fantastic this year and not to be missed. It’s a group that I can be proud to have as my peers.” Blair Updike – “Orange & Oil” Reception When: February 13, 2020 6 PM - 7:30 PM Where: Michael Crew Gallery 1099 FL-60 E, Lake Wales, FL There will be an open bar and food available to all guests. Admission is free to the public. Blair’s paintings will be available for purchase throughout the duration of this exhibit. Artwork purchased during the exhibit will be available to take home after the exhibit concludes. www.bupdikeart.com

It’s a sweet little gesture – get a box for someone you love today, or get one for yourself, or do both! Charlie’s mini donuts are mini, so eating an entire dozen is really only like three or four regular donuts. Right? The first time Charlie’s Mini Donuts & Coffee owner Carlo Bashoura came across the mini donut concept was in Seattle, where he used to live. At the local farmers market was a man with a single machine, serving up piping hot mini donuts. People would grab a cup of coffee from a shop across the street and make their way to the mini donut vendor to pick up a six-pack in a bag. “I used to go there and get his donuts all the time and the idea has stuck in my head since,” said Barshoura. Carlo and his wife Marcel thought South Lakeland could use a good coffee and donut shop and decided to open one of their own. Just like the made-to-order goodies that come out of the shop, “We started Charlie’s Mini Donuts from scratch,” said Bashoura. Carlo and Marcel completely renovated their space off of County Road 540A in South Lakeland. The shop was an empty shell. The Bashoura’s put in everything from the plumbing, new electric and walls, all the way down to the paint. They opened Charlie’s Mini Donuts in July of 2017 and the tiny treats have since become a fixture in the bellies and Instagram feeds of Polk County residents. The donut and coffee cafe is named after their son, Charlie. His sweet face and red ringlets are depicted in caricatures around the shop. Charlie’s cartoon likeness is even the logo for the mini donut brand. “He’s everything we have in our life,” said Barshoura. “He’s the boss, Charlie is the boss,” he smiled. The shop started with 15 flavors and over the years have added on to their now 26 flavors. Through their “Donut of the Week,” Charlie’s tries out a new flavor based on ideas of their own, from customers and employees and even other shops. If the flavor is a hit, they do-nut have any objections to keeping it on the menu permanently To accompany their many unconventional and classic flavors is a cup of Joe just how you like it, from Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Company in Tampa. Hot and iced coffee, lattes, cappuccinos, teas and smoothies are just a few of the beverage options at the shop. “They’re all made to order – that is what sets us apart from everybody,” said Bashoura. In a world of frozen and reheated or pre-prepared and shipped overnight, the Charlie’s owners pride themselves on the freshness of their products. There are two kinds of donuts – yeast and cake. Charlie’s are moist, crumbly cake donuts. They make their dough on-site and fry the donuts to order. The donuts are then iced, topped, and drizzled if the recipe calls for it. “Even if you came in at 6 pm, you’re going to get hot, fresh donuts,” said Bashoura. One of their top sellers is Maple Bacon – a warm cakey donut with maple icing topped with bacon for a sweet and salty fix. Another is their classic Pink Sprinkle donut which brings to mind Homer Simpson – Mmmmm donuts. Many people keep it traditional with glazed, while other creative offerings include donuts topped with Fruity Pebbles, Pop Rocks, Rice Krispies, Butterfinger and even a S’mores donut with chocolate icing, graham cracker crumbs, and marshmallow drizzle. Carlo said his sweet tooth is partial to their Cinnamon Sugar and Reece’s Peanut Butter Cup flavors. Donut lovers can get customizable with their orders from adding chocolate icing to the top of a raspberry jelly donut, to specific colors for a school or baby shower. “If the customer wants something, we’ll make it happen for them,” said Bashoura. These adorably appetizing treats have even been featured in place of traditional wedding cakes, or as fun additions to the dessert table at baby showers, birthdays, and gender reveal parties. Looking for a larger quantity of these mini delights? Just consult with Charlie’s Mini Donuts at least three days before your event and they can make it happen. “The freshness and the unique flavors that we have,” Bashoura said is what he thinks keeps people coming back for their mini donuts. “We try to serve our best and the best quality and a lot of people like and appreciate that,” he said. For friendly service, seriously cute donuts, and a little something to sweeten up your social media game – stop into Charlie’s Mini Donuts & Coffee. Donut forget to tell them LKLD sent you! Charlie’s Mini Donuts & Coffee 1023 E County Rd 540A, Lakeland, FL (863) 500-1414 charlies-mini-donuts-coffee.business.site FB @charliesminidonutcoffee IG @charliesminidonutcoffee Photo by Amy Sexson

Joining friends and family and community – Lakeland’s first food hall, The Joinery is serving up some of the city’s most unique food finds. A laundromat, a skate park, a brewery, the building at 640 E. Main Street has had many lives. Over the last year, new life has been breathed into the space in the form of a collective of food vendors and a large communal dining space to accommodate Lakeland foodies. The Joinery owners Jonathan and Sarah Bucklew had a vision for the city. Instead of moving away to find concepts they loved, they wanted to bring them here. When Sarah Bucklew’s family moved back to Florida from El Paso, Texas – she wasn’t sold on the idea. Her dad had attended Southeastern University in the 1970s before moving the family to El Paso and Mexico to do mission work. They had family in the Orlando area and Sarah’s father wanted to finish his degree, so they moved back to Lakeland. Sarah remembered with a laugh that she used to say she “Dreaded being a Dreadnaught,” in high school. She eventually moved to attend school in Orlando and then to Denver. She met Jonathan Bucklew who had lived in Lakeland since he was nine years old and loved the city. The couple settled in and decided to give life in Lakeland a shot. “I started to really see the beauty in Lakeland and appreciate it,” said Sarah. Traveling for her job as a software consultant took her to trendy cities and tiny towns, making her appreciate home even more. Both traveled frequently for work – Jon with his band, Copeland and Sarah as a software consultant – and even when they weren’t working. “We both loved traveling,” said Jon. “We became foodies from traveling, we became design enthusiasts from our travels.” They had encountered food hall concepts around the country. “One of our original inspirations was The Source Hotel + Market Hall in Denver,” said Jon. As their travels wound down, they longed for some of the food and design destinations that had captivated them. “Rather than thinking, ‘Where should we move to have more of that,’ we tried to shift our perspective to Lakeland as fertile ground to be a part of bringing some of that here,” said Jon. That initial spark was about three and a half years ago. The couple makes high-end modern industrial furniture with their company Seventeen20. The furniture company was “born out of necessity,” explained Sarah. The two were remodeling their house while striving to be debt-free. When they didn’t have funds in the budget for a piece they envisioned, they would make it – dining table, concrete counters, sinks and the like. Jon is the fabricator with a focus on understanding how pieces should be constructed. “Growing up, I was always more comfortable with tools in my hand than crayons or a basketball,” said Jon. The ever-creative Sarah is heavily involved in the design side of Seventeen20. Her keen eye for style and design has also carried over to The Joinery. They built a successful business on Etsy and even have a shop of their own with three full-time and two part-time employees. Sarah expressed that her software job fulfilled her in many aspects, just not on the creative side of things. She wanted to work more with Jon on Seventeen20 so that she could express that side of herself. The pair began trying to find a space that could be a shop, showroom, and home. The idea grew into thoughts of having other artisans also in the space with shops and showrooms. They would, of course, need food, and coffee and the concept began to take shape as an artisan showroom and food hall near Haus 820. They went strong with the concept before it fell through in 2018. Then, the old Lakeland Brewery became an attractive option, though it wasn’t suited to be a shop and showroom and food hall. They paired down the idea to a stunning, craft food hall – the first in Lakeland. The Joinery is still somewhat of a showroom for their fine craftsmanship though. A look around the food hall has Seventeen20 craftsmanship on just about all of the metal and wood elements – tables, benches, bar top, and bathroom sinks. “We’ve had some unique life experiences and opportunities that all converged to set us up to be able to seize an opportunity like this,” said Jon. THE SPACE The decal from the Lakeland Brewing Company can still be seen on the polished concrete floor where the front entrance used to be. Sarah kept it because she sees it as a testament to the building’s rich history. The entrance is now on the side of the building facing the parking lot. The owners did this to keep the patio outside facing Lake Mirror as a more chilled out space with less traffic. The 12,000 square-foot space embodies modern industrial style with soaring ceilings accented by a network of black steel rafters, stark white walls with black-framed spacious windows and polished concrete floors. The hall is host to eight vendors, some in spaces built out and others in sleekly repurposed shipping containers. Each façade is decorated uniquely to each vendor. The commercial kitchen behind what used to be the taproom is a solid infrastructure they wanted to preserve and now serves as the vendor hub for the food hall. A feature unique to The Joinery is the fountain drink station. Where many food halls only serve bottles and cans which can lead to room temperature beverages when demand is high, at The Joinery patrons will be able to buy a cup from any of the vendors and help themselves to ice and a fountain drink. When we toured the space, Sarah was working on art to decorate The Joinery. She flipped through several enlarged retro photos. “They’re all postcards of Lakeland that I love,” she said. Partial to the clean and linear simplicity of modern design, vintage esthetics also call to Sarah. Growing up, her family would visit from El Paso to see her grandparents, aunts, and uncles in the Sunshine State. “I feel like it has a smell, it has a feel,” she said of Florida. The postcards of a mid-century scene at the Lake Wire Inn, Lake Crystal, and Lake Hollingsworth make her think of that distinctly Florida feel. “I wanted to have the color and the vintage quality mixed with the harshness of concrete and steel. The contrast of those things is interesting to me,” said Sarah. Even the fiberglass trays for the food come in funky colors like orange, turquoise, light peach, and olive green have the same retro quality about them. The back-patio space pays homage to this marriage of simplicity and vintage with a geographically correct line of a warm ombre sunset created by umbrellas covering seating outside. “They make me think of drive-ins or the beach,” said Sarah. The space is also complete with a fire pit area with chairs. The berm along the back of the rear patio presented a landscaping challenge for them at first. The Bucklew’s sought out the help of The Nectary, a retail nursery specializing in Florida native plants. “She prescribed all these plants that grow in beach sand,” said Sarah. This way, they would not only survive but thrive in the less than ideal sandy ground along the track. The goal, she explained, is for these plants to creep and take over the space. They plan to put stakes in the ground with a description and QR code so guests can find out what type of plant it is and buy it for their own lawn. The jet-black water tower adjacent to the sunset rainbow of umbrellas the owners plan to brighten up with local artwork as well. The lawn is planned to be the home of corn hole games and eventually shuffleboard. As the entire backyard is theirs, they have plans for more lounge space and outdoor games. Sarah said, “The city is putting in a dog park right at the end of our parking lot so we want to take advantage of that and have some more outdoor space.” THE FOOD “We started by looking at the food. What kinds of food are missing in Lakeland or maybe not represented in the same way that we’ve found in other cities that we love,” said Sarah. They wanted to balance the food and offer fresh things you couldn’t get everywhere. They reached out to the local restaurant community and received general encouragement and even connections with some of the vendors that occupy The Joinery now. The initial concept for the vendor lineup took shape differently than they thought, but Jon said, “We’re overwhelmed with how great it all came out.” “What was encouraging to me is when some of these restaurateurs from Tampa came here and saw it and started to buy into the vision and see the community,” said Jon. He sees that these outside concepts are finding what Sarah and Jon love about Lakeland. From their close circle of friends who have helped pitch in, to the people brimming with excitement for these concepts to come to Lakeland, Jon said of the vendors coming from outside of the city, “I think they are starting to see that and catch the vision for this town that the LEDC is cultivating and with Catapult and the CRA and what we’re doing here – the push to be forward-thinking and a design focus and cool development focus.” The deliciously eclectic line-up includes coffee, beer and small bites courtesy of Tampa-based King State, elevated ice cream from Mayday Ice Cream out of St. Augustine, and craft wood-fired pizzas by Ava, also from Tampa. Sabu Ramen is the first of its kind in Lakeland by Chef Ryan Neal situated next to the gourmet street taco stylings of Gallito Taqueria by Chef Ferrell Alvarez. Chef Alvarez, also of Tampa’s Rooster & the Till acclaim, is one the Bucklew’s favorite chefs. Sarah recalls having to work up the courage to ask if they would put their concept in Lakeland and was ecstatic to have them come in. Across the dining space from Ava are “funky fresh blooms” by Bloom Shakalaka. The only retail vendor in The Joinery, Bloom has a card wall, flower bar, ready-made bouquets and according to the Bucklew’s will eventually be a hub for fullservice floral. Ato, a burritos and bowls concept by Zukku Sushi at Armature Works in Tampa will offer a selection of curated sushi and poke bowls. Rounding out the eats is Super Duper Spot with hamburgers, to-die-for chicken sandwiches, and hand-cut fries. THE BAR A central point of the space is the 24-tap bar butted up to large brewing tanks. The majority of the taps will be reserved for beer from breweries around the state with a couple of taps dedicated to kombucha, matcha, and wine. The Joinery isn’t yet brewing but hopes to be by the end of March. The plan is to be a facility to host brewers from around the state – their recipes, their beer, their name, just at The Joinery. Sarah says they would like to have a brewmaster to be, “proactively seeking out craft brewers from around the state and bringing them in and showcasing them – that’s our initial vision.” We may even see brews from the food hall’s very own King State. At the bar, The Joinery will offer four to six reds and four to six whites with a focus on biodynamic wines. The cocktail keeps with the same vintage Lakeland spin as the rest of the space. Drawn to the mid-century, Sarah said their goal was to create craft cocktails in the same vein of classics, keeping the drinks light and bright. They have six standard drinks, two of which offer variations. The Northside and Southside Royale being one such drink gives patrons the option to opt for rum to rep the northside or gin to side with the southside. The His & Hers Old Fashioned can be ordered with gin which Jon is partial to, or mezcal and tequila like Sarah prefers. The floral garnishes featured in some of their drinks are edible flowers from Happy’s Place Farm. RISING TIDES The Joinery had several soft openings throughout mid-January before their public soft-opening on January 20, 2020. “I’m a firm believer that rising tides lift all boats. I’m looking forward to being a part of the growth in this area of our community,” said Jon. The Bucklew’s think The Joinery will add to the cultivation of the area. “I think this is going to help bring more people to the area and I think it’s going to help Lakeland become more of a destination.” Sarah has a ton of plans and ideas for the space and cannot wait to see her vision realized. “I’m excited to see how each concept does and how people receive it,” she said. Managing a team of people is new to Sarah, but she is looking forward to building a community with them. “I love the process of building a team and everybody working in concert together – that’s beautiful to me.” The Joinery 640 E Main St, Lakeland, FL www.thejoinerylkld.com FB @thejoinerylkld IG @thejoinerylkld Mon-Thurs 11am-10pm Fri & Sat 11am-11pm Sunday 11am-8pm Photos by Amy Sexson

Over one million dollars – that is how much money has been raised statewide for arts education because of an interactive supplemental funding program initiated by the Tax Collector for Polk County (TCPC). Every year, Tax Collector for Polk County, Joe Tedder and his team would participate in the Great American Teach-In. To engage the students in what they do at the TCPC they would bring in specialty tags to discuss with the students. A few weeks after their visit, Tedder would receive letters and drawing of tags as a ‘thank you’ for speaking to their class. Tedder and his team brainstormed how they could harness this creativity to raise money for art classrooms at each school. The Kids Tag Art program was conceptualized and put into action. The program has bolstered the budgets of many art classrooms across the county for 14 years now. According to Tedder, teachers in public, private, and charter schools within the county have a curriculum created and supported by the Polk County School Board which allows fifth-grade students to design a vanity tag in a template provided by the TCPC. “That artwork is scanned and made available for the students and the general public to buy these tags,” said Tedder. “With the generous support of many sponsors, they’re able to take the funds from those tags and enhance the arts education in the elementary classroom.” One hundred percent of the funds raised by purchasing Kids Tag Art tags, minus the cost to produce the tags, go into the classroom. The TCPC recognized that not every school had the population to be able to purchase a large number of tags. They didn’t want this to hinder any school from the opportunity to enhance their art education curriculum. With the support of their sponsors, the program extends a base amount of money to every school that participates – even if not a single student buys a tag. Funds from the tags they sell are additional to that base amount. “It was important to us so that every art teacher would have the ability to enrich their program and not base this solely on the number of tags they sold,” said Tedder. Tedder cited the numerous studies indicating a link between the arts and a child’s success in school and later in life for just how vital funding arts education is. “They become problem solvers, they learn commitment and discipline, creativity, innovation. They perform better in school – their life, in general, is more enriched,” he said. Arts across the spectrum are important to the tax collector’s office said, Tedder. “When we saw an opportunity to bridge that with a direct connection to what we do […] we thought that this was an excellent opportunity, our unique way to contribute to our community.” They took the concept with them to conferences speaking to other tax collector’s offices about the program. Fourteen offices across the state have implemented the program in their county. Last year, Kids Tag Art was recognized by the governor and cabinet for surpassing $1M raised for arts education statewide. Just over $400K has been raised in Polk County since the program’s inception with over 60,000 pieces of artwork collected to date. Joe Tedder, who was a drummer in band throughout junior high, high school, college and even for the Imperial Symphony Orchestra, is personally vested in this program. “I believe in my heart that if it weren’t for musical arts […] I would not be able to do what I do today. It taught me many skill sets that I use every single day in my job,” he said. In fact, Tedder played in junior high band with fellow percussionist Greg Masters. Masters is the owner of Southern Homes, the major sponsor for Kids Tag Art, donating $25,000 a year to the program. Masters says his time in the band played a pivotal part in his development. From balancing homework with practicing his instrument to working as a team with fellow bandmates and competing for first chair, the Southern Homes owner said the arts gave him the work ethic he has today. “The arts meant a lot to me when I didn’t know what it meant to me,” he said. Masters remembers discussing the program with Tedder and knowing immediately this was an ideal avenue for him to contribute to the arts. This year, 87 schools participated in the program countywide and the tax collector’s office received 5,400 pieces of artwork from students and teachers. Last year they introduced the option for teachers to participate and design a tag. The Kids Tag Art program will hold their Awards of Distinction Ceremony on March 3, 2020, at 6 pm in the Branscomb Auditorium at Florida Southern College. The top two tags are selected from each school and the student artists who created the tags receive a certificate and medallion in recognition of their artwork. Tedder stressed that each piece of artwork is special and that their goal is not to turn the program into a competition, but rather to acknowledge exceptional artwork. Each award recipient gets to walk across the stage to receive their certificate as their artwork is shown on the screen. Following the ceremony, the tags will be on traveling display within the county starting at the Polk Museum of Art from March 3 - March 29, 2020. As a supplemental funding program, Tedder said, “What we’re hoping art teachers are able to do with this is bring unique things to the art classroom.” According to the TCPC, Chain of Lakes Elementary was able to create a digital lab and another school introduced pottery into the classroom because of the support provided by the program. One such teacher is the K-5 art teacher at Pinewood Elementary School, Mrs. Betsy Reeves who was able to buy tools for clay, a coil extruder, and colorful glazes for her classroom because of Kids Tag Art. Perhaps even more important is what each student gets out of participating in the program. Mrs. Reeves and her kids get really into designing tags, even contriving stories behind some of their designs. She says Kids Tag Art is a way for her to teach lessons in design and graphic design. The Pinewood Elementary art teacher remembers a student named Clinton who worked hard on a Legoland design. She described him as the type of kid that doesn’t receive a lot of positive attention. He was so invested in his work that when he was finished, they went around the school proudly showing all of his former teachers. “When we went to the awards ceremony and he won, it was like he had won an Oscar. I know he’ll never in his life forget that,” she said. “That taste of success, I think he’ll build on that for the rest of his life.” You can support arts education in Polk County by supporting the Kids Tag Art program. You can purchase a vanity tag created by Polk County students through the tax collector’s office or at www.kidstagart.com Kids Tag Art www.kidstagart.com FB @PCKTA

Born in California, his father’s job brought Kurtis Flanders and his family to the Chain of Lakes. Flanders grew up here and developed a love for the community, though his disposition didn’t start so sunny. His teenage years were a formative time. His roots in volunteerism, civic-mindedness, and ultimately leadership began to develop about ten years ago when Kurtis was a sophomore in high school. At the time he considered himself an “at-risk youth.” He reflected on that time, saying, “I saw all the bad in the world.” Flanders remembers walking into an art gallery, it was a world different from his own – and he wanted to be a part of it. There, he met Jane Waters the Executive Director for Arts Ensemble, Tinia Clark the Executive Director and Program Facilitator for Sidestreet Art Beat, along with artist Trent Manning. “It was an opportunity to get a spectrum of mentors,” he said. “Art was a big deal for me. […] It still is.” The studio was just the beginning of his transformation. He admitted it wasn’t until around age 19 that his outlook changed entirely. “At a time when I saw mostly the things that are wrong with this world, I still had the difficult path of learning everything I needed to learn and unlearning everything I needed to unlearn,” he said. “The awesome part was that Arts Ensemble helped guide my appreciation not only for art but in the non-profit work they were doing. They allowed me to serve with them, grow, and make mistakes. I owe my roots to Arts Ensemble.” GROWING POSITIVITY AND VOLUNTEERISM Flanders had the idea to start a collective using the talents and ideas of younger artists, musicians, photographers and the like to give back and put big ideas for the community into motion. It started as a Facebook group called, Becoming the Change where folks would discuss forward-thinking ideas around topics like clean energy and sustainable technology. Kurtis founded Growing Positivity in 2017 under the Arts Ensemble umbrella. Their collective handprint can be seen on such projects as the community garden in Florence Villa and working toward the return of the Lake Ina Mushroom. Eventually, Flanders felt the need to branch off. “I wasn’t seeing what I really wanted which was more impact and more change through the arts,” he said. Last year, he created a do-good project called Loads of Love (LOL). The mission of the group is to “serve those who serve.” The initiative provides volunteers and resources to local nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and charitable organizations free of charge. “Loads of Love is a group of individuals and organizations that see the benefit of collaboration and sharing of resources for the greater good or the greater impact of our community,” said Flanders. “If your organization deals primarily with food, but you’re lacking food to give away, we connect you with resources and take care of that issue.” LOL isn’t limited to helping organizations feed the hungry – they provide a gamut of resources. Their first big initiative was giving away 60 bikes at Smoke on the Water last year. They connect organizations with everything from toys, school supplies and teaching materials for afterschool programs, to child items like strollers and Pack ‘n Plays and pet products for the Humane Society. Not only does he hold the title of founder of Loads of Love, but Flanders is also the primary delivery driver. He said, “In that span of ten years I’ve made it a goal to go out and meet these organizational leaders, get a sense of what they provide and what they do, and see how we can bring the resources to them, so they can focus on something else.” Flanders is the Recreational Activities Director for the Public Education Partnership Kids Center, leading the PEP kids in art, music, sports, and other recreational activities. He uses electives as a way to get them excited about their academics. Without disregarding the importance of academics, he highlights the arts. “They say medicine, engineering, those things are noble pursuits, but we stay alive for art and poetry and for theatre and music. Those are our expression.” Flanders bridges the gap between electives and academics by teaching lessons like using math to figure out the odds of a sports team winning or losing or how physics and science can translate to art. He even initiated the PEP Door Project as an enrichment project in which students at the center and artists from around the state designed and painted doors that they’ve set up to separate sections of the open space at the PEP Kids Center. Flanders is the Vice-Chair for the Cultural Arts Advisory Committee for the City of Winter Haven. As an active member of the advisory committee, he helps on projects like the little free libraries, city pianos, and the painted utility boxes around town. Flanders is also the Ministry Outreach Program Manager for the Haley Center and is trying to push the Chain of Gardens Project which aims to plant pollinator gardens across Winter Haven. One has been completed, and the second is in the works, he said. If there is one cause he is most passionate about – it’s people. “Our personal connection to one another is very important. You as an individual define yourself more on how your collective surrounding defines than you do yourself most of the time,” he said. “The personal connection is more important to me than anything else because it’s all of us in this together.” “WHEN ONE TEACHES, TWO LEARN” From at-risk youth to an active member of the community, Flanders says he has had many mentors along the way like Jane Waters with Arts Ensemble and Bobby Williams with Freedom Church whom he works with closely for Loads of Love. Then again – anyone can be a mentor. “I think one thing that makes great leaders is teachability,” said Flanders. “Even the kids that I teach, are teaching me. ‘When one teaches, two learn.’” “I feel like everyone has something they can teach you and if you keep your mind open to that then you’re far more likely to keep expanding your consciousness,” he said. External influences include Canadian clinical psychologist, professor of psychology, and author Jordan Peterson as well as one of history’s greatest artists and inventors, Leonardo da Vinci – a man who engaged in an array of interest and study from art to engineering, mathematics, architecture, and early medicine. “That’s the mindset that I like – full spectrum,” said Flanders. “If you have that broad-spectrum interest in everything then you also get a better understanding that these are all little pieces of the puzzle that make up our reality, our existence, our world. Then you have more appreciation for everything else.” A few things he appreciates when he can spare a few moments to take off the many hats he wears, include reading, research and writing his book. He enjoys exploring the United States by traveling around the country, indulging in nature photography during his travels. ADVICE, REFLECTION, AND GRATITUDE For anyone interested in starting a project to better the community, the environment, humanity, or anything else – Flanders has advice. “Jump into whatever you’re interested in because even if you fail, that’s not a failure if you take it as a lesson,” he said. If you’re passionate about seniors and their quality of life after retirement and don’t know how to give back, he suggested talking with them, spending time with them. “Take a step that you know you can do or that doesn’t cost you anything but your time,” he said. “You’re never going to know everything before, you’re not going to have all the resources before starting something. Start it and continuously make it better.” Initiating impactful projects is a way Flanders likes to create and he wants to keep creating. He is actively building Loads of Love and plans to make it a standalone 501(c)(3) when the time is right. One day, he aspires to be an executive director of his own non-profit. For now, though, he is, “enjoying being alive, being a part of all this, creating what I can, that is hopefully benefitting rather than taking away.” “Each day I’m working on being a little more grateful for everything. The ability to eat, talk, walk, and breathe without assistance. The hard times that become lessons or makes me appreciate the good times even more. My community and all the individuals that support my goals,” said Kurtis Flanders. “I’m even grateful that we all don’t agree and that we have differences. It makes the world more interesting and it helps define what I believe in or value.” Loads of Love FB @LoadsOfLoveLOL Photo by Amy Sexson

This year Lakeland-based property management and real estate firm Lorio & Associates celebrates the big 3-0. The firm offers specialized brokerage services with a focus on commercial property management, leasing, and sales. For the last 30 years, founder Joe Lorio and his team have been managing their clients’ properties with an emphasis on service and quality with a simple, but unique philosophy on how to manage them. New York native, Joe Lorio came to Polk County in 1984. He worked for the real estate developer, Executive National Realty. The company was a property manager that did rehab development, specializing in the restoration of older buildings. He worked with them for five years, opening his own firm on November 1, 1990. As he was buying properties for himself and needed to manage them, he saw property management as an opportunity to be a cottage industry which would allow him the freedom to continue looking for properties to acquire. People saw him craft these property management deals and began to ask if he would do the same for them. One property at a time the firm grew, now managing 32 properties throughout Polk County. The real estate market has had its share of turbulence throughout Lorio’s time in business. His company faced rough waters through the Savings and Loan Crisis during the 80s, and the 2008 Housing Crisis. Yet, they persisted. “When I look back at my career – I feel like I’m the sum total of the decisions I never made as opposed to the good decisions I did make,” said Lorio of the risky investments he decided to pass up. “It’s nice to know you can get through two significant downturns in the real estate business and still be here.” The company is circumscribed to office space leasing, says Lorio. “We consider ourselves the office space specialists,” he said. Along with specialized brokerage services, commercial property management, leasing, and sales, the firm has a residential division. THE TEAM His team is small but mighty. Lorio has crafted an environment of family and passion for what they do. Heather Evans is the office manager, property manager, and a licensed real estate agent for the firm. Lorio is grateful for Evans and all of the work she puts into the business, saying he sees her eventually taking over the business one day. “He has taught me everything I know. Ironically enough, I came here just to answer phones and in the first six months, I was doing everything. Now, I have my real estate license and I’m going to get my brokers license,” said Evans. Evans says she is grateful for the openness, learning opportunities, and peaceful environment at L&A. Also on the Lorio team are Associate Property Manager, Lori Gray, and Maintenance Coordinator Rusty O’Neal. Lorio cares deeply for his team and acknowledges the unique talents each member brings to the firm. He doesn’t keep time charts and as long as the work gets done, they are free to do anything they need, including taking care of children and family responsibilities. He feels that freedom lends itself to productivity. “If you help people, you’ll all be successful and more than that, you’ll all be happy,” he said. CELEBRATING 30 YEARS As Mr. Lorio reflected on the last three decades, he discussed people who have influenced him, mentored him, and philosophies that contributed to the business’s longevity. Two mentors he had throughout his real estate journey were Gary Ralston and Dean Saunders whom he described as two of the most accomplished brokers in town. Ralston especially impacted Lorio. He said of Ralston, “He started selling suits in Madison Avenue and that was great sales training because he took that and went into real estate. That’s probably one of the reasons I wear a suit every day is because he wore a suit every day.” “He was successful. I thought if I did what he did, I would be successful,” said Lorio. The manner in which he manages properties is important to the L&A owner. “I’ve always wanted to manage property like I was managing my parents’ property,” explained Lorio. This philosophy was cemented in his mind during his days waiting tables at an upscale New York restaurant to put himself through college. One day, Lorio was conversing with his friends, probably discussing plans for when they got off work he said. The owner of the eatery came to Lorio’s table with a water pitcher and filled up each water glass. Lorio knew he was in trouble when the owner walked over and sat the pitcher down beside him. He said, “Make believe you’re serving your parents.” “That stuck with me,” said Lorio. He manages the properties in his care with the same due respect. He often tells his team, “Make believe you’re managing your parents’ property. Take care of it better than what you’re doing.” His entire business is also based around a high level of service. “In our society, we pay people based on the quality and quantity of service,” said Lorio. “If you provide a good service for someone, the money will come in so fast you won’t be able to count it.” The Christian roots of the firm also impact the way they do business says, Lorio. He tries to treat everyone, no matter their social or financial status, equally. This level of fair service has paid off. He told the story of a young man named Ed Laderer who came to him and said that he was leaving his company to start his own business. He didn’t have a lot of money but needed an office. “I worked really hard to finance this little hole in the wall of an office. […] He was so appreciative that I found it. Today, he owns Southern Homes with Greg Masters and we manage his property to this day.” Evans added how important his time and presence with clients is to Mr. Lorio. “It’s not just a text, it’s not just an email. It’s picking up the phone and calling to say, ‘Can I meet you for lunch,’ or ‘Can we grab some coffee and talk this over,’” she said. Here’s to 30 More Years What does the future hold for Lorio & Associates? Where will the company be on its 60th anniversary? “I would like to help the people that are here. I would like to mentor them so that one day if I leave here in any capacity […] that they don’t have to go work for somebody to collect a paycheck,” said Lorio. Thirty years in business has left Joe Lorio with much to be grateful for. “First and foremost, I am grateful to God Almighty for the great life that I’ve had. Sometimes I have to pinch myself. It’s hard to believe that I do what I do,” he said. Lorio & Associates 1820 Florida Ave S, Lakeland, FL (863) 680-1628 http://lorio.com FB @LorioAssociatesInc Photo by Amy Sexson

Down a narrow dusty driveway along the Tiger Creek Preserve in Lake Wales rests a primitive cabin framed in an old Florida landscape. This cabin belongs to conservationist, philanthropist, and subject for an upcoming art exhibit, “Sticky” Steve Morrison. “Why don’t I walk you around a little bit before we sit down and talk, and you can get a feel for the environment here – how I’m embedded in this place,” said Sticky after we exchanged introductions and pleasantries. We were invited to interview Sticky by filmmaker, artist, and organizer of the Sticky Steve Exhibit, Paul O’Neill. The documentarian known for his Eye for Art mini-doc series and celebrated mixed media artwork, set up his equipment to film our interview as Sticky gave us the grand tour. “This is the Tiger Creek Ecosystem,” he began. We walked down a steep decline to the creek. It was as if time stopped. It was quiet, it was still, it was calm. “I’m on the edge of this amazing place and that’s something that I’m really grateful for,” he said with reverence. Morrison explained that the creek starts up by Highway 60, flowing about six to eight miles through the woods into Lake WalkIn-Water. From there, it travels to another four or five other lakes before it reaches Lake Kissimmee which sends it off through the Kissimmee Canal into Lake Okeechobee. It flows into the Everglades, running off eventually into the Gulf of Mexico. You could realistically leave in a canoe from Morrison’s Tiger Creek home and go all the way to the Gulf – something he plans to do one day. “We’re part of this amazing connection of the southern half of Florida,” he said. “The water from here helps provide nutrients and water for the Everglades.” The water is considered to be a blackwater stream according to Morrison. This designation comes from the rainy season when the water fills up the swamp and leaves and debris steep in the water creating a dark tea. At the end of the rainy season during the summer, the water is jet black due to the tannic acid in the leaves. During the winter, the water recedes and flows down the channel. Without the rainy season levels of tannic acid, the water turns a warm orange color and is almost crystal clear by mid-Spring. This winter color is one theory he has for the area’s name. The orange-tinged water wrapped in bands of tree and foliage shadows resembles the markings of a tiger – especially when the water ripples and kicks up sediment and muck from the creek floor, said Sticky. Another theory is that early settlers of the area simply didn’t know what a tiger looked like, mistakenly calling panthers (which the area was known to have) tigers and bobcats, little tigers. Regardless of the creek’s name origins, this wildland is a sanctuary to Sticky. Back up the incline, we made our way to his cook shack which used to be the kitchen for the house. They had a wood cookstove, he explained. The original residents cooked outside because it was too hot to do it in the house most of the year. He remodeled the primitive cooking area as an outdoor kitchen of sorts. Adjacent the kitchen was a washroom and outhouse with an inviting claw foot tub completely open to the elements, begging for a bath under the stars. “I call this a Polk County Jacuzzi,” he laughed. The washroom and outhouse were complete with solar hot water and a composting outhouse made cozy by artwork, novelties, and other sentimental items with a large picture window capturing the wilderness. Sticky lives simply. He doesn’t have air conditioning or electricity and indulges in minimal modern electronic conveniences. His father found the cabin in the 1960s and started fixing it up in the 70s. “We were on an exploration to see where Tiger Creek was because we’d heard about it but had never been to it,” said Morrison. “We stumbled upon this cabin which was abandoned, and Dad fell in love with Tiger Creek and this entire area.” His father contacted the owner and eventually purchased the property from the family. “It was dilapidated and basically unlivable when I moved in. I had to fix it up quite a lot,” he said. Sticky put in new floors made from pine wood recovered from Hurricane Charlie and built the cabinets and shelves in his kitchen. His love of music was present in the guest bedroom where a row of string instruments hung decoratively on the wall. On the adjacent wall hung his old Boy Scout merit badges. Nature and music revealed themselves to be a central theme in Sticky’s life. A man with many hats quite literally, Sticky showed us his collection that he hangs from the ceiling for easy retrieval. His favorite was a worn leather piece that belonged to his dad. Another was made from a gourd, and a funny mid-century tourist hat that came with built-in “glasses.” We made our way to the back porch which doubles as a dining room with an open window through to the kitchen. It was surrounded by preserve. His cabin was the epitome of home – a respite. We paused to listen to the nothingness. It was gorgeously absent of distractions. At that moment, I felt embedded there too. TIED TO THE LAND Morrison’s family comes from the Midwest. They moved to New York City so his dad could work for the National Audubon Society in the 1950s. The family eventually moved to Florida when Morrison’s father obtained the position as the Director for Bok Tower Gardens. He was the second director of the gardens and worked there for 25 years. Morrison came back to Lake Wales after graduating with a fine arts degree from Florida State University in 1972. He worked for a few years with the Polk County School System. “Then I got into beekeeping and a lot of other back to the land endeavors,” he said. “I had chickens and goats and ducks and a garden and lived really close to the land.” He acquired more and more beehives and became a commercial beekeeper in the 1980s, which he did for ten years. This is where his Sticky nickname, well, stuck. Sticky is well-known for his conservation work on the Ridge. The Nature Conservancy purchased the land adjacent to his and needed someone to manage the property. They contacted Morrison. “They wanted to hire someone like a warden,” he said. “I didn’t think that fit with my personality.” They kept coming back. “I eventually told them if we could change the job from being a warden to being a caretaker, I’ll do it.” Sticky started working as the caretaker for the Tiger Creek Preserve 15 hours a week for $5 an hour. This initial part-time gig turned out to be a life-changing experience for Morrison. At the time, the Lake Wales Ridge was being discovered as an important area for biodiversity. Scientists swarmed the Ridge to observe and monitor the ecosystem, and Morrison had the opportunity to show them the preserve. “All of a sudden I realized that in my backyard was this incredible world of nature that had worldwide significance because of the rareness of the species here […],” he said. “I started tagging along with these scientists and my 15 hours a week job ended up becoming an on-the-job education.” He got first-hand training on native plants, wildlife, and the ecology of the area. Morrison eventually became the full-time manager of Tiger Creek Preserve and five other Nature Conservancy preserves on the Ridge, specializing in “prescribed burn” or commonly called a “controlled burn.” After 30 years in service to the Nature Conservancy, Sticky Steve Morrison retired about a year ago. He feels fortunate to have had, “a career doing something that was really challenging and educational for me and allowed me to share what I was learning with the community around me. I can’t overemphasize how grateful I am for this happening to me.” A second-generation conservationist, Sticky has an incredibly strong tie to the land. “My parents were part of this wave of concern of the loss of what made Florida special – which was nature,” he said. “I developed my appreciation for nature by being reared by them and being taken to the special places in Florida, seeing first-hand what Florida was really about and observing them fighting to save the best of what was left of Florida.” As a result, his parents became involved in the Nature Conservancy. “They spearheaded the acquisition of Tiger Creek Preserve,” he said. On more than one occasion during our tour of the property and interview, he referred to himself as being “embedded” in the natural habitat here as if, like the creek trickling past, the pine trees overhead he was an immovable fixture. Though he has a degree in fine arts, Sticky said, “I’ve transferred my artistic talent into a whole variety of things in my life which don’t involve a canvas or sculpture.” One such creative outlet is music which has been a part of his life since he started playing guitar in high school and later fiddle in college. He became interested in Appalachian music and traditional American music. He played music for many years with his wife, Sandy Greer Morrison, who passed away in 2014. “She was the main feature artist and I was the sideman, which I was perfectly happy with,” he smiled. Sticky has played with friends he grew up with around Lake Wales for some 45 years with their band Sticky Steve and The Pollinators. At 24 years old, in 1974, Sticky started a Lake Wales tradition known at The Bass Tournament. “It was for myself and my buddies. It continued on and became more and more popular with the local group of friends and expanded to friends of friends. It’s become this really amazing congregation, a tribe of Polk County people who are all connected in some way or another and have come to look at the Bass Tournament as sort of an annual reunion of the tribe,” he said. “I call it a “fishing optional tournament” because so few people fish.” He was one of the founding members of Lake Wales Mardi Gras. His krewe, the Loyal Order of Wild Shiners, dubbed him “Exalted Ruler for Life.” SANDY’S MUSICGIRL SCHOLARSHIP When Morrison’s wife Sandy passed away, he wanted to find something that people could do in memory of her. He began to dream up a music program. “I had the idea of creating a scholarship program here locally,” he said. He planned to use the money to send local girls to a music camp. He partnered with the Lake Wales Arts Council to form the scholarship program, Sandy’s MusicGirl Scholarship. The idea took off. “It has evolved into this amazing program of helping inspire girls to develop music skills and self-esteem,” said Morrison. The program offers a weeklong music day camp, private lessons, loaned instruments, jam sessions, family music camp-outs, and workshops for girls 6 to 19. Their first camp in 2015 served 19 girls and has grown every year since. Last year they served a total of 70 girls. “It’s become this amazing community-centered program to increase the number of girls and eventually women involved in music,” said Sticky. Seeing the girls develop their music skills and getting to know their families and work with the people who help with the program has been a gift to Sticky. “That’s one thing I’ve found is that the more good, the more love you put out there – the more that comes back to you and that’s been an amazing experience for me.” “Sandy would have been extremely happy,” he said. An amazing musician, Sandy struggled with her self-esteem. “As good as she was, it was still hard for her to get up on stage,” he said. That inspired the mission for Sandy’s MusicGirl to not solely develop music skills, but also selfesteem and creativity. “I think she would have really liked that part of it,” he said. Sticky says he receives more from the program than he feels is fair. “To see the progress over time of these girls improving not just their music skills but their stage presence and their confidence is just this incredible reward,” he said. Recently, SMGS had a guitar raffle to raise money for the program. A guitar maker offered to make a custom guitar entirely out of Florida wood. The raffle raised $6,746, of which, a portion will go to extending the camp by two days. THE STICKY STEVE EXHIBIT, 2020 When Paul O’Neill came to Sticky Steve Morrison with the idea to do an exhibit revolving around his likeness, Morrison didn’t know what to think. “I have a little bit of trouble with the idea of having an exhibit be about me,” he said. O’Neill documented Sticky’s reaction to being the subject of this exhibit which asked artists of varying mediums to create a portrait of Sticky. He first sent O’Neill names of other people in the community he admired and thought would make good subjects for the project. O’Neill wanted Sticky – so he obliged. He has since sat for numerous photographs, portraits, and even had a cast of his face done by a Bok Academy middle school student. Once all of the pieces are collected, the artists and Morrison will come together for one exhibit. Sticky says he likes the idea of bringing these artists together for an evening. “So far I feel like the beneficiary of this project, and I’m learning to adapt to the attention that it’s bringing me,” he said. The exhibit date and time will be announced soon. Fifty artists have committed to the project, including O’Neill himself. PUT LOVE IN, GET MORE BACK A man who not only lives closely with nature but is himself a part of it – Sticky says he has much to be grateful for. His answer to the question, ‘What are you grateful for?’ was simple but powerful, much like his life, “I’m grateful for the generous universe we live in if we are receptive to it,” he said. “It seems like, when you put out positivity, it comes back to you.” “It was a surprise to me when I retired that there was this bigger world out there of opportunity,” he went on to say. He encouraged people his age, nearing or already in retirement, “to be open to this generous universe, to participle in it and see what it will give you back that you can be grateful for.” Find something to immerse yourselves in, he urged – something that, “requires you to put love into it and then you’ll get more back.” Before we left Sticky’s house, with a refreshed perspective on life, gratitude and giving love and positivity to the world – he played us a song, “The Gopher Tortoise Blues.” He strummed the guitar and spun a captivating tale of an old gopher tortoise who’s simply tired of all these critters using his hole. It was a front-row, one-man concert on Tiger Creek, I’ll surely not forget. Photos by Amy Sexson

World-traveled, Grammy-nominated artist Jim Salestrom is set to croon for the crowd at the Lake Wales Arts Center later this month on January 18. “I play songs about places that I’ve been and people that I’ve met,” said Salestrom. “I try to bring some humor. I’m a storyteller and the music is geared for all different ages.” The singer/ songwriter was influenced at an early age starting with his parents taking him and his brothers to hear music at church and the symphony. “I started singing when I was really young […] and I loved it,” said Salestrom. He said that Elvis Presley must have been on the television, prompting him to want a guitar. He got one for his seventh birthday and played piano and trombone throughout grade school. “I got thrown in the deep end,” he said of his musical career origins. Performing with folks much older than him, Salestrom played with a religious folk mass and went on tour with a college choir at age 15. That same year, Salestrom and his older brother Chuck, along with Dugg Duggan, Craig Link, and Bill Howland formed a band of their own, Timberline. The group had a country/ folk/ rock sound featuring Salestrom as the lead singer and main songwriter. Timberline built a regional fan base and signed with the national booking agency, Variety Artists within their first year. When Salestrom was about 18, the band signed to a national recording contract and released their first album, The Great Timber Rush. When the album came out, Timberline was put on as the opening act for Dolly Parton. The band eventually broke up and Salestrom began his solo career. “I got a phone call from Dolly’s people about two years later asking if I’d like to audition,” remembered Salestrom. This was in 1979 when Dolly’s icon-status was well-cemented following hits like “Coat of Many Colors,” “Jolene,” and “I Will Always Love You.” He was chosen to join Dolly’s band, playing acoustic, electric, high-string guitars, and banjo. “It led to a lot of really interesting opportunities,” he said. “It was such a gift.” Throughout the 80s, he traveled the world with Dolly, appearing on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson three times, and playing iconic venues and events from the Grand Ole Opry to the Academy Awards Show. “Dolly Parton is an incredible storyteller,” he said. “To have been right behind her on stage for thousands of shows, I hope a little bit of that has rubbed off on me.” Dolly wasn’t the only bonafide star Salestrom played with. He also joined John Denver for many projects. “He was my hero and I got to sing and record with him in 1991,” said Salestrom. Since Denver’s passing in 1997, Salestrom has been singing in tribute bands, paying homage to his idol. A talented musician and shining star in his own right, Salestrom says he is grateful for the opportunity to perform, sit in, or record with so many artists. “I’ve gotten to play with just about everybody I’ve ever hoped to play with,” he said. This includes the likes of Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Livingston Taylor, Kenny Rogers, Emmylou Harris, Linda Rondstadt, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Tom Rush, John McEuen, and Peter Yarrow among many other greats. Salestrom’s solo career has proven illustrious. A few accomplishments include singing the opening song for “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” being nominated for a Grammy for outstanding children’s album in 1997, performing for many presidents both as a part of Dolly Parton’s band and as a solo artist, and making numerous national television and radio appearances. He continues to travel the world performing. Salestrom remarked, “I feel like I have been so lucky to make a career traveling the world and playing my guitar and telling my stories and singing my songs.” The powerful influence music had on Salestrom as a child has driven him to light the fire in other children across the globe, donating his time to elementary schools from Montana to Germany. This includes performances, and in some schools, recording albums with the students as fundraisers. Salestrom has even played here in Polk County. “I’ve had the joy of playing for one of the grade schools in Lake Wales and had a wonderful time,” he said. He will be playing at another Lake Wales elementary school the Friday before his performance at the Lake Wales Arts Center. Salestrom remembers a formative moment for him – a moment that inspires his work at schools today. “I remember when I was about 12 years old, I got to see a community concert,” he began. A duo performed with 12-string guitars which Salestrom loved. He went up to talk to the act after the show and asked what kind of guitar they were playing. The man told him that it was a Martin. He had heard of Gibson and Fender, but not Martin. The man told him that the guitar manufacturer, established in the United States in 1833, made the best acoustic guitars in the world. “I saved my money up and got one,” he said. “I think every time I go and play for a grade school, there’s going to be one child in the audience that’s going to think, ‘I bet I could do that. I might even be able to do that better than him,’” he laughed. “I love that feeling.” Salestrom went on to say, “It just takes one person to light a flame. If you can get one person, that takes it to the next step musically or finds that creative joy that I’ve found in writing music and performing – that’s the goal.” Another current passion project for the singer/ songwriter is his new album, Library. “I loved to read and as a child. I loved to go to the library and that stuck with me,” he said. The works of wordsmiths like Jack London and Mark Twain have influenced his storytelling through songwriting. He remembers a teacher in sixth grade that would read Tom Sawyer to the class every day after lunch. A few pages each day, Salestrom and his classmates were hooked. “It’s a really neat thing to have teachers that instill that passion for reading in you,” he said. Ideally, he would like to get his album in the hands of the American Library Association to be distributed. As the title of Salestrom’s January 18, Lake Wales Arts Center show implies, the audience will enjoy renditions of tunes from Dolly Parton and John Denver, along with songs from Jim Salestrom’s albums Library and Music From The Mountains. Executive Director for the LWAC, Andrew Allen may also join Salestrom on stage to play the piano. “I’m grateful that I get to come to Lake Wales,” said Salestrom. The show will have a little something for everyone, so bring the whole family. He said, “People come away feeling a little bit better and that’s the goal to make everybody feel inspired.” Jim Salestrom “Denver, Dolly and More” Performance When: January 18, 2020 at 6 PM Where: The Lake Wales Arts Center 1099 FL-60 E, Lake Wales, FL www.lakewalesartscouncil.org Tickets: CentralFloridaTix.com Jim Salestrom www.jimsalestrom.com

Sometimes, simple food is the best food – especially if you’ve imbibed. A downtown Winter Haven staple for 37 years, Slate Family Billiards is that place you want to get drinks on Friday night and a bar-food lunch fix on Monday afternoon. We sat down with one of the owners of Family Billiards, Bryan Rich to talk all things bar cuisine. Rich and his partner purchased the establishment in 2016. “I used to come here when I was sixteen with my brother, so I’ve been around Family Billiards for a while,” said Rich. An incident in the electrical room left them with significant water damage. They took a year and a half to remodel, giving the pool hall a fresh look when it opened back up in September of 2018. Known, of course, for billiards, beer, and cocktails, their menu is worth a second look as well. It boasts bar fare staples like wings, pizzas, and burgers, and other handhelds. Their burgers and fried bologna sandwich are patron favorites according to Rich. Are you even from the South if you’ve never eaten a fried bologna sandwich? It’s one of those ‘Mamma used to make me’ meals pretty much guaranteed to be good. It is uncomplicated and satisfying. The Slate Family Billiards fried bologna sandwich consists of white bread, mayo, lettuce, tomato, melted American cheese and artfully fried (a term I’m going to start using more often) bologna. “We use good ingredients. It’s simple food – but good ingredients make simple food good,” said Rich. Their menu is ever-changing, keeping the staples but adding and subtracting items to suit their customers. Some more recent additions include mac and cheese triangles, fried pickles, and corn nuggets. “We are going to revamp our burger menu and add different toppings – we’ll have a Hawaiian burger, a breakfast burger, a Texas burger,” added Rich. Grab a beer on tap or try one of their signature cocktails like the blue Slate Margarita. If you’re looking to get adventurous with your drink choice, you can spin the Shot Wheel to take your chances on a variety of shots from a Washington Apple, Fireball, Lemon Drop, Irish Car Bomb and the like. “It’s a fun atmosphere,” said Rich. The clack of billiards and hum of regulars chatting lends itself to a comfy, hometown bar vibe. The outdoor patio is the perfect place to enjoy a bite to eat and a few drinks when the weather is nice. Though any billiards aficionados reading this might already know, Slate Family Billiards hosts APA Pool League on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday and darts tournaments on Wednesday. Check out their Facebook for more information. Guests can get their hands on this, “Good old comfort food,” any day the pool hall is open from 11 am to 30 minutes before close. The food and drinks are tasty, sure, but what makes this place great? The customers. Rich said, “The customers are happy-golucky – they’re really nice people.” Slate Family Billiards 20 4th St SW, Winter Haven, FL (863) 247-8899 FB @slate8pool Photos by Amy Sexson

“I’m not trying to find something that makes me happy – I’m trying to find something with meaning,” said Lake Wales artist and filmmaker, Paul O’Neill. Though filmmaking is certainly something that brings him joy, the meaning he finds in forming a connection with an artist and finding out what makes them create, drives O’Neill. An artist himself, the ‘Why?’ behind others’ artwork fascinates him, and he has set out to capture that on film. O’Neill was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio. He grew up in the Rust Belt and graduated from Youngstown State University. He left for Florida to enter the prescribed burning field with the Nature Conservancy. He was hired by “Sticky” Steve Morrison to be a part of the burn crew at Tiger Creek Preserve. Morrison is O’Neill’s latest film subject and the subject of 50 other artists as well. But, more on that later. He settled down in Lake Wales where he met wife, Lita. The couple has two kids – 15-year-old Lily and 12-year-old PJ. O’Neill has been a professional firefighter for 19 years. The family man and firefighter also enjoys tending to his garden on the lot beside his home. He has filled his food forest with moringa, Meyer lemons, pineapples, avocados, papayas, and muscadine grapes. He’s somewhat of an amateur beekeeper as well, with two hives on his property. EYE FOR ART As a child, O’Neill was always making something or being creative in one way or another. “It came naturally to me. It was comforting,” he said. The self-described hobbyist filmmaker has always preferred documentaries over other genres, though he didn’t consider making one himself. “This film series came out of nowhere,” he said. Eight years ago, O’Neill was on a fire alarm call in Orlando. At the building they were called to, he encountered a group of UCF students making a short film. When the call was settled, he struck up a conversation and asked what kind of cameras they were using. They told him, and he went out and bought one. He began making films. “I just started with my friends. I knew nothing about filmmaking, cinematography, anything like that. All I knew, is that someone was doing it and I wanted to do something similar to that,” he said. “I had this drive to create something.” He wanted his projects to be something that he enjoyed, and if anyone else was interested or entertained, that was great too, but it was secondary. The series morphed from profiles of his friends to artists of varying mediums. “It wasn’t a straight path to it – it was minor micro-adjustments to where it is now. I’m not saying I’ve met the goal, but it’s a lot further than where I started,” he said. The minimal yet resonating cinematography of his Eye for Art film series was inspired by another Vimeo creator, Jesse Brass. O’Neill would watch his films with pen and paper in hand, taking note of transitions, close-ups, when the music was introduced and other stylistic elements. O’Neill contacted Brass at one point to tell him that he had been emulating his style and even credits him for inspiration in his films. The subjects for Eye for Art contrast in medium and style, but they all must have one thing in common. “I have to like their artwork,” said O’Neill. Many of his subjects were contacted via cold email or by introducing himself to them at an art festival. He sees his films as something the artist can use to benefit their artwork and help him further develop his cinematography skills. “My main motivation for the film series is to get to the essence of what it means to be an artist,” he said. “I feel like artists are in touch with something that maybe most people are not in touch with. It’s kind of these fundamental ideas about what it means to be human […].” “What’s important is why,” he added. “I go into it trying to get to the most basic, distilled version of ‘Why are you doing this?’” He understands the complexity of this question and anticipated that I would ask him the same. “Who knows why we do anything,” he said. So why does O’Neill create films? “There’s this concept I really like: People don’t have ideas, ideas have people,” he said. He thought about the truth of that phrase, how an idea can enwrap you entirely. “I go into the film with questions that I think will bring out the essence of why they’re doing it,” he said. He talked about meeting the artist for the first time. “We’re both figuring it out in five hours – and there’s something nice about that. There are no preconceptions coming in.” He wants their interaction to be genuine. If they apologize for the state of their studio, he says, “I’m glad it’s a mess – I want to find you in your normal habitat.” His films are made for two people – himself and the artist he is capturing. O’Neill said, “It’s tough to be alive – we’re all going to face hardships. What’s the antidote to that? It’s not happiness, it’s meaning. And for me, this is an area that brings meaning.” The Lake Wales filmmaker has profiled 24 artists in his Eye for Art series so far. Some of the artists he has interviewed included Bok Tower Gardens director, David Price, Polk State College professor of art, Holly Scoggins and Winter Haven artist Trent Manning among other impressive names. His most recent, ongoing film project chronicles his former Tiger Creek Preserve Manager, friend, and mentor, Sticky Steve Morrison. STICKY STEVE THE EXHIBIT, 2020 A documentary film called, “The John Show” unintentionally inspired O’Neill to make friend and mentor Sticky Steve Morrison the subject of an epic art exhibit. The film, by Julie Sokolow, documented Pittsburgh graphic designer, Brett Yasko asking 250 artists to each do a portrait of his friend, John Riegert, over the course of two years, at the end of which, they all came together for an exhibit of the work. It wasn’t until a year after he had watched the film that the idea hit him. “I started sending cold emails out that day before I even asked Sticky,” said O’Neill. Five artists had already signed up before he told his subject. Hired by Sticky to be a part of the Tiger Creek Preserve burn crew, O’Neill was impacted by the conservationist. “He became a mentor whether he realized it or not,” said O’Neill. “How he lived his life – it really imprinted on me. There are different ways to live your life in a meaningful manner and he is the epitome of how to do that.” The filmmaker spouted off a handful of Sticky’s many life accomplishments – he is a musician, conservationist, former commercial beekeeper and most significantly of all, he is kind to people. Sticky was also the person who introduced O’Neill to his wife Lita. O’Neill said of Sticky, “He’s the most humble person. You’ll never hear negative words out of his mouth.” Though O’Neill is 45, with a family and a career and mortgage, he said, “I still look up to him. ‘What would Sticky do?’ That comes to mind often for me.” He is so humble, in fact, that when O’Neill approached him about the exhibit, Sticky sent him a list of names he thought would make better subjects for the project. Paul told him no, he was set on having him be the subject. The goal of the project is simply the project itself. “The goal is that we’ve brought 50 artists together – some know each other, some don’t, some know Sticky, some don’t – but we’ve brought everyone together for this one night,” he said of the exhibit. There will be no judging of the work, but participating artists are free to sell their pieces. Some have already committed to selling their work to donate to Sandy’s MusicGirl Scholarship, a scholarship program and camp for girls ages 6 to 19 to learn music, creativity, and self-confidence. Sticky started the program in honor of his wife Sandy Greer Morrison who passed away in 2014. Sticky has already sat for numerous portraits and paintings by contributing artists. “Sticky is getting out and meeting people he’s never met before. Other people are meeting Sticky, and meeting each other,” said O’Neill. Artists have said to O’Neill, “This has really changed the way I see things – I haven’t met anyone like this guy before. Thank you.” “You asked – what is the purpose? I think that’s the purpose,” O’Neill said. The date and venue of the exhibit will be announced soon, but those interested can find updates on The Sticky Steve Exhibit, 2020 website. MEANING IN ART When he isn’t masterfully documenting the work of other artists, O’Neill is working on his own mixed media artwork. His work is typically created using stencils he makes from photographs that he takes. “I use spray paint or reclaimed wood and materials you don’t generally consider art materials,” he said. Though he’s been creating art his whole life, it wasn’t until recently that he started to show his work. He’s had shows at Outer Space Gallery, Lake Wales Library, and claimed third place at Art Crawl this year. “It’s been a huge surprise to me,” said O’Neill. Apart from the occasional stranger, the subjects of the photos he uses for his work are familiar – friends and family, people close to him. “They mean something to me,” he said. He showed us an abstract stencil of a person eating popcorn in Canada, several shots of Sticky, and his kids. Beyond the Sticky Steve exhibit and other current projects, he thought about what the future of his films and artwork might look like. He said, “A phrase that I heard someone say is, ‘Artists are people who go out into the world and come back and report what they’ve seen – even if they don’t understand it.’” O’Neill thought to himself, “Especially if they don’t understand it.” “I just want to keep reporting what I see and maybe it will make sense to someone – maybe it won’t,” he said. “I want to keep enjoying this process. And I just want to keep going a little bit deeper into some of my pieces – deeper for me or someone else.” We finished by asking him, “What are you grateful for?” O’Neill thought for a moment and said, “Coming home and looking outside and knowing my kids are doing well and my wife is happy – that’s what makes me grateful.” He added, “I’m grateful to have some meaning in my life – my artwork, a film series working with people. That brings meaning to my life.” Eye for Art vimeo.com/easyacrefilms The Sticky Steve Exhibit, 2020 thestickysteveshow.weebly.com Photo by Amy Sexson

A trendy hole-in-the-wall bistro, an upscale dining establishment, your favorite taco truck – these are a few of the places you might expect to get an exceptional bite to eat. But – in a strip mall? In the Barclay Place Shopping Center off Highway 98 in North Lakeland sits an average-looking eatery. A fast-casual restaurant with a modest facade and simple dining space, guests walk past a bubble gumball coaster and a row of quarter toy machines to order some of Lakeland’s finest under-the-radar fare including an unintended guest favorite. Shuiqing Cindy Liu came from China to America as a child. She lived in New York before moving to New Orleans where she and her husband bought a restaurant from a Philadelphia native serving authentic Philly cheesesteaks and Po Boy sandwiches. Cindy and her family lived there for about ten years before moving to Florida. “Sometimes you just want a change of pace,” she said. They sold the restaurant and moved here a year and a half ago and opened their North Lakeland restaurant, Philly Steak & Wings in October of 2018. “I like Lakeland,” she said. “I feel they don’t have something like this store here.” The restaurant offers up Philly-style cheesesteaks and wings along with other handhelds like Poboys, burgers, and Gyros. Their namesake, like everything else they offer, is noteworthy. The generously sized Philly cheesesteak has cheese melted over Amoroso bread hugging freshly sliced ribeye. Their wings are nothing to balk at either. Popular flavors include tangy Lemon Pepper and Honey Hot wings, dripping with Nashville-esque spice. You’ll get messy eating them – but it’s one hundred percent worth it. Cindy takes the quality of their food seriously – freshness is not a standard she is willing to compromise. The ribeye is sliced fresh, not frozen, for their sandwiches and potatoes are punched and fried daily for French fries. Onion rings are handcut, fried crispy and served with a tangy secret sauce. A unique feature at Philly Steak & Wings is their Thai ice cream. Cindy saw the ice cream being made during a trip to Thailand. “You can see people paint the ice cream on the machine close to the street,” she said. Her homemade ice cream base is poured onto a flat, extremely cold surface where it begins to solidify. You can add different fruits and treats to be mixed into the dessert as well. Cindy artfully paints the ice cream onto the surface and rolls it into neat swirls. “You can watch how we make it from the beginning to the end,” she said. We had the Oreo’s Secret which was mixed with an Oreo, topped with more crumbled cookies, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and a chocolate Pocky. ‘Just one more bite’ quickly turned to a nearly empty ice cream cup. Cindy started with a cashier, front-of-house role at the restaurant. She asked her husband to teach her how to run things in the back. “I can do everything here – the front, the grill, the fry pot,” she said. She especially loves to cook for her three children (and they love it too). One meal she would often keep on hand for them has brought in a new wave of business over the last several months and gained the restaurant a sort of cult following with area foodies. DUMPLING DAYS Cindy learned to cook from her mother. “My mom liked making food for me when I was a little kid. She always taught me – you have to cook for the kids. I love the food she cooked for me,” she said. “When I have time I always cook and I try to make different food for the kids.” “The dumplings began with the Lakeland Food Group,” said Cindy. She explained that someone from the Facebook group came into the restaurant. The two struck up a conversation about traditional Chinese cuisine. On the day he came in, Cindy had made dumplings for her kids. She asked if he wanted to try them. “He tried it and he felt like it was the best dumpling [he had ever put] in his mouth,” she said. “He posted about it on Facebook.” Robyn Wilson saw the post and stopped in too. “She would sit at that last table,” said Cindy. As she does when the pace slows a bit, Cindy came out to chat with her customers. She and Wilson began conversing over food. “My little girl loves dumplings, so I always keep some in the cooler for her,” said Cindy. She went back to the kitchen and retrieved some for Wilson. She too posted about this hidden gem and messages and calls requesting her delectable dumplings inundated Philly Steak & Wings. The first time she made them for the public, she prepared around 60 orders and ran out within half an hour. About five months into her dumpling days, she does it only a few times a month, making more than 200 orders each time, now offering them for two consecutive days. Like the rest of the menu, Cindy’s dumplings are made with fresh ingredients like green onions, mushrooms, a refreshing hint of ginger, and bamboo shoot that Cindy’s mother mails to her from China. The flavor includes soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a few other components. She stopped listing ingredients and said with a laugh, “It’s secret!” She lets her loyal following know when dumpling days are by announcing them on Facebook. On the day we came in, it was pork and shrimp dumplings on the menu. The dumpling itself was sturdy but tender. Its slight translucence revealed a few of the fresh ingredients within. We’ve all had dumplings with a grayish mass of mystery ingredients – Cindy’s dumplings are the antithesis of those. Fresh, bounding with flavor, steamy goodness. The dumplings were served with two sauces – hoisin with sriracha and a second secret sauce that Cindy makes with a homemade hot oil working in harmonious tandem with other top-secret spices. It’s the kind of food that makes you want to hug the person who so generously prepared it. “We opened one year ago, and I almost have no off days – I stay here every day. I want to make sure that every customer is satisfied with their food and their experience,” said the dedicated Philly Steak & Wings owner. Cindy expressed gratitude for her patrons, glowing reviews, and recommendations. She plans to work hard to keep each guest satisfied and says she is open to any suggestions people may have. Eventually, they plan to expand and open another restaurant on the Southside to serve their customers across town. As we were raving over the spread, Cindy came to check on us. The food and service left nothing lacking and we told her that. She smiled and said, “I enjoy making food for people who enjoy the food I make,” before heading back into the kitchen to fill the dumpling orders that were rolling in. 4963 US Hwy 98 N, Lakeland, FL 33809 (863) 606-6122 Phillysteakandwingslakeland.com FB Philly Steak & Wings Photos by Amy Sexson