The Hart Art story is one of international love, civil rights hard fought and won, shared creativity turned livelihood, and zany catchphrases come to life. Caroline and Laurie Hart, the artists behind Hart Art have carved out a niche of rustic wood paintings with inspirational themes. And it all started with a tiki bar. Caroline hails from a small West Sussex village. She had a career in the radio industry, including the U.K.’s number-one commercial radio station, London’s Capital Radio. Creativity has been central to Caroline all her life. She loves to write and has trained as an artist, graphic designer, and photographer. Bostonian Laurie toured New England as a professional hula dancer from the age of 15. She went on to spend 17 years working in the medical field. The two met online in 2005. Caroline and Laurie sparked a connection over their appreciation of photography, theatre, and music. That spark would be kindled a month later when Caroline flew across the Atlantic to meet Laurie in person. “And that’s where we first met, at an airport in Boston,” Caroline said, smiling. This meeting nourished their desire to be together. Both women had families to consider – Caroline has two sons, and Laurie has one. They worked out the logistics and flew back and forth internationally every two weeks for 18 months. In 2004, Massachusetts became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage, and the Harts said ‘I do’ there two years later. The federal government, which oversees international airports, would drag its feet on marriage equality for another 11 years. The binational couple continued to fly between countries to maintain their families until turbulence shook them from the cloud nine of newlywed bliss. “Every time Caroline came into the country, there was a problem,” Laurie said. Airport authorities would question Caroline as if she were a suspect in some dubious crime. They required her to jump through hoop after hoop as though their marriage wasn’t a valid reason for her trips to the United States. Six years into their marriage, Caroline was told she was spending too much time in the country and that it would be the last time she was allowed entry. Faced with the options of staying in the U.S. illegally or drumming up support for the injustice attempting to defy their union – the Harts decided on the latter. Laurie was determined to get the word out. “We’re telling our story,” she said. The Harts explained their plight to anyone who would listen, and their account was featured in everything from the Advocate to Huffington Post and Curve Magazine. They garnered the support of GLAAD, U.S. representatives, and celebrities like Sharon Stone and Debra Messing. The Harts chronicled their experience in the short film “Status Unknown,” shot at Boston Logan International Airport. The national recognition landed them before the judiciary committee in Washington, D.C. On June 26, 2013, in a landmark case for the LGBTQ community, United States v. Windsor, Section 3 of DOMA (Defence of Marriage Act), was found unconstitutional. The ruling allowed Laurie to sponsor Caroline for her green card the following year. Love won again in 2015 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges to strike down state bans on same-sex marriage. Marriage equality was further enshrined when the Respect for Marriage Act was signed into law on December 13, 2022, affirming federal recognition for same-sex marriages. This year, the Harts will celebrate their 17th anniversary. On their website, “theLexperience,” Caroline writes, “Love definitely gave me more to feel inspired about, and my creativity has flourished.” And flourished it has. The Harts co-owned a photography business for 15 years in Massachusetts before moving to Winter Haven in 2019, looking to escape the frigid New England winters. They bought their home that August and registered theLexperience LLC as a business the next month as a joint creative venture and outlet. “We knew how important it was to tell our story. Everyone has a story,” Laurie said. They accrued advertisers for the site until the pandemic hit in 2020. “We thought, ‘Now what are we going to do?’” Laurie said. The couple had honeymooned in Hawaii and celebrated their 10th anniversary on its crystalline beaches. Unable to travel with their 15th anniversary on the horizon, the Harts decided to bring Hawaii to them. “We thought we’d build our own Hawaiian oasis in our back [yard],” Caroline said. “We built this tiki bar, the two of us. It was crazy, and it was very funny because we’d never done anything like it before.” Upon constructing their backyard paradise, Caroline and Laurie embellished it with a painting. “That was always my love, doing art. Every kind of thing you could imagine – detailed pen and ink to oil painting,” Caroline said. Their neighbors loved the image, which inspired the pair to embark on more wood-based painting projects. They sold them to neighbors and friends, who in turn requested commission pieces. Fueled by creativity and encouragement, they ventured to local markets to sell their artwork. Caroline remembers thinking, ‘We could really make something of this.’ She added, “We are incredibly grateful for all the local support for our artwork and even have regulars who frequent the markets searching us out.” When creating a new piece, the pair conceive the initial idea together. “Being creative was something we’ve always had between us,” Laurie said. She prepares the wood to be painted, including the hand-carved bottom edge. Caroline sketches the image, and the two decide on a color palette. Laurie paints the background, and Caroline goes in for detail. Their rustic pieces depict their surroundings and subjects that inspire them – Circle B, the Sunken Gardens, Florida beaches, mermaids, birds, food, and more. In 2022, the Harts met “Lord Honey” Chef Jason Smith through a mutual friend. The Kentucky native won season three of “Holiday Baking Championship,” “Holiday Baking Championship: Kids vs. Adults,” and “Next Food Network Star.” The celebrity chef is a judge on “Best Baker in America” and has made appearances on the “Rachael Ray Show,” “Pickler & Ben,” and “Home & Family.” During the pandemic, they’d watched him on the Food Network and giggled over his ‘Jasonisms’ like “Butter my butt and call me a biscuit!” Laurie and Caroline created a painting based around one such ‘Jasonism’ – “Happier than a rooster in socks.” The Hart Art pair presented it to the Food Network darling. “He was absolutely blown away,” Caroline said. Inspired, the couple made more pieces centered around these whacky Southern sayings. “Because we’re both really creative, when he says something funny, in our heads, we can see it and then make it,” Caroline said. They talked about their idea to paint his sayings with Smith over lunch – and he loved it! The chef was “happier than two skunks kissing in a corn patch” to work with Hart Art. “Well, lord honey children, Hart Art artwork is some of the most awesome artwork I’ve seen in years, from the way that they bring the paintings to life, and how they take a one phrase sentence and turn it into a real-life object is just amazing,” Chef Smith said. “With every brush stroke to the ending product, the stories just appear. [...] They just care and take such painstaking time to make all my dreams come true.” From the first painting the Harts gifted Chef Smith, he said, “I knew right then it was higher powers that had brought us together. For that reason, I knew it was going to be a perfect fit. I had always dreamed of a Lord Honey art line, and it just was a sign it was time to do that, and I had found the right people to bring it to life.” Hart Art now has a two-year contract for collaboration with Chef Jason Smith. They’ve created a Jasonism-inspired series of one-of-a-kind paintings in their signature style on wood. Each piece comes with a certificate of authenticity. They’ve also added distinctive limited-edition prints. This month Hart Art will join Chef Jason for the Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival, where he will be doing cooking demonstrations, and they will bring their artwork. Laurie and Caroline Hart have become family to the chef, “I just love them,” he said. Though their roots spread far and wide from the U.K. to New England, the Harts love Winter Haven. Laurie said, “We know how important it is to get local support. […] The people of Winter Haven and all the surrounding [areas], they’ve been so supportive of us.” The two artists love to take pictures of patrons with their work and hear the stories behind why a piece might speak to someone. They aim to show the same support for local businesses, especially women-owned, like Stacy’s Printing, where they get all their printing done. Hart Art is open to any local shops, galleries, or businesses that would like to display their artwork. To shop Hart Art, inquire about commissions, or learn more about Caroline and Laurie’s story, visit their website, thelexperience.com. Photography by Amy Sexson Hart Art IG @hartart2021 thelexperience.com Chef Jason Smith southerncountrybling.com

On the heels of their full-house summer “Abbey Road” show, Classic Rock Legacy Presents is back at the Ritz with a cut-by-cut live performance of The Beatles’ “Rubber Soul” and “Revolver” albums. The band will honor the albums in their entirety during two shows on Saturday, January 28, 2023, from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. (doors open 30 minutes before showtime) at the Historic Ritz Theatre in Downtown Winter Haven. Don’t walk, “Run for Your Life” to centralfloridatix.com for tickets. The show is made even more special by the recent reissue of “Revolver,” which was announced in September and released on October 28, 2022. “We didn’t know at the time that we were putting it together. […] We found out after we were doing it that they were reissuing the album,” said Classic Rock Legacy Presents vocalist and guitarist Daniel Pepin. Months before solidifying which albums they’d perform, drummer and vocalist Keith Coville told Pepin, “Those two albums [“Rubber Soul” and “Revolver”] were supposed to be a double album, but the record company wouldn’t let them do it.” “I was hooked – I thought that was a great idea,” Pepin said. “We wanted to do something bigger than we did last time. What’s bigger than one album but two?” Asked if he’d already snagged a reissue, Pepin smiled and said, “I haven’t picked one up because I know my wife well enough to know she probably bought it for Christmas.” The Classic Rock Legacy Presents lineup includes Daniel Pepin on vocals and guitar, Bill Dorfschmidt on vocals and guitar, Jessy Rose on vocals and keyboard, Josh Grimes on vocals and bass, and Keith Coville on vocals and drums. All members, save for Rose and Dorfschmidt, knew each other from a previous Beatles tribute band. Pepin began asking his musical compadres if they’d be interested in doing a Beatles project honoring the music, sans costumes, on a bigger stage. They were all in. Pepin has known Rose, one of his oldest friends, since age nine when the two went to school together in the New England area. Rose joined Classic Rock Legacy Presents following a career as musical director for a major cruise line. As for Dorfschmidt? “Bill is in every project that I do. He’s my best friend,” Pepin said. “It’s funny because I didn’t even ask him. I called him up on the phone and said, ‘Hey Bill, you’re in a Beatles band.’” With all their Beatles in a row, Classic Rock Legacy Presents started rehearsing the very next week. “There’s no one in that band that doesn’t love the Beatles and doesn’t respect what they’ve done and what they’ve contributed to other music even today,” Pepin said. “Even some hip-hop music has sampled Beatles songs. Their contribution is amazing. We’re trying to honor the music the way it’s supposed to be played. We’re not putting our spin on it. It’s not us trying to outshine The Beatles as musicians – it’s us trying to be them musically.” For Pepin, The Beatles have a stronghold as his favorite band – no close second in sight. Nourished by nostalgia, one of his earliest musical memories is of his grandmother playing The Beatles’ “Eight Days a Week” on an old flip-top record player. The first time he heard it, he said, “That’s what I want to be. I want to do that.” The Beatles prompted Pepin to get his first guitar lesson at four years old. A tough ask to be sure, and with much consideration on his part, Pepin’s favorite Beatles song? “Strawberry Fields Forever.” Pepin, an accomplished guitarist who has opened for the likes of Godsmack, Cold, Breaking Benjamin, Mudvayne, and Disturbed, took a guitar-shredding sabbatical following the birth of his son. He returned to performing in 2021, debuting solo at the Winter Haven Farmers Market and picking up recurring gigs at what have become his home venues, the Pink Piano, Grove Roots Brewing Company, and Swan Brewing. The last few years have been a propulsive ‘slow burn.’ “It’s been from me fighting to get gigs to now having them contact me, and I’m booked until May of next year.” Pepin is set to tour his original music throughout the UK this summer, and hopes to return to the Cavern Club, where The Beatles played. He’s currently sponsored by Canadian guitar company Godin – donning a Union Jack strap across the handmade guitar to honor his favorite band. Pepin’s music is available on all streaming platforms. He and Classic Rock Legacy Presents bandmate/ best friend Bill Dorfschmidt, are also in a band called Evil Bill and the Strugglebus, rocking out to 80s hits (think burly dude with purple hair singing “Video Killed the Radio Star”). It started as a fun project, said the guitarist. Even so, they’ve gained traction and now have music on Spotify, Amazon, and iTunes. As for the Classic Rock Legacy Presents Rubber Soul & Revolver show, Pepin said attendees can expect to “experience the music the way it’s supposed to be played by people who really love the music. That’s the vibe we’re going for.” He added, “We’re doing those albums note for note – almost exactly. There are some mistakes The Beatles even made on their guitars that we copy to get that same feel. We really want you to be able to close your eyes and hear the Beatles.” Along with all the “Wait,” “Eleanor Rigby,” and “Yellow Submarine” goodness, Pepin said, “During the encores, we honor every era of the Beatles from the mop top to the hippy days, so there’s something for everybody no matter what kind of Beatles fan you are.” Follow Classic Rock Legacy Presents on Facebook for more Beatlemania and purchase tickets to their January shows at centralfloridatix.com. Classic Rock Legacy Presents Rubber Soul and Revolver When: Saturday, January 28, 2023 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Where: Historic Ritz Theatre 263 West Central Avenue Winter Haven, FL Tickets and Info: Centralfloridatix.com FB: Classic Rock Legacy Presents

Tucked into a corner of Hope Plaza just behind the Wawa on Highway 17 sits a newly opened Indian spot. Its façade – unassuming. Its fare – comforting and sapid. Cousins Shyjan Mekkattuparamban Mathai, Giboy Varghese, and Jinoy Varghese opened the doors to their Avenue O restaurant, Chilly Masala Indian Cuisine, on November 4. Over the few months they’ve been open, the owners say they’ve been blown away by the community’s support. “We were always looking forward to starting a restaurant business,” Shyjan said. Another cousin owns the liquor store next door and told Shyjan and Giboy about the open space. So, they applied and got it – a dream realized for the pair who had been catering under the same Chilly Masala moniker for six years. The restaurant’s owners, as well as its chef, hail from the state of Kerala on India’s southwestern tip. The recipes used at Chilly Masala are a tasty mélange of southern and northern Indian cuisine. Southern Indian food, Shyjan explained, is exceptionally spicy, while northern Indian cuisine offers more tolerable heat. “American people like the northern style,” Shyjan said. “Mostly, our south Indian food is really spicy.” The cousins are joined in the Sunshine State by some 65-70 family members. They remain close, gathering for holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, baptisms, holy communion, and the traditional Kerala celebration of Onam. Food, no doubt, is cardinal at family get-togethers. The Food Two of Chilly Masala’s most popular appetizers are their Veggie Samosa, a deep-fried pastry turnover filled with seasoned potato and green peas, and Veggie Samosa Chat, a famous street food made with scrambled samosa topped with chutneys, chickpeas, and sev (long, thin strands of gram flour, deep-fried and spiced). Another dish worth trying, especially for vegetarians, is Chilly’s Gobi Manchurian, made with batter-fried cauliflower infused with garlic, ginger, onion, chili bell pepper, and scallions in a tangy gravy. “It’s a mix of Chinese and our Indian [cuisine],” Shyjan said. For main course dishes, Chilly Masala covers all the bases with vegan and vegetarian options, different spice levels, and foodie favorites like the North Indian dish, Butter Chicken, cooked in a tomato cream sauce, as well as Chicken Tikka Masala, cooked with tomato-coriander sauce and flavored with bell peppers and onions. The two latter well-recognized dishes, which grace the menu of most Indian restaurants, are popular menu items at Chilly Masala. “People play it safely,” he laughed. And what would an Indian meal be without naan? The flat, leavened bread is made with all-purpose flour and traditionally cooked in a clay oven called a tandoor. Chilly Masala has quite a few flavors ranging from sweet to spicy. We tried the garlic naan, another patron favorite, which was warm and fluffy with a crisp bottom from its time in the tandoor. Allow me to set the scene. A long white plate garnished with a blazing red appetizer lay before me on the table. The dish, Chicken 65, originated from Chennai and consists of rice-battered crispy chicken spiced with green chili and curry leaves. The sharable portion was tempting. ‘I’ll just try one bite. You know… for research,’ I told myself. After uncounted bites later, the plate was all but empty – thanks to the help of my trusty editor and sidekick (or maybe I’m the sidekick – unsure), Amy. Juicy, tender chicken crusted with rice batter and a faultless combination of spices. The saltshaker was within reach but untouched as the chicken was seasoned like a dream. Shyjan and Giboy partnered with their chef, Nithin, to devise a menu that featured their most popular catering items. “We are grateful to our chef,” Shyjan said. Dine in or carry out at Chilly Masala. The eatery also works with Doordash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub for delivery. The Future “We are getting support from the Winter Haven people. It’s really good,” said the Chilly Masala co-owner. Shyjan noted how thankful he was for the return customers, rave reviews, and word of mouth that have fueled the restaurant’s infancy. As for the future, Shyjan said, “We are looking forward to expanding from here to a bigger place,” or a chain of restaurants. Shyjan beamed while speaking about the Winter Haven restaurant, “It was our dream, and we are here now.” Photography by Amy Sexson Chilly Masala Indian Cuisine 233 Ave O SW, Winter Haven, FL (863) 875-6169 FB: Chilly Masala Indian cuisine IG @chillymasala2022 chillymasala.us

Happy Holidays, Haven readers! You bring us so much joy throughout the year – you’re the milk to our cookie. So, we thought we’d send some cheer your way…in baked form. Put on your most festive apron and play some seasonal tunes, (grab a cocktail), and start whipping up these favorite cookie recipes from each decade. These recipes are great for keeping on hand as ‘coping cookies’ when the holiday stress sets in, or box them up with a cute bow and give them away as gifts. Wishing you and your family a merry (and tasty) holiday season and a Happy New Year! Baked with love, Amy Sexson 1910's - Oatmeal INGREDIENTS: 1 ¼ cups butter, softened ¾ cup brown sugar, firmly packed ½ cup sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg 3 cups uncooked oats ½ cup chopped pecans (optional) ½ cup dried cranberries (optional) INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. In a separate large bowl, beat butter and sugars until creamy. Add egg and vanilla; beat well. Add combined dry ingredients; mix well. Add oats; mix well. Add optional nuts or berries. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased sheet pans. Bake for 8 to 9 minutes for a chewy cookie or 10 to 11 minutes for a crisp cookie. Cool for 1 minute on sheets; remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered. Makes 3 dozen. *Recipe from Quaker Oats. “Oat Cakes” were the first oatmeal cookie to appear on the Quaker Oats package in 1908. The first recorded oatmeal cookie recipe was published in the United States by Fannie Merritt Farmer in her 1896 cookbook, the “Boston Cooking-School Cook Book.” 1920's - Molasses INGREDIENTS: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg ½ teaspoon salt 1 ½ cups sugar ¾ cup butter, softened 1 egg ¼ cup molasses INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. In a shallow bowl, place ½ cup sugar and set aside. With an electric mixer, beat butter and the remaining cup of sugar until combined. Beat in egg and then molasses until combined. Reduce speed to low; gradually mix in dry ingredients, just until a dough forms. Roll 1 tablespoon of dough at a time, into a ball, roll in reserved sugar to coat. Arrange on sheet pans lined with parchment paper, about 3 inches apart. Bake, one sheet at a time, until the edges of the cookies are just firm, 10 to 15 minutes. Cool for 1 minute on baking sheets; transfer to racks to cool completely. Makes 3 dozen. *Recipe from Martha Stewart and is a staple at our house every holiday season. They stay soft and chewy and are perfect with a cup of coffee or tea. 1930's - Ice Box Cookies INGREDIENTS: 1 ½ cups butter, softened ¾ cup sugar 1 teaspoon salt 2 eggs 3 teaspoons vanilla 5 cups all-purpose flour ⅔ cup milk ¼ cup cocoa powder 1 egg white INSTRUCTIONS: Using an electric mixer, mix the butter and sugar until creamy. Add 2 eggs and salt; mix well. Add milk and vanilla; mix well. Add flour a little at a time and mix until just combined. Divide the dough in half, wrap one of the halves in plastic wrap. Add ¼ cup cocoa powder to the other half and mix until combined. Wrap that half in plastic wrap and refrigerate both for at least one hour. Sprinkle your work surface with flour. Roll out each dough to a ¼ inch thick rectangle, making sure to keep each piece a similar size. Brush one piece of dough with egg white and layer the second piece of dough on top. Brush the top layer with egg white and slowly roll to create a swirl pattern. Wrap this log in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Slice cookies ¼-inch thick and place on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Bake for 12 - 15 minutes until firm but not browned. Let cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack. Makes 3 dozen. *Recipe from Martha Stewart. Option: leave out the cocoa powder and add food coloring to create a colored swirl. In the early 1930s refrigerators started to make their way into every household. Around the same time, women slowly started entering the workforce and Icebox Cookies became popular. 1940's - Chocolate Chip INGREDIENTS: 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup butter, softened ¾ cup sugar ¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 eggs 2 cups (12 oz. pkg.) Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels 1 cup chopped nuts (if omitting, add 1-2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour) INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat butter, both sugars, and vanilla until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased sheet pans. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. *Recipe from Nestlé. In 1939, Ruth Wakefield, who ran the Toll House restaurant in Whitman, Massachusetts was mixing a batch of cookies when she decided to add broken pieces of Nestlé Semi-Sweet chocolate into the recipe expecting the chocolate to melt. Instead, the semi-sweet bits held their shape and softened to a delicate creamy texture and the chocolate chip cookie was born. Ruth’s ‘Toll House Crunch Cookie’ recipe was published in a Boston newspaper and her invention of the chocolate chip cookie quickly became the most popular cookie of all time. Thank you, Ruth! 1950's - Peanut Butter Blossoms INGREDIENTS: ½ cup sugar ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar ½ cup creamy peanut butter ½ cup butter, softened 1 egg 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour ¾ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon baking powder additional sugar for rolling 36 Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, mix ½ cup sugar, brown sugar, peanut butter, butter, and egg on medium speed until well blended. Slowly add flour, baking soda, and baking powder; mix until dough forms. Shape dough into 1-inch balls; roll in additional sugar. Place on ungreased sheet pan about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are lightly brown. Once you take them out of the oven, immediately press 1 Hershey’s Kiss in the center of each cookie. Remove from sheet pan and cool on racks. Makes about 3 dozen. *Hershey’s Kisses were first produced in 1907. This cookie originated as an entry into the 1957 Pillsbury Bake-Off contest. The cookies were originally called Black-eyed Susans but was renamed by Pillsbury to the Peanut Butter Blossom cookie. This is the classic recipe from Betty Crocker. 1960's - Church Windows INGREDIENTS: 2 cups semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips ½ cup butter, cubed 10-ounce package pastel marshmallows ½ cup chopped walnuts 1 ½ cups sweetened shredded coconut INSTRUCTIONS: In a medium saucepan, melt chocolate chips and butter over low heat, stirring constantly until melted. Let cool for 5 minutes. Place 2 large pieces of parchment or wax paper on work surface. Sprinkle ¼ of the coconut onto each piece. Place the marshmallows and walnuts into a large bowl. Pour cooled chocolate into bowl and stir. Transfer half of the mixture to the parchment paper and shape into log. Sprinkle all sides with half of the remaining coconut. Tightly wrap into logs and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. Slice into cookies. *Recipe from the Spicy Southern Kitchen. These no-bake cookies are really just rocky road but the addition of colored marshmallows is fun for the holidays. This recipe is messy, but worth it. 1970's - Potato Chip Cookies INGREDIENTS: 6 cups ruffled potato chips ¾ cup butter, softened ½ cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 egg 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour INSTRUCTIONS: In a plastic bag, crush potato chips with your hands or gently with a rolling pin. You don’t want them to be powder, they should be recognizable potato chip crumbs. You want to end up with 2 cups of crushed potato chips. Separate the 2 cups into 1-cup measurements. With an electric mixer, beat the butter on high speed for 1 minute. Add sugar and vanilla and mix well. Add egg; mix well. Add the flour and mix just until incorporated. Stir in 1 cup of crushed potato chips, don’t overmix. Cover and chill the dough for at least 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Shape dough into 1-inch balls and place about 2 inches apart on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Using a glass or your hands, flatten the cookies and sprinkle with remaining crushed potato chips (press them down lightly). Bake for 11 - 12 minutes or when they just start to brown on the edges. Cool on wire racks. *This cookie is just as wacky as the 70s were but delicious! Don’t overmix the dough and use a heartier chip like Ruffles so they don’t completely disappear in the dough. 1980's - No Bakes INGREDIENTS: 2 cups sugar ½ cup milk ½ cup creamy peanut butter ½ cup cocoa powder 4 tablespoons butter pinch of salt 3 cups oats 1 teaspoon vanilla INSTRUCTIONS: In a large saucepan, melt sugar, milk, butter, and salt. Let it boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add oats, peanut butter, and vanilla. Stir well. Spoon onto parchment lined sheet pan and refrigerate until firm. *This was my favorite cookie to get at the school cafeteria when I was in first grade. I thought there was nothing more delicious in the entire world. Although I don’t make them very often, they are still a family favorite of ours. Store the cookies in the refrigerator in an air-tight container. 1990's - “Dunkaroos” INGREDIENTS: 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour ¾ cup cocoa powder 1 teaspoon baking powder ⅛ teaspoon salt ¾ cup butter, softened 1 cup sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla sprinkles (optional) FROSTING INGREDIENTS: 1 tablespoon cream cheese, softened 3 ½ tablespoons butter, softened 1 tablespoon milk ½ teaspoon vanilla 2 cups powdered sugar INSTRUCTIONS: In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar on high speed for 2 minutes or until smooth and creamy. Add egg and vanilla; beat on high speed until combined. Add dry ingredients and mix on low speed until combined, the dough will be soft. Split the dough in half and wrap each half in plastic wrap, refrigerate for 2 hours. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface to ¼-inch thick. Cut cookies out and place on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. If using sprinkles, gently press into cookies. Bake for 11 - 12 minutes or until edges are set. Let cool on a wire rack. FROSTING DIRECTIONS: With an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until smooth. Add powdered sugar and mix until fluffy. *Dunkaroos were a favorite of our kids in the 90s. This recipe is adapted from Sally’s Baking Addiction and the cookie tastes like an Oreo when not dipped in frosting. 2000's - Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti INGREDIENTS: ½ cup dried cranberries ½ cup boiling water 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt 4 tablespoons butter, softened 1 cup sugar plus more for sprinkling 3 eggs plus 1 egg slightly beaten set aside 2 teaspoons vanilla ½ cup unsalted pistachios, coarsely chopped INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a small bowl, place cranberries and add boiling water. Let sit for 15 minutes or until plump. Drain and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar on medium speed for 2 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add 3 eggs, one at a time mixing well after each one. Beat in vanilla. Add flour mixture on low speed until combined. Mix in cranberries and pistachios. Divide the dough in half and shape each one into a 16- x 2-inch log on a lightly floured surface. Transfer to a parchment-lined sheet pan. With the palm of your hand, flatten logs slightly. Brush the beaten egg over the surface and sprinkle generously with sugar. Bake until logs are slightly firm to the touch, about 25 minutes. Transfer logs on parchment to a wire rack and let cool for 20 minutes. Reduce oven to 300 degrees. Using a serrated knife on a cutting board, cut logs crosswise on the diagonal into ½-inch thick pieces. Place a wire rack on a sheet pan and arrange cut slices on it. Bake until firm, about 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely on the rack they were baked on. Makes 4 dozen. *Recipe from Martha Stewart. These look like the holidays with red cranberries and green pistachios. Along with a bag of locally-roasted coffee, box these up in a pretty container and it’s the perfect gift. 2010's - Sugar Cookies INGREDIENTS: 1 cup sugar ⅓ cup butter, softened ¼ cup shortening ½ teaspoon vanilla 1 egg 2 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt ⅔ cup sour cream FROSTING INGREDIENTS: 1 tablespoon cream cheese, softened 3 ½ tablespoons butter, softened 1 tablespoon milk ½ teaspoon vanilla 2 cups powdered sugar INSTRUCTIONS: In a large bowl with an electric mixer, mix sugar, butter, shortening, vanilla, and egg until fluffy. Mix in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt on low until just combined. Add sour cream, mix until combined. Remove dough, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough ¼-inch thick, cut with cookie cutters. Reroll extra dough gently to cut more cookies. Place on parchment-lined sheet pan. Bake for 8 - 9 minutes or until almost no indentation remains when touched. Makes 3 dozen. FROSTING DIRECTIONS: With an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until smooth. Add powdered sugar and mix until fluffy. *I’ve been making these cookies for almost 30 years and I’ve adapted it along the way. These cookies are soft, not very sweet, and a favorite of our family. The frosting recipe I’ve included is optional. Feel free to use a recipe of your own or leave it out entirely.

Champion Skier Barbara Cooper Clack Heddon “Don’t be too hard on yourself. You practice hard, you work hard, you give it all you’ve got.” That is what champion competitive water skier Barbara Cooper Clack Heddon learned during her thirty-year career. It was a lesson she first had to learn on Christmas Eve, 1956. Heddon was 13 when she learned to ski at the Sump on Lake Hollingsworth. “My uncle got a boat and invited us all down to ski,” she remembered. “I told my dad, ‘I want to be good at this one day.’” Her dad, Charles “Charlie” L. Cooper, told her he’d give her every opportunity to succeed at it. “My parents were extremely supportive of whatever I did,” Heddon said. They became so involved in tournaments that her mother would keep scores and post them from judges after the skiers performed. “My mother also skied in the Lakeland ski shows for a little bit, and my daddy would drive the boats for the shows,” she said. When her father took her to the lake on December 24, 1956, to learn to jump, Barbara’s initial attempts were a bit choppy. Try after try – 25 tries actually – she would approach the jump and let go of the rope. The twenty-sixth try was the charm as Barbara held onto the rope and landed her first jump. That was the watershed event to what would be a legendary skiing career. It was at 13 years old that Heddon set two goals: to be the first woman in the world to jump 100 feet and to represent the United States in the World Water Ski Championships. On her life jacket and skis, Heddon would write a reminder of her goal, “100 feet or bust.” Two years after that tenacious twenty-sixth jump, Heddon would go on to set a new Girl’s record for jumping 84 feet. She excelled at slalom and trick skiing, but jumping was her true passion. “Jumping I just loved because I loved soaring through the air,” she said. In 1957, Heddon won her first All American Junior Dixie competition at Cypress Gardens. Owner Dick Pope Sr. told her dad that he’d like Barbara to work at the Gardens. Mr. Cooper agreed, contingent that she be chaperoned at all times. Mr. Pope said he’d take good care of Barbara. “And he did,” Heddon said. The 16-year-old skier started working at Cypress Gardens in 1959 and skied there until 1966. “Mr. Pope Sr. was the ultimate of entertainment. He wanted to always have the best shows and was a fabulous promoter of Cypress Gardens,” Heddon said. The entertainment aspect was her favorite part of working at Cypress Gardens. “To be able to go out and perform and do your best and be applauded for it,” she said. Heddon said her experience at Florida’s first theme park was great and credited it for launching her onto television programs like “The Ed Sullivan Show,” “To Tell the Truth,” “Who Do You Trust?,” and “What’s My Line?” During her senior year in high school, Barbara entered the Miss Lakeland pageant. Mr. Pope was her sponsor for the contest and even helped produce a video of her waterskiing skills for the talent portion. Following in her mother Evelyn’s footsteps, who won the same pageant in 1936, Barbara was crowned Miss Lakeland. “It was a blast,” she said. She went on to compete in the Miss Florida pageant. Heddon said, “You would think it would be kind of cutthroat, but it wasn’t. The girls were so cordial and so sweet. I was basically the youngest one in the pageant. We would talk about the future and what’s going on, where are you going, what do you want to do in life?” Where was Barbara Heddon going in life? The better question would have been, ‘how high?’ She met her first goal and became the first woman to soar 100 feet at the 1964 Florida State Open. “The next week, Dicksie Ann Hoyt jumped 100 feet, so I thought, ‘Whoa, I didn’t make that by much,” she said. In 1963, only a few months postpartum with her son Scotty, Heddon claimed the women’s national overall title. “It was exciting because I hadn’t been able to train for that year and then got back into skiing for a month or so and went to the Nationals,” she said. She traveled to Long Beach, California, for the competition. “I thought, ‘Okay, I’m back.’” Two years later was perhaps the most triumphant moment of Heddon’s waterskiing career when she led all three events, winning the Masters Cup. “Winning all three events at the Masters Water Ski Tournament and being the first woman to do that – I was ecstatic about it,” she said. The second goal that 13-year-old Barbara Heddon had made would be met in 1965 when she earned a place on the United States Water Ski Team. She traveled with them to compete in the World Water Ski Championships in Australia, where she won the women’s slalom title. “It was very exciting. Australia is a beautiful country, and they so welcomed everybody,” she said of her time in the land Down Under. Their time in Australia wasn’t all waterskiing for the team. Barbara remembers her teammate, Liz Allen, “We bought her first bikini bathing suit because bikinis over here weren’t quite in yet, but they were in Australia.” Asked if she also bought a bikini there, she hesitated, laughed, and said, “I did. […] It covered up a lot more than they do now.” In 1969, Heddon reached new heights as a flight attendant for United Airlines. Her time on the water wasn’t over yet, though. She set another women’s record by jumping 111 feet in the 1971 Masters and won the slalom and jumping in the National Championships the same year. Barbara Cooper Clack Heddon was inducted into the USA Water Ski and Wake Sports Hall of Fame in 1986. Heddon obtained her Florida Real Estate License in 1982 and was a broker with her own company, Southern Investment Realty, by 2004. “I fell in love with it the minute I started it,” she said. “I just love seeing people fulfill their dreams and buy their dream homes.” The celebrated water skier is now semiretired from real estate after selling her business three years ago. Though no longer a broker, Heddon continues to help folks fulfill their dreams as an agent for Century 21 Myers Realty. Of all the records set, competitions won, and homes sold, Heddon notes her proudest moment was the 2007 induction of her son, Scotty Clack, into the USA Water Ski and Wake Sports Hall of Fame. Scotty Clack is credited with developing freestyle jumping into a competitive event. He competed in the freestyle jumping event on the professional tour for 16 years and boasted a 10-0 record in 1985. Like his mother, he began his show skiing career at Cypress Gardens, where he performed for 18 years, serving as show director from 1995-1998. During his career, Clack performed for the president of Beirut, the Queen of England, and King Hussein of Jordan five times. His waterskiing talents took him to Hollywood, where he did stunts on the movies “Meatballs” and “Smokey and the Bandit Part 3.” Clack went on to serve as the director of operations for World Sports & Marketing from 2001-2004. Heddon and Clack were the first mother and son to both be inducted into the USA Water Ski and Wake Sports Hall of Fame. The champion water skier remains close with her fellow skiers. “It’s a family – waterskiing is just a big family,” she said. “The Cypress Gardens Ski Team has done a wonderful job of keeping the integrity of the sport and skiing like the Gardens used to have.” Asked if she’d be attending the IWWF World Water Ski Show Tournament, Heddon replied she’d be there. She even signed up as a volunteer for the event. “I wouldn’t miss that for the world – no pun intended,” she smiled.

No sunset or lake silhouette is more fitting than that of “The Water Ski Capital of the World” to honor the 100th anniversary of the sport. The waters of Dick Pope Sr.’s tropical haven and skiing sanctum, Cypress Gardens, were the stage for many shattered records, celebrity guests, and film and television productions throughout the years. The magic lives on as later this month, thousands of spectators and athletes the world over will descend on Winter Haven for the 2022 International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) World Water Ski Show Tournament. The Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team, City of Winter Haven, and Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing are partnering to host the World Show Ski Championships. International teams and individuals will compete on Lake Silver in the largest tournament to date and the first event to combine an Individual and Team competition. Competitive teams include the USA, Belgium, Germany, Canada, and Sweden, with Mexico joining as an exhibition team. Preceding the tournament on the evening of October 18, Visit Central Florida and the Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team will host a “Night with the Stars of Show Skiing’’ at Nora Mayo Hall. The red carpet dinner will honor professional show skiers. The Opening Ceremony will be held at the original Cypress Gardens Ski Stadium at LEGOLAND Florida on Wednesday, October 19. Festivities will include a parade of athletes, welcome speeches, live music, skiing demonstrations, and fireworks. The International Food & Drink Street Festival hosted by Main Street Winter Haven will occur the following day, Thursday, October 20, at 5:30 pm on Central Avenue in Winter Haven. Admission to the family- and dog-friendly festival is free. Attendees can expect drink tents, live music, and international food from local restaurants and vendors. The tournament will officially kick off on Friday, October 21, at Lake Silver, with the Individual Swivel Ski event followed by Adagio Doubles. Countries new to the WWSST will join in on the Centennial Celebration of the sport of waterskiing by performing their exhibition shows on Friday as well. Saturday, October 22, all competitive teams will compete. The tournament will conclude on Sunday, October 23, with teams placed by their Saturday scores, followed in the late afternoon by the Individual Freestyle jump competition, ending with a Medal Ceremony. For a full schedule of events and more information about the IWWF World Water Ski Show Tournament, visit worldwaterskishow.com. CYPRESS GARDENS WATER SKI TEAM PREPARES Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team president Mark Voisard expects between three and five thousand people at the World Water Ski Show Tournament, and he’s excited to show off the beautiful Martin Luther King, Jr. Park. He and the team have been busy making ready for the event by preparing the site. The ski team will run the Southern Hospitality tent and concession stands at the tournament, and according to Voisard, “We’ll be doing some skiing during breaks in the action at the Worlds.” Voisard, a former Cypress Gardens show director, was instrumental in forming the Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team – and keeping the legacy alive. Mark Voisard hails from Deerfield, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. His uncle owned a resort several hours north in Eagle River, Wisconsin. When Voisard was six, someone gave his uncle a homemade boat which he outfitted with a 45 horsepower Mercury motor and got out on the water. That’s when he first learned to ski. “I had to put tennis shoes on because they didn’t have any kid’s skis,” Voisard remembered. At 16 years old in 1970, Voisard became a founding member of the Chain Skimmers Water Ski Show Team in Eagle River, Wisconsin. In 1976, the team became the Wisconsin State Champions. After graduating college, Voisard set his sights on Cypress Gardens. He was hired to ski at the park, and when they called and asked when he could come, Voisard said he’d be there in two weeks. His first day was March 1, 1977. “We had a bunch of our guys from Eagle River come ski with us down here. My brother skied here,” he said. “When I got here, I was focused on skiing because there was so much to learn,” Voisard said. “They were doing things already that we hadn’t even thought about doing.” Soon after arriving at the Gardens, Voisard started flying the Delta Wing Kite. “We flew two kites every show, and we had four shows a day. So, with eight chances to fly – you get a lot of flying in.” Spectators can still see Voisard fly today during Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team shows. Mark became the Cypress Gardens show director for 15 years and worked at the park for some 30 years. In 1982, Voisard won the Men 2 National barefoot tricks and starts titles and has officiated over 30 National Show Ski Association tournaments. Voisard has officiated ten national and two world championships. Another feat Mark and show ski champion, Cheryl Orloff, took on was the first five-tier pyramid. “Nobody had ever done it before. First of all, you have to do a double-top four-tier,” he said. The direction of the pyramid spurred advancements in safety for the skiers, including the Flo-Mo vest and the use of braided handles – both of which have been adopted by the greater water ski community. “There’s a little more safety every time we do something like that,” Voisard said. With one boat pulling another boat and a total of 17 people – they successfully performed the first five-tier pyramid. Voisard was honored with an award of distinction by the USA Water Ski and Wake Sports Foundation in 2016. THE SHOW GOES ON The former show director relayed the inception story of the original ski team at Cypress Gardens. “The story goes that Dick Pope Sr. was in the army somewhere around the world, so Julie Pope, his wife, was basically running the park. Skiing wasn’t anything they normally did. The kids would come, and they’d go skiing,” he said. According to Voisard, military personnel on leave visited the park and saw the kids skiing. “They went back to Orlando and said, ‘Hey, you guys have to go to Cypress Gardens – they’re doing a ski show.’ It wasn’t actually a ski show.” People began to ask what time the ski show was. An improvising Julie Pope told them 3 o’clock. “The kids got out of school, they got them all picked up, got them out there, and they started skiing, and that’s how it started.” In 2011, two years after Cypress Gardens closed, USA Water Ski Hall of Fame inductee and former Cypress Gardens skier Don Thompson was honored. Former professional Gardens skiers got together to perform a ski show on Lake Silver for Thompson. The show sparked talks of starting a ski club and teaching kids to ski. Voisard remembered someone suggesting, “We’ll teach them the way they did it at Cypress Gardens so that they really do it well and continue doing it.” Mark and his wife, Jean Voisard, began working with the City of Winter Haven in 2012 to secure Martin Luther King, Jr. Park as a home for the emerging Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team. “It took almost a year to get the whole deal worked out,” he said. Waiting on permits and a contract with the City in the works, they began forming the team. “We actually started skiing in our backyard in Eagle Lake. We brought the trailer with all the skis and a couple of boats,” Voisard said. The team started on Lake Silver later that year. “We’re very lucky. The City has been really good to us, and the County has been good to us.” Today, the Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team is a non-profit USAWSsanctioned ski team with approximately 155 members ranging in age from two to skiers in their seventies. The team makes a splash on the third Saturday of each month with their free ski shows at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park on Lake Silver. Slalom, tricks, jumping, knee boarding, hydrofoil, barefoot, “In the show ski world, you kind of put all those things together. We barefoot, we hydrofoil, we jump, we fly the kite some, the girls swivel,” Voisard said. The team also offers adaptive ski clinics for those with special needs and disabilities. There will not be a Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team show on the third Saturday of October because of the World Tournament. But don’t miss their Halloween show! The nighttime show promises tons of spooky fun, from a skeleton pyramid to ghouls, wolfman, and a “Thriller” performance. The legacy continues as the team carries the Cypress Gardens torch – and its billowing namesake flags. Just as Dick Pope did with his theme park, the Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team invites visitors to imbibe sunshine, fresh lake air, and the glamour and athleticism of a sport entering its centennial. Photography by Amy Sexson Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team www.cypressgardensskiteam.com FB: Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team (est. 2012) IG @cypress_gardens_ski_team Free shows on the third Saturday of each month: Lake Silver at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park 275 S Lake Silver Dr., Winter Haven

A waterskiing and wakeboarding legend turned towed water sport exponent, Zane Schwenk got his start in a unique after-school program. The Sarasota native said casually, “I was in a circus as a kid, which was weird and fun.” The young adrenaline junkie dove into acrobatics, the flying trapeze, and the teeterboard, and by 12 years old, he had a 12-foot unicycle. Nothing too crazy happened at the circus, Schwenk said, well, except for that one time four lions chased him in South America. He flipped and flew in the circus from third grade until the tenth. That’s when he told his dad he wanted to join the water ski club. Schwenk started skiing at age three. The sport was a family affair. Blood may be thicker than water, but water seemingly runs in the Schwenks’ veins. Zane’s brother Tripp went on to swim at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics, winning a gold medal in the medley relay and a silver in the 200-meter backstroke. “We had a very aquatic upbringing,” Zane said. By tenth grade, he would ski four to five days a week. “In Sarasota, it’s not easy to do that. It’s an hour and a half of cleanup afterward with the boat and taking care of stuff – but it was good. You learn a lot of responsibility,” he said. Schwenk began competing and made it to the water ski nationals in Wisconsin. “Mark Jackson interviewed me and gave me my first chance of getting any real notoriety,” he said. That landed the water skier his first sponsorship from Connelly Skis out of Washington state. Shortly after, they asked Schwenk if he wanted to try out their wakeboard. The sport hadn’t yet gained widespread popularity, and Schwenk didn’t know what it was. “They looked like a surfboard. […] This was like a bungee cord over the top of your feet, and then go try to do some flips. It was really crude,” he remembered. He tried out the wakeboard but continued skiing, improving his freestyle jumps. “Crashes were fun and obscene – that was a cool thing to do,” he said. Schwenk eventually got so good at freestyle jumping that he would become the first and, to this day, only person to land a double front flip ski jumping. Schwenk joined Cypress Gardens in 1993, where he would then travel on the weekend for tournaments across the country. “One of the coolest things that happened at Cypress Gardens for me was I was encouraged to try new things,” he said. Schwenk remembers attempting that double front flip off the ramp there, a feat he’d hoped to accomplish since the ninth grade. “You get beat hard – it really is painful. You’re going about 110-115 feet, hitting the ramp at 40 plus miles per hour, trying to do two flips and land, and you can’t see the landing. It’s crazy,” he said. One of the skiers at Cypress Gardens encouraged him to try the jump again as the owner of the park, August Busch, was on the dock. “I came whipping around – I tried it, I made it. I was super excited.” About a week later, he received a handwritten letter extending a sponsorship from Cypress Gardens. They wanted to help Schwenk achieve his dreams. “I came from a hardworking family. I moved over here with like 300 bucks – that was it,” he said. Now he had a full sponsorship to go out and compete. “It was the break I really needed.” He continued skiing while ramping up his wakeboarding career, competing in both. “Wakeboarding really didn’t want to identify with waterskiing. It was like two factions happening at the same time, on the same lake, at the same events, but the wakeboarders were kind of the red-headed stepchild for a while,” Schwenk said. “Very much like extreme sports, [wakeboarder’s thought] we’re going to adapt. We’re not going to be the establishment, we’re going to do something different, we’re going to be flexible. […] I’m still very passionate about waterskiing, and I’m so happy to come full circle – waterskiing and wakeboarding coexist really well together now.” His circus background also lent itself to the stunts Schwenk went on to master and even name. “There was a group of probably five or ten of us all learning these tricks and going, ‘Hey, I learned a new trick! I’m going to bring you a VHS tape of it, and I want to call it this.’ And you’d get that to the magazine as fast as you could because your buddy in Orlando was probably trying the same thing. So, you got to name a few tricks, claim a few tricks.” Schwenk skied with his buddy Parks Bonifay who he called a wakeboarding “phenom.” At just 14, Bonifay won the inaugural wakeboard competition at the X Games. “I’m 20, and he’s 14, and we’re just learning new tricks left and right, and I’m feeding off this kid who’s six years younger than me who’s going to kick my butt,” Schwenk laughed. Like Bonifay, Schwenk garnered legendary status as a pro tour wakeboarder, medaling in the X Games and winning the 2000 America’s Cup, Australian X Games, French X Games, and other pro events. The 2000 America’s Cup was a special event for the wakeboarder. “I traveled so much that I didn’t get to see my family a whole lot, but my dad was with me for that one, so that was really cool,” he said. His record-setting career earned him the title “World’s Greatest Water Skier” in 1999 at Cypress Gardens. Schwenk also worked with high-performance boat manufacturer Mastercraft to design the first wakeboarding boat, the XStar, as well as wake surfing systems. He worked with Mastercraft for over twenty years, even hosting their video series, “Rewind.” In March of this year, Zane Schwenk, alongside fellow wakeboarder Tara Hamilton-Wynne, was inducted into the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation Hall of Fame. Reflecting on his career, Schwenk said, “As cheesy as it sounds, outside of all that – I had a lot of fun times – but getting to teach people and encouraging the next generation of wakeboarders and kids and skiers to get out there and promote the sport – that to me has been the greatest thing I could have done.” Schwenk started the Pass the Handle initiative in 2014 with fellow wakeboarding legend Shaun Murray. The program encourages “any towedwater sports enthusiast to get out on the water and extend their arm to people in need of an awesome activity,” according to www.passthehandle.com. “Our goal is to truly engage those already involved to “share the stoke” and teach as many people as they can to ride.” Schwenk called the initiative his “driving passion” in recent years. “We’ve got a lot of wonderful athletes focused on doing double flips and all these cool things, but you didn’t get to do a double flip if you didn’t learn how to get up.” Pass the Handle promotes accessibility to help more people get out on the water and ‘learn how to get up.’ “We challenged [those already in watersports] to take somebody new. Go to your church, go to your school, go to your neighbor, and get them out on the water and help expose the sport to somebody else. That’s been really successful,” Schwenk said. Calling the Chain of Lakes our “greatest resource,” Schwenk is also avid about promoting safety on the water. “I don’t sound like the guy from the mid-90s who was doing crazy stuff,” he said, “but we’ve got to promote safe boating.” With more boats on the water, he encourages boaters to keep aware of their surroundings and guard the throttle. “Use common sense – like If you’re on a pontoon boat, don’t sit on the front of the pontoon boat while it’s going and drag your feet in the water. I see that every weekend.” Schwenk now lives in Winter Haven with his wife Lauren and their kids, five-year-old Stone and eight-year-old Stella, and has taken the marketing skills learned with Mastercraft to work as Director of Marketing and Media at Oakley Transport. Stone and Stella are getting an “aquatic upbringing” similar to his own, already learning to ski and wakeboard. Asked if he sees his kids breaking any of his records in the future, he smiled and said, “I hope they break my school records which will be easy for them to do, I think.” Numerous knee surgeries and previous wakeboarding injuries keep the Winter Haven wakeboarding great from being on the water as much as he’d like. Schwenk said, “You just can’t keep doing that forever, but if you can leave a lasting mark on a sport, that’s what I wanted to do, and I feel pretty good about that.”

From charming guests as a Southern Belle to awing audiences as an Aquamaid at Cypress Gardens, Brenda Mitchell sat down with Haven to share stories of an iconic time in Central Florida history. Citrus was booming, “Mr. Florida” Dick Pope Sr. was operating a star-studded theme park, and Winter Haven was forging its designation as the Water Ski Capital of the World. Eclipsed only by “Mr. Florida” himself, images of beguiling Southern Belles and Aquamaids arm-in-arm smiling to the camera remain ambassadors of an era – pre-Disney emissaries of entertainment. Born in England, Brenda Mitchell considers Australia – where she moved as a child – home. She learned to snow ski before hitting the water. In Melbourne, Australia, there was a snow ski resort with a weir at the bottom. She and her friends would often snow ski and water ski on the same day. “We’d have bonfires there. It was fun,” she said. During a trip from England to Australia, Mitchell traveled to the sun-drenched skiing sanctuary that was Cypress Gardens. She met the park’s founders, Dick and Julie Pope. They asked if they could photograph her and if she would like to work with them at the Gardens in the future. She took a raincheck and returned to Australia, where she hosted a television program called “The Children’s Adventure Club.” In 1961, a 21-year-old Mitchell did come back to Winter Haven. Her previous ballet training gave her a leg up working at the Gardens. “If you’ve got some training in something, you know what to expect. It’s going to be hard work until you get it right, and not only are you pleasing yourself – you’re pleasing your director or the people watching the performance,” Mitchell said. GLITZ AND GLAMOUR AT THE GARDENS There was a buzz at Cypress Gardens, a hum of excitement – something in the water. The thrill of water ski shows, movie stars, and tourists the world over. Mitchell described it as a fun place to work. Whether shooting a film like “Easy to Love” or a television program like “The Johnny Carson Show” or “The Mike Douglas Show,” “It was evolving continually,” she said. The water skiers were involved with production too. “If you worked on it, you had an edge over someone who had never been involved and didn’t understand you hurry, hurry, hurry, and wait, wait, wait. That’s how it works.” During one production, Mitchell did a stint with Van Johnson skiing around the islands on Lake Summit. “I was to get into his arms which means I step on his ski, but he has to let go of the rope for me to get over. If they could have heard what he said – he used words normal to our ears now, beginning with ‘F’ about the drivers and the waves. […] I said, ‘Just smile!’” It wasn’t all dazzling shows and movie shoots at Cypress Gardens. “We had to do everything in those days,” she said. “Sometimes we taught the Southern Belles how to ski.” The summer was when they did most of their training, as winters tended to be prime for tourism in Central Florida. Brenda and the other Cypress Gardens water skiers also helped prepare for the arrival of special guests. She remembers one of the other girls going to Belk’s to buy bed sheets, Julie Pope going room to room, dropping them off, and Brenda making up the hotel room beds. But if work took too long, Brenda said Mrs. Pope was the kind of person to say, ‘Oh no, you’re going to be late. Call your husband and have him come over for dinner. Sylvester will pick him up.’ A notoriously gracious hostess, Julie Pope would seek Brenda’s English sensibilities when preparing for European guests at Cypress Gardens, asking how they might like their tea and if Brenda could help her set it up. “She was someone who was so warm and made you feel good that you had something to contribute,” Mitchell said. Brenda was so close with the Cypress Gardens founding family that Dick Pope Sr. gave her away at her wedding. “He was the kindest, kindest person and such a gentleman,” she said. “Julie Pope had a reputation of being the strength behind them.” In the last years of Mr. Pope’s life, Brenda remained close to him, regularly visiting him at his home. “I could finish a lot of his sentences for him knowing the things that he did and the things that he liked, and that made me feel good as well as him,” she said. “They were just wonderful.” SWAN ON THE CHAIN OF LAKES “We were all so close-knit,” Mitchell remembered. She stayed in supervised housing, as did many other non-Floridian Cypress Gardens water skiers. “It was like being in college and having roommates, and we all had a similar goal.” Admittedly not much of a gymnast, Mitchell shied away from tricks but shined when it came to swivel skiing. “Everybody had something that they could contribute, and the show staff was bright enough to understand to make use of the talent you have,” she said. “We were the premier ballerina of that show. We called it ‘Swan,’” Mitchell said. And just like any prima ballerina, “The longer your arms are and the longer your legs are, the prettier you look.” “Was it glamorous? Well, we had to wear more makeup because when you’re on the water, your face would look blank if you didn’t have red lipstick and eyelashes that showed up,” Mitchell said. The former Aquamaid reflected on the current Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team, which puts on a free show at Lake Silver on the third Saturday of each month. The glamour on the water is more now, she said. “We wore lots of bright colors, but not sequins.” The Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team does a whole ballet line in unison. “What I used to do that was special is every day now, but that’s progress — that’s life,” Mitchell said. While working at Cypress Gardens, the Aussie Aquamaid even got to ski with King Hussein at his seaside estate in the Jordanian city of Aqaba. It was skiing doubles with a hint of danger for Mitchell and her party while they visited the king. “There was a minefield between the hotel in Aqaba – the Gazelle Club – and his property that we had to be walked through when we were staying there,” she said. Mitchell remembers skiing the glittering blue water of the Gulf as jets zoomed overhead. From Jordan, she went back to Australia and joined a synchronized swimming team. “That was a feat for me because I’m not really a super swimmer at all. I said, ‘Just keep me in the shallow end,’” Mitchell smiled, still glamorous as ever. She noticed that everyone having the same swimsuit and cap lent consistency to their performance. She brought that idea back to Winter Haven and asked if they could start doing something similar with costuming at the Gardens. The Cypress Gardens water skier wore many costumes throughout her career, from mermaid at Florida’s first theme park to Tinkerbell in a ski show at “The Happiest Place on Earth.” Mitchell remembered that Jantzen sponsored the water skiers at Cypress Gardens for swimwear. The girls’ swimsuits had molded cups. After one wash, the cups were all over the place. “The male skiers would say, ‘You’ve got a little malfunction,” she laughed. “Well, great!” While cleaning out her closet recently, she found her favorite costume – a black number with diamonds and a proper ballerina tutu paired with long white gloves. Cypress Gardens was home to Brenda Mitchell until 1984 and was the backdrop for many life events, often narrated by the voice of their announcer. The announcer said, “Brenda is a new mother today!” as she took to the water the day she adopted her daughter Mandy. During her later years at the park, Brenda said, “The announcer would sometimes say, ‘And now we have the oldest living Aquamaid,” Brenda laughed. “You can leave the old out! Experienced maybe? But you don’t have to say old.” Though she no longer water skis, Mitchell still takes to the snow ski slopes. “I think the more you keep skiing, the younger you feel.”

“The Earth is what we all have in common.” – Wendell Berry Have you ever wandered the boardwalk at Alligator Alley in Circle B Bar Reserve or admired the overhead canopy reflected on the still blackwater during a hike through the Peace River Hammock? If so, you have benefited from the Polk County Environmental Lands Program. On November 8, 1994, Polk County citizens voted in favor of levying a tax on themselves to fund a local environmental lands program. “The purpose of the Environmental Lands Program is to acquire, preserve, protect, manage and restore endangered and environmentally sensitive lands, water resources and important wildlife habitat. Acquired properties may be used for passive outdoor recreational purposes provided that such uses will not disturb or degrade the environmental quality for which the site was acquired,” according to polknature.com. Properties protected by the Environmental Lands Program in Polk County include Circle B Bar Reserve, Gator Creek Reserve, Marshall Hampton Reserve, Sherwood L. Stokes Preserve, Crooked Lake Prairie, Hickory Lake Scrub, North Walk-in-Water Creek, SUMICA, Crooked Lake Sandhill, Lakeland Highlands Scrub, and Peace River Hammock. These preserved wilderness areas have provided the community with rich recreational opportunities, protection of water resources and wildlife habitat, and been a boon for eco-tourism in the county. Though the initial levy expired in 2015, the issue will be on the ballot again this November thanks to Polk Forever, a nonpartisan political committee of volunteers who share a passion for conservation. The committee’s initial goal was to get a referendum on the ballot this November. With that accomplished, their aim is the passage of the Environmental Lands Acquisition and Management Referendum on November 8, 2022. According to Polk Forever, the purpose of this referendum is “To continue the work begun by the 1994 voter-approved referendum that created the Polk County Environmental Lands Program. If approved, funding will be dedicated to purchase and conserve the environmentally sensitive lands needed to protect our county’s water resources and wildlife habitat. Lands can be purchased outright or protected by conservation easements. The goal is to expand, buffer, and connect existing preserves and wildlife corridors and provide citizens with high-quality resource-based outdoor recreation opportunities.” If passed, four distinct areas have been identified for conservation efforts, including The Green Swamp, The Lake Wales Ridge, The Upper Kissimmee Basin, and The Peace River. Funding will be provided through a dedicated 0.2 mill ad valorem property tax for 20 years if the referendum is approved. According to Polk Forever, “Monies will be dedicated to the acquisition and management of lands purchased outright or to the purchase of conservation easements that will keep the land in private ownership while protecting important natural resources.” “Statewide partners and federal partners are always looking for communities that are willing to invest themselves. So, if we don’t have a funding program in Polk County, other state groups are probably going to look at other areas to match funds with. Matching funds with partners is key,” said Polk Forever board member Suzanne Lindsey. “Our county staff that was so successful with this before are still in place, and they really know how to use those monies to get the biggest bang for your buck. It’s a great investment.” To raise awareness and support for the Environmental Lands Referendum, Polk Forever is hosting a juried triple art show across the county. The shows will feature paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography, and mixed media pieces from local and regional artists inspired by Polk’s environmental lands purchased through the 1995-2015 citizen referendum. The first exhibition was held at the Ridge Art Gallery in Winter Haven from September 3 – September 23, 2022. ART/ifact in Lakeland will display a Polk Forever exhibition from October 1 – 28, 2022, with an opening reception on October 1 from 4 – 6 pm. The Lake Wales Art Gallery will feature another exhibition from October 1 – 28, 2022, with a reception on October 15 from 4 – 6 pm. Polk County kids have submitted pieces inspired by the lands they love and hope to preserve, along with work by professional and emerging artists. “We want to see what people enjoy about the parks and get their view on it,” said Polk Forever board member and artist, Blair Updike. “It’s a good way to show appreciation for the success of the past program and showcase those different lands, the different environments – they’re all over the county.” Lindsey agreed, adding, “I think people who visit the properties become the best ambassadors to protect it.” Updike, a celebrated painter from Lake Wales, has submitted work for the Polk Forever exhibition series, and so has her daughter. Other local artists of note include photography from Adam Bass and sculptures by David Price. “Conservation helps everyone,” Updike said. “You need the clean water. You need all the things provided by having open space. Everyone should care.” Polk Forever polkforever.com FB: Polk Forever IG @polkforever YouTube: Polk Forever Information on the Polk County Environmental Lands Program: polknature.com

BEST PIZZA BISTRO PIZZA 326 W Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 875-4894 FB @bistropizza326 arabellas.us/bistro-pizza Bistro’s back at it again with another Best Of Haven win! This Ave Bar adjacent pizzeria serves up brick oven, hand-tossed pizzas made with fresh ingredients. Create your own, or keep it classic. Bistro offers varieties, including the Pizza Italia, made with mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, fresh tomatoes, basil, and garlic, and the Pizza Rustica with mozzarella and ricotta cheese, ham, bacon, garlic, and olive oil. Pair your pizza with a calzone, stromboli, antipasti, baked pasta, oven-baked sub, or salad. Cheers with a glass of pinot from their wine list or a cocktail from the bar. And don’t forget to ask your server about the “Pizza of the Day.” 2nd: J. Burns’ Pizza Shop 3rd: Pizza Connection BEST BURGER ADLER’S 543 Ave B SW, Winter Haven (863) 875-6615 113 Ambersweet Way, Davenport (863) 438-4324 FB @Adlers.TCB IG @adlerstcb adlersburgers.com Adler’s smashed their competition AGAIN – just like their juicy Midwest, high-fat content ground beef patties. And what a delicious victory it is! They’ve been takin’ care of burgers at their Avenue B (for Burger) Winter Haven location since last August, where they serve up little numbers like the Classic with LTOP, American cheese, mayo, ketchup, and mustard on an artisan bun. Others on Adler’s badass burger roster include the Italian, Bad Hombre, Twitty, Bourbon BBQ, and specials (if you follow their socials and play your cards right). Order it with a side of hand-cut fries and a craft soda from the fountain or beer on tap. If you haven’t been yet, GO. And tell them Haven sent you. 2nd: Andy’s Igloo 3rd: Five Guys BEST TACOS TACOS MY FRIEND 3899 Recker Hwy, Winter Haven (863) 837-7416 FB @tacosmyfriend IG @tacos_my_friend Taco ‘bout authentic and tasty tacos! Tacos My Friend is more than a casual acquaintance to the Best Of Haven winners list – they’re more like besties, dominating the taco category year over year. It’s hard to top their succulent carne asada, cradled by warm tortillas topped with onion, cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and a drizzle of salsa verde. If steak doesn’t suit you, they have plenty of meat options, including pollo, pastor, chorizo, lengua, tripas, and cabeza. Their full menu boasts sopes, tamales, tostadas, and more. Not to be cheesy, but this place is pretty spec-taco-lar. 2nd: Angel’s Kitchen 3rd: Azteca D’ Oro BEST WINGS BEEF ‘O’ BRADY’S 300 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven (863) 293-9464 FB @MyBeefs beefobradys.com/winterhaven Ummm, Beefs? More like Chicken’ O’ Brady’s, amI-right? Their sauce and dry rub game is strong with flavors like Beef’s Signature Buffalo, Nashville Hot, Boom Boom, Sweet Thai Chili, Honey BBQ, and Atomic. Beef’ O’ Brady’s Award-Winning Jumbo Wings are always made fresh to order and tossed in one of their dry rubs or famous sauces. They come traditional or boneless and can be made into a combo or a basket. Beefs, you are the wind beneath Winter Haven’s (chicken) wings. 2nd: Apple Lounge & Grill 3rd: The Twisted Prop Bar & Grille BEST CUBAN SANDWICH SOUP’R CUBANS SANDWICH SHOP 1502 42nd St NW, Winter Haven (863) 967-6277 FB: Soup’R Cubans Winter Haven’s tried and true ‘Soup’er Hero has done it again! “Over 20 years and still pressin’!” Since 2000, Soup’R Cubans Sandwich Shop has perfected its pressed Cuban craft. They load up their Cubans with ham, pork, Genoa salami, Swiss cheese, pickles, and a mustard and mayo mix on fresh Cuban bread. You can get your hot pressed sammie as a 7-inch Regular or 10-inch Super. Enjoy this award-winning sandwich with a sub, salad, or six daily soups. 2nd: Publix 3rd: Richard’s Fine Coffees BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT ARABELLAS RISTORANTE 346 W Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 293-1797 FB @ArabellasRistorante arabellas.us There cannoli be one Best Italian Restaurant in Winter Haven! Since opening in 2004, Arabellas has become synonymous with standout Italian cuisine downtown. Open for lunch and dinner, folks flock to Times Square for a bite to eat. For a romantic dinner for two, pair the Carre Di Agnello Scottadito, roasted rack of lamb served in a red wine rosemary sauce, and Filetto al Porto, Angus filet mignon topped with gorgonzola cheese in a port wine glass with a glass or bottle from their extensive wine list or a cocktail from Ave Bar next door. “Arabellas is rated 5-stars in food, service, and atmosphere. We are dedicated to providing an exceptional experience each time we have the opportunity to serve you.” 2nd: Carrabba’s Italian Grill 3rd: Olive Garden BEST SUSHI RESTAURANT TSUNAMI SUSHI 5937 Cypress Gardens Blvd #300, Winter Haven (863) 324-6777 (Second location in Lakeland) FB @TsunamiSushi2013 IG @tsunamisushiwh tsunamisushi.net Rollin’ into first place again! There is plenty to choose from on Tsunami’s menu, including sushi rolls, sashimi, makimono, tempura, miso, and more. Their sushi list is full of bright, fresh flavors like the 8 Ball Roll with lobster, scallion, garlic sauce, and cucumber topped with mixed krab topping, almonds, and eel sauce or the Malibu Roll with tempura grouper, asparagus, cream cheese, topped with tuna avocado, scallion, spicy mayo, and tempura crumb mixture. Tsunami’s specialty rolls are sure to make you gyoza crazy! Godzilla or Hot Mamma Roll, anyone? 2nd: Tsukiyomi Sushi Bar & Grill 3rd: Sakura Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar BEST BBQ RESTAURANT BLACKBURN’S BBQ 169 5th St, Eagle Lake (863) 287-9975 FB @BlackburnsBBQ IG @blackburnsbbq Blackburn’s BBQ is oak-smoked fall-off-the-bone goodness. They keep their menu stocked with southern staples like pulled pork and rib bone-in sandwiches, dinner plates including brisket, turkey, smoked sausage, meat by the pound, and family meal deals. You’ll also want to pick up a couple of made-from-scratch sides, like sweet coleslaw, southern potato salad, fresh collard greens, or Mimi’s corn casserole. We hear their homemade banana pudding, fresh apple pie, and pecan pie are slap your momma good! 2nd: The Smokin’OX Premium BBQ 3rd: Sonny’s BBQ BEST DONUTS THE DONUT MAN 1290 6th St NW, Winter Haven (863) 293-4031 FB @thedonutmanWH Other places donut even compare to the Donut Man! This little bake shop has all the glaze and sprinkles your heart could desire. Their amazing apple fritters, assorted cake donuts, filled donuts and raised donuts have derailed many a diet throughout the years. One customer wrote, “Delicious donuts that always make the trip over to get them well worth it! My personal favorite is the Toasted Coconut with Bavarian Cream. I believe anyone passing through Polk County should stop by at least once to try these baked goods!” Donut Man offers sandwiches, bagels, muffins, croissants, and coffee too. If you’re looking for an oh-so-sweet pick-me-up, Best Of Haven voters says it’s Donut Man all day! 2nd: Baking Donuts Plus 3rd: Dunkin’ BEST SUBMARINE SANDWICH PUBLIX FB @publix IG @publix publix.com We sub snobs just know that Publix does it best. Certainly, no beach trip is complete without a Pub Sub stop. And you’ve got ‘sub’stantial options, baby. How about a Boar’s Head Italian Sub, Publix Ultimate Sub, or Boar’s Head Cajun Turkey & Shrimp Poboy? The tried-and-true is the Chicken Tender Sub made with Publix Deli’s famous double-hand-breaded chicken tenders. This sandwich has become a Sunshine State institution that people across the country crave! 2nd: Firehouse Subs 3rd: Jersey Mike’s Subs BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT AZTECA D’ORO 5860 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven (Multiple locations in Orlando, Lakeland, Winter Garden, and New Smyrna) (863) 295-9080 FB @Aztecawinterhaven IG @aztecadorowh aztecadoro.com Is there anything better than margs and Mexican food? Azteca D’Oro is praised for authenticity, friendly service, and flavorful fare. Their lunch and dinner menus feature ceviche, nachos, elotes Mexicanos, fajitas, burritos, enchiladas, tortas, tacos, signature dishes, desserts, and more. One customer wrote, “Their food is absolutely delicious. We drive 40 minutes just to eat here at least once a month. They make guacamole right at your table if you order it. Margaritas are delicious!!” It’s feeling like an Azteca Steak Mexicano and sangria kind of night! 2nd: El Olivo Mexican Restaurant 3rd: San Diego’s Mexican Grill BEST BREAKFAST RESTAURANT EGG HAVEN 301 3rd St SW, Winter Haven (863) 268-8269 FB: Egg Haven egghavenwinterhaven.com Best Of Haven voters agree that Egg Haven is the butter to their toast, the biscuits to their gravy, the cheese to their omelet! The downtown diner opened in 2013 and serves breakfast all day, along with other greasy spoon fare. Their menu is so egg-stensive that you could get something different every morning and not run out of options for quite a while. They have a drive-thru for breakfast on the go, or you can take it (over) easy inside or out on the covered patio. 2nd: First Watch 3rd: Big Tom’s Diner BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT HARRY’S OLD PLACE 3751 Cypress Gardens Rd, Winter Haven (863) 324-0301 FB: Harry’s Old Place IG @harrysoldplacewh harrysoldplace.com Winter Haven is over the moon for this underthe-sea eatery! Harry’s Old Place, located on the lapping shores of Lake Ned, has been specializing in fresh seafood since 1992. Known as the place “where the fish is always de-lish,” Harry’s serves a large selection of fresh fish and seafood, steak, chicken, pasta, and cocktails. A happy Harry’s customer raved in part, “Fresh fish & seafood cooked beautifully! We’ve been to Harry’s for lunch and dinner a number of times and are always really happy with our meal. The Smoked Fish dip is a great appetizer for sharing. Be sure to check the chalkboard specials as they change with the catch!” 2nd: Harborside 3rd: Hungry Crab Juicy Seafood & Bar BEST THAI RESTAURANT THAI HAVEN 309 W Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 291-8085 FB @ThaiHaven IG @thaihaven_fl thaihaven.com If you haven’t yet, it’s about Pad Thai-me you try the authentic, made-to-order food at Thai Haven. The cozy Central Avenue establishment is family-owned and operated, offering appetizers, soups, salads, curries, specials, noodle dishes, fried rice dishes, and more with spice levels to suit any palate. The lemongrass soup and red curry are perfect for a lighter lunch, and the Basil Bliss and Drunken Noodles are a must-try for dinner. 2nd: Saigon Garden 3rd: Gin Khao Food Truck BEST MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT MEDITERRANEAN FRESH GRILL 6035 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven (833) 633-4745 FB @MediterraneanFreshGrillWinterHaven IG @mediterraneanfresh mediterraneanfreshgrill.com Chef Chadi Mokbel dazzles guests with beautifully plated Lebanese cuisine like Tabbouleh, kabobs, and shawarma, which somehow tastes even better than it looks. Mediterranean Fresh Grill offers a sizable but curated menu of food that is prepared fresh daily and cooked to order, accommodating dietary needs and choices from vegetarian and vegan to low-carb and gluten-free. Med Fresh Grill notes, “Our menu is inspired by the bold, fresh flavors found in the street foods of the Eastern Mediterranean. Our food contains only high quality, wholesome ingredients like organic fruits and vegetables sourced mainly from local and regional farmers as well as antibiotic-free chicken, lamb, and beef.” 2nd: The Krazy Greek 3rd: Andrea’s Family Restaurant BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT CHINA GARDEN 6027 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven (863) 318-1900 chinagardenwinterhaven.com Generous portions, affordable prices, and tasty takeout have China Garden customers raving. They serve up New York-style Chinese cuisine offering all the fan favorites from sweet and sour chicken and crab rangoon to vegetable lo mein and moo shu pork. “Food has been consistently awesome, fresh, and hot. The staff are friendly and attentive. I’ve never had a bad dish from here,” reads one China Garden five-star review. Grab a bottle of wine, some China Garden takeout (you can order online), and rent a movie for a super ramen-tic night in! 2nd: Beijing Restaurant 3rd: Evergreen BEST RESTAURANT FOR OYSTERS GARY’S OYSTER BAR & SEAFOOD HOUSE 660 E Alfred St, Lake Alfred (863) 956-5055 FB: Garys Oyster Bar garysoysterbar.com If you’ve never been to Gary’s Oyster Bar & Seafood House, you must be living under a rock – or maybe a half shell. It’s the oldest oyster bar in Polk County, serving the area for over 42 years. According to the coziest shuckin’ oyster shack around, “We pride ourselves as a true Florida seafood experience that the entire family will enjoy.” Order a cocktail from their full-service bar and get your hot sauce and crackers ready for some raw oysters on the half shelf or have them steamed. We hear the Char-Grilled Parmesan and Jalapeño Bacon Oysters are worth the trip alone! 2nd: Harborside 3rd: Old Man Frank’s BEST FOOD TRUCK TALLULAH’S TABLE BY THE SEA (863) 289-6255 FB: Tallulah’s Table by the Sea IG @tallulahstable Everyone’s favorite mermaid on wheels won Best Food Truck again! Tallulah’s Table by the Sea is available for public and private events and floats some fabulous fare like the grouper Reuben, lobster rolls, and sweet and spicy shrimp tacos. The latter is a food truck favorite topped with Tallulah’s homemade sweet and spicy sauce, mango salsa, and coleslaw. This Polk County food truck travels all over central Florida, serving up deep-sea deliciousness. 2nd: Gin Khao Food Truck 3rd: Taco Riendo BEST DINER ANDY’S IGLOO 703 3rd St SW, Winter Haven (863) 293-0019 FB: ANDY’S IGLOO andysigloo.com Can I get some fries with that shake? Andy’s is the place for old-school diner bites, from burgers and crinkle-cut fries to hot dogs and BBQ. The iconic Winter Haven eatery also serves chicken and seafood baskets, salads, dinner options, and classic sandwiches like tuna salad, roast beef, and a triple deck club. Andy’s Igloo opened in 1951 and has been a Highway 17 staple ever since. Order an ice cream float to wash it down before you go (they were voted Best Ice Cream, too)! 2nd: 1st Street Diner 3rd: Egg Haven BEST FINE DINING ARABELLAS RISTORANTE 346 W Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 293-1797 FB @ArabellasRistorante arabellas.us At Arabellas, no detail is spared to create a second-to-none guest experience, making it a Downtown Winter Haven fine dining destination. From the ambient lighting to the pianist and premier service, guests rave about everything from the food to the overall experience. Voted Best Italian Restaurant and Best Romantic Restaurant, Arabellas is sure to please for any occasion. One customer wrote in part, “Wonderful food, service, wine, and ambiance! Great for a special occasion if you want multi courses, but reasonably affordable if you just order entrees and drinks.” 2nd: Nutwood 3rd: The Fire Restaurant BEST PATIO DINING NUTWOOD 132 Ave B SW, Winter Haven (863) 229-7770 FB @NUTWOODWH IG @nutwoodwh nutwoodwh.com Bask in a starlit dinner beneath twinkling string lights or a balmy mid-morning Sunday brunch prepared by Michelin Star Chef Steven Rojas. The brick-lined patio space is shaded by a sprawling oak tree and bordered with lush greenery. The atmosphere, only second to the cuisine, is a marriage of sophistication and tranquility in the heart of Central Florida. Foodies travel from across the Sunshine State just to have a meal at Nutwood. 2nd: TIE – The Twisted Prop Bar & Grille The Fire Restaurant 3rd: Harborside BEST WATERFRONT DINING HARBORSIDE 2435 7th St SW, Winter Haven, FL 33880 (863) 293-7070 FB @HarborsideFL IG @harborsiderestaurant harborsidefl.com A Central Florida seafood mainstay, Harborside is lauded for its panoramic Lake Shipp views. Harborside is a repeat winner in the Waterfront Dining category, with guests citing delicious surf and turf, cocktails, and unmatched lakeside sunsets. It remains a destination for fresh seafood, steaks, and casual American fare. “What a wonderful surprise. Very nicely decorated to a seaside motif. Lakeside views from anywhere you sit, including outdoor patio seating. A great menu with reasonable prices,” reads an excerpt from one five-star Harborside review. 2nd: The Twisted Prop Bar & Grille 3rd: Tanners Lakeside Restaurant & Bar BEST BAR AVE BAR 340 W Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 297-1797 FB: Ave Bar by Arabellas arabellas.us This cozy downtown cocktail spot is situated between two other Best Of Haven winners, Arabellas Ristorante and Bistro Pizza. A small plate menu and menus from both sister establishments are provided, making it the perfect spot to imbibe and grab a bite. Ave Bar aptly describes its atmosphere as “sophisticated and fun,” the ideal backdrop to sip a craft cocktail, whiskey on the rocks, or glass of wine. One customer described Ave Bar as a “Great place to meet friends.” 2nd: Barrel 239 3rd: Grove Roots Brewing Company BEST COCKTAILS THE SOCIAL COCKTAIL LOUNGE 356 3rd St NW, Winter Haven (863) 229-7453 FB @thesocialwh IG @the.socialwh Don’t let the Social Cocktail Lounge’s ‘Old Fashioned’ 1920s motif fool you – they can whip up a mean modern cocktail too! This 3rd Street piano bar and speakeasy lounge offers craft cocktails, classic drinks, beer, and wine. It’s a chill establishment to be ‘social’ with friends and catch live entertainment. One customer writes in part, “Fun spot in downtown Winter Haven! Cozy seating, a great bar, and an outside patio with a window pass-through giving easy access to the friendly bartenders.” 2nd: Ave Bar 3rd: Barrel 239 BEST WINE MENU OBSCURE WINE COMPANY 276 W Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 268-6555 FB: Obscure Wine Company IG @obscurewine obscurewine.com With Obscure Wine Company’s vast wine offerings by the bottle and the glass, you can “Drink for yourself!” A newcomer to Winter Haven turned downtown darling, Obscure was a dark horse in both the Best Wine Menu and Best Wine Bar categories. Owner and sommelier Wellie Bethea “hopes to share her love of the beautiful wine regions and the hard-working people that make the gorgeous wines we get to enjoy. Telling their personal stories of back-breaking work and devoted passion, one glass at a time.” We’ll catch you at Wine Down Wednesday! 2nd: Arabellas Ristorante 3rd: Nutwood BEST WINE BAR OBSCURE WINE COMPANY 276 W Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 268-6555 FB: Obscure Wine Company IG @obscurewine obscurewine.com Obscure Wine Company is a woman-owned Central Avenue wine bar and shop offering a sprawling menu of wines from around the world by the bottle and the glass. Owner and sommelier Wellie Bethea provides her services to assist patrons in finding the perfect wine for their palate or meal pairing. Obscure offers a three-tier wine club along with wine courses from beginner to master class. Pair your pinot with something from the lite fare menu like an Art[isan] Palate chefcurated charcuterie board or Croque Monsieur made with ham and gruyere cradled by brioche bread and topped and toasted with bechamel and parmesan cheese. The lite fare menu even includes suggested wine pairings with each dish. 2nd: Grape Expectations Wine Bar 3rd: Ave Bar BEST BEER LIST GROVE ROOTS BREWING CO. 302 3rd St SW, Winter Haven (863) 291-0700 FB @groverootsbrewing IG @groverootsbrewing groveroots.com Grove Roots Brewing Co. is a comfy downtown hangout with a community-centered feel steeped in citrus history and tradition. The brewery prides itself in being a place “where hops meet heritage,” both true in its atmosphere and beer. Along with their flagship beers – Slanted Ladders, Wakes of Grain, Rind & Shine, and 6AM Pickers – the Grove Roots team is constantly concocting a selection of seasonal and special-release brews. Try a Tropical Dilemma (winner for Best Polk County Beer last year) for a crisp, refreshing sour on one of those sweltering Central Florida summer days, or enjoy a hint of honey with their Honey on the Double DIPA. Meet some friends or bring the whole family to chill, cheers, and try whatever food truck is on-site. 2nd: Union Taproom 3rd: Jessie’s Lounge BEST POLK COUNTY BEER 6AM PICKERS GROVE ROOTS BREWING CO. 302 3rd St SW, Winter Haven (863) 291-0700 FB @groverootsbrewing IG @groverootsbrewing groveroots.com One of Grove Roots Brewing Co.’s flagship beers, 6AM Pickers, is a breakfast coffee stout on draft year-round. The perfect ice-cold coffee, chocolate pick-me-up, the brewery describes this 7.2% ABV stout as, “Inspired by the pickers who greet the day from the grove, this rich and roasty stout delivers incredible depth of flavor dominated by coffee, oats, and cocoa nibs.” 2nd: Slanted Ladders | Grove Roots Brewing Co. 3rd: Rind & Shine | Grove Roots Brewing Co. BEST COFFEE SHOP HAVEN COFFEE ROASTERS 140 3rd St SW, Winter Haven (863) 251-9619 FB @HavenCoffeeRoaster IG @thehavencoffeeroasters havencoffeeroaster.com Congratulations, Haven Coffee Roasters for two years on the Best Of Haven winner list! The cozy atmosphere, friendly baristas, and darn good coffee have earned Winter Haven’s only coffee roaster a spot in the community’s heart (and their morning routine). This family-operated, faith-based coffeehouse regularly hosts live music. Have you tried Haven’s seasonal flavors yet? Words cannot espresso how good they are! 2nd: Richard’s Fine Coffees 3rd: N+1 Coffee BEST U-PICK FARM WHITEHEAD’S BLUEBERRY FARM 1024 Macon Rd, Winter Haven (863) 860-4575 FB @whiteheadsblueberryfarm IG @whiteheadfarm Whitehead’s hedges out the competition yet again as the berry best U-Pick farm! What started as a plant nursery in 1979 became a blueberry farm in 2000. Next blueberry season (which typically runs from the first Wednesday in April through mid-May), grab your friends and a few baskets for a day of berry picking at Whitehead’s Blueberry Farm. This 33-acre family-owned farm boasts over 30,000 blueberry plants across 15 acres. 2nd: Ridge Island Groves 3rd: Lonesome Oak Blueberry Farms BEST NEW RESTAURANT LUCILLE’S AMERICAN CAFE 205 3rd St SW, Winter Haven (863) 875-5005 FB @lucillescafe IG @lucillescafewh lucillescafe.com The people have spoken, and Lucille’s is officially Winter Haven’s favorite new from-scratch cafe. The restaurant has a funky, fun mid-century vibe that pays homage to local history, with photos of decades-worth of water skiers dotting the walls in honor of the city’s distinction as the Water Ski Capital of the World. Lucille’s serves up comfort food made “with love, the way mom and grandma have always done!” On the menu, you’ll find salads, sandwiches, and Southern comfort dishes like chicken pot pie and Lucille’s Homemade Meatloaf. Cheers with an adult beverage from their drink menu chocked full of craft cocktails, beer, and wine. This 3rd Street must-stop recently announced weekend brunch, and we hear the PB&J French Toast is out of this world! 2nd: The Smokin’OX Premium BBQ 3rd: Victor & Mika’s Bakery BEST CATERING COMPANY THE CATERING COMPANY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA 2090 Havendale Blvd NW, Winter Haven (863) 207-7057 FB @thecateringcompanyofcentralfl IG @cateringco.ofcentralflorida thecateringcompanyofcentralfl.com Using fresh, local ingredients, the Catering Company of Central Florida aims to “provide flavor-forward dishes, custom to each event menu to fit any budget,” for their clients. One glowing review reads, “As someone who organizes several events, the Catering Company of Central Florida never ceases to amaze me! With every experience, they’ve gone above and beyond to ensure satisfaction. Their food is unbelievably delicious, and the customer service is top notch too! They are one of my absolute favorite caterers, and I highly recommend them for your next event!” No matter the scope of your event, the Catering Company can meet your needs – twenty people or 200, brunch, corporate lunch, charcuterie, rehearsal dinner – you name it, they can do it! 2nd: Blackburn’s BBQ 3rd: Catering Oasis BEST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT ARABELLAS RISTORANTE 346 W Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 293-1797 FB @ArabellasRistorante arabellas.us Grab your date and head downtown for dinner at Winter Haven’s most romantic restaurant. Arabellas is also a fan favorite in the Fine Dining and Italian Restaurant categories. The ambiance is nothing short of dreamy, with dim lighting and piano playing softly in the background as guests enjoy their meal with a glass of wine or cocktail from Ave Bar. “We went for our one-year wedding anniversary last night, and wow, what an experience! We had an absolute blast, from the live pianist to the amazing food and service. We will be making this a tradition, and we will be back!” reads a review from one satisfied diner. 2nd: Nutwood 3rd: The Fire Restaurant BEST VEGAN FOOD VICTOR & MIKA’S BAKERY 371 Ave D NW, Winter Haven (863) 734-9148 FB: Victor & Mika’s Bakery IG @victormikabakery victormikabakery.com A repeat winner in the Best Vegan Food category, Victor & Mika’s Bakery is renowned for its delicious, high-quality, plant-based, vegan, and gluten-free foods. V&M opened its first brick-andmortar eatery in Winter Haven last fall, where they offer hearty, savory options and baked goods. “We pride ourselves on specifically addressing the needs of those who are still sometimes overlooked: people with food intolerances such as dairy, eggs, gluten, and soy, those seeking healthy food alternatives, and also those with allergies who end up missing out on the tasty treats that their peers can enjoy.” 2nd: Mediterranean Fresh Grill 3rd: Thai Haven BEST BAKERY HONEYCOMB BREAD BAKERS 140 6th St SW, Winter Haven (863) 662-5513 FB @honeycombbread IG @honeycombbread honeycombbread.com From farmers market mainstay to Best Bakery in town! Honeycomb’s little golden bee has become synonymous with piping fresh artisan bread and delectable pastries. Owner Benjamin Vickers “first lit the hearth” in February of 2018 and opened his Winter Haven storefront last year in a thoughtfully renovated 1960s gas station. Honeycomb has become a choice breakfast and lunch destination offering a selection of coffee and tea and soughtafter sustenance like baked brie and apple butter, bagel and schmear, salads, and sandwiches on their fresh baked bread. 2nd: Gourmet Goodies Bake Shop 3rd: Sugar and Slice BEST ICE CREAM ANDY’S IGLOO 703 3rd St SW, Winter Haven (863) 293-0019 FB: ANDY’S IGLOO andysigloo.com Andy’s Igloo totally creamed the competition again this year! Both Andy’s neon sign and its Americana diner atmosphere are an iconic beacon of a bygone era. In addition to delicious diner fare, Andy’s is ice cream parlor perfection. They offer homemade sherberts, milkshakes, freezes, floats, hand-dipped ice cream, and Royal Treats like their Banana Split, Spin-The-Wheel, Banana Bonanza, and Parfait (and all their toppings and sherberts are made in-house). Best Of Haven voters agree that a trip to Andy’s is the cherry atop any hot day. 2nd: Dairy Queen 3rd: Cabana Boy Ice Cream

BEST FLORIST LASATER FLOWERS 254 W Central Ave Ste A, Winter Haven (863) 294-3213 FB @lasaterflowers IG @lasaterflowers lasaterflowers.net “Want to make a great impression? We can arrange that!” This flower power boutique floral design studio, established in 1958, offers arrangements for every occasion with a freshness guarantee. Lasater Flowers also extends gift sets, seasonal blooms, and subscriptions with personalized plans to fit your style, budget, and delivery frequency. A Lasater Flowers customer raved, “I subscribed to the bi-weekly delivery service, and each bouquet I get is nicer than the last! The flowers are gorgeous, and they last quite a while.” 2nd: Golden Petal Designs 3rd: Angelic Flowers BEST WEDDING VENUE VENUE 650 650 6th St SW, Winter Haven (863) 287-3814 FB @venue650 IG @venue650 venue650.com Industrial and elegant, Venue 650 is Winter Haven’s premier wedding venue and a Best Of Haven voter favorite. Its lofty ceilings, sprawling windows, and adjoining open-sky courtyard visually lend even more space to the building’s 10,500 square feet. The versatile event venue, complete with exposed brick walls and concrete floor, can see any event vision realized and comfortably accommodate up to 400 guests. Additional Venue 650 features include high-speed internet, ample well-lit parking, a catering kitchen, and dressing suites. One Venue 650 testimonial reads in part, “We are so thankful that Venue 650 was our choice for our wedding day. It was the perfect place for our friends and family to celebrate together!” 2nd: Adams Estate 3rd: Blue View Barn BEST WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER GONZALEZ LUGO PHOTOGRAPHY 5603 Struthers Ct, Winter Haven (863) 589-8438 FB: Gonzalez Lugo Photography, LLC IG @gonzalezlugophoto gonzalezlugophoto.com Maryel and Alfredo, the couple behind the lens of Gonzalez Lugo Photography, met and fell in love by capturing it for others. Their portfolio is filled with magical, timeless moments, from a sweet hug from a tiny ring bearer to a sunset kiss shared between a bride and groom. “From the first inquiry with us, you will shortly realize that you are not only gaining your wedding photographers but also your go-to friends when you need advice; your timeline creator because we want you to relax and enjoy every single moment of your wedding day, and relax knowing that you’re going to have the most beautiful and timeless imagery of your wedding day.” 2nd: Mikey Beasley | Caloosa Media 3rd: Mindy Mier Photography BEST EVENT ENTERTAINMENT NEXT LEVEL ENTERTAINMENT LLC 770 Ave B SW, Winter Haven (727) 614-3652 FB @nextlevelent1djs wedding-and-events-by-dj-melvin.business.site This DJ service will have everybody on the dance floor at your upcoming wedding, birthday, or corporate party. They can take your party to the next level with a photo booth, lighting, and special effects. DJ Melvin’s clients continually sing his praises, like this five-star review which reads in part, “DJ Melvin is absolutely amazing!! He is outgoing and funny. Takes good care of his clients and always goes above and beyond. He is super talented and definitely knows what he is doing. He works countless hours making sure each and every wedding is just perfect, and he is very transparent and tells you exactly what to expect on your big day. Not only is he an awesome DJ, but he is a great host and a great coordinator as well.” 2nd: DJ Bush Entertainment 3rd: Triviosity Live Events BEST DRY CLEANER TOP HAT CLEANERS 150 2nd St. NW, Winter Haven (863) 293-2627 212 N Main St, Auburndale (863) 967-2287 FB @TopHatDryCleaners2013 A tip of the hat to Top Hat Cleaners for another year atop the Best Dry Cleaner category! This toptier dry cleaner owned and operated by Michelle Womble offers over 20 years of clean laundry backing up their good reputation. With four convenient locations and eco-friendly GreenEarth technology, what’s not to love? Top Hat Cleaners says, “Our friendly staff takes particular care with each and every order and proudly provides customers with professional workmanship.” 2nd: Dry Clean America 3rd: Executive Dry Cleaners BEST AUTO REPAIR STEWART AUTO REPAIR 1990 42nd St NW, Winter Haven (863) 965-2526 FB @stewartautorepair IG @stewartautorepair stewartautorepair.com Is your AC on the fritz? Transmission giving you trouble? Best Of Haven voters trust their auto repairs to Stewart! Since 1998, Stewart Auto Repair has been servicing a wide range of makes and models for their Central Florida customers. Their skilled service technicians use quality parts to repair collision and auto body damage and back up their work with a warranty. Stewart even invests in the latest auto repair tools and diagnostic software specifically tailored to your vehicle’s software. One customer wrote, “This was my first visit to Stewart Auto Repair, and I have to say I was impressed. I have 40 plus years in automotive service, from master ASE technician to service manager for 3 new car dealers. I have dealt with many independent shops and have to say my first visit to Stewart was excellent.” 2nd: Tires Unlimited 3rd: Auto Dynamics BEST AUTO DEALER JARRETT-GORDON FORD WINTER HAVEN 3015 Lake Alfred Rd, Winter Haven (863) 294-8539 FB @JarrettGordonFordLincoln IG @jarrettgordonfordwh jarrettgordonfordwinterhaven.com From test drive to tune-up, Jarrett-Gordon Ford Winter Haven keeps their customers riding in style. Part of the Jarrett Ford Automotive Group, founded in 1978 by William Richard Jarrett in Dade City, Jarrett-Gordon Ford Winter Haven offers a wide selection of new Ford and Lincoln cars, trucks, and SUVs, as well as pre-owned inventory. Their knowledgeable staff will work to find you the car you’re looking for and help to secure used vehicle financing or assist you in taking out a new auto loan. An excerpt of one rave review reads, “We love Jarrett-Gordon Ford and have purchased 4 vehicles from them in the 6 years we’ve been in Florida, two of them were previously owned and have been wonderful and reliable vehicles! The service department has always taken good care of us.” 2nd: Hill Nissan 3rd: Chevrolet Center BEST BOAT DEALER MARINE SUPPLY 717 6th St SW, Winter Haven (863) 293-1156 FB @marinesupplyboats IG @marinesupplytheboatingcenter marinesupplyboats.com Marine Supply the Boating Center is sure to float your boat! Along with their new and used boat inventory and financing, Marine Supply offers services, including battery replacement, oil change, tune-up, electrical repair and installation, storage, and more! Don’t have a boat? Rent one here! At Marine Supply, “The fun begins on the Chain of Lakes.” A customer wrote of this familyowned boat dealer, “I have used Marine Supply for most of my adult life to repair all of my boats over the years. They have always been consistent in their quality of work and fair on their repairs. I wouldn’t consider using anyone else. I have never had an issue with any work they have done for me and am confident in the event of an issue they would respond appropriately.” 2nd: Hillman Motors 3rd: Hoppy’s Marine BEST OIL CHANGE TAKE 5 OIL CHANGE 1530 1st St S, Winter Haven (863) 658-6075 FB @Take5OilChange IG @take5oilchange take5oilchange.com Take 5 Oil Change, home of “the quickest oil change in Winter Haven,” offers a drivethru 10-minute oil change service with no appointment necessary. Just pick your oil from the technicians’ options, sit back, and relax while expert technicians change your oil and filter, replenish under-hood fluids, and check your air filter and wiper blades. One customer’s five-star review reads in part, “I just discovered this place. They were pretty quick. I stayed in my own car for the full service. No uncomfortable waiting room chairs. They were super respectful, polite, and transparent. They don’t charge extra for inspecting parts they could service. They top off all fluids with your oil change.” 2nd: Tires Unlimited 3rd: Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center BEST FINANCIAL ADVISOR AUSTIN THARP AVENTAIL WEALTH MANAGEMENT 353 Ave C SW, Winter Haven (863) 333-1927 FB @aventailwm100 www.aventailwm.com Austin Tharp joined Aventail Wealth Management in 2016 as an Investment Adviser Representative and became the firm’s co-owner and vice president in 2019. In addition to assisting his clients, Tharp has stayed engaged with his community by serving on the Eagle Scout board of review for the Lake Region District and Endeavor Winter Haven, the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce’s young professionals networking group. “Austin prides himself in always giving his clients the highest level of service in a very personal way,” according to Aventail Wealth Management. Tharp’s clients agree, with one writing in part, “Austin is an absolute pleasure to deal with, very responsive and is always happy to discuss questions or concerns.” 2nd: Doug Rathbun | Thornhill Wealth Management UBS Financial Services 3rd: Brittney Oakes | Edward Jones BEST CPA WIGGINS, SMIT, BURBY, REINEKE & CO P.A. 30 4th St SW, Winter Haven 42729 US-27, Davenport (863) 299-8084 FB @WSBR33880 IG @wsbr_cpa cpa-winterhaven.com Wiggins, Smit, Burby, Reineke & Co., P.A. specializes in accounting services for small businesses and tax services for individuals and business owners, including accounting and auditing, professional business consulting, and Quickbooks services. They’ve assisted customers since 1989, forging long-lasting relationships through their commitment to excellence and customer service. “We are committed to providing close, personal attention to our clients. We take pride in giving you the assurance that the personal assistance you receive comes from years of advanced training, technical experience, and financial acumen.” 2nd: Conner & Associates LLC 3rd: Adamson & Co, P.A. BEST ATTORNEY SOUTHERN ATLANTIC LAW GROUP, PLLC 520 6th St NW, Winter Haven (863) 656-6672 FB @WinterHavenbusinesslaw IG @southernatlanlawgroup southernatlanticlaw.com The Southern Atlantic Law Group is a statewide civil litigation and appellate firm whose attorneys have extensive litigation experience in state and federal courts. This Winter Haven-based law firm prides itself on providing client-focused representation and positive results. Their practice areas include appellate law, business litigations, class action, contract disputes, corporate/general counsel, hurricane damage, insurance claims, and personal injury. One five-star review reads, “Southern Atlantic Law Group is the most efficient and professional law firm I have had experience with in the Central Florida area. Would highly recommend them to anyone looking for an attorney that will genuinely care and help!” 2nd: The Law Offices of Carter J. Adams 3rd: Straughn & Turner, P.A. BEST BANK MIDFLORIDA CREDIT UNION Multiple Locations FB @MIDFLORIDA IG @midflorida_creditunion midflorida.com MIDFLORIDA, a repeat Best Of Haven winner for Best Bank, is not-for-profit and member-owned, offering banking products and services including personal and business banking, loans, mortgages, and investing. It began in 1954 as Polk County Teachers Credit Union and now has more than 60 branches as Central Florida’s community credit union. MIDFLORIDA emphasizes personal attention and competitive rates, “Because your money isn’t just a string of numbers on an account statement. It’s personal—and we think the way you bank should reflect that.” 2nd: Citizens Bank & Trust 3rd: SouthState Bank BEST INSURANCE AGENT ERIK SEALY | SEALY INSURANCE 3395 Cypress Gardens Rd, Winter Haven (863) 324-3100 FB: Sealy Insurance What kind of service can you expect from Erik Sealy? According to an excerpt from one five-star review, “Hands down the easiest homeowners insurance experience ever! Erik was very personable, professional and kind!” Sealy is an independent insurance agent representing over 30 home companies and 13 auto carriers, as well as commercial and financial markets, to serve his clients. Whether you need home, life, auto, or business coverage, Best Of Haven voters agree you should seal the deal with Erik Sealy. 2nd: Karen Bryan | State Farm Insurance 3rd: TIE – Barfield Insurance & Financial Services Zinsmeister Insurance BEST SPA MASSAGE AND SPINAL THERAPY OF WINTER HAVEN 546 Avenue A NE, Winter Haven (863) 294-2000 FB @MassageandSpinalTherapyofWinterHavenInc massageandspinaltherapy.com Rest, relax, and revitalize at Massage and Spinal Therapy of Winter Haven. Established in 1990, Massage and Spinal Therapy offer a full menu of spa treatments and care, including spinal decompression, on-site seated massage, Swedish massage, hot stone massage, and more! Give your skin a little love with a body wrap, scrub, facial, or microdermabrasion. One client raved, “Very relaxing atmosphere and super friendly employees! Easy to make appointments. Add the cupping! It will change your life! Love going here with my sister for relaxation time!” 2nd: The Salt Room 3rd: Oasis Spa & Nails BEST HAIR SALON U SALON 2200 Havendale Blvd NW, Winter Haven (863) 287-9231 FB @TheUSalonLLC Looking to touch up your roots or go drastic with a brand new do? A scroll through U Salon’s social media is a vibrant myriad of beautiful hair colors, styles, and cuts. One client wrote, “Kelly did an amazing job on my hair. I love that this salon has private booths, so you’re not sitting directly next to another client. It allows for privacy for each stylist and chill vibes for clients.” While booking an appointment for the Brazilian blowout of your dreams, consider their other services, including eyelash extensions, micro-blading, facials, and mani/ pedi. 2nd: Split Ends 3rd: Posh Salon and Day Spa BEST BARBER BEST CUTS BARBER SHOP 213 Ave O SW, Winter Haven (863) 293-9433 FB @BestCutsWinterHaven IG @bestcutswinterhaven bestcutswinterhaven.com The Best Cuts Barber Shop team in Winter Haven offers services at rates they stand behind for men, women, and kids! The shop opened in 2004 and has continued to build a loyal customer base one cut at a time, offering haircuts, beard trims, washes, hot towel shaves, and massage. One client raves, “We are new to the area and have been looking for a real barbershop. My husband took my boys there today, and they had a great experience. Cool atmosphere, the prices are good, and they received quality haircuts! My boys loved the entire experience and the end results! Highly recommend!” 2nd: TIE – Custom Kutz The Barber Bros. Hairstyling 3rd: Diosa Hair Studio BEST NAIL SALON OASIS SPA AND NAILS 5535 Cypress Gardens Blvd #140, Winter Haven (863) 875-8869 FB: Oasis Spa & Nails IG @oasis.spa.nails oasisspanails.com Oasis Spa and Nails, you really nailed it this year! This is the stuff mani/pedi dreams are made of. Services include a full menu of manicures (including gel), pedicures, acrylic, and even kid services so you can have a spa day with your mini-me! According to Oasis, “Our priority is to make our clients feel pampered and relaxed while getting beautified here at our salon. We will maintain our progressiveness and edginess by creating the latest trends and offering an unforgettable experience throughout your stay with us.” 2nd: HN Nails and Spa II (Tips and Toes) 3rd: Venue Nail Bar BEST TATTOO STUDIO ACES INK 838 6th St NW, Winter Haven (863) 875-3798 FB @acesinktattoo IG @acesinktattoo This repeat Best Of Haven tattoo studio winner must have a few aces up their sleeve! The shop’s mission is “to provide you with quality tattoos/ piercings in an amazing and sterile environment.” Aces Ink has a portfolio full of clean, cool, creative tattoos – and a solid five-star rating to back it up. The following excerpt is only one of the hundreds of glowing reviews for the shop. “This place is amazing. First off, the shop is bright, airy and so clean. Everyone there is super nice and easy to talk to. Jessi was my artist, and wow, she blew my expectations out of the water. The drawing she did was gorgeous, and the tattoo turned out to be more than I could have imagined.” 2nd: Skinfinity Tattoo Company 3rd: True to the Game Tattoos BEST PIERCING ACES INK 838 6th St NW, Winter Haven (863) 875-3798 FB @acesinktattoo IG @acesinktattoo And another win for Aces Ink! Clients rave about all aspects of the shop, including the atmosphere, customer service, professionalism, pricing, and quality of work. Professional Body Piercer Dakota LaRue constantly appears in reviews praising how comfortable she makes her clients and the beautiful job she does in all manner of piercings. “I love everything about this shop. The music is great, the vibe is great, the artists are great. The prices are reasonable. Everything looks very clean and sanitary. They offer you complimentary drinks while you wait. My piercer Dakota was also very nice and professional. She went over everything I needed to know and answered all of my questions with a great attitude. So glad I chose this shop over the other ones.” 2nd: True to the Game Tattoos 3rd: Skinfinity Tattoo Company

BEST GYM JUST MOVE WINTER HAVEN 5636 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven (863) 291-4653 FB @JustMoveWH IG @justmovewh justmovewinterhaven.com Just Move Havendale 1164 Havendale Blvd NW, Winter Haven (863) 294-4653 FB @JustMoveHD IG @justmovehd justmovehavendale.com Don’t know where to start in your fitness journey? Don’t sweat it – Just Move! With its premier facilities and programming, Just Move can help you achieve your individual health and wellness goals. According to the gym, “The beauty of Just Move is that it embraces the idea that every person can get one step closer to feeling fit by just moving forward.” Just Move has curated a space that offers custom fitness experiences to its members, from weight machines, cross training, a women’s only area, group classes, and circuit training to boxing, racquetball, basketball, and cable training. 2nd: Laws of Fitness Downtown 3rd: Habitat Health and Fitness BEST YOGA STUDIO INSIDE OUT YOGA 219 5th St SW, Winter Haven (863) 224-2311 FB @ioyogastudio IG @insideoutyogawh ioyogastudio.com Reclaim some balance in your life (while working on your actual balance) at Inside Out Yoga. “Bending, Breathing, and Balancing since 2013,” the yoga studio moved to a new home on 5th Street this year, and it’s just as comfortable and clean with all the same friendly instructors. Inside Out says, “We cultivate a non-competitive and joyous learning environment for both beginners and experienced practitioners. Our targets are strength, ease, balance, and increased range of motion, but you do not need to be “in shape,” “flexible,” or have any prior experience to start.” Move your body and focus your mind at their daily group yoga classes, private instruction, corporate yoga and mindfulness, workshops, specialty classes, or yoga teacher training and CEUs. 2nd: Yoga Bliss Studio 3rd: Buffy’s Boutique BEST MEDICAL CANNABIS DISPENSARY TRULIEVE WINTER HAVEN 749 3rd St SW, Winter Haven (407) 606-6109 FB @Trulieve IG @trulieve_ trulieve.com Way to smoke the competition! Best Of Haven voters “highly” recommend Trulieve in Winter Haven for medical cannabis needs. “At Trulieve, we believe in the power of cannabis for all. We take great pride in building community, offering innovative products, and advocating for our industry.” This medical cannabis dispensary offers a curated collection of products, including flower, concentrates, vape carts, edibles, oral, topicals and nebulizers, and accessories. One five-star Winter Haven Trulieve review reads in part, “Winter Haven is my home dispensary. The staff is extraordinary! Polite, helpful, knowledgeable, and always willing to go the extra mile.” 2nd: Surterra Wellness 3rd: Liberty Health Sciences BEST MEDICAL SUPPLY GARRETT’S MEDICAL SUPPLY 485 1st St N, Winter Haven (863) 293-9747 FB @garrettsmedical garrettsmedical.com Garrett’s Medical Supply has been family-owned and operated since 1986, and owner Jeannine Russell has over 30 years of experience in the medical supply industry. The store carries medical supplies, uniforms, and miscellaneous items for medical care at home or in the field, and if they don’t currently have what you’re looking for, they can order it or inform you where to find it. One satisfied customer wrote of Garrett’s Medical Supply, “So thankful we chose to go through Garrett’s for our son’s supplies! Jeannine (owner) let me know all of the steps of the process and answered all of my questions. Quick and helpful!” 2nd: Meg’s Medical Scrubs & Boutique 3rd: QualiMed BEST WELLNESS STORE HEALTHY HABITS 362 3rd St NW, Winter Haven (863) 875-4826 FB @healthyhabitsforyou IG @healthyhabitswinterhaven 509 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven (863) 875-6551 FB @healthyhabitsblvd IG @healthyhabitsontheboulevard (Third location in Lakeland) “Change your habits, change your life,” that’s Healthy Habits’ motto. “It is our belief that implementing positive changes in our daily routines can have a profound effect on our future health and well-being.” Whether you have special dietary needs or are looking to gain a few ‘healthy habits,’ this store has you covered with two locations in Winter Haven and a third in Lakeland. Healthy Habits carries antioxidants, anti-aging products, blood pressure products, digestive enzymes, gluten-free foods, immune support, vitamins, organic hair, skin, and beauty products, and much more! 2nd: Calypso’s on Central (formerly Home Remedy) 3rd: Open Door Wellness BEST FAMILY DOCTOR ELIZABETH GRIFFIN, M.D. GESSLER CLINIC 635 1st St N, Winter Haven (863) 294-0670 FB @GesslerClinic IG @gesslerclinic gesslerclinic.com Patients laud Dr. Elizabeth Griffin for her bedside manner and willingness to attentively listen to and discuss health concerns. Dr. Griffin obtained her Medical Degree from the University of South Alabama, did an Internship in Internal Medicine at North Carolina Baptist Hospital, and her Residency in Internal Medicine at Ruby Memorial Hospital. This Gessler Clinic doctor leads with compassionate care and over 28 years of experience. 2nd: Celestino Vega, MD Lakeland Regional Health Auburndale Clinic 3rd: Christopher Lopez, MD | Bond Clinic, P.A. BEST PEDIATRICIAN JOSEF S. KLEINE, MD KLEINE PEDIATRICS 375 E Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 656-1111 Many families in Winter Haven and surrounding areas have received generational care from Dr. Josef Kleine. His board-certified care comes highly recommended, with patient parents often describing him as attentive and professional. Dr. Kleine sees patients from birth through adolescence. One parent wrote, “Dr. Kleine is a dedicated, compassionate, experienced professional that I feel goes above and beyond with his services. Both of my kids really enjoy his calming personality, and so do I. Thank you Dr. Kleine and thanks to all your supporting staff.” 2nd: Raul Alvarez, MD Lakeland Regional Health Winter Haven 3rd: Eric LaRue, MD LaRue & LaRue Pediatrics, P.A. BEST EYE SPECIALIST/ OPTOMETRIST FAMILY EYE CARE 410 E Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 293-0276 FB @DrHenne IG @familyeyecarewh drhenne.com Am I seeing stars, or is that just you, Dr. Henne? Family Eye Care states, “Whether it’s a general eye exam or treating a condition that requires an in-depth diagnosis, our team provides undivided attention to each patient so we can evaluate a plan based on your needs and our professional opinion.” One patient writes, “Dr. Henne saw me right away for a medical emergency. His calm, professional manner, detailed explanation of my condition, and follow-up care directions alleviated my fears and concerns. Highly recommend!” 2nd: Eye Specialists of Mid Florida 3rd: Salomon Eye Care BEST ORTHOPEDIC DOCTOR LARRY R. PADGETT, MD ADVANCED ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY AND SPORTS MEDICINE 250 3rd St NW #201, Winter Haven (863) 318-9696 larrypadgettmd.com Dr. Larry Padgett is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon practicing in the areas of Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine. This repeat Best Of Haven winner and his team at Advanced Orthopedic Surgery treat athletes playing at the high school, college, and professional levels, as well as recreational athletes from every age group. Dr. Padgett was a Team Physician for the Cleveland Indians from 1998 through 2008 and is currently the Florida Team physician for the Atlanta Braves and Team Physician for Florida Southern College, Webber International University, and Warner University. He previously worked as the physician for the Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team, Assistant Team Physician for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Event Physician for the Women’s World Pro Ski Tour, and was the Major League Physician for the World Baseball Classic in 2006. 2nd: Samuel Messieh, MD Messieh Orthopedic Clinic 3rd: Paul Morin, MD Bond Clinic, P.A. BEST DENTIST/ ORTHODONTIST JAMES A. TRUITT, DMD, PA 144 Avenue B NW, Winter Haven (863) 294-2128 jamesatruittdmd.com Best Of Haven voters are all smiles for Dr. Truitt again this year! Providing dental care for the whole family since 1989, Dr. Truitt and his staff focus on patient relationships and compassionate care. “I never looked forward to seeing a dentist until Dr. Truitt. He truly is the very best of Polk County. He has the most friendly staff you could ever encounter. I really enjoy my visits! It is always pain-free. Thank you for caring and making my visits such enjoyable experiences. You always go the extra mile!” writes Candi from Winter Haven in a patient testimonial. 2nd: Jamie W. Odom, DMD Polk Dentistry 3rd: Gerald Cerdan, DMD Winter Haven Family & Cosmetic Dentistry BEST CHIROPRACTOR NEWBERRY CLINIC 1619 6th St SE, Winter Haven (863) 293-3893 FB @TheNewberryClinic chirowinterhaven.com “You’ve only got one spine. Take great care of it with supportive chiropractic care.” The Newberry Clinic has your back! Whether you’re suffering from headaches, back pain, neck pain, work or auto injury, the Newberry Clinic can help with services and techniques, including chiropractic and spinal decompression, physical therapy modalities, and therapeutic massage. “Unlike conventional medicine, which focuses on attempting to treat disease once it occurs, Newberry Clinic emphasizes improving your health in an effort to reduce the risk of pain and illness in the first place.” 2nd: Smith Chiropractic 3rd: Trueheart Chiropractic BEST HOSPITAL WINTER HAVEN HOSPITAL 200 Ave F NE, Winter Haven (863) 293-1121 FB @WinterHavenHospital IG @baycare baycare.org/whh Founded in 1926, Winter Haven Hospital has an outstanding reputation for superior, patientcentered care. Its mission statement is “to improve the health of the people we serve by providing the highest quality and most effective care and services – and to return value to the people in our communities.” By upholding this standard of excellence in all they do, they are able to provide patients throughout Central Florida with customized, state-of-the-art treatments in a comfortable environment. 2nd: Lakeland Regional Health 3rd: AdventHealth Heart of Florida BEST URGENT CARE BOND CLINIC URGENT CARE 325 1st St N, Winter Haven (863) 293-1191 ext. 3693 FB @BondClinic IG @bondclinic_fl bondclinic.com/urgent-care-emergency-room There’s no need for the drama and cost of the emergency room when you’ve got a non-life threatening injury or illness. You can visit Bond Clinic Urgent Care with no appointment necessary! “According to the Urgent Care Association of America, the average Urgent Care visitor waits 30 minutes or less to be seen by their provider while a patient could potentially wait more than a couple hours. The cost can also vary greatly where patients could spend seven times as much in the ER versus the Urgent.” Bond Clinic Urgent Care is open to established patients and the general public. They have a team of experienced providers able to treat ailments like cold and flu, minor cuts, ear pain, fever, and mild burns (it’s also a good option if your primary doctor is all booked up). 2nd: Owl Now Urgent Care 3rd: AdventHealth Centra Care BEST REHABILITATION SERVICES SPRING LAKE REHABILITATION CENTER 1540 6th St NW, Winter Haven (863) 294-3055 FB @SpringLakeRehab springlakerehab.com Offering both inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient therapy, Spring Lake Rehabilitation boasts over 10,000 square feet of therapy gym space with state-of-the-art equipment and therapists with over fifteen different specializations. They offer physical, speech, and occupational therapies and have accreditations, including the Nursing Home Gold Seal Award, The Joint Commission Standards Award, and a CMS Five-Star Rating. Spring Lake Rehabilitation says, “We rely on an interdisciplinary approach with our team of physical, occupational, and speech therapists to help you get back to you.” 2nd: Bond Clinic Physical Therapy 3rd: Polk Therapy BEST MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES HEARTLAND COUNSELING CENTER 301 3rd St NW suite 212, Winter Haven (863) 299-7787 FB: Heartland Counseling Center heartlandcounselingcenter.org Established in September 2017, the Heartland Counseling Center is a counseling ministry extension of Heartland Church of Winter Haven. With a team made up of a licensed psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, and licensed mental health counselors, Heartland Counseling Center offers psychological services, counseling, and coaching. Its mission aims to “provide professional Christian counseling in an atmosphere of hope, healing, and restoration.” 2nd: BayCare Behavioral Health 3rd: Peace River Center BEST DOGGY DAYCARE LITTLE WOLFE’S PET RESORT 555 6th St NW, Winter Haven (863) 293-7327 FB: Little Wolfe’s Pet Resort IG @littlewolfespetresort littlewolfes.com Pets and their parents pawsitively love Little Wolfe’s! “Our husky Fenris loves going here for daycare as we call it, they groom her whenever it is requested, and she never has had a problem. When we pick her up, she is so happy, and the staff is absolutely amazing!!!” reads a portion of one Little Wolfe’s Pet Resort review. Camp Little Wolfe’s is a supervised doggy daycare where groups are established by size and disposition, and pups can play and pant to their hearts’ content. Pet parents can rest assured their dogs are in good company at daycare as Camp Little Wolfe’s requires attendees to be spayed/ neutered, clean, well groomed, and free of parasites. 2nd: Paw Printz 3rd: Orchid Springs Animal Hospital BEST DOG GROOMER LITTLE WOLFE’S PET RESORT 555 6th St NW, Winter Haven (863) 293-7327 FB: Little Wolfe’s Pet Resort IG @littlewolfespetresort littlewolfes.com Washing your dog, clipping their nails, and giving them a trim sounds ruff – let Little Wolfe’s handle it! Opened in 1986 by Anne E. Wolfe, this Winter Haven pet resort is a repeat Best Of Haven winner in the Doggy Daycare and Dog Groomer categories. Little Wolfe’s Pet Resort is a full-service groomer offering haircuts, nail trimming, baths, and even show-quality trims by appointment. One happy dog mom raved, “Very friendly staff & great customer service! They took such good care grooming our doodle! We’ll be back!” Oh, and they groom cats too! 2nd: Paw Printz 3rd: Grooming Deals Pet Spa & Salon BEST VETERINARIAN ORCHID SPRINGS ANIMAL HOSPITAL 615 Overlook Dr, Winter Haven (863) 324-6964 FB @OrchidSpringsAnimalHospital IG @orchidspringsanimalhospital osahvets.com Dr. Vargas? We’ve heard she’s the best dogtor around! Orchid Springs Animal Hospital was established as a small clinic in 1996 by Dr. Mitsie Vargas. Caring for one pet at a time, OSAH grew into a five-thousand-square-foot building with a bone-shaped pool (used for exercise, rehabilitation therapy, and entertainment). In 2008, Dr. Vargas made room for a more extensive treatment area, and luxury boarding rooms called The World Suites. Dr. Vargas and her team offer medical services to many kinds of animals as well as provide acupuncture therapy, boarding, daycare, grooming, training, dental services, veterinary medical manipulation, canine massage, canine rehabilitation, and Chinese herbal medicine. 2nd: Garden Grove Animal Hospital 3rd: Cypress Animal Hospital