Meet the people and discover the passion behind a world renowned bowling center right here in Polk County. Kegler may or may not, be a term you’re familiar with. I have to admit, it is one I just became aware of. Kegler is borrowed from the German verb kegeln, which means “to bowl,” and its first known use, according to Merriam-Webster, was in 1932. So, we can certainly say it has been around for some time, and so have its derivatives Kegel (bowling pin) and Kegling (bowling)

Reaching this milestone is a chance for us to look back at the stories, conversations, ideas, and the people who have helped shape Haven over the past decade. More than anything, we’re thankful to our readers for picking us up every month. We’re grateful to our contributors, partners, and everyone who has given us their time, trust, and support. Thank you for sharing with us. Ten years is a big moment for us, but it’s also a reminder that we’re only successful because of our

For the readers long ago who embarked on the journey through Dante Alighieri’s vision of the darkest steps of Hell, they found themselves guided by the poet Virgil. For listeners in the classic Golden Age of radio, it was Raymond who led them behind the creaking door of the Inner Sanctum, and for the watchers of late-night television in the ’60s through the ’80s—in some lucky cases, even later—their trip into the dark often began and ended with their local horror host. Our tr

Gene Leedy's Bold Mid-Century vision turned a citrus town into a quiet capital of modern design. On a crest of land between an old grapefruit grove and the gentle shoreline of Lake Elbert, eleven low-slung homes sit beneath flat roofs and sliding glass walls, looking very much as they did the day Gene Leedy drew them. Locals call them the Craney Spec Homes. The rest of the world, increasingly, calls them a treasure. Decades after Leedy first set up his drafting table in town,

Calling all art lovers, this one’s for you! I had the immense pleasure of sitting down with two artists in Polk County who are hoping to make a “splash” on the art scene come November. Gillian Fazio and Katerina Santos have a festival in the works running from November 6 through November 14, 2026, that is sure to knock your socks off. Coming from a shared love of each others’ work and a serendipitous meeting through murals at Disney Springs, Gillian and Katerina are the geniu

The second annual photo contest developed into quite the picture-perfect conundrum. We received an incredible 142 photo submissions, and choosing which ones to feature inside this issue was no easy decision. We got silly photos, so much nature, kids, architecture, and the iconic landmarks we all love. Thank you to everyone who shared their talent with us and helped make this year’s contest better than ever! Thanks to the Central Florida Photo Club for helping to organize. You

Blueberry farming is a growing industry in Polk County, and with so many local growers, it’s a no-brainer to highlight their hard work and delicious crops with a festival! Auburndale has wonderful facilities and is located in the heart of Central Florida, perfect for bringing everyone together for a really fun day! Visit Central Florida has teamed up with Destroyer Media to bring you this fun-filled day. Stop by the festival from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. at the Auburndale’s Downtown

The moment you step into Noisettes Bakeshop, the aroma of toasted, buttery croissants warms your soul and brings a smile to your face. “I was just waiting for that one shot to get my space,” said Wendy Theroulde-Miller, the owner and baker of Noisettes, and after a year of looking for places since leaving her corporate job and several years of saving for that moment—the time finally came. On January 29, 2024, the love for baking she had cultivated while growing up in Trinidad

Photo by Kamryn Potteiger You don’t have to stroll the neon-lit Strip in Las Vegas to find a world-class Elvis Presley tribute artist. One of the very best calls Lake Otis in Winter Haven home. Dwight Icenhower holds a distinction no one else can claim: he is the only tribute artist in history to win five Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist awards at Graceland. Add to that more than 75 first-place finishes across competitions. When it comes to channeling Elvis, Icenhower is the Kin

Many remember the time during January – as citrus season is fully manifest – Winter Haven would host a grand celebration featuring parades, banquets, nationally broadcast radio and television shows, massive displays of fresh fruit, and carnival shows such as the James E. Strates company with rides (including the double Ferris wheel) overlooking Lake Silver. Crowds converge on the 1949 entrance to the Florida Citrus Exposition — this scene from Third St. at Avenue D, NW. Woode

COQUITO 1 (13.5-ounce) can coconut milk 1 (13.5-ounce) can coconut cream 2 (12-ounce) cans evaporated milk 1 (14-ounce) can condensed milk 2 tablespoons of vanilla 1 1/2 cups white rum (Don Q is my go-to) cinnamon sticks (garnish) 1. Mix all ingredients (not garnish) in a blender or stir in a pitcher, and let sit in the fridge for a day. If you save it in a jar, just shake it up a few times to let the flavors blend. Store in the refrigerator. 2. When serving, garnish with a c

SPICY ITALIAN SAUSAGE STUFFING 8 cups (400 grams) store-bought seasoned stuffing bread cubes 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter 1 1/2 cups yellow onion (from 1 large onion) ,diced 1 cup celery (from 3 celery stalks) ,diced 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 pound bulk medium spicy Italian sausage (i.e., sausage with the casings removed) 2 3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth 1 large egg, beaten 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped 1/4 cup fresh par

SAUSAGE HASH BROWN BREAKFAST CASSEROLE 2 pounds hot breakfast sausage 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen shredded hash browns 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon onion powder 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 8 eggs 2 cups milk 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly spray a 9-by-13-inch pan with cooking spray. 2. In a large skillet, cook sausage until no longer pink. Drain fat and set sausage aside. 3. Add hash browns to the skillet and cook until lightly

OATCAKES Makes 12 yummy oatcakes 3 cups (300 grams) rolled oats 2 cups (225 grams) spelt flour or whole wheat pastry flour (I used All-Purpose Flour) 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 4 teaspoons salt 1/4 cup (45 grams) flax seeds 3/4 cup (85 grams) walnuts, chopped 1/3cup (70 grams) extra virgin coconut oil 1/3 cup (85 grams) unsalted butter 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) maple syrup 1/2 cup (70 grams) natural cane sugar 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 1. Preheat oven to 325 F. Spray or oi

Maybe they only knock on some of our doors. Those chosen are as diverse as the reports themselves. Some never share the story. Some never even realize they had company. And some of us— maybe—have our names written in an appointment book in the distant stars. And should my name be nowhere in those books, should no visitor arrive, they will still have given me a gift to be opened slowly, with many smaller surprises inside, and even more questions about each one. This isn’t a st

I am well aware that by kicking this thing off with words like “greatest” and “ever,” I am wading into highly subjective waters. Anyone proclaiming that any one person or place or piece of pizza or work of art is the preeminent example of its kind, “of all time,” is either selling something, engaging in a bit of cheeky hyperbole, or else they’re probably just an asshole. Stirring the pot. There is a decent chance this whole thing spirals into a diatribe and lands me firmly in

We teamed up with the very talented James Huffstutler at the Central Florida Photo Club and invited our amazing readers to snap and share their best shots with the theme “People and Places of Polk County”— and wow, did you deliver. From February 28 to April 27, we received over 180 stunning submissions! Choosing which ones to feature in the magazine was no easy task (seriously, can we get more pages next time?!). If we could, we’d show off every single photo—because they were

Summer is just around the corner, and Polk County is bursting with incredible ways to keep your kids active, engaged, and making memories. Whether you’re looking for hands-on STEM adventures, splash-filled days, sports skills, theater thrills, or faith-based fun, there’s something for every family. This all-in-one guide is your go-to resource for planning a summer full of learning, laughter, and play—right here in your own backyard. ARTS THEATRE ACADEMY Theatre Winter Haven

My idea of a perfect morning would start with a cup of coffee as I watch the fog burn off the top of the lake. Eventually, the mist would clear, and water so perfectly flat that you can’t tell where the shore ends, and the water starts would greet me. That right there is true Ski Diva water. If I could trademark that phrase, I’d make millions just from my family members, who make fun of my aunt because she refuses to ski on anything less than perfect water. To be fair, she’s

If you asked me which Florida theme park I would visit again and again (as a grown adult with a fully functioning prefrontal cortex) I would say… LEGOLAND! And that was even before I wrote this article. It is your favorite theme park’s favorite theme park and it will serve you exactly what you’re looking for, FUN! Between the temperature controlled water park with arguably one of the most terrifying (read: adrenaline pumping) slides I’ve been on in a while, the talented perfo

Shannon’s Favorite Glühwein Shannon Carnevale, Winter Haven 1/4 cup sugar 3/4 cup orange juice (fresh is best, but juice is OK too) 1...

Cheese Wafers Mrs. Richard D. Pope circa 1970 1 pound sifted flour 1 pound shortening (half butter and half margarine) 1 pound sharp...

Nana's Apple Dressing Mayor Bill Mutz, Lakeland 12 rolls of Ritz crackers 9 large cooking apples, diced and peeled 3 sticks melted butter...

Granny's Cajun Jambalaya Lynsey Pippen, Little Bus Books 1/4 cup canola oil 5 large onions, chopped fine 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic 5-6...