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Polk's Citrus History & Grand Celebrations
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
Bob Gernert
Jan 5


Cocktails - What's Cookin' Good Lookin' 2025
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
Haven Magazine
Nov 28, 2025


Sides - What's Cookin' Good Lookin' 2025
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
Haven Magazine
Nov 28, 2025


Mains - What's Cookin' Good Lookin' 2025
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
Haven Magazine
Nov 28, 2025


Desserts - What's Cookin' Good Lookin' 2025
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
Haven Magazine
Nov 28, 2025


Knock Five Tones: Polk County's UFO Years
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...
IV Horn
Sep 30, 2025


Jaws, The Greatest Movie Ever Made, is Fifty Years Old This Summer.
I am well aware that by kicking this thing off with words like “greatest” and “ever,” I am wading into highly subjective waters. Anyone...
Jeremy Gardner
Jun 30, 2025


People & Places of Polk County
We teamed up with the very talented James Huffstutler at the Central Florida Photo Club and invited our amazing readers to snap and share...
Haven Magazine
May 27, 2025


Your Summer Survival Guide
Summer is just around the corner, and Polk County is bursting with incredible ways to keep your kids active, engaged, and making...
Polk County Moms
Apr 30, 2025


The Wonderful World of Watersports
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...
Corinne Titus
Feb 28, 2025


Bricktacular Fun!
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...
Corinne Titus
Dec 30, 2024


Cocktails - What's Cookin' Good Lookin'?
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...
Haven Magazine
Dec 1, 2024


Appetizers - What's Cookin' Good Lookin'?
Cheese Wafers Mrs. Richard D. Pope circa 1970 1 pound sifted flour 1 pound shortening (half butter and half margarine) 1 pound sharp...
Haven Magazine
Dec 1, 2024


Sides - What's Cookin' Good Lookin'?
Nana's Apple Dressing Mayor Bill Mutz, Lakeland 12 rolls of Ritz crackers 9 large cooking apples, diced and peeled 3 sticks melted butter...
Haven Magazine
Dec 1, 2024


Mains - What's Cookin' Good Lookin'?
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...
Haven Magazine
Dec 1, 2024


Desserts - What's Cookin' Good Lookin'?
Chalet Orange Souffle Bertha Henshaw - Chalet Suzanna, Lake Wales Circa 1970 1 cup milk 1/6 cup sugar 1/4 cup corn starch 2 tablespoons...
Haven Magazine
Dec 1, 2024


Movies in Cars Under the Stars
You can debate the luxuries of 4-D, surround sound, IMAX experiences, and electronic reclining chairs till the credits appear, but...
Corinne Titus
Oct 28, 2024


Long Live the Queen
THERE IS A MONOLITH IN THE KITCHEN OF MY HOME. I do not remember how old I am, or if I could even call this my first memory because to...
Taylor Zaudtke-Gardner
Sep 30, 2024


Polk Arts & Cultural Alliance
Polk Arts and Cultural Alliance (PACA) is the Local Arts Agency for Polk County. As such, PACA “advocates for all the Cultural Arts...
Tara Crutchfield
Jul 31, 2024


Polk County Burger Week
We’ve been waiting for this all summer, and it’s finally here! Polk County Burger Week, presented by Visit Central Florida in partnership...
Tara Crutchfield
Jul 1, 2024


A Conversation With Lone Star
James ‘Lone Star’ Camp may not have gotten to play a cowboy in old Westerns, but he has darn sure lived like one. Lone on the range, the...
Tara Crutchfield
May 28, 2024


Remembering Christy’s
Recreating an Evening of Bygone Delight … The Garden Club of Winter Haven was considering fundraising options. The Friends of the Museum...
Tara Crutchfield
May 28, 2024


Tent City Tribulation
A sandy path of broken glass lined on either side by discarded children’s toys, shopping carts, tires, and other refuse leads to a hovel...
Tara Crutchfield
Apr 29, 2024


Polk Museum of Art $8M Expansion
Approximately 140,000 visitors meander the galleries at Polk Museum of Art at Florida Southern College annually. Boasting more than 3,000...
Tara Crutchfield
Apr 1, 2024

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