Beauty pageants. Those two words may evoke images of scenes from movies like “Miss Congeniality” and “Dumplin’” or the perceived...

Florida native, JC Anderson lived the first few years of his life in Norway where his dad is from. His family made the move to Lakeland...

Looking for a place to go dancing and a way to impart their love of dance onto others, Finley and Carmen Walker stepped in to create a...

The first year of any job is a time to show off your skillset, form relationships with co-workers, and earn your place within the...

“I started collecting art when I met Linda,” explained Dr. Alan Rich, whose wife, Linda, then disputed that proclamation, asserting that...

Originating from the parlor “Bagatelle” tables based on European lawn games, pinball machines have evolved from their primitive prototype...

Lieutenant Damian Motsinger has been with the Lakeland Fire Department for the entirety of his fire career – over 11 years. His...

Born on Florida’s east coast, Jessica Bryant went to Florida Institute of Technology and earned her Bachelor of Science degree. From...

Much of the success Pati Mills has seen in her life can be attributed to knowing the right people at the right time – the same kind of...

Black Skimmer by Adam Strang Bass A Florida Wildman in spirit (and Instagram handle), Adam Strang Bass captures timeless shots of old...

He’s probably served you a beer at Grove Roots Brewing sometime in the past year, but don’t let his laidback vibe fool you. This past...

The proprietor of Confection and self-described Candyman of Winter Haven Ivy Horn just opened what might be the coolest little candy shop...

Silvia Vega has recently become the new owner of Winter Haven Montessori. Silvia is married to Dr. Celestino Vega, who works for Lakeland...

Lakeland’s live entertainment is bursting at the seams and they have a new stage on which to belt a note or tell a joke. Dan Signor, a...

What does it mean to live loudly? Perhaps it’s using art to heal, or embracing the fact that you’ve “always been extra,” or using your...

Lakeland’s Benjamin Vickers thought he’d go to college for English Lit and become a “bookish academic” type. His hobby for home baking...

When we’re in the drive-through of a coffee chain muttering under our breath about how long the person in front of us is taking to order,...

Born in Mexico, Sergio Lopez-Sanchez came to the States when he was three years old. He grew up in Polk County, spending most of that...

Since childhood, Lieutenant/ EMT Charlie Robles has been drawn to his profession. After joining the fire service, he came across a paper...

The proof was in the pudding, or CBD rather, for Areli and Tony Bryan of Lakeland. Their personal experiences with CBD impassioned them...

For 24-year-old, Winter Haven native Jessica Spell, being a Firefighter/ Paramedic is more than a job – it’s her whole life. Her reasons...

Music and country culture are in Hunter Smith’s blood. As a fifth-generation Floridian and fourth-generation Winter Havenite, his roots...

It’s alive!!! But, in a good way. For Krazy Kombucha owner, Wendy Johnson, producing this fermented beverage for the community she loves...

Life has a funny way of taking us in a direction unforeseen. You may go to places you’ve never been or come back to somewhere you never...