Carol Burnett recently celebrated her 92nd birthday. She is currently among the stars of “Palm Royale” on Apple TV. She spent seven decades sharing her acting and comedic talents. Winter Haven played a role with Burnett in the early days of her career. It was January 1961 and Robert “Bobby” Hiers just returned to Winter Haven from working on an oil pipeline in the western U. S.. The twenty-nine-year-old Hiers moved here from Georgia with his family in 1938 and graduated from

This recipe uses a very easy-to-grow (and fun to look at!) squash. Luffa (Luffa sp.) is a squash that is used as a vegetable or as a sponge. It is easy to grow and is vining in habit. Grow luffa where the long fruits can hang, and harvest depending on their use. If using as an edible vegetable, harvest when green and about six inches long. If using as a sponge, allow to mature and harvest when the peel is brown and pulling away from the interior. Peel away the skin/husk and r

Central Florida’s mild winters create the perfect opportunity to get outside and enjoy the weather during the holiday season; so in this month’s article, we’ll be discussing six beautiful natural areas that you might consider visiting! These locations offer fun for the whole family, with many of them providing opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding, or even camping. You’ll also have the chance to spot some of Central Florida’s unique wildlife, including several ra

ORNAMENT MAKING Dec. 4, 6 p.m. at The Dali. In this hands-on workshop, you will create your own surreal ornaments featuring imagery inspired by the latest special exhibition, “Alberto Giacometti & Salvador Dalí.” Register in advance. thedali.org HOLIDAY BOAT PARADE Dec. 20. The parade kicks off at 6:15 p.m. near the Lighthouse off Davis Islands, cruising past Sparkman Wharf, Harbour Island, and the Tampa Convention Center. From there, large boats will end, while smaller boat

ASIAN LANTERN FESTIVAL Select nights in December at the Central Florida Zoo. Wander the three-quarter-mile pathway filled with all-new, handcrafted lantern scenes, each glowing with thousands of LED lights. Ocean-inspired landscapes meet mythical creatures. Enjoy seasonal food available for purchase. Reserve tickets in advance. centralfloridazoo.org STORM LARGE Dec. 16 & 17 at Judson’s Live. Best known and beloved as the current lead vocalist for Pink Martini, Storm Large br

HOLIDAYS ON CENTRAL Dec. 6, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m at Central Park in Winter Haven. This event includes a FREE 90-minute show by Dwight Icenhower as Elvis, over 100 vendors to shop, giveaways, food trucks, live entertainment, interactive activities, and photos with Santa Claus! More info on FB @HavenLKLD DISNEY’S DARE TO DREAM JR. Dec. 12 – 14 at Lakeland Community Theatre. Drawing from a century of beloved Disney films, Dare to Dream JR. features songs appearing for the first time