Hold on to your hats, Polk County! There’s a new destination in Central Florida and it’s right in your backyard. If you’ve driven down Highway 27 between Haines City and Dundee recently, you may already be waiting with delightful anticipation to find out what’s been brewing on big Lake Hamilton. The answer: beer, coffee, and family fun for all ages. Port 27 is set to open in early spring and is sure to become a hotspot for locals and visitors alike. Nestled on the shore of La

Imagine walking into the doors of a local seafood market where attention to every detail has not been lost. The building is new and modern. Over fifty varieties of fresh fish and shellfish are displayed in pristine glass cases, with neatly arranged sections of produce, spices, local honey, and sauces throughout. The atmosphere, reminiscent of a Fresh Market or boutique grocer, is pleasant and inviting. There are prepackaged portions of housemade ceviche and aguachile alongsid

In the village of York Beach, Maine John and Jeané Gaskins operate a unique restaurant serving up two genres of cuisine that don’t often go together. A 28-seat eatery with concrete floors and wooden shiplap walls, Gaskins Barbecue & Lobster is a summer month staple for the town. John, a Navy veteran served eight years active duty and six years in the Reserves. From 2001 to the end of 2004, he was stationed at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. The family would often

Tim Bryant has given himself the freedom to pursue everything that interests him. This decision took him from an industry he didn’t enjoy, to living the life he wants, at a place where he likes the person he has become. From Dayton, Ohio, Bryant’s family moved to Haines City when he was six to develop Grenelefe. Starting as a sophomore in high school in the DCT program, his first profession was in finance. This career took him from Haines City to Tampa, Orlando, and Miami in