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2014
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Letter from the Editor Grow Orchids enchant local growers who can’t get enough of the exotic plants and warn about getting bit by “the orchid bug.”
By Abby Jarvis
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Apropos of Nothing Teaching a teenager to fly is easier than teaching them to drive — and just might make one become even more bald.
By Jamie Beckett
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Endeavor
Each experts in their respective fields, we’ve profiled a few local women who’ve found success running their businesses.
By Meredith Jean Morris
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The Games We Play A slam dunk each year for Lakeland: Florida High School Athletic Association’s Boys Basketball Championships.
By Merlisa Lawrence Corbett
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Play
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Cover: Serve
Put the electronics away. It’s game on with the Lakeland Role Playing Guild, where board games are all the rage. Sheriff Grady Judd counts his faith and family as his greatest resources, which counterbalance his demanding job.
By Donna Kelly
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Non-Profit Spotlight Heartland for Children: Foster & Adoption. www.The863Magazine.com
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January 2014
From the Editor
H
appy 2014! I hope your holidays were festive, restful, and now you’re ready for a fabulous year. As I can barely hold myself to one, I’ll refrain from rambling on about and encouraging resolutions. Last year, my resolve was to focus on uni-tasking (as opposed to multitasking), so I could reduce distractions and accomplish more. Well, let’s just say I’m calling a “do over”… Best of luck to you with your resolution, whatever it may be. Resolve and hard work brought Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd to the high-profile position he holds today. He’s well known for the nononsense viewpoints he takes and makes no bones about why he makes the decisions he makes. His faith and his family have played the leading roles in his law enforcement career and he wouldn’t have it any other way. Read about the man behind the badge on page 12. While it’s nothing new that women have been leaders in their own businesses for many years, we at The 863 still think that it takes someone really special to take that leap of entrepreneurial faith. Read about four leading ladies who are each blooming in their respective niches. Their stories begin on page 7. Patience is the name of the game while waiting for the bloom on an orchid. But local orchid enthusiasts don’t mind — it’s all part of the excitement of growing and nurturing these exotic plants. Learn more about the orchid obsession beginning on page 5. The obsession to earn a state title is evident in the crowds that cheer the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Boys Basketball Championships each February in Lakeland. Read about “The Road to Lakeland” on page 9. Be sure to check out a Central Florida pie recipe that made it onto the Travel Channel (pg. 19), and a local gaming guild that is paper and pencils over gadgets, leaving the electronics at the door (pg. 10). Heartland for Children is our January Non-Profit Spotlight. See page 18 to read how you might be able to help a child in need a place to call home, even if only temporarily. Ciao for now,
-Andrea Cruz Andrea@The863Magazine.com | www.The863Magazine.com
Publisher | SERGIO CRUZ Editor | ANDREA CRUZ Contributors | JAMIE BECKETT
MERLISA LAWRENCE CORBETT ABBY JARVIS DONNA KELLY MEREDITH JEAN MORRIS
Head Photographer | JODI L. FOSTER Cover Designer | DEBORAH COKER Ad Sales Reps | SERGIO CRUZ Sergio@The863Magazine.com
JUSTIN LEWIS Justin@The863Magazine.com
Cover photo: Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd is known for being a no-nonsense kind of man on the job. Find out what motivates him in his personal life. Story page 12. Photo credit: www.Fosters-Photography.com. The 863 Magazine is independently owned and produced in Winter Haven, Florida. For more info: www.The863Magazine.com.
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O
rchid bsessions
By Abby Jarvis | Photos by Andrea Cruz
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rchids have fascinated people for centuries. There are thousands of different species of orchids, and their blooms come in nearly every color, shape, size, and smell imaginable. Polk County is a wonderful place for orchid enthusiasts, and many of its residents have fallen under the spell of the exotic plants. Three enthusiasts in particular have fantastic collections of orchids from all over the globe, and they’re passionate about cultivating rare species and preserving some of the world’s most endangered plants. Lakeland orchid grower Glen Gross’s hobby started out of necessity when his mother grew ill and passed away. She left behind her collection of 400 to 500 plants and Gross, still in school at the time, got a crash course in cultivating orchids. His hobby has grown ever since. Today, Gross houses an astonishing collection of plants in several small greenhouses at his home, including some of the orchids from his mother’s collection. His greenhouses are full Continued on page 11
A Phalaenopsis hybrid is also known as a “Moth Orchid.” It blooms often and is one of the more common orchids due to the ease of reproduction.
Apropos ofNothing
An Editorial by Jamie Beckett
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ity me. I am currently battling my way through one of the more profound life experiences known to modern man. Consequently, I look a bit haggard. Occasionally I awake with a start, soaked in sweat, mumbling incoherently. If it’s possible, I think I’m actually slightly balder than I was a month ago, too. Yes, I’m
teaching a teenager to drive. Worse yet, the object of my efforts is a teenage girl who is reevaluating my place in the pantheon of great Americans since we’ve started this adventure. I fear I’m not going to come out of this with high marks. Teaching a teenager to drive is nothing new. In fact there is a considerable amount of historical precedent for this sort of thing. Horace Bushnell, Sr., was the very first driver who took it upon himself to teach his own child to drive. His student, Horace Bushnell, Jr., was described as a capable student with a bright future. And so it was no surprise to friends or family when Horace Jr. eventually went on to become an executive level officer at a major insurance company based in Hartford, Connecticut. That does not discount the significant surprise experienced by Horace Sr. however, when he successfully hand cranked the engine of his 1910 Corbin Touring automobile, only to find Horace Jr. clunk the machine into gear, hit the gas, and drive directly over dear old dad. Newspaper archives suggest the funeral was lovely. In my case the car we’re driving sports all the modern conveniences, including electric starting. So odds are good I will not be driven over by my own progeny. Part of the reason for the elevated stress levels induced by this teaching/ learning experiencing is the fact that every car I have available to teach in has a manual transmission. Hence, my young student has come to hate the clutch. She’s not alone, either. I once dropped my car off at a full service car wash. This was the kind of place where an attendant is supposed to take over, drive the car into the service bay, work with a team of highly professional automotive cleansing technicians, and return to the customer a gleaming, barely recognizable example of mechanical perfection. Except in my case. The attendant smiled, accepted my keys, bounded off to the car, slid into the driver’s seat, closed the door, and bounded out again with a level of energy reserved for people who are being chased by a pack of
large carnivores. “Your car’s a standard, man,” he announced as if he had just discovered a vaccine to prevent stupidity. “Nobody here can drive that thing.” Yes, my car is a bit dirty these days. Thank you for asking. I’ve taught quite a few people to fly airplanes over the course of my life, so you would think teaching an intelligent, motivated young person to drive a small Japanese car down a flat paved road would be relatively simple by comparison. You would think so. But you would be wrong. Teaching someone to fly is easier. You see, airplanes almost never hit mailboxes mounted on poles beside the street, small children on bicycles, extraordinarily thin teenage boys spinning erratically on skateboards, or curious dogs that appear to be drawn by mysterious forces into our path where they sniff the pavement for longer than would seem wise, or necessary. So far we have covered the basics. She knows how to check and adjust the mirrors. She’s a wizard at setting the seat into a comfortable position. Her ability to start the car, release the emergency brake, put the shift into first gear and release the clutch is unparalleled. And that’s right about where the trouble starts. Anyone who has taught another person to drive a standard transmission car knows that the first few seconds of those early driving opportunities resembles nothing so closely as a bull rider at the rodeo. Eight seconds is eight seconds, I say. If you survive that the rest is downhill from there. Literally in this case. I don’t even want to think about teaching her to start from being stopped on an uphill incline. Next week, I’m going to tell her about second gear. Wish me luck.
Jamie Beckett appears to be an average, everyday guy who just happens to hail from Arizona, Connecticut, New York City, and Central Florida. He wears many hats — pilot, mechanic, writer, politician, musician, stay-at-home dad — often an odd combination of all those things. Frankly, we don’t care. At The 863 Magazine we just keep him around because we think he’s funny. That’s that. www.JamieBeckett.com
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January 2014
OWNing It Local Women Who’ve Found Success Running Their Own Businesses By Meredith Jean Morris
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he 863 is home to a plethora of well-run, successful businesses. These businesses vary in history, as well as in services or merchandise offered. However, what many of these businesses have in common is a brave, determined, persevering founder guiding the success – oftentimes, those founders are successful women. Pat Reass knows the meaning of hard work. “Going into business for myself was a challenge, because nobody likes change but a wet baby,” laughs Reass, a Winter Haven real estate appraiser. “After time in the field, I was wanting to have my own office, and I decided to jump out there and take a leap of faith.” After opening her own real estate company, Kathman Realty Inc., in 1986, Reass’s business has transformed into the Appraisal Group it is today. “The biggest challenge I faced was when I started into business by myself,” she says. “Real estate was maledominated. There were no other females doing it in Polk County.” Reass prides herself on being one of the first women in Polk County to become certified as a real estate appraiser. “After I became certified, it was a challenge,” she says. “There were several old timers who would say to me, ‘I don’t know what you think you’re doing…’ That was hard.” However, after working diligently and making a name for herself, Reass says even some of the “old timers” came around.
“My saving grace on that was when one of those gentlemen called me and asked for some advice on property appraising,” she says. “At that point, I knew I must have arrived. But, I still work my butt off.” Owning her own business, Reass says she believes in the importance of a good reputation. “You have to still be your very best,” she says. “It’s your name on everything.” Contact Reass at 863-299-2700 or online at AppraisalGroupCentralFlorida.com. Lorrie Walker also has made a successful career using her name. The Lakeland public relations professional started her career in the Army, working as a journalist. “I had been in college, but I quit and joined the Army because I didn’t know what I wanted to do,” Walker Real estate appraiser Pat Reass owns the Appraisal Group. says. “On a whim, I Photo provided to The 863 Magazine. decided on journalism. Walker’s experience as a journalist in It was the best decision I the Army paved the way for her current ever made — I loved to write, and I loved Continued on page 20 journalism.”
Pat Brenchley owns Heart to Heart Quilting Fabrics & More (237 Avenue O SW, Winter Haven). She runs the 13-year-old business with her husband, Al, and their two Chihuahuas, Tootsie and Taffy. Services / products provided: Fabric, thread, sewing machines and service/repair, quilting classes, scrapbooking, and more. What is it about owning your particular business do you enjoy the most? The least? Interacting with people and being able Heart to Heart Quilting Fabrics & More owner, Pat Brenchley, with her dog, Taffy. to help them. I love the Photo by Andrea Cruz. creativity and picking
the fabric out. As far as the least, people that are unhappy; there’s usually not a lot but I try to look at things from their point of view. What are some of the challenges of being selfemployed? At this point in my life, there’s none. I love it. I worked for a company for a long time that was a big corporation and I was so boxed in. Customers would voice to me their opinions on something and I couldn’t do a thing about it. Now I can. If somebody comes to me and tells me this fabric is not good quality, I can stop buying it. I suppose
the biggest challenge would be you come to work whether you’re sick or not. You don’t want to disappoint people. What inspires you? The new people that learn to quilt. You’d be amazed at the statistics. We probably teach a hundred to two hundred people a year how to quilt from scratch, and out of those, in 13 years, I could probably count on one hand how many people have said they don’t like it. We try to teach a very simple process and make it fun. I have an excellent quilting teacher and the goal is to have them make
something that is finished, not perfect. We don’t shoot for perfection the first time. We shoot for fun, acceptable and finished. Who are your biggest cheerleaders? My kids and my granddaughter. She started sewing before she was four. She does a lot of sewing still and she likes to create things. What are your goals with the business? Contrary to most businesses my goal is not to be rich. My goal is to stay with it and have fun until I’m not able to do it anymore, and to develop friendships and relationships. 863-298-8185 HeartToHeartQuilting.com
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The Games We Play: The 863 Sports In
By Merlisa Lawrence Corbett
Florida High School Athletic Association:
The Road to Lakeland T
he Super Bowl, the NBA Finals and the Daytona 500, are among the biggest sporting events on the planet and Florida has hosted to them all. Those events attract national and even international attention. Meanwhile, there is one event that takes place each year, right here in Polk County that is as exciting as the NBA Finals, as thrilling as the Daytona 500, and is often far more competitive than most Super Bowls. It’s the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Boys Basketball Championships. Florida’s version of the
NCAA Final Four, the FHSAA basketball tournament takes place annually around late February at the Lakeland Center. The Lakeland Center, formerly the Lakeland Civic Center, first began hosting the tournament in 1977. Except for a few years in the early 1990s, Lakeland has been the host for nearly 30 years. “The Lakeland Center is committed to making the FHSAA Basketball Finals a great experience for the schools involved along with the spectators,” says
Corey Sobers, a spokesperson for the FHSAA. “The state tournament has also been held at the Lakeland Center for a considerable number of years now, so there is a tradition established at the venue that can’t be matched anywhere else in Florida for basketball.” Indeed, the Lakeland Center is as steeped in Florida high school basketball tradition as the legendary coaches and players who have graced its arena. Contests are held based on school size and classification. Although Continued on page 15
The Florida High School Athletic Association is held each year in Lakeland. Photo courtesy of the Florida High School Athletic Association, taken by Glossy Finish.
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.o . o T ool . . Lakeland Role Playing Guild lub
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he Lakeland Role Playing Guild (LRPG or simply the “Guild”) is a member driven, private organization, dedicated to providing a safe and fun atmosphere in which to participate in the hobby of gaming. Though named the Lakeland “Role Playing Guild,” the Guild supports many types of gaming activities including board games, card games, and miniatures as well. The objective of the Guild is to strengthen the gaming community by providing structured opportunities for socialization and networking.
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It’s a great environment for both veteran game players and new people. Everyone is so helpful and kind in teaching new systems and rules to the games they love. We get to experience new games, both role playing and board games, in a family friendly atmosphere. Many of our members have been members for years and there are deep friendships that have developed through the guild. Our guild master is great at helping each member develop gaming skills (both as a player and as a game master) through our College of Gaming program as well as through encouragement and guidance. We are also teaching the next generation of gamers in how to play fairly, how to cooperate, and how to broaden their imagination in story telling role playing games. -Tracie Barrett, 3-year LRPG member
The majority of guild events are done using the D20 system (a type of role playing game systems based on Dungeons and Dragons) which includes, but is not limited to D&D 3.5, D20 Modern, and D20 Future. The Guild also attempts to make members aware of various other role playing game systems, board games, and card games, through demos and word of mouth. The Lakeland Role Playing Guild meets on the second and fourth Friday nights from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Lakeland, located at 3140 Troy Ave. in Lakeland. Role players, board gamers, and card gamers are all welcome. The “themes” for each session change. For more info or to join in on the conversation visit Forum.Lakeland-RPG.com or Facebook.com/ LakelandRPG.
Belong to a fun, hobby club? Share it with us! Email Andrea@The863Magazine.com.
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January 2014
Orchids, cont. from pg. 5
of exotic species from all over the world, and it seems nearly every plant has a story behind it. Gross tells stories about tiny, fragrant orchids carried into war by samurai in feudal Japan, about hybrids and crosses named after family members, and about plants that originated in the deep forests of Belize. The common Now retired, Gross name of the spends his time tending his Doritis pulcherrima plants and helping other var. coerulea is orchid enthusiasts learn “The Beautiful about the hobby. When Phalaenopsis.” his collection threatens to overcrowd his greenhouses, he sells off the extra plants to local growers at orchid shows and farmers’ markets. He’s passionate about helping people choose the perfect plant regardless of their experience level. Gross speaks simply enough to be understood by beginners but can also rattle off the Latin names of the various orchids at a rate that would leave many hardcore collectors dizzy. “The idea was to try to cater to all levels of orchid growers, from someone who wants an orchid but never had one to someone who has Lakelander Troy lots of orchids,” Gross says. Bourn examines Troy Bourn, also a a specimen of Lakeland resident, collects Bulbophyllum Doris orchid species that grow Dukes, a primary all over his yard and in a hybrid (Bulbophyllum greenhouse tucked into fascinator crossed the corner of his property. with Bulbophyllum Like Gross, Bourn was rothschildianum). Bill thrown into orchid growing Thoms of Tampa is when a friend left him the foremost hybrid some of her plants when creator and named she moved up North. this hybrid after his When she came back and wife, Doris. retrieved her plants, Bourn realized he was hooked. “It killed me, it just killed me that I didn’t have anything to take care of,” Bourn says. He’d caught what he affectionately calls “the orchid bug.” He started learning about orchids from his uncle, who was also an enthusiast, and was blown away by the beauty and complexity of the orchid family. Since then Bourn’s collection has since grown to include species from around the world and from Florida alike. They grow exuberantly all over his greenhouse, which is both a showcase The common name for his plants and a peaceful of the Encyclia retreat. tampensis is Tampa “My cardiologist told Butterfly Orchid. It me I need a happy place,” is a Florida native Bourn laughed. “So this is and smells like what I do. I just enjoy myself honey. and surround myself with the things that I love.” His plants, which hang from the beams and Continued on page 17
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SHERIFF GRADY JUDD
The Man Behind the Badge
By Donna Kelly Photos by Jodi L. Foster
I I
n an occupation with higher than normal career burnout and divorce rates, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd makes beating the odds look easy. His law enforcement career and his marriage to the former Marisa Ogburn started out about the same time 41 years ago. Within a four-month span in 1972, the Lakeland native married his high school sweetheart, enrolled in college and took a job as a dispatcher with the Sheriff’s Office. Together they worked to raise a family while pushing his way up the organizational chart to colonel. In 2004, Judd realized his life-long dream when he was elected to his first term as sheriff. He was re-elected in 2008 and 2012. He doesn’t take the job lightly, nor does he take it for granted. “It’s an awesome responsibility. It’s an honor to serve in the community,” Judd says. “I love it. I love it every day.” He’s received his share of awards along the way – including the Polk State College Distinguished Alumni Award, the Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award, and the Callyo’s Leaders in Online Child Protection Award – not to mention national media exposure
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for his hard-nosed, outspoken views on pornography and strip clubs, bullying, and pedophilia. Currently, he serves as the president of the Florida Sheriff’s Association. He also sits on committees and boards of directors of several organizations on the local, state and national levels. While confident in his ability and honored to serve as sheriff, Judd doesn’t take credit for his success. He gives that to his faith, his family, and his friends.
Unsung Heroes Judd has been known to take parents to task for failing to instill life skills children need to be successful adults. Perhaps this is because, at age 59, he fully understands the worth of lessons he learned from his own folks, Martha and Grady Judd, Sr. “My parents were the greatest influence on my life,” he says. “They raised me to be a Christian.” Although Judd has had a number of mentors throughout his career, his father, a retired service manager with Tomlinson Oldsmobile Cadillac, is his hero. Not only
did the elder Judd share his affinity for hunting, fishing, and camping, but his moral values, too. “He taught me to say, ‘Yes, ma’am,’ to go to church on Sunday, to become a responsible citizen,” Judd says. He also learned his work ethic from his father. “He believed if you’re going take a man’s money, you give him a day’s work. He taught me the value of a dollar and how to work for a dollar. He taught me discipline,” he says. “I learned every bit of my work ethic from him. When I get home I continue to work. A 16-hour day is not uncommon for me,” says Graham Judd, a father of seven children in his blended family. Growing up, Judd delivered newspapers and mowed grass to pay for costly items he wanted, like a pool table and motorcycle. He worked as an ambulance attendant before he was in high school. His parents taught him to be responsible, to give back to the community, and behave responsibly. “To misbehave was out of the question,” Judd says. In addition to behaving and working hard, Judd says his dad also taught him
to be compassionate and nurturing.
Not Too Young
“The secret? I think she’s the secret.” Grady Judd says. “The rock and pillar of our family is not me. It’s Marisa. She dug in and said, ‘We’ll make this work.’” A family affair Long before he became sheriff, Judd worked long hours, and was often inaccessible to his family when he was working undercover. As was promoted through the ranks, his public exposure increased with his responsibility, adding new challenges to the family. Graham Judd, 33, says his mom and dad were partners in parenting brother, Trae, and him. “Growing up, he was a cop and he was doing cop things,” says Graham Judd. “He’d disappear days at a time for work purposes. We just knew dad was at work and he’d be home in a couple of days. We understood that some days he had to get the bad guys.” At that time, Grady Judd was also working as an adjunct professor at the University of South Florida and Florida Southern College to earn enough to enable his wife to stay home with their children. Yet he found time to coach his sons’ t-ball teams. Graham Judd also played basketball and football. “I don’t think he ever missed a game,” says Graham Judd, who owns Graham Pressure Washing and Paint. “He did what he had to do for his job and
putting the bad guys away, but he never put work before his family.”
Managing Notability Grady Judd may be tough on Grady Judd is more visible than crime, but he’s a softy when it comes any sheriff in Polk County history and to his wife. He still gets a sparkle in his this is a good thing, says Winter Haven eye when he talks about the woman he Police Chief Gary Hester, who served decided to marry the first time he saw as Judd’s chief of staff before retiring in her. Judd met Marisa Ogburn just before 2010 and joining the Winter Haven Police their senior year at Lakeland Senior High Department. School. They married about three months “I don’t think he’s controversial. after graduation in 1972. He was already I think what he stands for is what the working as a dispatcher for the Sheriff’s overwhelming number of folks in this Office. country embrace,” says Hester. “Some Forty-one years, two children, and folks try to make him controversial. He’s nine grandchildren later, the Judds are consistent.” still going strong. Judd’s comfort with the media “There were some who said the adds dimension to fighting crime and marriage wouldn’t last, that we were too encourages other departments to do young,” Judd says, a smile tugging at the same, Hester says. his lips. “But we grew together. We love “He has embraced a partnership each other. We have a Christian home.” with the media. A lot of folks in Marisa Judd describes her husband government and in police departments as funny, compassionate, generous, view the media as their enemy,” he says. kind and loyal. Her voice is thick with joy “Grady uses the media as a resource. It’s when she talks about him. how you solve a crime. It’s a mechanism “He’s everything you’d want in a to communicate with the citizens you’re husband, friend, or sheriff,” she says. serving and to help solve crimes.” She believes their faith and family It also puts Judd and his family in the enabled the marriage to not only spotlight. survive but thrive despite the stress of his Graham Judd says the family largely demanding career. “Even though he wasn’t always able Continued on page 14 to be at church with us, he always wanted us to go. He had a strong faith, so he wasn’t led astray like he could have been,” she says. “And we were surrounded by family who supported us.” While her husband echoes these sentiments, he also explains how his wife is the strength behind his career and the family – from keeping the brass on his uniforms polished to making sure their sons, Graham and Trae, had everything they needed, to her sincere understanding the demands of his job. The demands of the job are many. At night, Judd is often up late answering emails and he’s been known to work on a laptop from a hospital room. There are calls in the middle of the night and during family vacations. Yet, he says, she never complains. Her Opposite page: Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd says he bases his decisions on what he believes is in the only request is that he calls best interest of the people in Polk County, and whether or not it is the right thing to do. Above: Dr. Louis home if he’s going to be Saco of Watson Clinic, center, and Sheriff Grady Judd (right) at an Spring training opening game of out late. the Detroit Tigers, where Judd threw out the first pitch. Baseball photo provided by Watson Clinic.
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Sheriff Grady Judd, cont. from pg. 13
husband’s popularity. They know when they are dining out or shopping with him, it will take longer because folks want to stop and chat. “We know when we go out that he is everybody’s sheriff. That’s just part of being out,” she says. “We’re happy that he’s popular and we’re proud of him.” His kind and compassionate side comes out during these impromptu conversations. “In news conferences, he’s tough. He’s about what’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong,” Marisa Judd says. “He cares about people. His attitude has always been that I work for the people. That’s not something he just started when he was elected sheriff.” The sheriff takes criticism in stride. “I wake up each morning to do my dead level best to make the best call – but I don’t look to the polls to determine what I do.” His decisions are Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, a father of two and a grandbased on what he father of nine, was elected sheriff in 2004, and was believes is in the best re-elected in 2008 and again in 2012. interest of the people who live in Polk County, and takes his father’s celebrity status – and whether or not it is the right thing to do. the criticism that sometimes comes with “Sometimes I don’t like a decision it – in stride. But he wants to set one thing but I have to do it,” he says. “Doing straight. what’s right isn’t always easy but doing “Some people think Grady Judd is what’s right allows me to sleep at night.” out for himself or Grady just wants to be in front of the camera,” he says. “That’s It’s a Matter of Faith false. Grady Judd just wants to do what is best for people. He doesn’t manage A Bible always sits on Judd’s desk in from a political standpoint. He manages his office overlooking the county’s public from a right and wrong standpoint.” safety complex, not only a sign of his While family members are cautious faith in God but an oft-read foundation of what they say and to whom they say for his guiding principles. it, they also know the sheriff must do “My faith means everything to me,” what he believes is right in any given he says. situation. His faith enables him to deal with the “We handle it very thoughtfully, very difficult situations he faces in life, in his prayerfully, very courageously,” Graham job. Judd says. “You just can’t let the critics “Why babies have cancer, why get to you.” babies are beaten to death by their At the same time, Marisa Judd says daddies – with all that goes on, you family members are amused by her
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have to have faith that God’s in control because otherwise the world doesn’t make sense.” His decisions are not only based on facts, figures, and circumstances, but also Bible-centered principles and prayer. When he wakes each morning, Graham Judd takes with him guiding principles he learned from his father. “He taught me to pray before you make any decisions and that works. I’ve tried it,” he says. “Dad once told me that there is no gray area between right and wrong. A gray area only exists when people attempt to justify wrong actions. That’s been a guiding principle.” “I get up every morning and ask the Lord to give me the strength and wisdom I need. Every evening I ask for forgiveness,” he says. This faith is what gives Judd the ability to juggle the demands of his job and cope with what he experiences in the course of doing it, says his long-time friend, Pastor Jay Dennis of First Baptist Continued on page 16
The Road to Lakeland, cont. from pg. 9
Thousands attend the Florida High School Athletic Association held at the Lakeland Center each year in late February. Photo courtesy of the Florida High School Athletic Association, taken by Glossy Finish.
Lakeland began hosting the girls’ championships in 1989, the boys’ tournament draws the biggest crowds and the most attention. Thousands, including fans, media and college recruiters, flock to Lakeland for action-packed games held all day. What makes the tournament so special is that it’s a true state title, open to teams from the Keys to the Panhandle. Teams fight through district and regional playoffs for a chance to travel to Lakeland for this rowdy and raucous ritual. For one weekend the Lakeland Center provides the stage where sports drama unfolds. Last season fans got to witness David slain by Goliath in the 8A championship. The mighty South Miami Cobras entered the tournament on a role but got shot down by (Oviedo) Hagerty, whose players sank eight threepointers. Nothing excites the crowd as much as when local teams make the final four. Last season the Winter Haven Blue Devils lost a heartbreaker, 59-52, in the 6A semifinals to Pine Forest of Pensacola.
Bartow lost in the 7A semifinals to Blanche Ely (Pompano Beach), 71-52. In 1979 the Lakeland Dreadnaughts reached the finals in 1979 only to lose to Stuart (Martin County) 75-71. In 1990, the Kathleen Red Devils (27-8) took on the powerful (Jacksonville) Ribault Trojans (31-1) in the 3A championships. Ribault edged Bartow 68-65. One of the most memorable runs by a local team came in 1988 when the Bartow Yellow Jackets won it all. Bartow began the season as defending district champions. They ended it by defeating Pompano Beach Ely, 63-54, in the Class 3A state championship game. They were an amazing 34-1 that year. Several players from that team went on to play college ball, including Alvin Pearsall Jr., now the head basketball coach at Tenoroc. When it became clear that the Yellow Jackets had secured the victory, Bartow fans began to chant a mantra that has become a traditional send off at local basketball games. Similar to the “Nah, nah, nah, nah, hey, hey, hey, goodbye” heard in arenas all over the
country, Bartow fans chanted “Take your hat, your coat and leave,” as they pointed to the exits. Lakeland’s three-decade run as the epicenter of high school basketball has not gone unchallenged. Other cities vied to host the tournament. In 1985 the FHSAA voted to keep the tournament in Lakeland. Daytona Beach, which had begun construction on the Ocean Center Auditorium, bid to host the event. But the FHSAA reportedly had concerns that the barrage of spring breakers would make it difficult for basketball fans to
find hotel rooms. The FHSAA opened up the tournament for bids in 2010. The three finalists were Lakeland, Kissimmee and Orlando. According to a story reported in the Lakeland Ledger, Lakeland won the bid thanks to a collaborative effort from civic groups throughout Polk County. It also helped when local officials added elements to the event, like coaching clinics, to enhance the experience for fans and participants. This year’s tournament takes place Feb. 25 through March 1. Lakeland has become so synonymous with Florida’s high school basketball scene that many media outlets dub the entire season “The Road to Lakeland.”
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett is a freelance writer who lives in Winter Haven. A former reporter for Sports Illustrated, she is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow her on Twitter: @merlisa or visit Merlisa.com.
Have a fascinating sports-related story idea? Email Merlisa@The863Magazine.com. www.The863Magazine.com
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Sheriff Grady Judd, cont. from pg. 14
integrity,” says Saco. “He is someone, who in the thick of whatever problem you are dealing with, you want by your side.” “Plus, he’s the only person I know who can throw a great opening pitch at a Detroit Tigers spring training game while wearing cowboy boots,” Saco added.
Rumor Has It Where does he see himself in five or 10 years? “Sheriff of Polk County,” he says. “I’ve been asked if I have interest in holding political office. You’re not supposed to say ‘never’ but I think I can make a better contribution to the people of Polk County as sheriff than in Congress. But there has been conversation about it and one ardent admirer Family members and close friends describe Polk County Sheriff created a Facebook Grady Judd as a man of integrity and genuine character who page called, “Grady holds himself to the same standards as he would anyone else. Judd for Governor Church at the Mall. of Florida. It boasts 4,400 “There’s a faith said that I’ve never likes. The page, however, carries the seen waiver. That has been a constant disclaimer that it is not affiliated with for him, no matter what he’s been Grady Judd or the Polk County Sheriff’s through,” Dennis says. “His faith has Office. given him a solid foundation to enable “I’ve been told that I have the him to do his job.” personality, drive, and determination,” A man known for holding others he says. accountable for their actions, Judd also Judd has thought about the future. demands this of himself, Dennis says. “There may come a time when I’m “Everything I’ve seen Grady ask of too old to do this job. I’ve created my others is something he demonstrates. own drop program,” he deadpans. “I I’ve never seen him ask anyone want to be here until I drop.” to do something he doesn’t do,” At the pinnacle of his law Dennis explains. “He’s very disciplined enforcement career, Judd is and spiritual, and that keeps him comfortable with who and where he is accountable. He has some very good in life. and Godly people he has surrounded “I’m really not a complicated himself with.” person. What you see is what you get. Dr. Louis S. Saco, chairman of the What you see here is what you see at board and CEO of Watson Clinic, who home,” he says. “I don’t live separate has known Judd and his family for years, lives. I love people. I love my job. I love agrees. my family. It just makes a life worth “Grady has a genuine character, living.” outstanding principals, and solid
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January 2014
Orchids, cont. from pg. 11
crowd the greenhouse shelves, are proof of what Bourn says is “some weird tie that’s innate, that’s unspoken,” that turned him from a novice orchid grower into a collector. Malcolm Manners, the head of the horticulture department at Florida Southern College, shares a similar love for orchids. Although he spends much of his spare time and energy growing roses, Manners has a collection of plants at the Florida Southern greenhouse that is both lovely and is part of an important conservation effort. He grows the orchid Peristeria elata, also known as the Holy Ghost orchid. The Holy Ghost orchid is the national flower of Panama and is an endangered species. Manners’ plants are descendants of a specimen that was brought to Florida Southern College by John Griffis, a former member of the horticulture department, about 15 years ago. The specimen came from the Smithsonian Institution, which cultivated the orchids as an effort to decrease the demand for illegally poached plants. Florida Southern horticulturists have been growing them ever since. Any orchid enthusiast will admit to facing setbacks with their collection. Manners and the Holy Ghost orchid are no exception. He recalls a particularly devastating instance several years ago when tens of thousands of Holy Ghost orchid seedlings were growing in the school’s tissue lab. “I don’t know if it’s true, but we claimed to have had more than half the world population in that one little room. As you would expect -- you know, Murphy’s Law -- the power went off and the air conditioning went off. They all cooked to death in one day. We lost the entire crop of seedlings,” Manners says. The school started over, and today they have about 30 mature Holy Ghost orchids in their greenhouse. That’s no small feat. Manners says that, as far as he knows, the Holy Ghost orchids are virtually extinct in the wild. All three men have realized that Polk County is an excellent location for orchid growers. The hot summers, mild winters, and high humidity offer ideal conditions for
raising a broad variety of species. Beginners and seasoned collectors alike can figure out the best kind of orchid to cultivate by evaluating the types of conditions like light, temperature, and water they can provide. Manners recommends one particular kind of orchid. “If (growers) can provide the right conditions, Phalaenopsis are probably easier for more people than anything else I know of. If there’s a true beginner’s orchid, that would be it,” he says. Polk County is home to several native species, as well. Encyclia Tampensis, commonly called the Tampa orchid, has long, narrow leaves and small blossoms that smell like honey during the day. They grow well in Upper right: Florida and Brassavola “Little can be found Stars” is a primary growing hybrid (Brassavola in clumps nodosa crossed with on tree Brassavola cordata) branches all found in the wild. It over central smells like citrus at Florida. night. Brassavola Epidendrum nodosa is native to magnoliae, south Florida. Below the Green Fly right: Native to orchid, grows Mexico and Central in swampy America, a Laelia areas and rubescens is just one puts out fragrant of many orchids green blooms. in Troy Bourn’s Polk County collection. is also home to several species that grow in soil instead of on tree branches, and they’re usually found growing in damp soil throughout the state. Orchid enthusiasts should be aware, however, that collecting orchids from the wild is a federal offense. If any native species is particularly appealing to a collector, specimens can be legally purchased from orchid growers and greenhouses all over the country. Orchids are everywhere in Polk County. They’re in tiny greenhouses tucked out of sight, they’re sold at stands at farmers’ markets, and they’re growing in trees and swampland all over Central Florida. Keep an eye out for the many beautiful specimens – plants with intriguing histories, unusual colors and exotic patterns. And good luck avoiding the “orchid bug.”
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Non-Profit Spotlight
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f you have ever thought about fostering a child or teenager the time is now…
“Becoming a foster parent was a no-brainer for my family and me! After my two children reached adulthood, I knew it was time to give back to my community. After discussing it with my kids, we all agreed that fostering would be the best fit for us. Although I am a single foster parent, parenting comes naturally to me, and I can see the positive impact my family is making in the life of our new addition to our family.” -Marcia, Heartland for Children Foster Parent Heartland for Children (HFC) is the non-profit lead agency overseeing Community Based Care in Circuit 10 which includes Hardee, Highlands and Polk counties in Central Florida. As the child welfare lead agency, HFC is concerned with the welfare of children in our community, and as such, our mission is to improve the safety, permanency, and well being for all children in Hardee, Highlands and Polk counties. HFC is responsible for the provision of services for more than 1800 children who have been abused and/or
neglected. These services include adoption, case management, foster care, and independent living. We manage a comprehensive, communitybased, coordinated system of care for abused, neglected, and abandoned children and their families and for children and families who are at risk of maltreatment and/or placement in the foster care system. Heartland for Children was founded in 2003, and has been serving children and families in Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties for the past 10 years. While Heartland is responsible for a number of community-based care services, the greatest need at this time is quality foster parents. Each quality foster parent has a unique background— single, married, and cohabiting foster parents, parents who foster one child and parents that foster large sibling
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January 2014
groups, parents of all educational and socioeconomic backgrounds. And children in foster care are just as unique and diverse—infants, teens and young adults are served through our local system of care. If you would like to learn more about Heartland for Children and how you might get involved as a foster parent or Foster Friends volunteer, or any of Heartland’s many child abuse prevention initiatives, visit HeartlandForChildren.org or call 863-5188900 x 289.
Andrea@The863Magazine.com
GRAPEFRUIT PIE
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id somebody say pie? Grapefruits are in season, why not make a grapefruit pie?
What began as a fruit stand, selling citrus to passersby has become a Central Florida staple: Lang Sun Country Groves and A Taste of Florida Café. Opened in 1951 by Mary Lang, the business is now run by Debbie Brozio, Lang’s granddaughter. Locals and visitors alike come back year after year to the seasonal cafe, which opened rather unexpectedly in 2004, for its menu of various soups, salads, sandwiches, and wraps. As well, they can order and
ship citrus. But one of the main draws to the café, which also houses a gift shop, is its signature and “world famous” grapefruit pie. Appearing on the Travel Channel’s show Epicurious in 2005, Mary Lang’s recipe has won taste competitions. Find the recipe below and also on the website: www.LangSunCountry.com. Lang Sun Country Groves / A Taste of Florida Café is located at 5900 US Highway 17 92 W., between Haines City and Lake Alfred. It is open October through May, Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mary Lang’s Grapefruit Pie Yield: 8 servings Preparation: 15 minutes Cook: 10 Minutes Refrigerate: 2 to 3 hours 1 (6 ounce) graham cracker crust 2 large or 3 medium red Lang grapefruit, sectioned 1 cup sugar 3 tablespoons cornstarch 1 1/2 cups water 1 (3 ounce) package strawberry flavored gelatin 1 (8 ounce) container frozen non dairy whipped topping, thawed Arrange grapefruit sections in graham cracker crust. Set aside. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Add water and cook over medium heat until thick and clear. Add gelatin and stir to dissolve. Let cool slightly. Pour gelatin over grapefruit sections in crust. Refrigerate until firm. Top with whipped topping. Mary Lang’s Grapefruit Pie recipe and photo provided by Debbie Brozio, owner of Lang Sun Country Groves / A Taste of Florida Café.
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863 Women in Business, cont. from pg. 7
Jodi L. Foster, 42, is a resident of Winter Haven and owns Foster’s Photography, Professional Photography Studio (525 Ave. B NW downtown Winter Haven). Foster is also the lead photographer for the 863 Magazine. She is responsible for the cover story photos. Services / products provided: All photography needs from weddings to maternity to babies and all the special occasions people want to cherish forever. How long have you owned your business? My studio has been open for four years but I have been doing photography off and on for more than 15 years. What is it about owning your particular business do you enjoy the most? The least? I love the
memories I get to create and capture for my clients, and see the joy in their eyes when they see my finished art that I have captured for them. Plus, I love the flexibility to be able to go to my children’s school programs and not miss out on those type of things. The least would be how much blood sweat and tears really goes into running your own business and not just punching a time clock. My day never ends at 5 o’ clock or on Friday. I don’t know what a weekend is. What are some of the challenges of being self-employed? As a onewomen show and a single mom of two amazing children, finding enough hours in the day to enjoy everything and that is happening and not get run down.
What inspires you? My children McKenzie and Gavin. Also, my inspire me. They say I am the “best parents and some pretty amazing photographer picture taker ever,” friends. 863-206-2983 so I strive to make sure my clients Fosters-Photography.com feel the same way by taking time to give everyone memories to cherish and put in a frame or on a wall (not pictures to put in a drawer). My clients are not just clients, they are cherished people that come into my studio and life. I want them to have the best experience ever. Who are your biggest cheerleaders? On the top of the list Jodi L. Foster owns Fosters Photography in downtown Winter are my two angels, Haven. Photo provided to The 863 Magazine.
role as founder and head writer of Lorrie Walker Public Relations. “I had been in a newsroom, and I knew what was worth writing about,” she says. “I’m inquisitive, and I know how to interview a client until we find the thing that’s a good story.” After honing in Lakelander Lorrie on the story, Walker Walker owns Lorrie Walker proceeds to get Public Relations. media coverage for Photo provided her clients. to The 863 “It’s so easy to us,” Magazine. she says, “but, to the clients, it looks like we work magic.” Walker’s business model is to build her business by word of mouth. “We all want our clients to be happy,” she says. “That’s the goal. One client is satisfied, and tells the next person, and so on.”
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Walker’s clients range from nonprofits and a specialty running store chain to national Internet marketing firms. “For a while, we did end up in a niche, with dentists and orthodontists,” she says. “We don’t want to get pigeon-holed, so we work with a variety of industries. It breaks it up and prevents monotony.” As for being a woman in business, Walker doesn’t focus on any genderrelated challenges. “I don’t approach is as ‘I’m a woman,’ ” she says. “It’s business, period. We, as in all people, are our own biggest stumbling blocks. I never have ever entertained the option that failure is an option. It’s a game changer.” Contact Walker at 863-614-0555 or online at LorrieWalkerPR.com.
Mention or Check-In! Tell ‘Em The 863 Sent You and Support Local Business!
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ave money at these businesses by either mentioning you saw them in The 863’s No-Cut Coupon page or use your smart phone to check in to the location on a social media website like Facebook or Foursquare. Restrictions may apply. No-Cut Coupons from this issue expire January 31, 2014.
Foster’s Photography 525 Ave B NW Winter Haven 863-206-2983 10% off Senior Pix: Class 2014
Four Purls Yarn Shop 331 3rd Street NW Winter Haven 863-662-8288 Free Knitting or Crochet Class
Traditions Unlimited Andrea’s Family Restaurant 221 North Kentucky Ave. 1498 Havendale Blvd., Lakeland Winter Haven 863-683-7978 863-299-4564 $5 off $25 regularly priced items Free Ice Tea w/ Entree Purch.
Pizza and Pasta 3615 S. Florida Ave. Lakeland 863-607-6030 Free Cannoli w/ 2 entrees
Sal’s Garage 101 E. Central Ave., Winter Haven 863-292-9929 Free Tire Rotation w/ Oil Change for Only $17.95 (Castrol Oil)
Tyler Floral Shoppe 225 East Lime St., Lakeland 1-800-643-5693 Free monthly bouquet for 12 months w/ purch. of $50 Flower Club Card
THE SELF Center 2750 Hwy 17 N. Winter Haven 863-875-5635 Winter Special: Buy One Massage Gift Card, Get Second 50% Off
Sal’s Pizza 4660 E County Road 540A, Lakeland Highlands 863-816-5825 XL One Topping $11.99
Eddie’s Chinese Food 1524 3rd St SW, Winter Haven 863-291-3886/3996 Free Soda w/ Any Special Combination Dish
Havana’s Cuban Sandwich Shop 3001 Cypress Gardens Rd, Winter Haven 863-875-5636 Free soft drink w/ purch. of entree
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Explore :: January’s Happenings in the 863 FJan. 3: Pickin’ in the Park – Join in a fun time of music in Central Park at this free community sing-along with music by local musicians. Event is held downtown in Winter Haven’s Central Park from 6:30 – 8 p.m. For details call Nat West at 863297-9387. FJan. 3: First Friday “Resolution Revolution” – All about your health and well being. Browse the booths and find just the right fitness program or new style to kick off the New Year from 6-9 p.m. in Downtown Lakeland. FJan. 4 & 18: Family Fun & Fitness at the Fountain – Wellness instructors lead fitness exercises. New to exercise or already fit, instruction for all levels. Downtown Winter Haven from 9 – 10 a.m. Info: 863-297-9387. FJan. 4: Antiques, Arts & Oddities Downtown Lake Wales, in Market Square between Park and Stuart Avenues. 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Info: 863-412-6960. FJan. 9: Thursday Squared Food Truck Rally – Around Munn Park, downtown Lakeland, 6–9 p.m. Info: 863-510-9723 or visit DowntownLakelandFL.com. FJan. 10: Dulcimers in the Park – Play the dulcimer or just want to listen? Participation is free. Begins at 5:30 p.m. Downtown Winter Haven, Central Park. Info: 863-297-9387. FJan. 11 & 25: Lake Wales Downtown Farmer’s Market – In Market Square between Park and Stuart Avenues, downtown Lake Wales. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Info: 863-412-6960. FJan. 11: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade & Unity Day Celebration – Enjoy a parade and vendors. Parade begins at 11 a.m. and runs through downtown Haines City. Vendors will be at Cook Field, 915 Ave. E. in Haines City. For more info contact 863-852-5160. FJan. 11-12: Spirit of the Buffalo PowWow – Indian village with historic artifacts, intertribal dance competition, artisans and crafters, Native American
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January 2014
food and music, see demonstrations of Native American crafts including tomahawk throwing, bow and arrow. Takes place at 1052 US Hwy 92 W. in Auburndale. For more info contact 863665-0062. FJan. 13: Moonlight Carillon Concert Enjoy a carillon concert under the light of the full moon from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. It’s an opportunity to visit the gardens afterhours and have a light dinner at the Blue Palmetto Café. $5 per person. Free for members. For more info: 863-676-1408. FJan. 17: Third Annual Lake Ashton Fitness & Health Expo – Embrace mind, body, and spirit wellness. The focus is on education and prevention to promote an active, healthy lifestyle for adults. 8 a.m. to noon. 6052 Pebble Beach Blvd. in Winter Haven. FJan. 17: Food Truck Rally – Fifteen to 20 trucks offer one-of-a-kind food items for the monthly Food Truck Rally in downtown Winter Haven. More info: 863-295-9422. FJan. 17 & 18: Downtown Throwdown An all ages free community event with a skateboarding competition, live music, a bounce house, food and more. Event begins at 5 p.m. in front of Jessie’s, located at 118 3rd St. SW in Winter Haven. FJan. 18: 3rd Saturday Market in Downtown Bartow – Vendors, including produce, local artisans, live music & more. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Fort Blount Park, West Davidson Street, Bartow. Info: 863258-3561. FJan. 18: Lakeland’s Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Parade Parade will begin at 1 p.m. on 14th Street and Kathleen Rd., ending on Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue and 2nd Street. For more info: 863-834-2577. FJan. 18: Cypress Gardens Water Ski Show – The Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team perform a 40-minute show reminiscent of shows held at Cypress
Gardens. MLK Jr. Park on Lake Silver, Winter Haven, 6–8 p.m. Info: 863-2249350. FJan. 21: Daddy Daughter Dance tickets go on sale (Event date: February 8) – This event features dancing, food, and fun for fathers and daughters at the Polk County History Center (100 East Main Street, Bartow). Admission is $5 per person and advance tickets are required. For more info: 863-534-6911. FJan. 24 & 25: Lakeland’s 18th Annual Pig Fest – Food, friends, music, and charity. More than 150 competition barbecue teams will gather for a weekend to benefit Lakeland-area charities. Admission is free; food will have a cost. Event is 3 to 10 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The event will be held at Joker Marchant Stadium, 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd. in Lakeland. For more info: 863-450-3322. FJan. 24: Family Fun Night – A community event featuring family fun activities at the Eloise Resource Center (710 Snively Avenue, Eloise). Admission is free. For more info: 863-298-4485. FJan. 25: 4th Saturday Market in Downtown Winter Haven – Vendors, including produce, local artisans, live music & more. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Virginia Miller Park, downtown Winter Haven. Info: 863-258-3561.
F Polk Museum of Art: Free admission on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays There are additional charges for certain special events, classes, exhibitions, and performances. Hours are Tuesday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 – 5 p.m. Museum is closed to the public on Mondays and major holidays. 800 East Palmetto Street, Lakeland. 863688-5423 or PolkMuseumofArt.org.
Send Your Community Event to Andrea@The863Magazine.com.
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Your Stuff :: 863 Readers’ Art
...I needle felt whatever the sweater wants on it.
- Christy Durham McCullough Felt Like New
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epurposing items and crafting has been a lifelong passion of Winter Haven resident Christy Durham McCullough. She began doing paper crafts in 1990, and sold them at various craft festivals. “I still do a little (paper crafts), but it had become more of a business and less of a passion,” she says. “Then I started knitting two years ago at Four Purls (a Winter Haven yarn shop), and got re-inspired.” A math and physics teacher at Winter Haven High School, McCullough says that now there aren’t enough hours in the day to do all the creative ideas she has. She now primarily focuses on creating and selling functional items repurposed from wool sweaters and old leather belts she finds at thrift stores. Items she creates include purses, fingerless gloves, iPad and eyeglass cases, hats and more. Her craft business is called Felt Like New. “I also make a few whole sweaters where I needle felt whatever the sweater wants on it,” McCullough says. “They only usually fit small children because they shrink so much in the felting process, and aren’t very Florida friendly, but I love seeing something in my mind come to life on a sweater.” McCullough learned to sew from her mother, who always had a project going, and her 8-year-old daughter, Katelyn, also loves to craft. McCullough, who says she doesn’t know how to follow a pattern, also does custom needle felting for people and can “see” a purse when she looks at an old sweater, especially if there’s an unusual texture or pattern. She can also envision a design to felt on a solid canvas. Needle felting is using a multi-needled tool to poke raw wool into fabric to form various designs with the different colors. Many times the materials, which are mainly animal-fiber sweaters, have flaws. However, McCullough uses them to her advantage, either covering them up with a fun design sewn on, or reusing it in some other way, creating a truly one-of-a-kind piece. After McCullough brings home items to repurpose, the first thing she does is wash
them in hot water on the quick cycle, being careful to wash like colors with like colors, as the fibers will commingle. “I wash until it is the texture I want, usually once, maybe twice, then put them outside to dry. Once it’s dry I sort them by type,” McCullough says. Working on the items is probably pretty boring to watch, she says, because it involves a lot of staring and thinking time. “With something unusual I only get one shot. I make sketches and so forth, too, and have models for things like iPads,” she says. “Then I get my courage together and actually cut and start sewing.” The biggest obstacle McCullough faces is not using patterns for most of her items as nothing mass-produced. “Even things that I make more than one of take a lot of time to find enough materials, so each piece is very time consuming,” she says. McCullough loves what she does with wool, but claims although she has a creative streak, she’s not actually very artistic. “I can only draw stick animals, and then have to tell people what they are. But when I do the wool, things From top left, come to life,” she clockwise: “Felt says, and adds Like New” banner, that her clients an iPad Case, cell appreciate that phone caddies, eyeglasses case, she repurposes child’s purse that older items. comes with three “The coolest interchangeable thing is that so animal heads many people (below right), and have never seen a journal cover. anything like it,” she says. Prices generally range anywhere from $4 to $75. McCullough’s items can be found online at FeltLikeNew.Etsy.com. Contact her at 863206-5130.
Got art? Send your poetry or images or other art to Andrea@The863Magazine.com. www.The863Magazine.com
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