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September 2011 focuslakeland.com

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Table of Contents 6 10 9

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06 Local

Local stories this month include one about a woman who uses her blog, Daphne Writes, to help others and a non-profit organization, Second Chance, that offers a hand up to women struggling with addictions or abusive situations. Generous spirits are always reaching out in this community.

Volume 7 Issue 8 • September 2011

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on the cover

20

Thomas Brooks

10 Feature

The Polk Education Foundation’s 2nd Annual Stepping Out for Education fundraising event will be held Friday evening, September 23, at the Lakeland Civic Center.

Tickets are still available and your support is much appreciated.

14 Spotlight interview

Lakeland artist Thomas Brooks is known for his realistic landscapes. Read the Spotlight Interview to learn how his talent developed from a young age.

18 business profile

Meet Dr. Tamara Pistoria, the newest member of the Watson Clinic pediatric team, a woman who enjoyed growing up in the community’s friendly atmosphere and wanted the same for her own family.

20 dining profile

The Polk County community is on the world cooking map now, thanks to the owners of Cafe Latte Coffee House & Eatery. Their delicious and quickly becoming famous cooking and seasoning oils are used on a variety of taste-tempting menu items and are available for purchase.

16 - Al Reuchel 19 - Artist of the month

21 - Classifieds 22 - Event Calendar

Licensing Opportunity

Licensed territories are available. We are looking to expand the family and are looking for motivated individuals to join our award winning team. If you are interested in owning your own Focus Magazine contact Mike Floyd at 813.707.8783 ext 26.

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September 2011 focuslakeland.com

focuslakeland.com Full digital version of the current and past magazines Extended features, interviews, dining profiles and business profiles with extra content Community news updates

Letter From The Publisher As I previewed the great stories in this month’s issue, I was struck by the thought of how much we all have a desire to truly “experience life.” Experiencing life for my family at this point revolves around the raising of our two sons to be contributors to society and the business of growing Focus by sharing in community successes - individual, organizational, and entrepreneurial. We’re blessed our town has so many to share.

Take Daphne Tarango, for example. She’s a newlywed who works and writes for Publix as a market research analyst. She also writes to help people who need a little encouragement. By sharing gleanings and insights from her own life experiences and responding to their comments on a blog, she’s reaching out to others. And many are responding.

An organization that definitely helps all of us experience life and health is the Polk Education Foundation. Their fundraising efforts benefit the children, and ultimately the families, in our Polk public school system. When students are successful, so is society.

Don’t miss the feature detailing the upcoming 2nd Annual Stepping Out for Education fundraiser which features six “celebrities,” well-known people from the community who will be paired with six professional dancers. They will experience life on the dance floor and give back to the schoolroom.

What I value about Lakeland is the number of hard-working, dedicated business owners who take great pride in offering their customers the best service, products, and commitment that money can buy - and also those things it can’t buy - like love for family and community and optimism. Be sure and read this month’s dining profile on Café Latte Coffee House & Eatery and co-owner Miriam Vigoa’s seasoned oils reinvented from a 200-year-old family recipe. The success has come because she took an entrepreneurial risk to give back by teaching others to cook healthy. Experiencing life involves flavor …..

We offer a wide range of nursing services: Infusion & Enteral, Therapy~Wound, Respiratory, Tracheotomy, and Total Parenteral Nutrition Care

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Focus exists to tell your “experiencing life” stories - the personal, the business, and the community-driven. Thank you, once again, for sharing. We couldn’t experience success without you.

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Office 813.707.8783 Fax 813.764.0990

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www.focusplantcity Credit Manager Angel Carter acarter@floydpublications.com Standards of accuracy: The goal of the writers at FOCUS Magazine is to provide heart-warming stories that are accurate from the start. Being human, however, we sometimes make mistakes. Please forgive us.

So if you notice anything that is incorrect, then please do not hesitate to contact the editorial department and inform it about the fact error. To do so, call (813) 707-8783 or e-mail editorial@floydpublications.com. The staff will fix the error in a timely manner.

FOCUS Magazine is published monthly and is available through local Plant City businesses, restaurants and many local venues.

Advertisers warrant and represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects.

Focus Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. All letters and their contents sent to Focus Magazine become the sole property of Floyd Publications, Inc and may be reproduced thereof. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Floyd Publications, Inc. Use or duplication of material used in this publication is prohibited without approved written consent from Floyd Publications, Inc.

Sales Sophia Hyde | Holly Farmer Julie Hasting | Erik Butler | Linda Simmons Brent Simmons Production Anthony Sassano Tony Cartagena FOCUS TV Shana Johnson Distribution Byron Spradlin Belva DeVane Photographers Billy Friend Lori Blaser | Stephanie Humphrey Staff Writers Cheryl Johnston Brian West | Joe Bowles Derek Maul | Kelleigh Klein Heather Davis | Laura Estes | Dan Conrod | Kristi Linbaugh | Heather Davis Megan Braglin | Brittany Cerny Contributors Al Ruechel | Gil Gott Bruce Rodwell | Jo-An Lusk | Nate Davis

FOCUS Magazine lakeland September 2011

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Local » Focus Nothing pleases writer Daphne Landers Turango more than when readers write to let her know that her encouraging words offered them hope for their struggles.

Lakeland Christian Writers 1st Thursday monthly First Baptist Church at the Mall 6-8 p.m. - Room 570

Daphne Writes and More Local Author Celebrates Life D Written By: Cheryl Johnston

aphne Tarango is a writer - pure and simple - a writer. She can’t not write.

Eighteen months ago, to encourage talent and help others develop their craft, she formed Lakeland Christian Writers, which meets the first Thursday monthly at First Baptist Church at the Mall (Room 570, 6-8p.m).

Daphne welcomes all, saying, “Our members have varying levels of experience. Some have been published and some not yet. Some write poetry, while others write articles, science fiction, westerns, and even lyrics.”

Writers gather to critique work, recommend great reads, and celebrate submissions or publications, but mostly, Tarango says, “We trust God that someone will need to read our writing at the right time in the right publication.”

A native New Yorker, Tarango grew up in Tampa and fondly remembers the 1st grade teacher who bound and published her students’ stories. Daphne’s copy is a treasured

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reminder that writing is ingrained within her.

She recalls now, “The passion was always there, but until college, I never used it much.

I just know there were times I felt very much alive when I wrote.”

Tarango’s degrees include a B.A. in Communications from Lee University and a Master’s in Mass Communications from the University of Florida with concentration in marketing research and statistics. Ultimately, the education and journalism experience led to the job she loves as a consumer research analyst for Publix.

Professionally, she designs market research surveys, focus groups, experiments, and customer shop-alongs and presents resulting data in formal reports to the company’s decision makers. Tarango said, “It’s so cool that my work involves writing and allows for flexibility to use my own creative style within the limits of corporate reporting.” She added, “Anytime I get to incorporate writing into my life, I welcome that.”

On a personal note, Daphne began journal-

September 2011 focuslakeland.com

ing during particularly difficult times of divorce and health issues. In essence, she wrote private letters to God. More than three years ago, Tarango became involved in Celebrate Recovery, the Biblebased, Christ-centered 12-step program. She relates that, “Part of my issues involved low self-worth, seeking approval and looking everywhere except to God for answers.” Using her writing gift, she now teaches people to share their stories of overcoming their past hurts, as well as unhealthy attitudes and habits, such as anger and addictions.

Her advice to others, whether writers or not, is “Just remember - sometimes your biggest audience is God. When you communicate with Him, you have freedom to be more open, more prayerful, to release those locked up feelings. Your words, whether mouthed or written, are a publication between you and God. Write or talk to Him about those places and He will bring something good out of your effort.”

Her writing ministry, birthed from 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV), is “geared for encourage-

ment and comfort.” Her journals became springboards from which to relate life experiences. “Even in fiction,” she explains, “you can use those situations.”

Initially, her plans were to write like others she knew, “to be funny, lighthearted, and develop characters full of life.” Eventually through journaling and prayer she realized God uses her to write for particular circumstances in order to deliver hope.

Through regular contributions to Rest Ministries, a website for the chronically ill, Tarango learned that, “Often what we go through, we grow through. He can use our experiences to help someone else. Anytime someone comes to me or sends me a note explaining, ‘Wow, that touched me,’ or ‘I related to that’, I’m reminded why I write.”

Today one of her biggest supporters is her new husband Luis. The two met in a Sunday morning church class. When he sees readers’ comments, he reminds her, “You make such a difference and help people. You must continue.”

To learn more about developing your own skills, visit www.daphnewrites.com or attend an upcoming Lakeland Christian Writers’ meeting. Someone can benefit from your writing.

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FOCUS Magazine lakeland September 2011

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September 2011 focuslakeland.com

Local » Focus

Second Chance Training Center Helps Women Transform Their Lives Written By: Cheryl Johnston

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any Central Florida families have suffered consequences of a relative or friend struggling with addictions.

Nationally, the problem is huge. Thank heavens for groups that offer local solutions.

The Second Chance Training Center, established in 2000, is one such organization.

This faith-based residential opportunity helps women whose lives and families have been damaged by addictive or controlling behaviors, domestic violence, and even imprisonment. The center evolved from its parent ministry, Wings of Eagles International, founded in Lakeland in 1994.

In the beginning, SWTC operated only as a day program. In 2005 the Steiners purchased a 5,000 square foot assisted-living facility that houses 25 women. Here the trainees experience God’s goodness while learning to live stable, productive lives. In the process, families can be restored and the community benefits.

Initially, founders Don and Mariaelena Steiner simply hoped to provide employment to women just released from prison. Quickly they realized that training would be key.

Mary knows this to be true. Fifteen years ago she was in trouble. A compassionate brother took custody of her 4-year-old son.

Because of repeated manipulative promises and behaviors, the family had written her off completely. A year ago she entered SCTC and God began His work. Through tentative Facebook conversations, family members realized she was serious about restoration.

This month some from Virginia, including the now 19-year-old son, drove south to begin rebuilding relationships.

The women also must desperately want change. Don explained, “We outreach to a part of society that society would rather have swept under the rug. We understand this, so we focus on helping women disgusted with their destructive lifestyles. They cry out, ‘I want out! Help! Show me!’“

Although residents work part-time to help with training expenses, this provides less than 50% of actual operating costs. So, the Steiners must rely also on charitable citizens and a separate 501(c)3 ministry incorporated in 2004, The Outreach Center of Central Florida.

Mariaelena added, “Many are abuse victims who lack self-esteem, employable skills and confidence. Our 12-month curriculum builds strong relationships, provides structure, and develops character in a safe, caring and confidential atmosphere.”

Recognizing that most churches have congregations of fewer than 500 and don’t have the capability to collect, store and distribute common household items needed by underprivileged families, the Steiners developed a viable plan. According to Don,

Mary Poulos is one of the 25 female residents at Second Chance Training Center who work towards completion of their GED, computer skills certifications, and even in becoming members of the National Technical Honor Society.

“Churches ask believers to donate items and support us with a minimum monthly financial gift. We store and distribute those through a voucher system. Churches issue the vouchers and the family calls the center to schedule a ‘Home Visit.” Once legitimate needs are determined, TOC issues an acceptance letter and assembles those supplies, which can be picked up or delivered. “ The Steiner family members, including three children and four grandchildren, live to serve others. Married in 1990, ordained ministers Don and Mariaelena have also traveled to remote areas of 40 nations, bringing the hope of Jesus Christ and His transformational work.

Sheriff Grady Judd posted his appreciation for the Steiners’ efforts on the SCTC website: “I am proud to offer my support of the Second Chance Training Center in their

work with ex-offenders. The Polk County Sheriff ’s Office collaborates with SCTC in seeking to reduce the recidivism rate here … fully endorses and supports the Second Chance Program.”

While the Greater Lakeland Community Foundation and the George Jenkins fund have offered invaluable assistance in the 2010-2011 cycle, the centers could use our help as well. Your tax-deductible financial gifts and donations of household items can be delivered to The Outreach Center located just North of I-4 on Highway 33 in Lakeland (Tuesday-Friday 9 to 6; Saturday 9 to 3) or mailed to Second Chance Training Center, Inc., P.O. Box 92824, Lakeland, 33804-2824.

For additional information, visit www. secondchancetc.com or phone 863-665-7700

FOCUS Magazine lakeland September 2011

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Putting Their Best Feet Forward

Polk County Education Foundation Steps It Up Feature by Brian West | Photos Provided by Polk Education Foundation

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The Polk Education Foundation is taking their final steps for their 2nd Annual Stepping Out for Education fundraiser. The dancing event features six “celebrities,” well-known people from the community who will be paired with six professional dancers. Sound familiar? It should.

Communities around the nation have used the premise of the popular television show, “Dancing with the Stars,” as a way to help raise funds for everything from outreach programs to a cure for polio.

The Polk Education Foundation is the direct support organization for Polk County Public Schools. Everything they do is to benefit the Polk County school district and its teachers and students. This can include adults and pre-schoolers, but they must be students of Polk County Schools. The money raised is used for scholarships, the mentoring scholarship program, the Polk Reads tutoring program, Teacher of the Year, and student recognition programs such as the Polk County Science Fair and the Spelling Bee. People often donate money to the Foundation, but those dollars typically come with restrictions such as people wanting to start scholarships or wanting to offer grants for math education, etc. Once they’re designated or restricted, those funds can’t be used for programs already in existence. So the foundation has to raise money for those things that just come up unexpectedly, like providing school uniforms, physicals and backpacks for students who can’t afford them. Fundraisers like Stepping Out For Education provide unrestricted dollars the Foundation can use at their discretion.

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The idea of a dancing fundraiser got started for the Polk Education Foundation just a few years ago. One of the board members, Jerry Miller with Progress Energy, also serves on the board for the Lake County Educational Foundation. They have a similar event they’ve been doing for several years now. Miller invited Susan Copeland, Executive Director of the Polk Education Foundation, to attend and see what it was all about. Copeland said, “I left the event that night having so much fun, and I knew it was something I wanted to bring back to Polk County for our Foundation.” She began to research and decided to give it a try.

That was three years ago now, and the rest is history. The first step was to secure the professional dancers. Copeland said, “I made a couple of calls looking for our professional dancers before I had someone accept. That’s when I knew this wasn’t going to be as easy to pull off.”

The professional dancers need to be paired with the celebrity dancers. In the end, Copeland puts together a complete mix with six couples competing: three professional males and three professional females, paired with three celebrity females and three celebrity males, respectively.

Copeland secured her professional dancers from Lakeland Ballroom. She shared, “The owners, Richard and Debbie Boatwright, were a pleasure to work with and so were their dancers.”

And using professional dancers doesn’t come cheap. For an event like this, the foundation must pay for a couple of months of their time in weekly lessons and practice with their celebrity partners. Apparently many different people had approached the Boatwrights in the past with similar ideas for fundraising, but never seemed to follow through. Copeland said, “Once I learned the cost of the dancers, I understood why.

Securing the celebrity dancers the first year proved to be an even greater challenge. Typically, people aren’t just waiting in line to spend several weeks of their time learning to do something they may have never done before, knowing that in the end they’ll have to do it in front of a crowded room – many of them strangers, all the while hoping everything goes as planned and without any missteps. Copeland said, “It got to the point where I had so many people saying no, I was practically begging for dancers. And it was completely understood. They hadn’t seen the event, but they had seen Dancing with the Stars and didn’t think they could do it.”

This year’s dancers are: Katie Gernert with Clark, Nikdel and Powell Kathryn Koch with Lanier Upshaw Colleen Burton with Polk Vision Robert Loftin with BB&T Bank Dr. Dave Misch with the Center for Retina and Macular Diseasevv Deric Feacher with the City of Winter Haven.

If you know these dancers, please go out of your way to support them with the fundraiser. It takes a lot of guts to learn to dance, not to mention performing in front of a few hundred people.

You might be wondering how this event is able to raise money. There are several aspects to

the event. Attendees pay $75 per person to attend, and of course there are sponsorship opportunities to purchase tables. In addition, each couple solicits votes, in the form of dollars.

Each vote is one dollar. So a $100 donation equals 100 votes. “Votes” can be cast now, right up until the day before the event, and then again the night of the event. They’ll add the two voting totals together and the couple with the most votes wins the “People’s Choice Award.”

If you’re interested in voting, you can also vote online at www.polkeducationfoundation.org.

Click the link on the left side of the page – “NEW! Stepping Out for Education,” then locate the “click here to vote” link.

The night of the event, they’ll name an “Audience Favorite.” This gives the audience a chance to vote for their favorite dancer. They also use professional judges who will judge the overall competition, but they’ll also select a top male dancer, a top female dancer and a top overall dancer.

The celebrity males are harder to acquire than the females. You know how most men are. They just don’t dance, at least not in front of people. They’re not exactly dragged into this kicking and screaming, but some might say they weren’t far from that. But once the event is over, most would say they had a great time and it was all worth it.

Copeland shared one of her success stories from last year’s event. She really wanted to get Dr. Gail McKenzie, then Superintendent of Polk County Schools, to participate as one of the celebrity dancers. After all, the event does help support Polk County Schools and she was approaching retirement. Copeland said, “Dr. McKenzie is very competitive and she’s a perfectionist, so once she commits to something, you know she’s going to give it her all.” Last year’s event was held in July and McKenzie really didn’t think she’d be able to pull it off. There were just too many conflicts that could get in the way of lessons and practice. Ultimately, McKenzie gave in and accepted. She did very well and liked it so much that now she regularly competes in professional ballroom dancing competitions. During her last Administrator’s meeting as Superintendent before her retirement, McKenzie said Copeland had changed her life by involving her in dance. McKenzie will be flying in from Texas to do two exhibition dances for this year’s event.

This year’s Stepping Out for Education event will be held on Friday evening, September 23, at the Lakeland Civic Center. Attendees will be treated to a cash bar, dinner, the competition and an opportunity to dance during intermission and after the competition as the evening wraps up. Last year’s event was held at the Lakeland Yacht Club for a packed crowd of 250 and they raised $39,000, which was a great start for the first year event. Since they packed the Yacht Club the first year, this year they’ve moved the event to the Lakeland Civic Center, hoping to better accommodate growth. At the time I spoke with Copeland, they were already at 273 attendees and counting, so they’re definitely growing.

We wish the Polk Education Foundation much success with this year’s event and sincerely appreciate all the organization does to support education. For more information, please contact Copeland at 863-534-0434, or visit the PEF website at www.polkeducationfoundation. org.

FOCUS Magazine lakeland September 2011

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The Premier Showplace for Talent in Florida

SEPTEMBER 16 RICHIE MERRITT

Richie Merritt, formally of the Marcels, will be performing in the Red Rose Dining Room. Also, P.J. Leary’s Las Vegas Sounds perform before and after the show.

OCTOBER 2 “JUST CALL ME PEGGY” A TRIBUTE TO MARGARET MITCHELL

Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room

Join this special Sunday Tea with a reading by Marjorie York with her one woman show of “Just Call Me Peggy,” a tribute to Gone With The Wind author, Margaret Mitchell; cast members will also be in attendence to sign autographs and talk about their experience of being in one of the greatest films of all time! (In cooperation with “Gone With The Wind Memories” of Plant City)

SEPTEMBER 30 JOHNNY ALSTON’S MOTOWN ROCK & ROLL REVUE

OCTOBER 7, 14, 22 & 29 RALPH ALLOCCO & SECOND WIND

SEPTEMBER 17 & 23 RALPH ALLOCCO & SECOND WIND

A dynamite crowd pleaser! P.J. Leary’s Las Vegas Sounds perform before and after the show.

SEPTEMBER 24 THE MYSTICS

The Mystics, including, original members of the group, George Galfo and Phil Cracolici, will perform their hits, including their number one chart topper “Hushabye.” P.J. Leary’s Las Vegas Sounds perform before and after the show.

OCTOBER 1 1861 BALL

In cooperation with “Gone With The Wind Memories” of Plant City, it’s a Tribute to one of America’s top novels and films! Come see and meet original Gone With the Wind cast members, Mickey Kuhn and Patrick Curtis. Music from the 97th Regimental String Band.

Period costumes welcome, but not required.

Doors open 6:30, Dinner served at 7:00, 1861 Ball Events at 8:00.

Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room

OCTOBER 8 LOLA & THE SAINTS

Doo Wop At Its Best! Relive the 50s & 60s as though it was yesterday. “Forever in Love,” “Just Over the Brooklyn Bridge.” Plus, P.J. Leary’s Las Vegas Sounds.

OCTOBER 15 & 21 JOHNNY ALSTON’S MOTOWN ROCK & ROLL REVUE

A dynamite crowd pleaser! P.J. Leary’s Las Vegas Sounds perform before and after the show.

OCTOBER 28 COVER TO COVER

The trio covers the top hits from yesterday to today!

Also, P.J. Leary’s Las Vegas Sounds perform before and after the show.

NOVEMBER 12 FROM THE SAHARA HOTEL IN VEGAS –

A SALUTE TO THE

PLATTERS, COASTERS, DRIFTERS AND TEMPTATIONS FOR ST. JUDE

Myles Salvage’s act from Las Vegas comes to Plant City to help benefit St. Jude Children’s Hospital. The annual

event includes Dinner in a Supper Club atmosphere and great musical talent to dance the night away... for a very good cause.

Call about our new Tiered Pricing!

NOVEMBER 18 COVER TO COVER

The trio covers the top hits from yesterday to today!

Also, P.J. Leary’s Las Vegas Sounds perform before and after the show.

NOVEMBER 19 & 25 RALPH ALLOCCO & SECOND WIND

Performing in the Red Rose Dining Room

NOVEMBER 26 LOLA & THE SAINTS

A Red Rose favorite. Great hits from the 50s & 60s.

Plus, P.J. Leary’s Las Vegas Sounds.

Coming Soon !

DECEMBER 10 CHRIS MACDONALD

“ELVIS”

The magic of “the King or Rock-n-roll” in a truly dynamic performance celebrating the life and music of one of the greatest entertainers and pop culture icons of our time. Destiny opens and closes the show!

DECEMBER 16 THE FOUR ACES

It’s a “Winter Wonderland Dinner Dance”in the Ballroom as the dynamic group perform their hits: Three Coins in a Fountain, Shangri-La, Tell Me Why, and more!

DECEMBER 31 NEW YEARS EVE

It’s a celebration not to miss! Ballroom and Dining room performances of The Legacy of the Temptations and the World Famous Platters. Be part of the big COUNTDOWN... Call for pricing and details.

TEL: 813.752.3141 • I-4 Exit 21 • 2011 N. Wheeler St.• Plant City, FL 33563 • www.RedRoseInnAndSuites.com 12

September 2011 focuslakeland.com

FOCUS Magazine lakeland September 2011

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Miles and Miles and Miles of Canvas Thomas Brooks’ Landscapes are Works of Art Interview by Brian West

Lakeland resident, Thomas Brooks, is an exceptionally talented artist. He has honed his skill over the past 40-plus years and is recognized as quite an accomplished painter. Typically he paints Florida landscapes. If you’ve seen his work, you can definitely appreciate his skill. I recently had an opportunity to speak with Brooks about his work.

Focus: Tell me where you’re from originally.

Brooks: I was born and raised in Lakeland. My parents were from Alabama. They were farmers and came to Florida for a better opportunity.

Focus: Tell me about your immediate family.

Brooks: My wife’s name is Patricia. We have two children - our son Thomas Lee Jr., he goes by Lee, and our daughter Kellie. They’re both grown. Kellie’s husband is Jonathan.

Lee’s wife is Angela and they have two children, our beautiful granddaughters, Haliah and Ellie.

Focus: How old were you when you became interested in art?

Brooks: As far back as I can remember. I was always interested in art. I think the first painting I did was paint-bynumber, so I’ve gotten really good at covering the numbers.

I can remember when I was five or six years old, watching Walter Lance on TV in the 1950s and trying to draw the cartoon characters, which were mostly animals. And I guess my interest in art just grew from there.

Focus: Was there a moment in time when someone recognized that you had a talent?

Brooks: That would be my mother and second grade teacher.

I remember the teacher wanting to have a counsel with my parents about my problems in class. My problem was my strong interest in drawing and not my studies.The class would be sitting in a circle reading stories, and I would be drawing what they were reading. I was drawing the story. So I never really learned my reading skills I guess, but my teacher

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encouraged my drawing skills. When I was in the third grade, the school asked me to do some Thanksgiving drawings. So I drew the pilgrims and Plymouth Rock - that sort of thing.

Those are my memories of it.

Focus: I’ve noticed your work is primarily nature scenes. Has that always been your interest?

Brooks: I’d say it evolved that way. As an artist, and this is the way I feel about myself, I’m inspired to create or draw or paint something, and no matter the subject, you become increasingly fond of some things over time. Early on I enjoyed drawing people and dogs.

In fact, the first painting I ever did was a bird dog when I was a teenager. As time went on, while in college, I took a few art classes. In school, they encourage you to be creative with the subject matter they want you to use. So whether it’s still life, a landscape, a figure, etc., they want to bring out your creativity. But deep inside I had a desire to paint whatever inspired me to paint. It just so happened that the evolution of me doing nature scenes was a result of spending time outdoors with my dad, hunting and fishing. So I really became interested in landscapes; the mood and the lights in the early morning. I remember going out with my dad in the early morning and the sun would be coming up and there would be fog with the sunlight coming through it, along with the backlighting of the trees. That really moved me in that direction.

Focus: Are there other types of paintings, or are you only doing nature scenes?

Brooks: I’ll do other subjects, but it’s primarily landscapes with different animals in the landscapes. Occasionally, I’ll do just the animal, like a bird or a turkey or deer. And sometimes I’ll do portraits. Not very often. I really had a desire at one time to do portraits, but the nature scenes kept pulling me in. And I really have more opportunity to be creative with the nature scenes. Portraits and figures are limiting in your ability to be creative, but not always.

You’re pretty much copying the human form or the figure. You can be creative, but when someone asks you to do a portrait of their children, it’s pretty much like commercial art.

That was when I made a serious decision to pursue my art and then, like I said, I was able to pursue it full time in 2001.

Focus: Aside from your website, where can people go to see your work?

Brooks: Several galleries carry my work. A few in the area are The Frame Shop here in Lakeland, The Artist Gallery here in Lakeland, Fredlund Gallery in Winter Park and Stellers Gallery in Jacksonville.

Focus: You’ve done a lot of work over your career. Are there some pieces to which you feel more of a connection?

Brooks: One really stands out to me and was quite challenging. It was a large painting consisting of landscape, turkeys, deer, alligator, owl, raccoon and birds. There were multiple animals hidden in the painting. Primarily it was a landscape with turkeys and we incorporated all these other animals into it. It stands out in my mind because of the challenge and is a rare piece for me. It was a commissioned painting.

Focus: Are most of your paintings commissioned or are they works you’ve painted for yourself?

Brooks: Most are works that I’ve painted for myself. On occasion I’ll do commissioned work, but it has to be something that I’m inspired to paint.

Focus: Can you give me a typical timeline to create one of your paintings?

Brooks: People will ask me from time to time, “How long did it take you to paint that?”

I’ll look at them and say, [laughing] “Forty-five years.” I generally work on multiple pieces at the same time. On occasion, I’ll do a study and it make take a couple of hours. But I don’t normally keep up with the time I spend on an individual painting.

Focus: Are the works we see today a product of what you’ve learned in art classes, or your evolution as an artist?

Focus: You’ve talked about your time outdoors being the source of your inspiration. Is there a particular place that inspires you more?

Brooks: I like to say that I’m self-taught. What I mean by that is that my style, the way I use the tools and some of the things I’ve learned over the years from other artist and in college - my style is self-taught. I was painting at an early age, but over time, you may pick up information from other artists and bring that into your style. The technique I use is something that’s inside me. You can teach technique, but it’s up to the individual to interpret that and use it the way they feel. That’s what brings out a certain style of work that an artist is known for; to quote artist Robert Henri, “After painting miles and miles and miles of canvas, you soon become an artist.” That’s the way it is. You just work and work and work, and one day, there it is. I’ve finally arrived.

Brooks: When I was growing up, I remember places where we’d just go out into the woods - me, my dad and my brother. But primarily it was the Florida outdoors. An artist typically paints their environment. However, I’ve done other scenery from our travels out West and around the Southeast. As children, growing up, we did not have computers and video games and spent most of our time outdoors. That was our entertainment.

Focus: Have you always been able to make a living as an artist?

Brooks: No. Actually, I was with the Department of Transportation for Florida, and as I was employed, I pursued my art. I exhibited in art shows and galleries and that sort of thing and just continued to apply myself. When the time was right, I left my job to pursue my art.

That was in 2001. So I’ve been working as a full time artist for the past 10 years. I was doing professional work prior; since the late 1980s and felt like I was a full time artist with a job.

Focus: Is there something lighthearted during your career as an artist that has stuck with you?

Brooks: I attend many art shows in the Southeast and we’ve met other artists over the years.

We end up going to dinner and spending time together. Several of us were painting together as a group of artists in Gator Creek. Afterwards, we’d have a get together with dinner and drinks. One particular artist that we discovered liked to sing. It was funny to the rest of us and we haven’t let him forget about that happening. Anytime we’re together, we like to kid him about it, just having fun.

Brooks talent is incredible, and it really shows in his paintings. You don’t have to know a lot about art to appreciate his talent. Henri would say, “He’s become an artist.”

FOCUS Magazine lakeland September 2011

15

extra » al reuchel We learned that revenge is the most destructive motive in the universe. Forget all those stupid Hollywood movies that glorify the heroes getting their pound of flesh from the bad guys. It may feel good for a few fleeting moments but one man’s justice is another’s injustice. We saw generation upon generation of revenge exacted upon us for things none of us even remember or understand. Revenge is an excuse, a license to act with little to no impunity because “they had it coming.”

We learned that there is a religious movement that believes their God-given directive is to kill us… period. There is no conversation, no middle ground, no compromise, and no exceptions to their rule. If we don’t convert we are to be put to death. Radical Islam is real and it is growing. Even sensible Muslims who condemn these radicals can’t slow its march to madness.

We learned that we can’t let our guard down. We must always be alert and vigilant in protecting our shores. National security isn’t just something they talk about in the halls of Congress. It is something that must become part of our daily lives as we watch and listen to what’s happening around us and actively take part in reporting things that don’t seem right.

And, maybe the most important lesson we’ve learned since that horrific day: As a nation we are the most compassionate, the most giving, the most sacrificial, most resilient people in the world. It’s in our DNA as Americans. We climb up into the burning inferno. We climb up to our destiny with faith our God has a better plan.

Lessons from 9/11 W e all know where we were and what we were doing on the day more than 10 years ago. I was on the air delivering the news when it happened and stayed glued to my anchor chair well into the evening hours.

It was the day the Towers fell, the day terrorism finally reached our shores in a way we hadn’t seen since World War II. It was also the day we learned a number of very

16

Written By: Al Reuchel

difficult lessons that will likely haunt us into the future.

We learned that life is not fair. So many things happen to us that we can’t control and affect the good, the bad, and the indifferent the same.

Why some people were sick that day or missed a train or were late for work or missed a flight that saved their lives is a mystery. Fairness is one of those inborn

September 2011 focuslakeland.com

human characteristics that seem to propel us forward through difficulty as long as we can find someone or something to blame.

When something is “just not right” based on our morals and values it is unsettling and throws us off balance. Death comes on its own schedule and we can neither control it nor, as in the case with terror attacks, predict when and where it will strike. It isn’t fair.

We joined together even before the dust settled and determined that this event would not dim the light of democracy.

Right or wrong, we sacrificed over five-thousand of our nation’s best and brightest… even spending ourselves into a sea of debt to try and make it right.

Lots of what has happened after the attacks doesn’t make sense. Bad intelligence, IEDs nearly impossible to detect, billions of dollars of aid lost or unaccounted for, America still hated even as we free millions from tyranny and death.

Yet, Old Glory waves on. The lives lost in ignorance joined a chorus of generations that believed there is no greater nation on earth than the United States of America.

God Bless America! God Bless the heroes of 9/11. We will never forget!

Polk Museum of Art Jessica Lange: In Mexico

Exhibition Sponsor: Robert & Malena Puterbaugh Reception Sponsor: Fleetwing Corporation

& Lilian Garcia-Roig: En Plein Sight

September 17 - December 10, 2011 Exhibition-related merchandise available in the Museum Shop

800 East Palmetto Street, Lakeland • 863.688.7743 • www.PolkMuseumofArt.org Hours: 10am - 5pm Tuesday - Saturday, 1 - 5pm Sunday FOCUS Magazine lakeland September 2011

17

Business profile» Watson Clinic

Watson Clinic Pediatrician Welcomes Tamara Pistoria, D.O. W Written By: Cheryl Johnston

atson Clinic is pleased to announce that Tamara T. Pistoria, DO, has joined their team of expert pediatricians. Dr. Pistoria will practice from the Watson Clinic South location at 1033 N. Parkway Frontage Rd. in Lakeland, Florida.

As one of the largest multispecialty medical clinics in the southeast, Watson Clinic LLP provides comprehensive healthcare services to residents of Lakeland and surrounding communities.

First established in 1941, Watson Clinic staff now includes 200 board-certified physicians representing 40 medical and surgical specialties. The Clinic continues the legacy of improving the delivery of health care at the Main Clinic, 1600 Lakeland Hills Boulevard in Lakeland, as well as at 16 other convenient locations in Polk, Pasco and Hillsborough counties.

Dr. Pistoria earned her medical degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. After her internship at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Allentown, she moved on to Hershey, PA, where she completed her residency in pediatrics at Penn State University/Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

Board certified in pediatrics by the Amerian Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics, Dr. Pistoria is a member of both the Florida Medical Association and the Polk County Medical Association.

Dr. Tamara Pistoria, D.O. recently joined the Watson Clinic South’s expert team of pediatricians.

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September 2011 focuslakeland.com

Dr. Pistoria described how she decided on Watson Clinic and the Lakeland area.

“After practicing solo for the past five years, I realized I wanted to allocate more of my day to pediatric patient care rather than office management and insurance authorizations.

My association with Watson Clinic will provide me with the opportunity to fill my day with more patient care and less paperwork.”

Winter Haven is where she spent her early years before returning after medical school and military service. She enjoys the Central Florida location because it’s conducive to travel and both coasts are only a short drive away. But perhaps the most important reason, she explained, is that she “enjoyed growing up in the friendly atmosphere of a smaller community and wanted the same for my family.”

Dr. Pistoria is very excited to be a part of Watson Clinic and their Pediatrics team because she has two complementing perspectives. She shared, “As a Watson Clinic patient, I have had positive experiences with the physicians and staff. As a physician practicing in Polk County, I am aware of the network of services provided by Watson Clinic and their reputation in the community. It is truly an honor for me to be a part of their well-respected group of providers.

She has some hopes for the future here as well. Dr. Pistoria related, “Many of my private practice patients from Winter Haven have chosen to continue their care with me at the Watson Clinic South location. Of course, the Polk Parkway helps with that decision and it will be very nice to see my former patients in my new surroundings! I’m looking forward to welcoming new patients, meeting new families, and to providing the quality of care that has come to be expected at the clinic.”

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Pistoria, please call 863-647-8012.

Additional information and physician credentials are available online at www.

WatsonClinic.com.

dining & entertainment » artist of the month

Lakeland artist Kimberly Wyant Why she makes KRaP art

Written By: Kristi Linebaugh

on with the company that produced Power Rangers. This time she wasn’t painting. She was making foam and rubber latex costumes.

L

akeland artist Kimberly Wyant knew she loved art after the very first time she used crayons to color pretty pictures all over her bed sheets. Her parents, not being so keen on the sheet art project, soon bought her finger paint and paper so she could paint her heart out.

As Kimberly grew, her taste in art also evolved, from throwing paint on each other with friends in the garage dressed in white clothes to working in the film industry.

Kimberly loves the movies and being born and growing up in California, she jumped right in with both feet. She was an extra in many movies and eventually was signed

It has been a long and wonderfully winding road for Kimberly, who now lives in Lakeland. Along with her husband, she now focuses on found art and is the ultimate recycle queen. Her passion is to keep stuff out of the landfills by salvaging and making beautiful things that, before Kimberly’s magical touch, would have been considered crap. Actually that is the name Kimberly’s husband suggested for her business. KRaP which stands for Kimberly’s Recycled Art Project. “When we were first married we had no money for furniture, so I would drag stuff home off the curb or thrift store and repurpose it. My husband would always laugh at all the crap I brought home. That’s where he came up with the name,” Kimberly said, half-laughing.

Kimberly’s KRaP art can be purchased at her stand in Downtown Lakeland at the Saturday Curb Market, at the Garden District Artist gallery on Lemon Street, at Liquid Hair salon on Pine Street, and at Lakeland Family Health and Chiropractic.

Her work my also be viewed at www. facebook.com/KRaPArt. For additional information, call 863.860.1711 FOCUS Magazine lakeland September 2011

19

dining & entertainment » dining profile

Cafe Latte Coffee House & Eatery Home to the Canary Island Garlic and Herb Olive Oil Written By: Carli Eli

C

afe Latte Coffee House & Eatery is located in Historic Orchid Springs Village. Take Cypress Gardens Blvd. to Overlook Drive, then half a mile on your right and just two stop lights from LEGOLAND, you will discover a delicious escape from the ordinary. Tucked away among the bougainvillea and Spanish Style architecture, Cafe Latte is a quick trip into the European coffee houses of old.

Owners Kristi Linebaugh and Miriam Vigoa have created a mouthwatering menu as full of flavor as it is beautiful. I suggest you nibble on Kristi’s artisan pizzas. The roasted tomato, feta,and spinach pizza with organic salad is a thin crust, layered with superbly fresh veggies and perfectly browned bubbly cheese. Or you can order their famous Cuban Sandwich drizzled with “The Splash” Olive Oil they produce on site.

When you enter the cafe a savory flavor dances its way through the air. It’s the Canary Island Garlic and Herb Olive Oil that Vigoa reinvented from a 200-year-old family recipe of her great grandmother’s.

They “Splash” their famous Seasoned Spanish Olive Oil on all the Cafe Latte entrees and salads, giving all the fresh local and organic veggies a dip into deliciousness.

It’s no wonder they have won 13 “People’s Choice Awards” from Best Coffee House to Best Lunch, as well as Best Vegetarian Food.

Cafe Latte offers something for every taste bud. If you like Chicken and Yellow Rice, you will Love Miriam’s version. With so much flavor packed into it, it’s a miracle one plate can hold it all. Try their Hummus Veggie Wrap or a Honey Apple Chicken Wrap as well. Store manager Leah is truly an artist with food. Breakfast sandwiches are another speciality. They have the Florida Sunshine Bagel, the Baja Breakfast Burrito or a Manhattan Breakfast Bagel. You will just have to pop in and try each one for yourself.

And of course, try the “Splash”.

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September 2011 focuslakeland.com

These days, Linebaugh and Vigoa are teaching healthy cooking shows using the Canary Island Garlic and Herb Olive Oil. They recently returned from a 10,000 mile tour that took them from Tampa to San Francisco with classes offered in Chicago, Wisconsin and Michigan. They have done over 350 cooking shows to date.

Vigoa’s “Splash” was recently featured on a California “Raw Foods” Show, where Chef Blythe Mezt used the Splash to prepare healthy meals. You can see the video here http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/16512469.

This year the Vigoa Splash was added to the shelves of all the Whole Foods Markets in Florida. You may purchase the Splash at Cafe Latte and the Winter Haven Health Food Store as well.

You may also order the Canary Island Garlic and Herb Olive oil from their website www. vigoacuisine.com. Or, when you stop by to grab a delish Frozen Mocha, grab your Splash Olive Oil. For a limited time, the owners are offering a $4.99 tasting selection.

Every day features a different dish, and as a special treat, they are giving away two tickets to LEGOLAND. Stop by and register today.

Local cafe co-owner Miriam Vigoa’s seasoned olive oils have beenfeatured on the Blythe RAW TV Show Cafe Latte Coffee House & Eatery 200 Orchid Springs Dr. (adjacent Overlook Dr. across from Orchid Springs Animal Hospital) Winter Haven, Fl. 33884 863-318-8777 Established 1995 Tuesday-Saturday 8am-2pm

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FOCUS Magazine

FOCUS Magazine lakeland September 2011

21

entertainment » event calendar

Lakeland

calendar of events

If you have an upcoming event and would like us to add it to our calendar of events, please email the information to: editorial@floydpublications.com

Saturday, October 1

Sunday, October 9

» Polk Authors & Illustrators Festival 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

S. Kentucky Ave. Here’s your chance to meet and support local authors, illustrators and publishers.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook. com/#!/AuthorsnIllustratorsFestival

» Edward W. Bok Birthday Carillon Concerts 1-4 p.m.

Bok Tower Gardens 1151 Tower Blvd.

Celebrate Edward Bok’s gift of gratitude to America on his birthday.

For more information, call (863) 676-1408

Wednesday, October 5

Thursday, October 13

» “State of Downtown” Luncheon & Auction 11 a.m.

The Lakeland Center 701 W. Lime St. Peter Katz, a leading proponent of “New Urbanism,” will be the guest speaker for this annual luncheon.

For more information, call (863) 513-3669

» Achievement Academy’s 12th Annual “ChipIn” for Children Golf Tournament 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Lone Palm Golf & Country Club 800 Lone Palm Dr. Funds are raised to help children with special needs to receive the vital services they need to make progress in Polk County. Lunch will be provided by local restaurant vendors.

For more information, call (863) 683-6504.

Thursday, October 6 » Polk NatureFest 2011 (extends to the 9th) Circle B Bar Reserve 4399 Winter Lake Rd. For more information, call 1-800-828-7655

Friday, October 7 » 1st Friday Art Stroll 4-9 p.m.

Central Avenue & Summerlin St. Bartow The stroll will feature arts, crafts, music, and food.

Local shops will be open late. » First Friday- Motorcycle Mania 6-10 p.m., pre-registration for the bike show 5:30-8 p.m.

Munn Park For more information, call (863) 859-1037 » What’s the Point?

Doors open at 7:45 p.m., Show at 8 p.m.

Southeastern University 1000 Longfellow Blvd.

RAW TV’s first show, “What’s the point?,” will be a panel show discussing the meaning of life, love, and possibly our favorite gum flavors.

For more information, call (863) 667-5000

22

» Hair for Hope 5:30-8 p.m.

Michael Rose Hair Designs 3139 S. Florida Ave. Participants are needed who will cut at least 8 inches of their hair, which will be donated to Pantene Beautiful Lengths and used to make wigs that are distributed free through American Cancer Society wig banks nationwide. Participants will receive a free basic haircut and a coupon for $5 off their next haircut at the salon.

For more information, call (863) 614-0555

Friday, October 14 » Lake Mirror Classic Auto Festival (extends through 15th) 6 p.m.

Main St. The display of more than 500 vehicles on and surrounding the restored 1920’s, art deco-inspired Lake Mirror promenade in downtown Lakeland, Florida provides one of the most scenic venues in the country.

For more information, call (863) 683-2228

Saturday, October 15 » The Highlander Adventure Run II 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

4500 Cox Rd. Bartow THE HIGHLANDER II is an adventure obstacle mud run. Covered spectator area, costume

September 2011 focuslakeland.com

contest, great food, music and fun all in the beautiful outdoors!

For more information, call (863) 289-3538 » Polk County Medical Association Casino Night 2011 Fundraiser 6-10 p.m.

Lakeland Yacht & Country Club 929 Lake Hollingsworth Dr. Casino Night Fundraiser for We Care of Polk County and the Polk County Medical Foundation.

For more information, call (863) 644-4051

Saturday, October 22 » Lakeland Hispanic Festival Noon-8 p.m.

121 S. Lake Ave. This event is held to promote Hispanic heritage, language and culture. The proceeds go to scholarships to deserving Hispanic students and help for the community.

For more information, call (863) 644-5362

Monday, October 24 » 18th Annual Denis L. Fontaine Children’s Classic Golf Tournament supporting Explorations V Children’s Museum 1-6:15 p.m.

Lone Palm Golf & Country Club 800 Lone Palm Dr. All proceeds remain local and are used to advance the Museum’s exhibits and programs.

For more information, call (863) 687-3869

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