The Lakelander - Issue 60 / Lakelander Made

ISSU E 60

MEET ARTIST JASON DEMEO AND THE OTHER CRAFTSPEOPLE AND ENTREPRENEURS FEATURED IN OUR FIFTH ANNIVERSARY LAKELANDER MADE ISSUE

THE LAKELANDER’S HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Where the

Gifts of the Season

Last All Year ’Round

UNCOMPROMISED RETIREMENT LIVING

As We Move Into the Christmas Season,

There's So Much to Be Thankful For!

• A full social calendar – focused on active, healthy and vibrant living – with a wide range of activities and opportunities to make new friends • The choice and convenience of a myriad of amenities, including a pool, art studio, bistro, dog park, woodworking shop, two libraries, a chapel library and so much more • State-of-the-art fitness center with a full-time personal trainer on site • Peace of mind knowing any potential future care needs will be met with assisted living, skilled nursing and short-term rehabilitation on site • Benefits of Lifecare, including the ability to protect your assets without the fear of rising health care costs • Updated floor plans – 13 styles from 475 to 2,500 sq. ft. – and customizable options with our Signature Series plans • Chef-prepared meals and flexible dining plans

T H I S – A N D S O M U C H M O R E – I S W I T H I N YO U R R E A C H

Retirement Living Independent Living Assisted Living Nursing Home

WINTER BLUES ARE OLD NEWS! The Estates at Carpenters Makes the

Snowbird Lifestyle Your EveryDay Reality.

STROLL FROM YOUR APARTMENT HOME AND ENJOY THE VIEW.

From a year-round, carefree lifestyle and freedom from home maintenance and upkeep to brand-new experiences and opportunities to travel, learn and enjoy life with friends, The Estates offers everything you need to live the retirement lifestyle you’ve always dreamed about.

KEEP THAT SPRING IN YOUR STEP.

ENGAGE IN YOUR FAVORITE HOBBY … OR TRY A NEW ONE!

EXPERIENCE THE Joy OF FINANCIAL FREEDOM with Options to Suit Your Lifestyle Choose the unmatched security of our Life Plan option OR take advantage of our all-inclusive rental options starting at $2,170 per month.

UNCOMPROMISED RETIREMENT LIVING

We're safely welcoming new residents!

LEAVE THE MAINTENANCE AND HOUSEKEEPING TO US.

ENJOY SECURITY WITH MONTHLY BILLS THAT WON’T RISE AND FALL.

Discover

UNPRECEDENTED SAVINGS Take $2,500 to $20,000 Off – Based on Apartment Selection.

Must deposit by December 31, 2020 to find the true peace and joy our residents enjoy year-round!

Call today to make your appointment for a private, in-person tour or visit our website to see why now is the best time to make your move to carefree senior living!

1001 Carpenters Way | Lakeland, FL 33809 | EstatesAtCarpenters.com

863-588-7284 Like Us on

ONE LEAP OF FAITH AFTER ANOTHER, WE SEE HOW THE REWARDS HAVE BEEN WORTH THE RISKS ALONG THE WAY. WISHING YOU ALL HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

THE BRIARWOOD COLLECTION

SERVING YOU AT THESE TWELVE POLK COUNTY LOCATIONS

THE HAMILTON II COLLECTION

THE DIPLOMAT COLLECTION

Auburndale 521 Hughes Rd. (863) 967-6602 ++ Bartow 1350 N. Broadway (US 98) (863) 533-1611 ++ Eagle Lake 1515 Hwy. 17 N. (863) 294-7749 ++ Frostproof 500 N. Scenic Hwy. (863) 635-2645 ++ Ft. Meade 1401 Hwy. 17 N. (863) 285-9757 ++ Haines City 35495 Hwy. 27 (863) 422-3144 ++ Lakeland - Christina 6100 S. Florida Ave. (863) 646-2921 ++ Lakeland - Combee 1225 N. Combee Rd. (863) 665-3111 ++ Lakeland - Lake Gibson 6625 US 98 North (863) 858-3866 ++ Lakeland - North 1409 N. Florida Ave. (863) 682-8107 ++ Lake Wales 126 Hwy. 60 W. (863) 676-6515 ++ Winter Haven North 1399 6th St. NW (863) 251-2039

Available Products: Swan City Chandlery candles, Image Skincare, Farmhouse Fresh & more!

Treat

Yourself

World-class medical and aesthetic rejuvenation in Downtown Lakeland, the Official Medical Spa of the Miss Florida Scholarship Pageant

Family Owned and operated by Mark & Jeanna Parker for over 5 years Experience the Difference Today!

119 Traders Alley, Lakeland Fl 33801 www.BellaVisageLakeland.com (863) 216-8119

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Rating Lead Aesthetician Michelle Johnson & Miss Florida Michaela McLean

Stay tuned... exciting things coming in

2021!

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Services Offered Injectables Fillers Laser Hair Removal Body Sculpting Facials Massages Microblading

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• In-house, interest-free financing available • Convenient downtown parking • Gift cards available for any amount or service • Care Credit accepted for select services

More than just your home for aesthetics, we focus on total wellness, rejuvenating your beauty from the inside out. We want all of our clients to feel confident in their bodies and know that no matter what stage of life they are in, we are here to help them take control of their health. As a family-owned business, we are dedicated to creating a community of clients who know they can trust the services we provide.

accountants consultants wealth advisors From tax planning and preparation to financial planning and investment management, Wall Titus has the experience and expertise to accomplish all of your financial goals.

PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO YOUR FINANCIAL NEEDS

863.683.0708 walltitus.com

This Thanksgiving, go back for thirds.

Buy 2, Get 3rd Free All Holiday season, get a free product at our stores when you buy two others!

Mention this ad for discount.

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Home o f t he l a rg e s t co l l e ct i on of F R A NK L LOY D W R I G H T a rc hi t ec tu re i n t h e w o r ld

Located in the heart of sunny Central Florida, the Florida Southern College campus is home to 13 remarkable Frank Lloyd Wright structures, including a previously unbuilt Usonian Faculty House; Wright’s largest water feature, the stunning Water Dome; the iconic Annie Pfeiffer Chapel, named one of Southern Living’s “Most Beautiful Chapels in the South;” and the only Wright-designed planetarium ever to be constructed, with a major restoration currently underway thanks to a generous gift from philanthropist Gregory Fancelli, along with funding from the National Park Service’s Save America’s Treasures program and the Florida Division of Historical Resources.

C O N T E N T S ISSUE 60

ON THE COVER Jason DeMeo is making a name for himself in Lakeland and the art world by creating art that speaks foremost to himself.

Photo by Joshua Mcfarquhar

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TH E L A K E L A N D E R

H OW C A N YOU CREAT E A SU CCESSFU L BUS I NE S S TRANSIT ION? PLAN EARLY. Achieving a successful business transition is about ensuring the results you want on the other end. Our Business Transition Advisory Group focuses on what happens from planning to after the transition and provides information and insight throughout the process to help you protect your personal wealth and legacy, as well as your business interests.

Less than 25% of business owners we surveyed believe they adequately considered their personal and family interests before undergoing a business transition. Be prepared by partnering with a team that proactively looks at the big picture – not only your business interests, but your personal wealth interests as well – and helps you attain all your goals.

So when transition opportunities arise – even if unexpected – you are empowered to make the right decisions to achieve the right results.

Begin with the end in mind.

Learn more and start the conversation by emailing btag@suntrust.com

©2020 Truist Financial Corporation. SunTrust, the SunTrust logo, and Truist are service marks of Truist Financial Corporation. All rights reserved. Truist Securities is the trade name for the corporate and investment banking services of Truist Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries. Securities and strategic advisory services are provided by Truist Securities, Inc., member FINRA and SIPC. | Lending, financial risk management, and treasury and payment solutions are offered by Truist Bank. | Deposit products are offered by Truist Bank, Member FDIC

CONTENTS

70 FEATURES

50 • ART

60 • FOOD & DRINK

It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way

Blue Dog Is Smokin’ ’Em

Jason DeMeo is an artist on the rise growing commercial and entrepreneurial success

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Find out what makes Blue Dog Craft Barbecue so loved by all

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70 • LIFESTYLE

Ear Candy Local jewelry designer Victoria Bardega is inspiring women with her brand, Arlo Jean

Experts at exceptional smiles At Walding & Associates, we strive to provide patient-centered, compassionate dental care. Whether you need a dental checkup or more advanced treatment like crowns, veneers, or dental implants, Walding & Associates has an experienced dental team with the knowledge and skills to provide you with a beautiful, healthy smile for years to come.

We are proud to offer comprehensive dental care for Lakeland Area families including: • • • •

General Dentistry for the Entire Family Cosmetic Dentistry Botox Dental Implant Services

• • •

Full & Partial Dentures Emergency Dental Care TMJ

We’re here to provide you with the level of care you need, no matter what stage of life you are in.

Call today!

863.614.1794 or visit DrWalding.com 444 W. Pipkin Road | Lakeland, FL 33813 11/20

80

80 • HOME

Urban Jungle Discover why The Green House Garden Store is every plant parent’s go-to

90 • EDITOR’S CHOICE

The Power of Paper Find out how Lakeland’s most well-crafted stationery store is preserving craftsmanship and tradition in a modern era

99 • SPONSORED

Gift Guide 2020 Edition

90

Shop local gifts in every price range for everyone on your Christmas list

99

DEPARTMENTS

18

20 • MASTHEAD

24 • CONTRIBUTORS

28 • METRO

22 • EDITOR’S NOTE

26 • LETTERS

36 • GREATER LAKELAND

TH E L A K E L A N D E R

108 • HISTORY

At Lakeland Regional Health, we are committed to providing you

and your family with exceptional care when you need it the most.

That’s why we are so pleased that

Pablo Campus Urgent Care is now open and ready to care for you.

Urgent Care now at Pablo Campus!

Pablo Campus Urgent Care is open 7 days a week at 130 Pablo St., Lakeland.

Hours: Monday - Friday 8AM - 8PM

Saturday - Sunday 8AM - 5PM

Services we offer: - Asthma - Bronchitis - Cough and cold symptoms - COVID-19 testing

- Earaches - Immunizations - Minor back and shoulder pain - Minor trauma, burns or lacerations

To learn more, visit myLRH.org/UrgentCare.

- Minor medical concerns - Seasonal allergies - Sinus infections - Skin rashes

- Sports physicals - Sprains - Urinary tract infections - Yeast infections

Curt Patterson

Jason Jacobs

PUBLISHER

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Sally Ibarra Barceló

Daniel Barceló

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Advertising ADVERTISING DIRECTOR ADVERTISING SALES

Curt Patterson | 863.409.2449 Jason Jacobs | 863.606.8785

Editorial CONTRIBUTORS

COPY EDITOR

Sally Ibarra Barceló, Rachel Plating, H. Alexander Rich, Adam Spafford, Allison Stephan Laura Burke

Creative DESIGNER PHOTOGRAPHERS

Nate Chappell Dan Austin, Joshua Mcfarquhar, Kenzie Riegel, Paris Scott, Jason Stephens

Digital DIGITAL MARKETING DIRECTOR

Sally Ibarra Barceló

Circulation CIRCULATION DIRECTOR VP, FINANCE GENERAL COUNSEL

Jason Jacobs Deb Patterson Ted W. Weeks IV

Issue 60 The Lakelander is published ten times annually by Patterson Jacobs Media Group, P.O. Box 41, Lakeland, FL 33802. Reproduction in whole or in part without express written permission of The Lakelander is prohibited. The Lakelander is not responsible for any unsolicited submissions.

YOUR ANYTIME PLACE COFFEE HOUSE & CASUAL EATERY

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Contact: Patterson Jacobs Publishing, P.O. Box 41, Lakeland, FL 33802 863.701.2707 • thelakelander.com Customer Service: 863.701.2707 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

LAKE MORTON 100 LAKE MORTON DRIVE 863.500.9500

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TH E L A K E L A N D E R

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E DITO R ’ S N OTE

A Time to Celebrate appy Holidays to you and yours. On behalf of our team, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your unwavering support this year. Thank you for continuing to share your stories and allowing us to shine a light on our wonderful city during these uncertain times.

This year has refocused my attention to a fresh perspective on the power of human connection and the idea that human energy is needed for all of us to succeed. You’ve heard it said before: “Success breeds success.” Today more than ever, I understand the value of friendly faces and strangers all around, no available parking spaces downtown, and people freely enjoying our city. These elements are not just fun; they are life-giving. Entrepreneurs and artists alike feed off this energy, pushing us forward as a community and creating unstoppable momentum to innovate and grow.

H

This year has refocused my attention to a fresh perspective on the power of human connection.

In this issue of the magazine, we celebrate the incredible homegrown businesses that enlarge our identity as a community, add to our experiences, and change the way we eat, shop, work, and live as a city. These local products and businesses in the categories of Taste, Home, Lifestyle, and Art inspire us to keep creating and believing in the future ahead.

Sally Ibarra Barceló EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

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Welcome Home!

Lakeland’s premier adult community.

Office: 863.683.2782 | Model Home: 863.858.3228 lakejamesadultcommunity.com erniewhiteconstruction.com

C O N T R I B U T O R S THE WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS THAT MAKE THE LAKELANDER

“It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way” written

by H. Alexander Rich, Ph.D., pg. 50

ALLISON STEPHAN

H. ALEXANDER RICH, Ph.D. H. Alexander Rich, Ph.D., is Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Polk Museum of Art and Chair of the Department of Art History and Museum Studies at Florida Southern College. Dr. Rich is a specialist in Modern and Contemporary art history, with a particular focus on European and American art of the 19th and 20th centuries. He earned his Ph.D. in Art History from the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University, and his A.B. from Dartmouth College.

What is your favorite medium of art?

This is a tough question for an art historian!

If I had to choose, though, my favored medium to write, teach, study, and talk about is painting.

Painters, in particular, sought to subvert art history by challenging the movements that immediately preceded their own (Realism begat Impressionism which begat Post-Impressionism which begat Cubism, Fauvism, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, Minimalism, and so on). And it is painting (and painters) that led the charge.

What has inspired your passion for art?

I grew up in New York City immersed in the art world, visiting museums and making my own art from as far back as I can remember. To have been an artist myself from age two and to have had the incredible opportunity to visit regularly the world's great masterpieces at museums like the Met, MoMA, the Whitney, the Guggenheim, the Frick, etc. allowed me to see the world around me quite literally through art. I realized from my childhood that art of all forms was vital to human experience and to maintaining our memories of the past. Art pushes each of us to find

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A native Floridian, Allison Stephan recently graduated from Southeastern University with her B.A. in English and intercultural studies. She is now an online graduate student with Trinity Western University based in Vancouver, B.C., studying linguistics and theology. When Allison isn’t glued to her computer for classes, she enjoys running, listening to podcasts, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family.

empathy for perspectives on our world that we may never have considered before.

What role does local art have for the Lakeland community?

Local art — and local artists — have made Lakeland a true cultural hub. We have an undeniable and thriving art scene now in Lakeland, unlike what I witnessed even as recently as when I moved here from New York City nearly seven years ago. As an art historian, I often examine the art of the past. But as a Lakelander, I am enthralled by the artistic output of the present.

Which artists have inspired you the most?

I am inspired by too many artists to recount.

If I were to go back to my own childhood as a cartoonist, I would have to say Walt Disney.

However, through the lens of my adult life as an art historian, my artistic inspirations include: Andy Warhol, Cindy Sherman, Kehinde Wiley, Adrian Piper, Edgar Degas, Berthe Morisot, Édouard Manet, Edward Hopper, Gustave Courbet, and Jackson Pollock, to name just a few.

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JOSHUA MCFARQUHAR Joshua Mcfarquhar is a motivated young photographer/videographer based out of the little big city of Lakeland. His mind is constantly running on a creative clock, and no matter how little or big the situation, Josh strives to tell every story through his lens. mcfarquharphotography.com @mcfarquharphotography

See the masthead on pg. 20 for a list of all contributing writers and photographers.

When her choice matters most

L E T T E R S COMMENTS FROM LAKELANDERS

“#BTS SHOOTING SOME FITNESS AND HEALTH TODAY FOR THE LAKELANDER” Dan Austin // Facebook

we are here to help

“WE ARE HONORED TO BE A PART OF THIS MONTH’S BACK TO BUSINESS ISSUE FOR LAKELANDER MAGAZINE! THE ISSUE IS DEDICATED TO “INDIEPRENEURS” (LOVE THAT NEW TERM!), GETTING BACK ON TRACK WITH THEIR CREATIVE HUSTLE AFTER A PARTICULARLY CHALLENGING YEAR.” @mrsrebeccamacpherson // Instagram

Empowering Women with Medical Services, Options and

“DID YOU KNOW THAT #FRANKLLOYDWRIGHT DESIGNED A PLANETARIUM? READ MORE ABOUT ITS UPCOMING RESTORATION PLANS AT @LAKELANDERMAG”

Compassionate Support

@FLWTrust // Twitter

YourChoiceLakeland.com 1234 E. Lime St Lakeland 33801 863-683-2341

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TH E L A K E L A N D E R

MESSIEH ORTHOPEDIC CLINIC Leader in anterior hip replacement in Central Florida since 1991 Less-invasive surgery for the active patient looking for a quick recovery and a quicker return to work

Two Locations 1601 Sixth Street SE Winter Haven, FL 33880 863.419.9301 3200 Physicians Way Sebring, FL 33880 863.471.9700

M E T R O NEW AND NOTABLE IN LAKELAND

S H A R E D E N E RGY Human energy has the power to transform and unite companies and communities, a concept rarely talked about; but when put into practice, it works.

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TH E L A K E L A N D E R

Former CEO of Burberry and Senior VP at Apple, Angela Ahrendts is one of the world’s leading executives. During her tenure in her role at Burberry, she gave a powerful TEDx Talk about the power of human energy. In 2013 during her talk, Ahrendts predicted that brands, companies, and the world around us were bound to fully be run by mobile devices.

Ahrendts explains in her TEDx Talk that human energy is incredibly important for success in all areas of our lives, especially in the workplace. With this in mind, it is so important to increase our awareness of the emotional energy we are investing into our environment.

As leaders, executives within a company, small-business owners, and members of our community, we have the opportunity to take in and emit energy, a concept very few leaders acknowledge and even fewer are able to master.

“Think of energy almost like emotional electricity. It has a powerful way of uniting ordinary people, their collective spirit to do extraordinary things,” says Ahrendts.

Although her approach during this

presentation focuses on the power of human energy within large organizations, this topic reminds us that our community, local makers, and creators produce what Ahrendts refers to as “emotive energy.”

This type of energy transcends normal communication and rational ways of working. It inspires people and electrifies our city.

“Energy is like discovering your passion, listening to it, exploring it.

It’s like this forward charging spirit that creates challenges and embraces those changes in challenges,” explains Ahrendts.

Energy needs to come from a very deep core, with fundamentals in place such as trust, intuition, and belief.

Trust is the basis in every human relationship and the most powerful force of positive energy. When trust is in place it unlocks freedom. For brands and

“THINK OF ENERGY ALMOST LIKE EMOTIONAL E L E C T R I C I T Y. I T H A S A P O W E R F U L W AY O F UNITING ORDINARY P E O P L E . . .”

– Angela Ahrendts

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makers, trust can manifest itself between themselves and the customer; it gives them the opportunity to create freely.

Intuition is a form of wisdom, explains Ahrendts. “Why is it that we value thinking over feeling? Why aren’t we taught to follow our natural inclinations to protect the possibilities instead of just accepting the probabilities? Leaning into intuition is leaning into your heart when making decisions.”

Belief is the side of energy that is, in essence, more rational; for example, a positive mindset in place strengthened by facts and evidence to produce a positive outcome. “Think of it as kind of setting the energy in motion, the action before it happens — the mental source of alignment.

Belief creates the success that breeds more success. It is the self-reinforcing part of creating energy,” says Ahrendts.

So how do leaders, makers, and business owners deliver a clear message to their respective audiences? As you lean into human energy, you begin to set the ego aside and it becomes less about you as a leader, maker, or business owner and more about your audience. This allows you to create compelling and authentic content that allows your audience to feel.

To wrap it up, Ahrendts believes that when this cycle of human energy comes together, it breeds “creative wisdom.”

Creative wisdom occurs when energy takes on its most transformative power. Groups flourish at this state, creating greater things together than any individual could possibly obtain on their own.

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METRO

LAKELAND’S PRO BOXING EVENT On Saturday, January 9, 2021, The Yard on Mass and DXsports are hosting their first-ever pro boxing event, featuring Rufino Lewis. Tickets are $45 for general admission and can be purchased online at dxsports3.com.

Connecting Dreams Lakeland Area Mass Transit District (LAMTD) has provided efficient public transportation in Polk County via Citrus Connection for over 40 years, and Lakeland City Commissioner Sara Roberts McCarley has made transit history as the first female to lead the board of directors in the district’s history.

As a Lakeland native, she is dedicated to making a difference in her hometown and the surrounding area.

In 2009, McCarley started the Randy Roberts Foundation, named after her late husband, in order to empower young people to participate in public

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service at the local, regional, and national levels. Through the organization, they offer scholarships for high school seniors, the Congressional Classroom program for high school juniors, and an internship program through Florida Southern College.

As the first female board member for LAMTD in 2019, McCarley has now replaced recently retired Polk County Commissioner John Hall as the board chair.

McCarley previously served as the executive director at Polk Vision, building local partnerships between public and private organizations.

An active volunteer in the county, she is involved with multiple schools,

including Harrison School for the Arts and Lakeland High School, her church, the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, and more.

Citrus Connection plans to expand its route, stretching toward Davenport in north Polk County to Bartow and Lake Wales, making transit within the county more efficient and saving hours of travel time. McCarley and her team look forward to connecting the community better. As Lakeland and the greater area continue to expand, it becomes crucial to be able to provide transit services, enabling people to have access to employment opportunities, medical facilities, and educational programs.

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JAPANESE-STYLE WAFFLES Wafu is Lakeland’s first taiyaki stand, owned by Lakelanders Benjamin Paniagua and Zack Allam.

Taiyaki is a sweet, fishshaped waffle traditionally filled with anko or sweet red bean paste. The dessert is believed to have originated in Tokyo and is over 100 years old. The idea for Wafu came to Paniagua and Allam when they visited Japan and discovered the delicious street-food treat. facebook.com/wafutaiyaki/ @wafutaiyaki

Brighten Your

Smile Call for an Appointment Today

Family, General, and Cosmetic Dentistry • Pain-free Injections • Intra Oral Scanner • General Dentistry/Check-ups • Complete Smile Makeovers • All Porcelain Crown & Bridges • Low Dose Digital X-Rays • Professional In-Office Whitening

• Tooth Colored Fillings • Veneers • Implant Restorations • Comfortable High Tech Dentistry • Intra-Oral Camera • Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy

3624 Harden Blvd.

Lakeland, FL 33803 (863) 648-5338 makinglakelandsmile.com

METRO

20 YEARS OF

Liquid Hair Studio

LAKELAND FIRE TRAINING CENTER COMPLEX On Monday, January 4, 2021, the Lakeland Fire Department invites you to join them for the grand opening of their new, highly anticipated Training Center Complex.

Located at 2540 W. Lake Parker Drive, the new facility will serve to help firefighters learn and practice essential lifesaving skills. The grand opening event will feature speakers, demonstrations, tours, and refreshments.

THE VERY MERRY CONCORD COFFEE BLENDS Whether it’s Christmas morning, a holiday movie night, or the perfect stocking stuffer for your coffee-lover friends, Concord Coffee’s “Very Merry” coffee blend is now available for purchase.

This blend’s tasting notes include candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup.” concordcoffee.com

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2000, Jennifer Bourgeois opened Liquid Hair Studio in downtown Lakeland, and today the salon continues to service clients with top-of-the-line hair services and products.

“Over the past 20 years, the business has changed so much.

I was only 23 when I decided I needed to open Liquid Hair Studio. At the time, being so young, I had no idea what I was in for,” says Bourgeois.

Liquid Hair Studio specializes in hair coloring; and although most salons would consider themselves top-of-the-line colorists, at Liquid, their tenure and happy customers speak for themselves. Bourgeois explains that their guests will often find hair color inspiration online and the stylists will “do their magic” to provide a special experience and personalized results for their customers In addition to cuts and color, Bourgeois and the team highly recommend visiting the salon for a casual blow dry and styling session; adding a luxury conditioning treatment to the blow dry is always a

After two decades of providing hair services in central

IN

Lakeland, Liquid Hair Studio looks forward to a bright future ahead in their new space.

plus. “Our guests are like family, and we want them to feel good [internally] as well as feeling and looking great [externally].”

During the pandemic, Liquid has seen an increase in women embracing their natural curls, including new clients eager to try the natural style who have filled the salon looking for advice to go on their personal natural hair journey.

“Our industry is forever changing. This is what makes what I do as a stylist exciting, and as an owner it makes me resilient,” says Bourgeois. She stays well studied in her field by looking for educational opportunities such as her experience in New York City, attending the Deva Academy.

This has been a challenging year for everyone, including business owners. It has meant a lot of pivoting and unforeseen decisions. This year, Bourgeois decided to downsize thinking in the best interest and well-being of the salon’s clients and

TH E L A K E L A N D E R

staff. “We were faced with lots of challenges and risks.

Working on a smaller scale will keep us safe and give us a minute to catch up to some kind of normal.”

As the team settles into the new space, and with the world’s unknown state due to the pandemic, Liquid Hair Studio is committed to making 2021 a great experience for guests. “I am proud to take a moment and downsize while my friends at Bella Visage expand into the space I called home for 20 years.”

Liquid Hair Studio remains optimistic and excited for the future ahead, with Bourgeois leading the way. She’s been in business long enough to watch the city grow and is excited to watch our community come together once again as life returns to normal.

LIQUID HAIR STUDIO 115 Traders Alley Lakeland, FL 33801 liquidhairstudioinc.com

ORAL HEALTH CAN BE A JOURNEY. WE ARE HERE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

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Meet Peggy: “I began my journey with Agnini Family Dental at the age of 68. You’re never too old! I didn’t realize, looking at my teeth daily, how crooked they were. Dr. Mike transformed my crooked teeth with Damon® Braces into a smooth, even smile.

A little later, Dr. Drew consulted and presented me with a plan for a new adventure. While my teeth were now straight, they weren’t the best quality. It was a very precise plan for implants and veneers. He explained each stage, using x-rays, developing templates, and fitting temporaries.

The technology was incredible. When he finished, I had a healthy, even smile. And I have to say, I had no pain, maybe a little tenderness after braces adjustments. Wow, what a difference!

Thank you Dr. Mike and Dr. Drew and all of your staff. I feel like family.”

Peggy Cahman

We accept CareCredit

before

Agnini Dental Patient

South Lakeland Office 2410 S. Florida Avenue Lakeland, FL 33803 863-682-1500

after

North Lakeland Office 1805 Lakeland Hills Blvd.

Lakeland, FL 33805 863-682-1500

AgniniDental.com

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Greater Lakeland W I N T E R H AV E N

AND BEYOND

THE BUZZ Honeycomb Bread Bakers announces new bakery location

Over the past year, Lakeland-based brand Honeycomb Bread Bakers expanded to serving the Winter Haven community at the local farmers market. Recently, owner and pastry chef, Benjamin Vickers, announced their new Winter Haven brick and mortar bakery which is projected to open sometime during the first quarter of 2021. “Our goal for this new home is to improve the value and quality of our products and services, to provide fulfilling careers for our staff, and to make our beautiful world a little better and yummier,� said Vickers in a recent social media post.

POLK COUNTY

Economic Forecast Allen & Company of Florida, LLC and the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce will host their 2021 Economic Forecast Breakfast.

Nationally recognized Chief Economist Brian Wesbury of First Trust Advisors,

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L.P. returns as the guest speaker for the 34th Annual Economic Forecast Breakfast sponsored

by Allen & Company on Thursday, January 14, 2021, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., at the RP Funding Center.

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100 DAYS OF GIVING Citizens Bank & Trust awards $100,000 in grant funds.

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itizens Bank & Trust celebrates its 100year anniversary with 100 Days of Giving, an opportunity for qualified Polk County non-profit organizations to receive part of a $100,000 grant fund.

Since 1920, Citizens Bank & Trust and its employees have been loyal partners with the Polk County communities they serve.

“100 Days of Giving continues our tradition of making a difference by helping organizations that improve the lives of our neighbors,” says Jinx Chaney, Citizens Bank & Trust Board Member.

With award announcements leading into 2021, Citizens Bank & Trust began to announce their 100 Days of Giving award recipients in November 2020.

“Polk County is our home, and we strongly believe that it is our responsibility to take an active role in the communities we serve since we not only do business here, but live here as well,” says Citizens Bank & Trust President Greg Littleton. “As we celebrate 100 years in Polk County, 100 Days of Giving is a fitting way to demonstrate our enduring commitment to help make those communities better.”

W I N T E R H AV E N

POLK COUNTY

REGIONAL NEWS & STORIES – CURATED FOR LAKELANDERS

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Cypress Landing In a recent social media post, the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce confirmed plans for development on the corner of Highway 27 and Cypress Gardens Boulevard.

Named “Cypress Landing,” the conceptual plans for this new development include 77+ acres for up to 183,000 square feet of retail space, 210 apartments, and a 110room hotel.

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GREATER LAKELAND

COFFEE AND COMMUNITY From serving coffee in a renovated Ford van and traveling to community events, to a brickand-mortar coffee shop, Amonie Jo’s International Coffee & Delights continues to take interest in their local community.

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Angie Baeten, Patrice Williams, and V’Asiah Joseph are three energetic sisters who named their coffee shop business after their late mother, Amonie Joseph, who passed away from ovarian cancer in 2017. Spurred by doing something in her memory, the three decided to start a pop-up coffee shop in January of 2019.

The sisters began in an old Ford bus, constructing a mini kitchen and seating area for a few customers to sit and chat while they sipped iced coffee on a humid Florida day at the Winter Haven Farmers

Market. After almost two years of business as a traveling coffee shop, they recently opened a storefront at the beginning of December 2020.

Located less than five minutes from downtown Winter Haven, Amonie Jo’s Coffee is now a quaint coffee shop with a bright space. The barstool counter seating allows for customers to work remotely or read a book while sipping a “cup of Joe” and supporting a local family-run business.

Amonie Jo’s is more than just a coffee shop — their specialty drink is their mother’s chai tea

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latte recipe, which was passed down from her mother. Amonie regularly made her spiced chai for her family and friends, and anyone who tried it always told her that she should sell it.

“The chai is our baby. It’s our signature drink. We also make teas, lemonade, espresso drinks, and drip coffee, all hot or iced,” says Patrice, who works at Amonie Jo’s full-time.

Their homemade chai is also available for sale in larger to-go jars for their customers to enjoy at home. While Amonie was the one who made chai tea, the sisters’ grandmother was

the one who drank coffee and inspired their passion for coffee.

In addition to their specialty chai, coffee, and matcha drinks, they sell a few breakfast items.

Angie, V’Asiah, and Patrice are three of six siblings, as they have three younger brothers who are also local to the greater Lakeland area.

“Our mom always wanted us to have something. As she became sicker, she kept saying, ‘I want each of you to have your own thing: V’Asiah to go back to school, Patrice to have her own business, and for me to finish school,” explains Angie. “So, why not this? Why not run a business together?”

While the three sisters all work at the coffee shop, V’Asiah recently began a career as an EMT and works in a hospital, fulfilling her mother’s dream that she would go back to school. However, the sisters are motivated by more than just their family.

“We are motivated by our faith as well. Of course, we’re

a business and want to make money, but we don’t worry so much about what we’ll make or lose. We’re motivated by our faith, love, and the community. That’s what has us going on for two years now. It’s love,” says Angie.

Having been in the Winter Haven community for years, they have done quite a bit of networking, and as a family-run business, they remain very close to one another.

“We had a woman who came when we were at the Winter Haven Farmers Market and bought a lemonade every week out of love for our family.

Knowing that we can connect with people and love them, it has been a healing tool,” says Angie.

“We’re not just selling coffee. We love connecting with people.”

The sisters are personable and friendly, greeting every customer with a smile hidden behind a mask, creating a restful environment, perfect for reconnecting with childhood friends or meeting new ones.

AMONIE JO’S INTERNATIONAL COFFEE & DELIGHTS 1654 1st Street N. Winter Haven, FL 33881 @amoniejos

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Who’s Your Banker?

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COVID-19: For the safety of our staff, clients, and community, we are limiting face to face contact.

Please utilize our drive thru or call to schedule an appointment by calling (863) 701-2685.

Propelling Forward Together. | www.bankofcentralflorida.com I SS U E 59

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We’re worth the drive.

Every morning, more than 100 students from the Winter Haven area make the trip to Lakeland Christian School for: • • • •

Challenging academics Championship athletics Award-winning fine arts Biblical worldview

Find out more by visiting our website. Then call Julie Rice, Director of Enrollment, for a tour.

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Thank You for Your Support!

Thanks to the support of everyone in the community, we can heal the wounded, feed the hungry, and find homes for those in need.

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Have a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!

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GREATER LAKELAND

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AN EMERGENCY IS STILL AN EMERGENCY. EVEN DURING THIS EMERGENCY.

Don’t let COVID-19 stop you from getting emergency treatment.

Even during a pandemic, you still need to be treated immediately if you have an emergency. Debating whether or not to risk going to an emergency room during a heart attack, stroke or other health emergency—waiting even a few extra minutes—could be harmful. That’s why in all

BayCare hospital emergency rooms, patients who have symptoms of COVID-19 are screened and treated in a separate area.

This helps keep emergency room patients and our team members safe. So if it’s an emergency, don’t wait. For more information: BayCareEmergencyCare.org

20-1287786-1120

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LIFESTYLE / FOOD & DRINK / ART / HOME / EDITOR'S CHOICE 2020

MEET OUR MAKERS

For years, Lakeland has welcomed some incredible homegrown businesses that chose this city as their identity as a community, add to our flavor, and change the way we eat, shop, work, and live as a city. To celebrate the crafted goods these entrepreneurs create, The Lakelander proudly presents its fifth year of Lakelander Made.

#lakelandermade

base and inspiration. These businesses enlarge our

art

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IT DO E S N ’T HAVE TO B E TH I S WAY Lakeland artist Jason DeMeo is creating art on his own terms while growing commercial and entrepreneurial success.

Written by H. Alexander Rich, Ph.D. Photography by Joshua Mcfarquhar

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he very act of walking into artist Jason DeMeo’s Lakeland home is a modernist art historian’s dream. From the décor (mid-century) and the motivational sticky notes plastered around the working areas to the art filling the walls, which runs the gamut from vaguely referential (think street art) to freely gestural (think 1950s Abstract Expressionism), it becomes immediately evident that you are in the space of a true creative. Once you talk to DeMeo, you realize his creative mind marks only the beginning of what makes

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him worthy of being called “Lakelander Made.”

Along with his wife Hillary, DeMeo is the cofounder of We Are Curio, a Lakeland-based “innovation studio” that uses design thinking to encourage outof-the-box ideas and enable a better future for businesses and individuals.

Yet, while one aspect of DeMeo’s professional life is grounded in the family business, within moments of knowing him you learn that it is painting that offers DeMeo an important personal outlet of expression, exploration, and selfreflection to call his own.

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DeMeo’s art practice seeks to create intersections between color, meaning, space, matter, concept, and emotion.

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Indeed, you don’t hear much about 21st-century male artists being inspired by Helen Frankenthaler these days. And perhaps this is why meeting DeMeo one rainy day in November was so refreshing for this modernist art historian.

A Pennsylvania transplant to Lakeland since his days as a Southeastern University undergraduate, DeMeo has spent years considering the concept and expectations of masculinity — both in his life and in his art; Frankenthaler, meanwhile, was a female Abstract Expressionist defying all odds and making her name in a 1950s era where male artists dominated the art scene.

Frankenthaler (19282011) is best known as a

Second-Generation Abstract Expressionist who pioneered the art of stain painting (inspired by the example of Jackson Pollock) in the early 1950s; that DeMeo finds in Frankenthaler his inspiration to delve into his own psyche and explore his creative self speaks volumes. As a visitor to DeMeo’s home — which he shares with Hillary, their daughter Ellie, and an adorable Welsh terrier Kennedy — quickly observes, DeMeo pays homage to Frankenthaler not just literally (as in the lushly colored Under the Influence of St. Helen, which hangs as a living-room centerpiece), but also in the consciously cerebral and, as he puts it, “low-tech” underpinnings

Hillary DeMeo supports her husband’s journey as an artist.

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of the expressive work he produces.

“I’m looking at the conceptual experience, but I also just love getting into the work, the color and action of painting,” DeMeo explains.

While traces of Frankenthaler are evident in some of DeMeo’s most gestural, poured-paint work, wherein colors seep into unprimed canvases placed horizontally on the ground, such that the resulting compositions are controlled by both the artist’s hand and by gravity, DeMeo has developed an aesthetic all his own. Stretching his own

canvases and with touches of Keith Haring in his humorously dubbed Fruity Ramen works (think swirly, cartoony, colorful noodle-like forms filling up the picture plane) and Michel Basquiat in his text-based abstractions, DeMeo harks back subtly to artists who came before him but in new, novel, and clearly successful ways.

DeMeo is making a name for himself in Lakeland and in the art world by creating art that speaks foremost to himself, commercial considerations aside. That his work is receiving national

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acclaim, that he is using his Instagram presence smartly to gain gallery representation, and that his core motivation nevertheless remains to be concerned with self-edification and clarity underlines the sincere motivations of his practice. Does DeMeo want to sell his work and promote his business? Of course. Are sales why he does what he does? No — as evidenced by the peripatetic nature of his artistic exploration (not sticking to any one style) and his keeping most of his original works to hang on the walls of his own home.

MEDITATION: Creative Activity

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Jason DeMeo is always experimenting with new materials and techniques.

“I think to myself that I want to be an artist to make art but also to be able to afford to be an artist who can try new things,” DeMeo says.

Now that he is represented by a gallery in Houston, which found his work via Instagram, DeMeo’s reach is widening, which, in turn, allows him to focus more on his core motivations.

“I try to synthesize my influences into something

interesting, Ab-Ex, graffiti culture, Japanese art, hip-hop,” DeMeo says, but cautions that most important to him is using the space of art to reconcile his emotions and respond to the collective emotions of our era.

Many of his works feature quotes that ring the outer edges of his canvases and draw on lessons of our time.

In Boys Don’t Cry?, a 3x5foot stretched linen abstract painting, part of a series exploring masculinity, DeMeo scrawls a lengthy quote by actor Michael Ian Black around the perimeter: “Too many boys are trapped in the same suffocating, outdated model of masculinity … where manliness is about having power over others.”

With other paintings whose predominant color palettes are red, white, and blue and whose painted text includes “IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY” or “MAKE AMERICA GOOD,” DeMeo elegizes other crises of our moment.

If representational imagery will not help solve our bitter divides, perhaps the emotive qualities of color and gesturalism will? One can only hope. And DeMeo — fully

JASPACE jaspace.art @jaspace.art

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engaged with his craft, whose heart lies in the need to peer inside and express oneself — may just help us all take a step toward better understanding ourselves and each other.

“I make work that is political but not partisan in nature,” he says.

Thus, despite its abstract nature, DeMeo creates a dynamic and refreshingly selfconscious art that is meant to make viewers feel something and that appeals across aesthetic and cultural divides.

For him, painting “politically” is a means of catharsis, using the space of the canvas and “art to say something, to get a message out quickly.”

So, in 2020, can you keep your purity as an artist but also survive as an artist?

You could aim to do as DeMeo does. And here is where it all gets a bit trippy: Jason DeMeo the We Are Curio entrepreneur, is Jason DeMeo the artist, but also not. DeMeo produces his paintings under the name JASPACE, a pseudonymous attempt to separate, however moderately, DeMeo’s “artistself ” from his “self-self.”

Creating his work under the signature of JASPACE is both an admittedly defensive

“I’m looking at the conceptual experience, but I also just love getting into the work, the color and action of painting.” means of self-protection and the makings of an overtly and admittedly marketable brand.

And to be certain, DeMeo has been deliberate in his creation and promotion of his art. He is both an artist’s artist to his core — wanting to make art because, above all else, it communicates to him — and aware of the ironic need to sell his art to continue pursuing and honing his craft. In fact, in an ideal world, DeMeo would have creative control but simultaneously be able to offer his art to wide audiences. As a bit of a compromise, he often makes multiples of his work: a buyer can commission him to create a second version of any piece he has made, identical in nearly every way but also often for less money than the original.

For DeMeo, JASPACE is both a personal creative space, separable from the communal work of We Are Curio but also

compartmentalized within the larger scheme of that business.

A space to call his own within the family operation. And he foresees a day where the artwork he produces may be an increasing part of the consulting and design process (today, We Are Curio already leads art-making workshops to inspire design thinking in groups who hire the firm).

So, what makes Jason DeMeo “Lakelander Made”?

Where does Jason DeMeo end and JASPACE begin? Where does JASPACE end and We Are Curio begin? The intrigue and success of DeMeo’s creative project is that it doesn’t matter.

He’s creating art on his own terms. Conceptual and reflective thinking undergirds all DeMeo does, a continued process toward growth and innovation, and making art that motivates his viewers to aspire collectively for a better tomorrow.

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MUSIC BY BELA PIERCE Previous Vanguard Room recording artist, Bela Pierce, has released two singles this year: “New Ground” and “Lying.” Pierce has a dynamic and pop-infused sound making her music popular and recognized by reputable music industry press and professionals. instagram.com/belapierce/

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POTTERY BY EMILY PAVLIK Emily Pavlik is a small-batch potter rooted in Lakeland, drawing from earthly and eclectic styles with a modern appeal. She is inspired by nature and her heritage, applying practicality to the pieces she designs. From textured vases to plant “pot heads,” each piece is unique and versatile in its use. Pottery by Emily Pavlik can be found at local pop-up markets. instagram.com/pottery_by_emily_pavlik/

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MUSIC BY LAKELAND LOFI Lakeland Lofi is original Lofi music made by Lakeland artists, founded by Deek Beats, a rising beat maker within the Global lofi/beat music community. Their music is played on consistent rotation at local businesses, including Hillcrest Coffee and The Joinery. instagram.com/lkldlofi/

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art

MAKE RS O F N OTE

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Southeastern University | Lakeland, Florida | 800.500.8760 or 863.667.5018 | Follow us @seuniversity

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food & drink

F E AT U R E D M A K E R

B LU E DOG I S S M O KI N ’ ’E M Lakeland’s celebrated pitmaster, Blue Dog Craft Barbecue, shares their secrets to grilling some of the best barbecue in town.

Written by Adam Spafford Photography by Jason Stephens

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ppearing through the smoke of barbecue restaurant chains over the last decade and a half are the artisan pitmasters whose commitment to cooking delicious meats has created wait-in-line-for-hours eaters all over the country.

Like craft brewers using the finest ingredients to produce small batches with traditional methods, craft barbecuers employ painstaking preparation, the best inputs, and constant vigilance to make food so good it should be photographed and written about. Such is the case with Lakeland’s own Blue Dog Craft Barbecue.

Although pitmaster Max Miller, 32, has always enjoyed cooking, it was only three years ago that

he drew inspiration from celebrity craft barbecuer Aaron Franklin and savory photographs of barbecue on social media and resolved to fire up his own grill. By interesting coincidences, Max’s extended family includes a welder and an arborist. So Blue Dog’s story isn’t simply one of making delicious food. Max, drawing on the help of these talented family members, made the grill he uses today, and he sources and prepares his pit’s wood.

At first, Miller enjoyed cooking barbecue just for his friends. But soon he realized that he wanted to make this tasty obsession available to Lakelanders, and Blue Dog was born. It seems Lakelanders consider that a brilliant and delicious move.

Today’s customers enjoy

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quintessential barbecue items of brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and even sausage that Miller makes from scratch.

As he explains, the best way to make consistently great barbecue is to control as many factors as possible.

And then just push yourself until you get the results you want. Miller says he’s still learning through inspiration, constantly evolving, and trying new things. He’s always kept notes about the cooking process, and now, with countless cooks under his belt, he’s noticed an intuition developing because he’s internalized the details.

No shortage of ink — or sauce — has been spilled in describing how to create barbecue that keeps hungry people coming back for more. This is how Blue Dog achieves it with its brisket.

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“ The best way to make consistently great barbecue is to control as many factors as possible.

And then just push yourself until you get the results you want. ” THE RIG HT TRIM The trim — the meat, fat, and the physical shape of the combination — is critical.

About an inch of fat is removed leaving about a quarter inch. Too much or too little fat can make the texture spongy or dry. The shape must be conducive to the grill’s airflow so the fat, along with seasoning, tenderizes and flavors the brisket properly during the long, slow cooking hours.

T H E R IGH T SE ASO N I N G Blue Dog’s simple brisket dry rub is salt and pepper. The seasonings penetrate through the entire brisket during the cooking process. Although it might be tempting to get fancy, pitmasters know that too much of a good dry rub can mask the amazing smoke-enhanced meat flavor.

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THE RIG HT WOOD In the beginning, Miller bought wood from barbecue suppliers but wasn’t satisfied with the meat’s ultimate flavor. Now he sources oak locally, ages it for a year, and splits it himself. Aging the wood — as simple as stacking it up outside and waiting — allows it to dry. Although pitmasters can use just about any type of wood for their cook, aged oak is known to produce a clean, even, mild smoke that suits Blue Dog’s brisket well.

Follow Blue Dog Craft Barbecue on Facebook for their pop-up schedule.

THE RIGHT AI RFLOW Miller built his grill after the design popularized by barbecue muse Aaron Franklin. It’s an offset smoker with the fire on one end and the smokestack on the other.

The aged oak’s smoke is drawn over the brisket, fat side up with its point closest to the fire, working by convection rather than direct heat. The large volume of airflow in combination with the perfectly shaped trim delivers the outstanding tastes. Max keeps a pan of water in the grill to ensure the meat doesn’t dry out. Fire management is critical; not only does the temperature need to remain consistent but ample oxygen must be present. Too little oxygen results in creosote that makes meat bitter.

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T H E R IG H T T I M E Brisket is all about patience, but Miller says the waiting has become second nature.

Blue Dog’s brisket spends 16 plus hours on the grill transforming from raw slab to mouth-watering meals. That’s about 60 to 75 minutes per pound of brisket around 250°F. Miller wraps each piece of meat in butcher paper for the last few hours of the cook. Gone are the days when he would pull all-nighters as you might have seen the pitmasters do in the recent Netflix Chef ’s Table barbecue series. Now he starts early in the morning so he can complete the cook and it can rest overnight.

When Miller removes the brisket from the grill, there’s still plenty of time left in the preparation. Even novice grillers know there’s magic in the rest time as juiciness becomes more evenly distributed throughout the cut. Max points out that it’s not really even rest since the meat continues to cook though it’s removed from the heat source.

Brisket is thick, so Blue Dog’s version rests for 12 hours.

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“ There’s magic in the rest. ”

THE RIG HT RE ST

THE RIG HT SAU C E Barbecue purists maintain that if it’s cooked right, you won’t need any sauce.

But many of us love the sweet, hot, or barbecue sauces to enhance our brisket, and that’s just fine, too. Blue Dog makes two varieties — a House Sauce that’s a bit sweet typically used on pork butts and ribs, and a mustard sauce.

BLUE DOG CRAFT BARBECUE facebook.com/bluedogcraftbarbecue/ @bluedogcraftbarbecue

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NICARAGUAN FOOD Mi Casita Verde is a Nicaraguan food business owned by Giovanna Favilli. From savory foods like carne desmechada to sweets like tres leches, their modern street food is sure to satisfy any Lakelander. Their homemade kombucha and hot sauce can be ordered online for local pick-up. Mi Casita Verde has collaborated with Vicky G’s and other local catering companies, in addition to having pop-ups at the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market. micasitaverde.com

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SPICE BLENDS BY ONE GOOD KNIFE One Good Knife Spices makes chef-crafted spice blends, currently numbering at 15 different blends. They are preservative-free, contain no fillers, and packaged in eco-friendly bags.

Based in Davenport, Avni Tilvawala began One Good Knife Spices with the goal to bring fresh, high-quality spices to people’s homes. In addition to the savory flavor that spices add to a dish, they also have health benefits. One Good Knife Spices can be found at the Lakeland and Celebration farmers markets. onegoodknifespices.com

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PASTRIES BY BERIL NAR Beril Nar bakes French handcrafted pastries that are sold in The Market at Cafe Zuppina | Coffee & Dessert Shop, owned by her mother. Nar initially sourced her pastries from a French bakery in Tampa. After being connected with a French pastry chef and doing an apprenticeship, Nar began crafting and perfecting the French sweets from her own kitchen. Although Nar had never planned to have a career in baking, she enjoys working with her family and plans to continue her baking journey. cafezuppina.com

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MAKE RS O F N OTE

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EAR CAN DY Arlo Jean’s geometric earrings help empower the everyday woman to feel beautiful and capable.

Written by Allison Stephan Photography by Kenzie Riegel

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rlo Jean is a polymerclay jewelry company, but there is a lot of heart behind every detail of the brand. Victoria Bardega began Arlo Jean in March 2020 in the midst of quarantine due to COVID-19. Having the urge to create out of a place of brokenness, Bardega went to her local craft store and began experimenting, determined to figure out how to make earrings.

“Growing up, I loved earrings. I was obsessed. Any time I went anywhere, I would commit to buying a new pair of earrings that would remind me of that city,” says Bardega.

She initially wrestled with names for the brand, and some of her friends helped her piece together Arlo Jean.

Arlo means “army hill,” and Jean means “God is gracious.”

“Jean is the name of my grandmother, and she was actually in the jewelry

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business for 20 years. She was the woman who taught me the art of accessorizing. I also wanted to commemorate the confidence that she instilled in me at a very young age,” says Bardega.

“We took the name [Arlo] as a way to develop an army of women who will stand up and feel confident every single day. Whether it’s by putting on a pair of statement earrings or a favorite headband, we want them to feel so confident and empowered in their own skin and build a sisterhood of women that would encourage one another and be like a ‘Jean’ in their life.”

Polymer clay is a very moldable material, allowing for different shapes and styles.

The handmade earrings are lightweight and nickel-free with a neutral color palette.

A pair of earrings can be key to elevating any style; it frames your face and can certainly help set the tone for any outfit. With Arlo Jean’s

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“Every time you buy a pair of our earrings . you’re pouring into the lives of other people you may never know.” eye-catching and beautifully designed geometric earrings, you can either keep it simple or opt to go big and bold.

“I looked at other companies that had an Aztec vibe because I’m Hispanic and gained some inspiration from that,” says Bardega.

However, creating unique styles of polymer-clay earrings is not as simple as it may sound. Bardega admits that she was terrible at first, and it was very discouraging. After several months of experimenting and much encouragement from her husband, Bardega launched her first collection in March of 2020 on Etsy and soon sold out.

“It was incredible to see the amount of support that people give to a new idea — but that’s Lakeland for you.

Even if the idea has been seen multiple times before, there’s support to just show up and put your own spin on it.”

Bardega has also noticed the competition in the clayearring business.

“Yes, there are a ton of people making polymer-clay earrings, but my heart is to create something that makes somebody else feel incredible about the way they are.

Especially as women, we can deal with a lot of insecurity.

Maybe I’m not having the best day — maybe my hair is all crazy or I forgot to put on some makeup, but whenever I put on a statement earring, it gives me another sense of confidence that when I’m on a Zoom call or in a meeting, I feel like my best self.”

Arlo Jean has reached over 500 sales thus far, and Bardega has no plans of slowing down.

“I think that any successful business is spearheaded by a plethora of communities.

People need one another.

What’s so amazing about Lakeland and the surrounding Polk County area is that people are so supportive and want to see you succeed.”

Arlo Jean’s newest collection incorporates new material combinations and shapes.

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Through Arlo Jean, Bardega hopes to inspire women to embrace their femininity and step out in boldness.

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Founder and lead designer of Arlo Jean, Victoria Bardega

Arlo Jean is more than a business simply aspiring to make money. Bardega began the company wanting to extend the mission of empowering women outside of the brand and to make it a global enterprise.

She reached out to A21 Campaign, an organization that fights human trafficking, and began donating a portion of their sales to them.

“We take a cumulative sales portion and donate a portion of that to A21 in partnership with them. I get their letters every month in which they share success rates of how many people are being rescued from each of their campuses all over the

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world, ranging from Greece to Indonesia,” says Bardega.

“We’re never going to get to a point where one person is enough. Everybody should be talking about human trafficking. It’s an issue that we should become so aware of because it’s happening everywhere — it’s happening here in Polk County.”

Arlo Jean remains sensitive to the times and is aware of how they can better serve both their local and global community. When so many people lost their jobs due to COVID-19, Arlo Jean dedicated a portion to the affected families. Most recently, Hurricane Eta hit some of Bardega’s family and friends’ home country of

hire employees to work for the company and expand the product base, partnering with more local artists. Earrings will remain the staple, as that’s part of the heart behind the brand. Arlo Jean’s aspiration of encouraging women to embrace femininity through jewelry affects more than those purchasing the products; they are partnering with organizations who empower other women by providing aid and other resources, working to build up one another as a community.

ARLO JEAN arlojean.com facebook.com/shoparlojean @shoparlojean

Honduras at the beginning of November. Arlo Jean has now partnered with Kids’ Ark International in Honduras to donate funds to single mothers in villages who need food and aid for their families due to the aftermath of Hurricane Eta. Raised by a single mom, Bardega says this partnership is very personal to her.

“Every time you buy a pair of our earrings, you’re not just buying something for yourself, but you’re pouring into the lives of other people you may never know.”

As Arlo Jean grows, Bardega hopes to be able to

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FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS ULI & CO. Local floral designers Uli & Co. offer beautifully handcrafted centerpieces and floral arrangements for every occasion. In addition, Uli & Co. recently launched new services to meet a variety of event design needs. instagram.com/uli.and.co

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CIGARS BY TRES LEONES Based out of Lakeland, Tres Leones Cigar Company provides premium handmade cigars from the Esteli and Jalapa regions of Nicaragua. The owners, Henry and Jacob, named the company Tres Leones, meaning “three lions,� setting out to create a business they would be proud to leave their sons. They carefully select and craft each blend, made from highquality tobacco leaves. Their cigars are sold at local smoke shops and lounges. tresleonescigars.com

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HANDMADE PENS BY CUSTOM CREATIONS WOODWORKING Custom Creations Woodworking specializes in custom-made products using wood and acrylic, including fountain pens. They utilize truly unique and authentic materials such as Bethlehem olive wood trimmings. Bethlehem olive wood is derived from trees that are centuries old in Bethlehem, where it is illegal to cut down these trees, allowing only the use of trimmings. facebook.com/GerstoffCustomCreations

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Easy refinance.

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current as of April 1, 2020 and are subject to change. *APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Your actual APR will be determined at the time of disbursement and will be based on your application and credit information. Rates quoted assume excellent borrower credit history. Not all applicants will qualify for the lowest rate. The rate you receive on your loan will be the rate in effect at the time of loan disbursal. Refinance Auto Loans: New vehicles are vehicles without previous owners and are of a current (2021 or 2020) or prior (2019) model year with less than or equal to 7,500 miles. For used vehicles, maximum used car loan advance will be determined by PenFed using a NADA value. Up to 100% financing is available to qualified members. Up to 110% financing is available. Vehicle weight restrictions apply. Minimum loan amount is 15,000 for 61-72 month term. New vehicle loan payment example: $25,000 at 2.14% APR; 36 monthly payments of approximately $717.54. Used vehicle loan payment example: $20,000 at 2.99% APR; 36 monthly payments of approximately $581.54. “Smart” Car Collateral Restrictions: Total financing is limited to 100% of the value and loan terms cannot exceed 60 months. Financing is not available with a Payment Saver Loan for “Smart” cars, Trucks (including hybrids), and SUVs (including hybrids). Rate depends on term. Other restrictions including vehicle and mileage limitations may apply. © 2020 Pentagon Federal Credit Union

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DISCOVER THE

LANDS OF YOUR FAITH After touring the Lands of the Bible by motorcoach or cruise ship, you and your group will return home with a refreshed faith and memories to share. Our expert guides will provide meaningful insights for you and your group as you explore your favorite Biblical sites, and award winning accommodations will give you a great night’s rest with breakfast and dinner included.

Learn more and book your group’s tour today! www.NoseworthyTravel.com/TheLakelander • 800-929-4684 ext. 208 nt@travelwithus.com • 5725 Imperial Lakes Blvd. • Mulberry, FL 33860

Sea of Galilee

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F E AT U R E D M A K E R

AN U R BAN J U N G LE The Green House Garden Store provides a friendly and local experience to discover the perfect plants for your home to fit your lifestyle and budget.

Written by Allison Stephan and Rachel Plating Photography by Dan Austin

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he Lakelander celebrates The Green House Garden Store as one of the longest-standing independent garden stores in the city.

Florida natives Jarman Peacock and his wife, Sara, began The Green House Garden Store with the dream of sharing their love for plants and creating an oasis where all are welcomed. Located just off South Florida Avenue, the store has been in business for almost 20 years.

“Plants have always been a big part of my life — maybe just growing up in Florida where we can have papaya and pineapple plants growing in our yards made that initial interest blossom,” Jarman says. “In my early

20s, I took a gap year during college and moved to Costa Rica, and that definitely cemented my love of all things tropical and green.”

Jarman grew up in Lakeland but later moved to Miami in order to pursue a career in horticulture and landscape design. He and Sara returned to Lakeland to raise a family, as they prefer it to the metropolis of Miami.

“Since we started the store before we had children, I didn’t realize how wonderful it would be to have our kids there. It is so cool to have something tangible that they can visit and help out with.

We are lucky to have two girls, and they love playing at and helping with the store,” Jarman says.

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While it might be intimidating to grow houseplants, having a green thumb is simpler than it sounds, especially when it comes to Monstera deliciosa, also known as the large Swiss cheese plant.

It’s a matter of choosing the right plants and knowing how to care for them.

“Monstera are so easy to grow, but since they have those gigantic split leaves, they appear delicate and challenging. In reality, they don’t care if you forget to water them or put them in a dark room, they will thrive and grow no matter where they are in your house.”

The Green House Garden Store is best known for its variety of orchids, one houseplant staple that Jarman highly recommends. “Orchids are so amazing. They flower like crazy and have gorgeous leaves, making your house look better in any room. My favorite, and by far the easiest to grow, are moth orchids, but you really can’t go wrong with any of them.”

Whether you are knowledgeable in horticulture or not, The Green House Garden Store welcomes everyone.

Jarman is notorious for knowing exactly what you need and helping customers navigate the world of plants for their homes and gardens. He also recommends pothos and calatheas for houseplants.

“Pothos are the black T-shirts of the plant world: You can’t have too many, and they can be used anywhere. At the moment, neon pothos is my favorite with its electric-green leaves, but I love them all. Calathea are heliotropic which means their leaves move around all the time depending on if it’s day or night.

It’s so cool to see them move around in the house. Some of my favorite species are the peacock, the rattlesnake, and the Bolivian prayer plant.”

Orchids are Jarman’s favorite flower at The Green House Garden Store.

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Whether you are knowledgeable in horticulture or not, The Green House Garden Store welcomes everyone.

Overall, Jarman’s current favorite plant is the bat plant.

“There are a ton of species native to places like Tibet and Borneo. They are all beautiful and weird, but the white bat plant flowers are just the coolest. They are easy to grow but a little challenging to get to bloom. However, they are worth every ounce of effort. Here’s a tip: They love water, sometimes need fertilizer, and don’t want any direct sunlight.”

A bonus about having a familyrun business is that everyone can be involved. The Peacocks’ children have favorite plants that have originated from their traveling ventures to botanical gardens. Sara is from South America, “one of the world’s plant wonderlands,” says Jarman. Many species of philodendron and anthurium that we sell at the store come from her home country of Ecuador, making them extra special to me.”

The Peacocks’ favorite family pastime includes traveling and discovering new plant species.

THE GREEN HOUSE GARDEN STORE 110 Easton Drive Lakeland, FL 33803 facebook.com/greenhousegardenstore @greenhousegardenstore

Jarman and Sara also share a unique perspective on climate change as they see the effects of it firsthand through their business and horticulture industry.

“It’s really obvious that something is going on when you’re aware of plants and how they’re responding to the changes around us. Temperate trees and shrubs are becoming less common in Central Florida at the same time that the numbers of subtropical species are increasing. The numbers of royal poincianas and mango trees growing in Lakeland are just incredible.”

While small businesses have faced many unforeseen challenges due to COVID-19, shopping for plants at a local greenhouse store, rather than a commercial home improvement store, helps these local businesses, and the local plant stores show which plants thrive specific to Florida weather.

If you stop by The Green House Garden Store, bring your kids, family, and friends, and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere where you can listen to all kinds of music, including some from local artists like Emily Jones, Hannah Dobson, Van Plating, or Michael McArthur. Plants are not as intimidating to grow as they appear to be, and the Peacocks are excited to share their knowledge of being a plant parent with their customers.

“It’s really obvious that something is going on when you’re aware of plants and how they’re responding to the changes around us.”

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PLANTS BY HAPPY PLANTS Every plant mom loves a new green leafy guy for her house! My Happy Plants sells affordable houseplants through Etsy, available for delivery or local pick-up, based in Lakeland.

From smaller plants like prayer plants and pothos to larger ones such as fiddle leaf figs and Monstera, My Happy Plants grows a variety of rare and common plants that will bring a smile to your face and color to your home.

Etsy.com/shop/myhappyplants

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RESTORED FURNITURE BY SENTIMENT CO. Sentiment Co. is a local shop breathing new life into vintage, antique, and retro furniture by restoring them and inspiring a fresh perspective and approach to interior design. Owner, Carissa Kim Pintello Sundberg, explains, “I want to educate others in appreciation for antiques, timeless style, and historical influence.” sentimentco.com

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THE HENDERSON ENTRY TABLE BY JAYNE WOODCRAFT Jayne Woodcraft is a small custom handcrafted furniture and design company based in Central Florida. They design statement pieces inspired by Scandinavian modernism and Japanese minimalism. Their versatility is evident in their custom projects, aimed at creating pieces personalized for their customers’ homes. The furniture is all built with lumber from a locally sourced saw mill. In addition to a variety of finishing options and design details, they give careful attention to every step of the building process. jaynewoodcraft.com

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Your home deserves a great paint We now carry Benjamin Moore® premium paints, giving you the very best color and quality for your paint project.

Shop your favorite Benjamin Moore® colors and get $7 OFF select paints.

Crowder Bros. Ace Hardware 2 Lakeland Locations Lakeland , FL 33803 (863) 683-6702 | acehardware.com

Offer valid for $7 off gallons, up to five (5) gallons, of ben from participating Ace retailer. Subject to availability. Cannot be combined with other deals or applied to previous purchases. Retailer reserves the right to cancel or modify without notice. Offer notice. expires XX/XX/XXX expiresOffer 04/30/2020. ©2019 Benjamin Moore & Co. ben, Benjamin Moore, Gennex, and the triangle “M” symbol are registered trademarks licensed to Benjamin Moore & Co. All other marks are the property of their respective owner. 10/19

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editor’s choice

F E AT U R E D M A K E R

TH E POWE R O F PAPE R Typeface trends will come and go, but the elegance and personal touch of the handwritten letter is timeless.

Written by Sally Ibarra Barceló Photography by Paris Scott

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hen I moved away from home for college, I called my grandpa in Mexico with excitement and explained to him I’d be moving to Lakeland, Florida. He then asked for my address, and, as I tried to respond, he said, “No, wait. Send me a handwritten letter instead and from the addressed envelope will be how I obtain your address.”

My grandpa wrote me countless letters growing up, whether he hand delivered them on his trips to the States or mailed them. He had an appreciation for the art of pen to well-crafted paper.

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Perhaps his generation, those who lived through black-and-white TV, into color TV, computers, laptops, and smartphones felt a responsibility to preserve such traditional forms of communication and etiquette.

He often said something along the lines of, “The highest gesture of kindness comes from the handwritten letter.”

Today, local shops specializing in the art of paper and handwritten notes, such as Stationery Loft, have experienced a demand in paper goods and tangible ways of communicating.

In 2007, Lakelander Heidi Campbell decided to

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EXPLORATION IS

GOOD

We carefully source specialty cheeses, wines, olives, charcuterie, and beer in the FINDS area of our store.

Explore new flavors, find pairing suggestions, and impress your dinner guests.

GreenWise Market 4747 S. Florida Ave. Lakeland, FL 33813

W. ALAMO DR. S

greenwisemarket.com

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W. PIPKIN RD.

OUTH FLO

OLD HIGHWAY 37

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The Shoppes at Lake Miriam Crossing 4747 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, FL 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.

LAKE MIRIAM DR.

Drink responsibly. Be 21.

Heidi Campbell’s favorite print method is engraving.

launch Stationery Loft after seeing a need in Lakeland for a papergoods store. Now, Campbell, along with her longtime business partner, Kerrianne Hopkins, co-own and lead the way for Lakeland’s most wellcrafted stationery store.

Campbell wasn’t new to the industry; in fact, she had previously owned a few stores in South Florida similar to Stationery Loft.

She knew the business and was passionate about paper, so much so that before opening

her shop in Lakeland, she would drive to Orlando for all of her paper and invitation needs. At that point, her husband encouraged her to consider opening a stationery store in Lakeland to fill a need in our city.

“I went to the stationery show in Atlanta and came home knowing that this was what I wanted to do. I started out with almost exclusively paper invitations in the store, and, over time, realized that there was a great need for a gift shop in

Lakeland. People were driving to Tampa and Orlando to shop,” says Campbell.

Two years after Stationery Loft opened, they outgrew their first location and made the move to Lake Miriam Shopping Center. “At that point, the store really exploded,” says Campbell.

Hopkins, a talented designer and former school teacher, decided to take some time off from teaching, and what was meant to be temporary then became her newfound career path leading her to a business

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partner opportunity at Stationery Loft.

The store was transitioning into its next phase. The lease renewal opportunity at the current location wasn’t a good fit. Stationery Loft then transitioned into its current downtown Lakeland location.

After evolving for many years, stationerybased correspondence is undergoing a resurgence, thanks to luxury brands.

Perhaps it’s a marketing tactic to do the opposite of what others are doing (digital communication), or it may be the simple fact that luxury goods go hand in hand with preserving craftsmanship and tradition. Either way, Stationery Loft is at the forefront of this trend servicing their customers.

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Expertise and tailored customer experiences are the foundation of Stationery loft. “Every time we have an appointment with a customer, the creative process is never the same. We might have someone who knows exactly what they want. We also have customers who have no idea the direction they are going in. We are here to help and serve the customers’ needs in every way, from budget to design,” says Hopkins.

Most of Stationery Loft’s customers begin their journey with paper when they start looking for wedding invitations. The wedding industry has raised the bar high with invitation suites often incorporating a mix of color, metallic lettering, and modernized calligraphy fonts.

Aside from working with some of the most reputable stationery brands in the industry such as Crane & Co., Stationery Loft now has the ability to produce a variety of engraving and printing methods in house.

“From white-ink printers and vinyl printing machines to a foil machine and laser engraving, we have the equipment to create beautiful, memorable items in store,” says Hopkins.

Although these machines provide Stationery Loft’s guests access to quick turnaround, both Campbell and Hopkins make it very clear that it is not always the most cost-effective or quality way of producing prints and invitations.

“For example, glassware — we do personalized glassware, but we source it out because we believe that sand etching is the finest way of personalizing

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Co-owner Kerrianne Hopkins’ creativity and love for paper is evident in her carefully designed wedding invitation suite pictured above.

“Every time we have an appointment with a customer, the creative process is never the same.”

a piece of glass rather than DIY ’ing it, and the difference in cost is very minimal,” says Campbell.

Along with all things pen and paper, Stationery Loft has also had major success with their “gift” part of the shop, carrying notable name brand items like Kate Spade, Rifle Paper, and Kendra Scott. From gifts for a baby shower to the handsome gentleman in your life, shopping locally does not mean you can’t shop your favorite brands.

Stationery Loft’s success goes beyond the simple fact that paper is “trending” (although it helps). Customers are the

foundation of this local stationery and gift shop.

Campbell and Hopkins listen to their customers’ interests and needs, and ask themselves, “What brands and trends are shoppers looking for? How do we better serve our guests?”

After all, the essence of stationery is intentional and personal.

STATIONERY LOFT 230 N. Kentucky Avenue Lakeland, FL 33801 stationeryloft.com

F E A T U R I N G

Rolex ® in various styles for men and women

S H O P

M U N C H E L’ S

For the best quality, value, and service for fine jewelry in Lakeland.

3227 Florida Ave S, Lakeland, FL 33803 • munchels.com Fine J

ewelr

y, Inc

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Start that Project now!

WITH OUR LOW-RATE HOME EQUITY LINES!

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We will pay closing costs on lines up to $250,000!* Variable rates as low as Prime Rate, currently 3.25% (3.25% APR)**, plus .50% (3.75% APR)***, or plus 1.00% (4.25% APR)****

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863.648.0900 4719 South Florida Ave. Lakeland, FL 33813 HOME IMPROVEMENTS | DEBT CONSOLIDATION | COLLEGE | VACATION | MAJOR PURCHASES South State Bank and CenterState Bank, N.A. have merged to become South State Bank, N.A. Please visit BankingForward.comto learn more. *Total closing costs generally range from $0 - $7500. Examples of closing costs paid by the bank are fees for a credit report, flood determination, title insurance and other costs. Bank paid closing costs will include up to $200.00 toward appraisal fees. Customer is responsible for paying any additional appraisal fees over that amount. Line must be funded by 50% or $10,000 at closing, whichever is greater. CenterState Bank will waive reimbursement of closing costs as long as your account is open for at least 2 years. Offer is available for primary residences only. Manufactured Homes/Mobile Homes are not eligible for a home equity line of credit. **Rate based on minimum beacon score of 720, ***Rate based on minimum beacon score of 700, ****Rate based on minimum beacon score of 680. Annual Percentage Rate (APR) may increase after consummation.

Maximum APR is 18%. Property insurance is required, and if applicable, flood insurance will be required. All loans subject to credit approval. Rates and terms may change at any time without notice. Other restrictions may apply. CenterState Bank N.A. NMLS #403455 I SS U E 6 0

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the gift guide 2020 E DITION

Written by The Lakelander Staff & Contributors

With your Christmas countdown in full effect, we are sure there are some gifts you need to check off your list. You’re in luck, because our contributors have lined up the best items from our favorite local shops. These recommendations will make you the favorite for years to come.

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FIR E IT UP

STYLE & SUB STANCE

Big Green Egg

Design with a purpose, MODO sunglasses are the gift that keeps on giving. For every pair of Modo sunglasses purchased, a child is provided with comprehensive eye care through their partnership with Seva Foundation. Modo’s “Buy a Frame — Help a Child See” pledge has helped over one million children to date.

Crowder Bros. Ace Hardware 2633 S. Florida Avenue

The most coveted grill among backyard cooks, the Big Green Egg. Known for its versatility, it stands out as one of the great charcoal grills of our time.

MAK E B IG PLA N S

Appointment Book Stationery Loft stationeryloft.com

Because planning is so much more fun with a beautifully designed planner.

Each spread features roomy pages with a different floral print each month and space to write important dates, engagements, and notes.

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Modo Sunglasses Eyes on Lakeland • eyesonlakeland.com

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Items pictured may not reflect current season styles.

Rolex® Watches Munchel’s • munchels.com

Fine J

ewelr

y, Inc

Women’s Fashion

.

Dillard’s Lakeland • 3800 US Hwy. 98 N.

WE A RA BLE HEI RLO O M S

SE ASONAL GL AMOUR

Classic, elegant, and timeless, Munchel’s Fine Jewelry carries exquisite gifts for the people you value most

Looking for the latest in women’s fashion? Dillard’s carries some of the best in designer brands. From clothing to shoes and accessories, Dillard’s has a variety of gift options to choose from!

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2021 F-150 Bartow Ford • bartowford.com

HIT THE ROAD The all-new F-150 is purpose-built from the ground up — redesigned to be the toughest, most productive F-150 ever with new technology and innovative design. From online purchases to home delivery, Bartow Ford’s staff is ready to help you check off your Christmas gift list.

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HOMETOWN PR I D E

Swan Planter Scout & Tag scoutandtag.com

Being a Lakelander comes with Swan City pride, and this planter says just that. The perfect gift for every plant lover.

Aveda Hair Products Venue Salon • venuesalon.com

IT ’ S A H A IR FLIP For the ultimate hair care holiday gifts, look no further. Venue Salon carries Aveda’s full line of products and holiday gift sets. These Aveda hair care systems are powered by botanicals to help thicken, repair, or hydrate hair, perfect for him or her.

NATUR AL B EAUTY Pearl Jewelry Nacre nacrewatches.com

The gift every stylish friend needs.

Nacre’s genuine freshwater baroque pearl earrings and necklaces are locally and thoughtfully designed, made from quality materials. and celebrate personal style.

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Blackshear Collection

GL I T TER & G OLD

Rafa Natural rafanatural.com

Elegant and sophisticated, this 24k-gold-plated necklace is the perfect gift for your favorite lady. Gaines Jewelers has been a Lakeland staple since 1935, specializing in jewelry, bridal, and gifts for every occasion.

The gift that helps him get a little more handsome. The Blackshear Collection contains warm and complex scents, Birchwood, woodsy notes, paired with hints of musky tobacco.

A F RESH CATCH

Harry’s Gift Card Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grill hookedonharrys.com

Julie Vos Necklace

A gift card for the foodies in your life.

From cocktails to the best in Louisianacajun style dishes, this gift will keep your loved ones satisfied.

Gaines Jewelers • gainesjewelers.com

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Be

A place to { challenged }

{ innovative } { mission-minded } { inspired } { compassionate }

Learning and innovation go hand in hand. That’s why LCS applies 21st Century instructional methods to equip students with not only knowledge, but with critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills. The LCS experience also inspires students with a vision for Christian influence as they pursue their passion.

Visit our website, then call Julie Rice, Director of Enrollment, for a tour.

lcsonline.org

1111 Forest Park Street, Lakeland | 863-688-2771 1111 Forest Park Street, Lakeland • 863-688-2771 • lcsonline.org

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A daily dose of joy At Comfort Keepers ®, we provide in-home care that helps seniors and others live safe, happy and independent lives in the comfort of their own homes.

In-home care services • Personal care • Dementia and Alzheimer’s care • Companionship and housekeeping • Respite care • Safety solutions

(863) 327-3132 ComfortKeepers.com HHA #299992766 © 2020 CK Franchising, Inc. Most offices independently owned and operated. 0320 106

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DED ICATED TO Q UA L I T Y A N D COMP E T I T I V E P RI C I N G

We Work With Insurance & Give Free Estimates Owners Matt Coyle & Nathan Patterson

RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • SHINGLE • METAL • TPO

863-409-2447 residentialroofingdepot.com

When the world changes, rely on us We can provide customized, comprehensive advice and guidance to help you stay on track and pursue your goals. Call me to talk it through.

Jeffrey Clements, CFP® Senior Vice President Wealth Management Advisor Portfolio Manager

Merrill Lynch Wealth Management 100 South Kentucky Avenue Suite 100 Lakeland, FL 33801

863.680.5471 jeffrey_clements@ml.com

fa.ml.com/jeffreyclements

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S” or “Merrill”) makes available certain investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are affiliates of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”). MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, Member SIPC and a wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp.

Investment products:

Are Not FDIC Insured

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

May Lose Value

The Bull Symbol is a registered trademark of Bank of America Corporation.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ in the U.S. © 2020 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

MAP3016351 | AD-09-20-0716 | 472522PM-0520 | 10/2020

Family Owned Since 2003

• Convenient After Hours Pickup Box • Order Delivery Available • UPS Shipping Available

(863) 647-5445

sales@quickprintexpress.net

950 South Florida Avenue | Lakeland

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In Dixieland between Subs n’ Such & Reececliff

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Home Solution Lenders, Inc.

1445 E Main St, Bartow | 863-607-4663 | NMLS# 327291 109

Jenny Williams PROFESSIONAL STYLIST

BALAYAGE . CUTS . COLOR . EXTENSIONS 863.899.0290

LAW OFFICES OF

TED W. WEEKS IV, P.A. LAWSUITS & DISPUTES | CORPORATE & BUSINESS LAW

2 1 1 7 H A R DE N B O U L E VA R D • L A K E L A N D , F L OR I DA 3 3 8 0 3 • 8 6 3 . 8 0 2 . 5 0 0 0 The Yarnall Building is located on East Pine Street in Lakeland, Florida. It was built in 1920 to house the Yarnall Storage and Transfer Company. The building was restored in 1989.

Photo Courtesy of Special Collections, Lakeland Public Library

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We believe low costs and full service shouldn’t be a trade-off.

Our focus is to help you make the right decision that’s best for you. Transparency is something we value and you can find it at Schwab. We’re just down the street. Call us today at (863) 450-3272 to set up your personal appointment.

Lydia Boyd Lakeland Independent Branch 6419 S. Florida Ave #103 863-450-3272 schwab.com/lakeland

©2020 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”) Member SIPC. All rights reserved. SCH2353-19 (1020-0ZJ5) (8/20)

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Since 1972 We’ve treated them like family.

COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL/NATURAL GAS | LP/APPLIANCES-PIPING-REPAIRS

• Comprehensive Medical Services • Professionsal Grooming & Stying • Comfortable & Spacious Lodging • AAHA Accredited 863.224.2354 INFO@ALTERNATIVEGASCONSTRUCTION.COM PO BOX 9461 WINTER HAVEN, FL 33883-9461

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3710 Cleveland Heights Boulevard 863.646.2995 pethospital.com

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Marshall Jewelers New Location!

WE C

2058 E Edgewood Dr | Lakeland, Fl 33803

ORD ATER! TERIYA ER ONLIN KIMADN ESS.CO E

863.682.4725

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TERIYAKI MADNESS APP!

GET A FREE BOWL. *

*WHEN YOU BUY A 2ND BOWL & 2 DRINKS. SEE REWARDS SECTION FOR DETAILS AFTER SIGN UP. VALID ON DELIVERY ORDERS PLACED WITH OUR APP.

304 N. KENTUCKY AVE., SUITE 1110, LAKELAND, FL | 863-500-TMAD (8623) OPEN DAILY 11AM-9PM | TERIYAKIMADNESS.COM

marshalljewelerslakeland.com

2020 1% referral rate

96% referral rate See for yourself why our customers would refer us to friends and family.

Call 863.223.3164 or visit twomenlakeland.com.

Each franchise is independently owned and operated. | U.S. DOT No. 1654865 | FL IM 1517

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HISTORY

A “floating” Christmas tree alight on Lake Morton in Lakeland 1967

Photo courtesy of the Lakeland Public Library

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A healthy tomorrow begins today.

Watson Clinic is proud to be your trusted partner through your journey to motherhood. From prenatal counseling to complete pregnancy care and everything in between, including genetic testing, the latest in 3D/4D ultrasound imaging, and effective management of high-risk pregnancies. Our OB-GYN team works together to help you achieve your visions for a healthy family.

Your health. Your future.

YOUR

For all your Obstetrics & Gynecologic needs, call 863-680-7243 or visit WatsonClinic.com/ObGyn. 115