The Lakelander March April 2016

MARCH - APRIL 2016

FIREPROOF / IDLE HANDS / LAKELAND VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE THE MAN BEHIND THE BAR / MIDCENTURY SOCIAL INNOVATION

PLACING YOU

AT THE HEART

OF ALL WE DO

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THE LAKELANDER

Expert Physicians.

Advanced Treatments.

At Lakeland Regional Health, the experienced physicians of our

Heart Center

have pioneered cardiac care for more than three decades.

With experience like that, it’s no wonder their expertise continues to bring you groundbreaking, less-invasive procedures that aren’t available anywhere else in Polk County.

To learn more about our Heart Center and its expert physicians, visit the website below.

myLRH.org/HeartCenter

R

Everything you need...

to make decorating fun!

have some fun today!

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Eleven Polk County locations to serve you

Lakeland-Lake Gibson 6625 US 98 North (863) 858-3866 Lakeland North 1409 N. Florida Ave. (863) 682-8107 Haines City 35495 Hwy. 27 (863) 422-3144

Lakeland Combee 1225 N. Combee Rd. (863) 665-3111 Lakeland Christina 6100 S. Florida Ave. (863) 646-2921 Lake Wales 126 Hwy. 60 W. (863) 676-6515

Frostproof 500 N. Scenic Hwy. (863) 635-2645

Ft. Meade 1401 Hwy. 17 N. (863) 285-9757

Auburndale 521 Hughes Rd. (863) 967-6602

Eagle Lake 1515 Hwy. 17 S. (863) 294-7749

1350 N. Broadway (US 98) Bartow (863) 533-1611

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Want to learn more about Smartlipo?

Call True MD today for a FREE CONSULTATION!

The patient and any other person responsible for payment has a right to refuse to pay, cancel payment, or be reimbursed for payment for any other service, examination, or treatment that is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the advertisement for the free, discounted fee, or reduced fee service, examination, or treatment. Limit one coupon per customer per visit. Coupons and special offers cannot be combined. Copyright 2016, True MD. All rights reserved.

WITH CHIROPRACTIC CARE

IS LOWER BACK PAIN AFFECTING THE WAY YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE? Lower back pain plagues more than 3 million patients each year. Pain in the lower back typically indicates a problem with the bones, discs, muscles, or tendons in the lower lumbar region.

The providers at Lakeland Spine Center are well equipped to relieve the discomfort of lower back pain while helping you adjust your life to manage chronic symptoms.

JOIN THE PATHWAY TO WELLNESS AT LAKELAND SPINE CENTER THROUGH CHIROPRACTIC CARE.

3242 SOUTH FLORIDA AVENUE LAKELAND, FL 33803 Located just north of Walmart on South Florida Avenue

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THE LAKELANDER

NOW OPEN IN DOWNTOWN LAKELAND, FLORIDA 119 Traders Alley | Lakeland, FL 33801 | Monday - Saturday 9am - 6pm

863.333.0553 www.bellavisagelakeland.com Defining Extraordinary

Our mission is to provide impeccable world-class services so our clients are able to relax, unwind, and think only of themselves.

SERVICES Sclerotherapy Body Waxing Medical-grade Chemical Peels Facials Spray Tanning Hot Stone Massage

Botox & Dysport Microneedling Photorejuvination Eyelash Extensions Dermal Fillers Microdermabrasion

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THE LAKELANDER

THE LAKELANDER

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June 28th - July 2nd

2016 Miss Florida Preliminary

Miss Florida Preliminary

Tuesday, June 28, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Adult: $35.00 | Youth (2-12): $15.00

Wednesday, June 29, 2016 – 7:30 p.m Adult: $35.00 | Youth (2-12): $15.00

Miss Florida Preliminary

Miss Florida’s Outstanding Teen Preliminary

Thursday, June 30, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Adult: $35.00 | Youth (2-12): $15.00

Friday, July 1, 2016 – Preliminary # 1 – 4:00 p.m.

Preliminary # 2 – 8:00 p.m.

Adult: $40.00 | Youth (2-12): $20.00 Note: Same tickets is good for both events.

Finals – Miss Florida’s Outstanding Teen Pageant Saturday, July 2, 2016 - 4:00 p.m.

Finals – Miss Florida Pageant Saturday, July 2, 2016 – 8:00 p.m.

Adult: $85.00 Youth (2-12): $40.00 Note: Same tickets is good for both events.

TICKETS GO ON-SALE MONDAY, MARCH 28TH @ 9:30PM Tickets can be purchased: 1. www.thelakelandcenter.com 2. 24/7 Phone: 888-397-0100 3. Lakeland Center Box Office – Mon.-Fri. 9:30am-5:30pm Service charges will apply

GET INVOLVED - MISSFLORIDA.ORG

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THE LAKELANDER

MARY KATHERINE FECHTEL MISS FLORIDA 2015 >>>

THE LAKELANDER

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

34 MARCH - APRIL 2016

DEPARTMENTS MARCH - APRIL 2016

24 NOTE FROM THE EDITORS 26 EDITORIAL BIOS 30 PHOTOGRAPHER BIOS 32 EDUCATION 120 OPENINGS 122 EVENTS 130 HISTORY

ON THE COVER

FIREPROOF / IDLE HANDS / LAKELAND VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE THE MAN BEHIND THE BAR / MIDCENTURY SOCIAL INNOVATION

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THE LAKELANDER

As the Lakeland Fire Department celebrates 100 years of service, Assistant Fire Chief Rick Hartzog lets us in on the incredible scope of work the City’s fire professionals provide. From veterinary care for our four-legged family members affected by fire, to scholarship and career opportunities for underprivileged students, LFD is more than a fire department alone.

C E LE BRAT E

at the Club at Eaglebrooke

LAKELAND’S #1 EVENT VENUE

The C lu b at E agle bro o ke, co nven ient l y l o cate d i n s o u t h L a ke l a n d , of fe r s a s e l e c t i o n of b ot h ch arm in g an d gran d ba n qu e t room s fo r a ny s pecia l o cca s io n . Fro m o u r p r i vate , i nt i m ate d i n i n g ro o m fo r 2 0 g u e st s to o ur exquis ite b allroom for 3 0 0, we h ave el eg a nt s pace s to m a ke yo u r eve nt u nfo rge t t a b l e . We’re t h e p re m ie r ve n ue fo r we d d i n gs, b an q uet s , pa r t ies a n d mo re. P l e a s e c a l l o u r Sp e c i a l Eve nt s D i re c to r fo r a co n s u l t at io n and to ur.

JENNIFER WHITE • SPECIAL EVENTS DIRECTOR • 863-701-0101 EXT. 23 • JENNIFER@EAGLEBROOKE.COM • EAGLEBROOKE.COM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

46

PEOPLE 34 FIREPROOF

Lakeland Fire Department’s centennial year

SHELTER 46 MIDCENTURY SOCIAL INNOVATION An epic remodel

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THE LAKELANDER

Want wealth advice with a personal touch?

We’re here to listen.

When first-time clients meet with us, they say they notice something different—we care. At Core, we’re fanatical about developing long-term relationships and high-touch experiences. Our mission is to help you stay on course to achieve your vision of financial security.

Ready to talk? Call (863) 904-4745.

COREWEALTHADVISORSINC.COM

THE CORE TEAM: Chuck Foss • Nathan Dunham • Andrew Foss • Matte Diaz • Paul Weaver • Angela Newell

231 N KENTUCKY AVE • STE 217 • LAKELAND, FLORIDA 33801

TABLE OF CONTENTS

62

TASTE 62 THE MAN BEHIND THE BAR Meet Seff the Bartender

STYLE 76 THE FINISHING TOUCH Hats, caps, and toppers

96 SHUCKING WINTER Warm-weather beauty

PHILANTHROPY 86 LAKELAND VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE Dream to reality

CULTURE 110 IDLE HANDS

Lakeland’s growing arts scene

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THE LAKELANDER

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www.lanierupshaw.com

In April of 1941, Mr. Upshaw launched Lanier Upshaw, laying the foundation for our full service, independent insurance agency.

Since then, we’ve navigated a 75-year ascent of continuing improvement and success―not only for ourselves, but more importantly, our clients.

How do we do it? We look at the upside of risk.

Discover the upside of your risk and turn problems into possibilities.

PUBLISHER Curt Patterson ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERS Jason Jacobs, Brandon Patterson Advertising ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Curt Patterson; 863.409.2449 ADVERTISING SALES Jason Jacobs; 863.606.8785 ADVERTISING SALES Brandon Patterson; 863.409.2447 ADVERTISING SALES Nathan Patterson; 863.409.0267 Editorial EDITOR, DIRECTOR OF CONTENT Alice V. Koehler EDITOR, DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Tina Sargeant STAFF EDITOR

Kristin Crosby GUEST EDITOR Mercedes Grainger CULTURE EDITOR Abby Jarvis PEOPLE EDITOR Adam Spafford PHILANTHROPY EDITOR Tara Campbell SHELTER EDITOR Christian Lee STYLE EDITOR Abdiel Gonzalez TASTE EDITOR Jenn Smurr COPY EDITOR Laura Burke OFFICE MANAGER Deb Patterson ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Kristin Crosby Design ART DIRECTOR Philip Pietri Photography CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Dan Austin, Bri Elledge, Tina Sargeant, Jason Stephens, Jordan Weiland Circulation CIRCULATION DIRECTOR

Jason Jacobs

General Counsel

Ted W. Weeks IV

Published by Patterson Jacobs Publishing, LLC

Lakeland’s Premier COFFEE HOUSE & CASUAL EATERY

The Lakelander is published bimonthly by Patterson Jacobs Publishing, 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.

Contact Patterson Jacobs Publishing, P.O. Box 41, Lakeland, FL 33802 863.701.2707 www.thelakelander.com Customer Service: 863.701.2707 Subscription Help: jason@pattersonpublishing.com “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

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THE LAKELANDER

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EDITORIAL

NOTE FROM THE EDITORS Thorpe AC Testimonial: David and Shari Richard We place our complete trust in Thorpe AC. We have been Thorpe customers for well over 10 years and in two different homes. The relationship we have with Thorpe is not merely a company/client relationship; they are more like trusted advisors. A few summers ago, Thorpe pulled us out of a terrible situation. One weekend, we had emergency AC issues, and a friend recommended another AC company. We reluctantly went with the other company. The other company incorrectly installed a new air conditioner, resulting in the flooding of several rooms in the house multiple times. After not getting anywhere with the other company, we called Thorpe and had them reinstall it. It has worked perfectly ever since.

It’s not just a job for Thorpe; it is a relationship with members of the community. They only sell what they have fully vetted and would use in their own homes. We’ll never use anyone else.

David and Shari Richard

Serving All of Lakeland for 34 Years www.thorpeac.com 863-858-2577 24

THE LAKELANDER

Alice Koehler

Tina Sargeant

It’s deadline day.

And this note is the very last thing on a long editorial to-do list.

With each issue of The Lakelander it is the very last thing we write.

It comes together after weeks of planning and constant conversations to keep the ball moving forward in a valiant effort not to fall too far behind. It comes after a frenzied period of time spent tying all of the stories together, editing photos and designing layouts, all while still trying to maintain a semblance of life balance.

We run from our day jobs, to our families, to The Lakelander, to our friends. And then back again. Some might think it torturous. Some days it is. We’d be lying if we said otherwise.

It is at once exhausting and invigorating. It is at this moment each issue that we pause and consider why we do all of this.

Here’s why: we love this city! We are proud of this city!

With each issue, we see more and more the love Lakelanders have for the place they live. We see it in their willingness to share and talk about frustrations. We see it in their willingness to work together and solve problems. We see it in the successful new businesses cropping up in seemingly unlikely pockets of our city. We see it in the arts community that is more visible today than it was 10 years ago. We see it in the evolving places around our city.

We see it in people loving each other.

We are one part of a large group of Lakelanders using their skills and talents to add to this community. It’s much like a relay, not because someone is trying to win a race, but because everyone plays a part in the winning. One person starts out running fast toward a goal, baton grasped tightly in hand. Another comes behind and in fact begins running long before their predecessor comes to a halt. And it continues this way, one runner after another, until the goal is achieved.

The Lakelander is following behind some incredible leaders who brought this city to now.

And we, too, are going before someone who will come behind us.

And so, we run ourselves ragged, because it is for this leg of the race.

Onward, Alice and Tina

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EDITORIAL BIOS ALICE V. KOEHLER

EDITOR, DIRECTOR OF CONTENT Alice Koehler is a longtime Lakeland resident, graduate of Florida Southern College, returned Peace Corps volunteer, mother, and lifelong learner. In 2013, she graduated from Leadership Lakeland Class 30. In 2014, she added MBA to the end of her name. Today, Alice is currently a senior market manager for the American Cancer Society where she gets to see more birthdays celebrated every year by supporting and implementing efforts that help our neighbors get well and stay well, find cures, and fight back. In her free time, she enjoys adventure seeking, memory making, joy giving, bargain hunting, community building, mind bending, knowledge acquiring, and soul filling.

KRISTIN CROSBY ASSISTANT EDITOR

CARPET CLEANING AND WATER DAMAGE RESTORATION

Originally from the North, Kristin Crosby first made her way to Lakeland to study at Southeastern University where she graduated with a music degree.

Through an array of career experiences, including the role of commuter coordinator at SEU and a short-lived stint as a yoga instructor, a passion for writing emerged. Kristin’s publication and editorial work includes grant writing for the nonprofit organization LifeNet and various positions held at Relevant Media Group. To see more of Kristin’s work, go to kristincrosby.com and vitalmagazine.com where she is a frequent contributor.

MERCEDES GRAINGER GUEST EDITOR

Ever since she was old enough to pick out her own clothing, fashion has always held a special place in Mercedes Grainger’s heart. One of her favorite challenges is transforming budget-friendly pieces to make them look like they came from a high-end department store. Mercedes currently works as a producer for Journey Box Media, a local film company, and writes for her own style blog, Forever Fashioned, in her spare time. Native to Michigan, Mercedes has called Lakeland home for only a few short years and has really grown to love the city where she met her husband, Chris Grainger. She truly enjoys seeing Lakeland flourish and loves being a tiny part of it all.

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THE LAKELANDER

CULTURE EDITOR Abby Jarvis is a writing buff with a deep appreciation for the history behind modern cultures and habits. She attended Florida Southern College and, while enrolled there, fell in love with Lakeland’s ability to blend its history with its contemporary identity. Today, Abby works in marketing and outreach at Qgiv, a Lakeland tech company, and spends her spare time writing fairy tales and poetry, which can be found strewn haphazardly through her apartment.

ADAM SPAFFORD PEOPLE EDITOR

Adam Spafford came to Lakeland in 1999 to attend Florida Southern College and, except for a 20-month graduate school stint in Massachusetts, has been here since. When he’s not writing page-turners for The Lakelander, he trades stock and index options.

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THE LAKELANDER

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EDITORIAL BIOS TARA CAMPBELL

PHILANTHROPY EDITOR Tara Campbell is a longtime Lakelander with a passion for serving others.

A graduate of Florida Southern College, she is currently the team and outreach director for Access Church. In the past she has worked as the teen development director for the YMCA of Central Florida, the outreach teacher at the Polk Museum of Art, and a classroom leader at Parker Street Ministries.

Believing firmly that only boring people get bored, Tara spends her free time mentoring middle-school girls in the Parker Street Neighborhood, teaching art lessons, and serving the community through several civic organizations, as well as enjoying all of the friends and culture that Lakeland has to offer.

CHRISTIAN LEE SHELTER EDITOR Christian Lee is a Mississippi native who moved to Lakeland in 1992.

After spending several years raising her family, she re-entered the design and decorating industry in 2004. Today, she works with contractors and clients to remodel homes and commercial properties. Christian is passionate about spaces that have soul, and she loves to find ways to make that soul come to life. She is skilled at interior decorating, repurposing antique and vintage furniture, and has designed a line of clothing for the home as well.

In her spare time, Christian runs marathons and volunteers on the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Leadership Council.

She is also a 20-year member of the Junior League of Greater Lakeland.

ABDIEL GONZALEZ STYLE EDITOR

From a young age, Abdiel Gonzalez was inspired by design and art, and influenced by the colorful culture of his native Hawaii. After moving to Florida in his teens, Abdiel formed an award-winning dance company, No Confusion, for which he received national recognition. His love of fashion developed while earning a bachelor’s in business administration at Florida Southern College. He has managed multimillion-dollar retail establishments, designed stage costumes, and styled high-profile photo shoots. Currently, Abdiel runs Style Instinct by Abdiel, a styling and image consulting business. As a longtime Lakelander, Abdiel gives back by volunteering his talent to local production companies and teaches weekly dance classes at studios here in Lakeland.

JENN SMURR TASTE EDITOR

Jenn is a Florida native and a proud Lakelander. She is a lover of people and all things food (especially dark chocolate), an excursionist, and the owner of Born & Bread Bakehouse. For the last four years, Jenn has traveled the world working full time as a fashion model. Taking advantage of the gift of travel, she spent her free time exploring the local cuisine. Her affinity for bread came to a tipping point when she visited a standing-roomonly cafe in Paris. It was there that she first tried “life-changing fresh bread and local butter.” She has since traded a life in fashion for one in food.

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THE LAKELANDER

’t n o D Don’t Miss!

Miss!

Lakeland

ANNUAL BANQUETBenefi Benefiting ANNUAL BANQUET ting Teen Challenge’s Grace Academy Teen Challenge’s Lakeland Grace Academy Thursday, April 21 6:30pm Victory At Church, Lakeland THURSDAY Victory Church 1401 Griffin Rd, Lakeland, FL 33810 APR 21 Special Guest Speaker: 6:30 PM

Special Guest Speaker

To order tickets online visit: Wally Armstrong

http://bit.ly/hshlakeland Pro Golfer, Master Teacher, Author and Teen Challenge Dad

Watch for more information in your mail or Email, or call 863.647.1944

Wally Armstrong

Pro Golfer, Master Teacher, Author and Teen Challenge Dad

For more information on tickets or sponsorship call 863.647.1944 THE LAKELANDER

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PHOTOGRAPHER BIOS TINA SARGEANT, EDITOR, DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Tina Sargeant has been professionally capturing the moments, events, and people of our region for the last seven years and photographing for The Lakelander since issue one. Tina’s photography is driven by the ability to suspend time and create emotion, and her work embodies a passion for anthropology – people, culture, and stories. sargeantstudios.com

JORDAN WEILAND

Jordan Weiland is a longtime Lakeland resident. She spends her time photographing weddings and dancing around the house (poorly) with her four-yearold daughter and husband. She graduated from Florida State University with a degree in studio art and has photographed weddings for several years. She loves the visual art of storytelling, which is why she loves taking on The Lakelander photography assignments in between photographing couples in love. jordanweiland.com

JASON STEPHENS

Jason Stephens is a native Florida boy who lives in Lakeland with his beautiful wife, Jess, and daughter, Isla. Whether it’s from 500 feet up in a helicopter, on a boat cutting through the water, or locked down on a tripod, Jason loves to be behind the camera capturing the moments that pass in front of his lens. jasonstephensphotography.com

DAN AUSTIN

Dan Austin is a Florida native photographer. He specializes in a unique style that combines the spirit of his subject with a detailed attention to lighting.

Through this, he achieves a unique and well-thought-out aesthetic. danaustinphotography.com

BRI ELLEDGE

Bri Elledge is a military kid who has been traveling her entire life and continues to enjoy it. A photographer for over eight years, she focuses on bringing life and energy out of her subjects, regardless of whether it be a fashion editorial, portrait, or catalogue. Bri spends her time between her studios in Florida and NYC and is an avid supporter of the Lakeland community and its amazing people and talent. www.brielledge.com/

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THE LAKELANDER

MASTER of BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Integrate your faith.

Fuel your career.

Global learning opportunities available include China

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EDUCATION

MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED written by Rebecca Knowles

When I was a high school English teacher, I labored tediously to grade my students’ papers. I wrote comments and corrected mistakes, all under the assumption that my students would look at the papers, appreciate my comments, and learn from them. Much to my dismay, however, every time I returned graded work, I would be asked, “Do I need to keep this?” and my recycle bin would start overflowing.

A similar crumpled-up paper scenario is described as “one type of educational experience” in the critically acclaimed documentary, Most Likely to Succeed. Another kind of experience featured in the film, on the other hand, involves students becoming actively engaged in deep learning, planning their involvement, and working with peers to create things that weren’t there before. The school featured in the film is High Tech High, a magnet school in California, where students work on projects over the course of the year, and these projects are put on display for the public to view at an exhibition at the end of the year. This is a radical shift from the traditional subject-based learning model we see in most schools today.

The film follows two students through a year at High Tech High. One student is working on a gear system related to the rise and fall of civilizations, and the other is directing a play in the style of Greek tragedies but relating to present-day Pakistan. Through these projects they delve deeply into the content, learning about world governments, physics, math, English, and theater, but they also are developing skills that are valuable in today’s world: collaboration, creativity, problem solving, communication, and self-direction. They are faced with challenges, and they overcome them. One student is not successful; his product is not ready for display on the night of the public exhibition.

The failure, however, leads to growth. He reflects on what went wrong, takes ownership of how he contributed to the failure, and discusses how he can be more successful the next time.

This type of education is radically different from what is currently available in most places, including Polk County. If, however, we want our students to leave school with the skills that are needed to be successful in the ever-changing world, we must give them the opportunity to practice and develop these skills. Inspired by stories like that of Hi Tech High, All Saints Academy is rising to the challenge by offering a class called Innovation Studio. Through a partnership with NuVu Studio, an Innovation School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, All Saints’ students are presented with an openended framework of a problem and then work to create a solution.

The Innovation Studio topics range from reimagining pieces of furniture, to creating musical installations, to mapping Polk County, to educating the public on a myriad of issues through PSAs and documentaries. Students are actively engaged in the innovation process. They get feedback from coaches and peers, and synthesize that critique into the next iteration of their projects. Students have access to a Maker Space, outfitted with 3D printers, a laser cutter, and a plethora of other tools and gadgets that can be used to bring their ideas and sketches to life. On April 26, our Demo Day, every student will have a product to exhibit to the public from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Students will have created something that wasn’t there before.

More important than the product they create, however, these students are gaining the opportunity to learn and hone the skills that will be required of them in the real world. Anyone can go online and find information, but how students use that information, collaborate with their peers, accept feedback, and persevere are skills that can only be learned through experience. These are the skills that will be needed as the students of today move into the ever-changing workforce of tomorrow.

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THE LAKELANDER

Tina Sargeant

ABOUT REBECCA KNOWLES Rebecca moved to Lakeland when she was two and is a graduate of Lakeland High School. After earning a BA in psychology from Atlanta’s Agnes Scott College, she returned to Lakeland and taught English at her high school alma mater for several years. She is currently the director of the Center for Learning and Community Engagement at All Saints Academy, where she is responsible for developing partnerships within the community and innovative learning opportunities for students. Rebecca enjoys travel, sushi, and — most importantly — spending time with her husband, Brian; children Clayton (7) and Alison (3); and parents, Bobby and Diane Baum.

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PEOPLE

Lakeland Fire Department’s centennial year

by Adam Spafford photography by Jason Stephens

The Lakeland Fire Department (LFD) provides much more than emergency services. From veterinary care for our four-legged family members affected by fire to scholarship and career opportunities for underprivileged students, you may be surprised at the scope of its work.

Assistant Fire Chief Rick Hartzog tells us about 100 years of this service.

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THE LAKELANDER

The Lakelander: Please tell us about yourself.

Rick Hartzog: I was born and raised in North Central Wisconsin. I relocated to Lakeland in 1979, and I truly feel at home in this great community. I began my career with the Lakeland Fire Department in 1991 as a firefighter and currently serve as the assistant chief of administration. I met my wife of 20 years, Elizabeth, right here in Lakeland. We built a home in central Lakeland and enjoy life with our furry family of dogs and cats. We also spend much of our free time enjoying the social activities Lakeland has to offer. We particularly enjoy the new restaurants emerging in our neighborhood and are really taking advantage of the current revitalization the Dixieland area is experiencing, as well as all that central Lakeland has to offer.

TL: What’s the history of the Lakeland Fire Department?

RH: Lakeland officially began as a community in 1885, and in its early days experienced several fires that would lead to the eventual organization of a fire company. Fire protection in Lakeland started

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as early as 1891 but became more organized in 1905 after three disastrous fires swept through and leveled several major commercial areas here. By 1909, a volunteer fire department was formally organized. The volunteer department’s numbers grew to meet the increased demand from the city’s steady growth, and by 1913 the department had purchased its first motorized vehicle, an American La France pumper.

The growth seen during those years came to fruition when the Lakeland Fire Department became a career fire department on August 1, 1916, which makes this coming August the month in which our department will celebrate its 100 years as a career department and will partake in a centennial celebration. Improvements and additions have been made to the department every decade since, with exciting additions like Technical Rescue in the 1980s, the formal creation of two separate battalions in 2004, the addition of Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) in 2007, and the addition of a new

truck company in December 2014 that came with the opening of new Fire Station 7.

Like many fire departments in the nation, the demand and volume of fire versus medical calls has completely shifted, and today, of the nearly 23,000 service calls the department receives annually, a majority are medical in nature. On December 15, 2003, LFD moved from providing Basic Life Support (BLS) medical services to Advanced Life Support (ALS) medical services at some of its stations and completed the transition to ALS care for its entire service area by January 31, 2011. The department remains a nontransport department.

TL: Most citizens probably think the scope of the fire department includes only fires and emergency services, but LFD performs many more functions. Tell us about them.

RH: The City of Lakeland has grown not only in geographic size but also in the complexity and quantity of emergency calls. This has necessitated the growth of our fire department over the years to keep up with the ever-increasing demand for our services.

The department has seven stations serving approximately 100,000 people in the City of Lakeland. The department has 170 employees, of which 150 are emergency response personnel. In 2015, the department responded to nearly 23,000 service calls in its 84-square-mile response area, which includes the city limits as well as portions of unincorporated Lakeland.

The department offers a wide range of services which include heavy rescue, technical rescue, fire prevention, fire-code enforcement, fire investigation, aircraft rescue and firefighting, and in-house fleet maintenance — all in addition to a high level of fire suppression and emergency medical response for which our department has become known. In addition to emergency services we provide, our department is passionate about being an active participant in its community and consistently gives back through philanthropic efforts like our partnership with

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SPCA Florida, our scholarship program, and our variety of fireand life-safety community and educational programs.

TL: In addition to the risk to property and person, fire also poses a risk to other family members — our pets. How did the partnership with the SPCA come about?

RH: Human lives are our priority, but our compassion for life does not end there. We understand that pets are like family members to our citizens, and we take the responsibility of helping all living creatures, two and four legged alike, very seriously. In early 2003, through multiple encounters with pets in need on human-related emergency calls, I and several others on my team noticed there was a need for equipment that could help distressed animals. We collaborated with Lakeland’s Benson’s Canine Cookies and as a result of that partnership were able to secure animal oxygen masks that could be placed on our apparatus to help animals in need. More recently, we noticed an additional pattern in that we

often helped animals on scene, but unlike humans that can be taken to the hospital, pets with medical needs (for instance, smoke inhalation) had nowhere to go. We were often left scrambling for a vet that could provide in-kind services, or firefighters with big hearts for animals, like me, who often covered the cost for care out of our own pockets.

We knew we needed a structured solution, so through interactions with SPCA Florida as part of other community events, we learned about their top-of-the-line medical facility for pets, and their desire to partner with community organizations like ours. One thing led to another, and today we have this fantastic partnership.

We felt like there was mutual benefit for both organizations while ultimately being able to give back to the citizens of Lakeland.

Through fund-raising efforts like our 2016 calendar (available at spcaflorida.org), we are now able to provide veterinary care to pets rescued at human emergencies if the owner cannot afford to

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“The Lakeland Fire Department became a career fire department on August 1, 1916, which makes this coming August the month in which our department will celebrate its 100 years as a career department and will partake in a centennial celebration.”

pay for care. This has already been the case for at least three rescued pets since the partnership began. We also provide a location for SPCA Florida to provide reduced-cost and free basic veterinary services on a monthly basis through their Wellness Wagons, using our fire stations as route stops. All funds raised go directly back to helping Lakeland’s pets in need through SPCA Florida’s Guardian Fund.

TL: In 2014, LFD partnered with Polk County Public School’s Homeless Education Advocates Restoring the Hope (HEARTH) project to create F.O.C.U.S. (FireService Opportunity and Career for Underprivileged Students Scholarship) Program. Tell us about F.O.C.U.S. RH: The Lakeland Fire Department is always striving to have a workforce that is reflective of the community it serves.

While keeping that mission in mind, we became aware of

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the HEARTH project’s good work in 2013 after encountering a flyer for a hygiene- and school-supply drive they were sponsoring for the students they serve. We knew we could help with basic items like toothpaste and shampoo, but we wanted to be able to do more, to provide an opportunity for these students in need to become empowered and pursue a career, like firefighting, that would never leave them wanting for basic items like that. I took that point very much to heart, and through the help of our team at the department, we developed the F.O.C.U.S. scholarship program.

The F.O.C.U.S. program was created to address diversity wherein students who may have never considered working in the fire service could have an opportunity to give back through a fulfilling career. It was also an opportunity to directly assist an economically disadvantaged student [and help him or her] meet their potential, something we profoundly believe is essential to having a vibrant community like Lakeland. We have since partnered with Ridge Career Center and Polk State College to provide a student who qualifies with the chance to train to become a firefighter completely free of charge. As a result of their positive experience with our F.O.C.U.S. scholarship program, we hope that they would want to apply with our department, although they are not obligated to do so. We currently have one student, Ariel Brant, a 19-year-old female who has already successfully completed her emergency medical technician (EMT) training and is currently attending fire standards.

TL: How can the community become more engaged with the Lakeland Fire Department? And where can citizens become more informed about fire prevention and safety?

RH: We really cherish any and all opportunities that our department gets to interact with the community in nonemergency situations.

Traditionally, when the public interfaces with emergency responders like our emergency responders, they are experiencing some of the most stressful moments of their lives. We have made great efforts to provide opportunities for the public to interact with us and learn more about us in more comfortable ways. Most prominent is our presence online through social media, which is a great way for people to interact with us and get a real sense of what life at the fire department is like. We are on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Periscope. We highlight the loads of training we do to maintain our exceptional level of service; we share personal and departmentrelated awards and triumphs; we share uplifting stories of hope, fire-safety information, and much more. Social media has been a wonderful vehicle for our department to be as transparent as ever, and it allows us to form relationships with citizens in and around our community outside of the expected victim /rescuer relationship.

Additionally, our department does a fantastic job of participating in community events like church festivals, meet and greets, fire-station tours, fire- and life-safety educational programs, and so forth.

Interested community members can always find more information about fire safety online at lakelandgov.net/LFD. That is also where they can learn more about news, events, the personnel, and lots more happening at our department. They can even request one of our educational programs in the Contact Us section. We encourage the public to engage with us in these easy and fun ways.

TL: What fire-safety advice do you find yourself giving most often?

RH: Undoubtedly, the leading cause of structure fires in the nation and right here at home in Lakeland is unattended cooking and kitchen-related fires. In 2015 alone, 60% of the department’s approximately 130 structure fires were caused by unattended cooking. So we encourage everyone to stand by their pan, and make it a point to always supervise what they’re cooking while keeping the heat source clear of combustibles. Another big safety measure we push throughout the year is to remind everyone that working smoke alarms save lives. More times than not, when we enter a home affected by structure fires, we encounter nonworking or no smoke alarms at all. Smoke alarms help alert those inside of a structure that fire may be present and allow enough time for people to get and stay out.

Our department has free smoke alarms available to homeowners in need. We encourage them to visit us online to see if they qualify. Our focus is to prevent tragedies like a home fire before they happen, and this is just one of the many ways we do that.

TL: If someone is interested in getting involved with any of the LFD programs you’ve mentioned, what should they do?

RH: Helping with the LFD and SPCA Florida Partnership is easy, and easy on the eyes, with the purchase of our 2016 calendar. The calendar features SPCA Florida’s rescued pets and real Lakeland firefighters beautifully photographed and presented each month of the year, along with helpful information and safety tips from both organizations. The high-quality calendars are only $7 and can be purchased at spcaflorida.org. All proceeds from the calendar go directly to helping animals rescued by the Lakeland Fire Department that are encountered on human emergency scenes.

For anyone interested in helping the department’s F.O.C.U.S. Scholarship Program, the best way is to directly reach out to Polk County’s HEARTH Project and make a donation of money or items that would benefit their students.

TL: Any final thoughts?

RH: I have been honored and blessed to have been able to serve the citizens of this community for over 25 years. I continue to have a passion and desire to serve our department, city, and its citizens at my very best each and every day.

I am also continually searching for unique ways to add value to how we serve our community, such as the LFD and SPCA Florida partnership as well as the F.O.C.U.S. program. My constant desire to do and be better each day is one shared by my fellow firefighters at the department, which in turn allows us to make Lakeland a great community to live in. The Lakeland Fire Department family and I are guided by our Vision; Mission; and Creed of Duty, Honor, Integrity, and Trust. We have a duty to respond to everyone’s time of need in an honorable way. We respond with honesty, compassion, and a servant’s heart which is the foundation to our integrity as a fire department. With duty, honor, and integrity we hope to earn the public’s trust and reassure them that they can always count on us in their time of need.

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SHELTER

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How are Joseph Eichler, Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Lakelanders Sarah and Brent Powers all connected? The answer may be obvious to some of you, but I’m going to connect the dots for you anyway. And the lines connecting those dots just happen to all converge on my favorite design aesthetic: midcentury modern.

Joseph Eichler was a post-war real-estate developer best known for building 12 large, rockin’ midcentury modern subdivisions throughout California. Thousands of homes became known as Eichlers and are, to this day, adored, particularly by me. He was an innovator and powerful advocate for clean, efficient, modern home construction.

Steve Jobs, the revolutionary social innovator who changed the world in multiple industries, including personal computers, music, phones (thank you), and tablets, lived in an Eichler-inspired home growing up, according to his official biographer, Walter Isaacson.

And get this: Steve Jobs actually credited living in a midcentury modern home as “one of the main inspirations for developing a simple, modernist aesthetic sensibility.” What?

Living in a midcentury home helped inspire the creation of the iPhone and iPad? The Mac? But there’s more. As we know, Steve Wozniak co-founded Apple with Steve Jobs.

And guess what? Wozniak grew up in an Eichler-built home in Sunnyvale, California.

Coincidence? I think not. Eichler and the architects designing the midcentury homes he loved changed the world in which we live. And if that isn’t enough, Eichler was a social innovator. Among other things, he established a non-discrimination policy (during the ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s) and made sure his homes were available for sale to anyone, regardless of race or religion.

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And all of this connects to Lakelanders Sarah and Brent Powers, but I’m not quite ready to tell that story yet.

Cara Greenberg, author of the 1984 book, Midcentury Modern: Furniture of the 1950s, made up the phrase “midcentury modern.” The book was very well received, and the phrase stuck and attached itself to the period 1933 to 1965. Midcentury modern is an architectural and design aesthetic born of innovation and formed in the creative minds and imaginations of artists and designers, planners, builders, and architects from around the world and from all walks of life.

Midcentury modern is poetry without the words. We see it in an Egg chair by Arne Jacobsen, the Miller House by Richard Neutra, or the famous and fabulous Eames Lounge Chair by Charles and Ray Eames. Also interesting to note, a significant component of the midcentury modern movement was the promotion of social change: design as momentum for changes in where we live, the way we live, and how we see and enjoy the things around us. This dedication to social change is made apparent in the abundance of design aesthetics: open floor plans, large sliding doors, high ceilings with beams, tall windows, and lots and lots of natural light that are reflective

of the midcentury modern home, rooms with multiple angles and views of the outside world, geometric shapes and divergent lines and patterns, and steps dividing interior areas creating open yet separate living spaces by use of changes in elevation.

Function began to trump fashion as steel, glass, and plywood were incorporated into home design by architects like Richard Neutra and Rudolph Schindler, both of whom trained under Frank Lloyd Wright. Homes and furniture were designed for the way people lived, or aspired to live, in the post WWII modern world. The hallmark of midcentury modern is the willingness to be bold in both design and in life.

Sarah and Brent Powers grew up in Lakeland, both actively engaged in the fabric of the community, met in a local church, fell in love, and married 10 years ago. Brent is an independent financial advisor under Raymond James, and he and a partner have been in business downtown for 18 years as Barrow and Powers Financial Services. Sarah is the founder and CEO of Lakeland-based Top Buttons, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping local girls learn about fashion while at the same time teaching them how to make appropriate clothing choices. Sarah’s heart “is to inspire young women to know their value and present it to the world without compromise.” They are a team, dedicated to making Lakeland a better place to live and a better place for girls, many of whom learn fashion, and morals, from movies and magazines. Sarah and Brent have four kids at home, three girls and a boy, and are active members of a local church, raising their children in a strong, faith-based environment. They believe that social change begins with individual choices, choices we all can make.

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selling their previous home. I love looking at houses so jumped at the chance to go with them as they searched for the right place to create a new home. We looked at a number of houses in Lakeland and the surrounding area before discovering a newly listed house built in 1958. It was in just the right, very convenient, neighborhood near Lake Hollingsworth. Cul-de-sac: check. Large yard for the kids: check. The right number of bedrooms and bathrooms: check. Quiet area: check. Great floor plan: check. Pool: check. Sarah and Brent loved the house and its potential: check. I loved the house (loved, loved, loved the house): check. And midcentury modern architecture: check. Wait. Did I say “check?” I meant, “CHECK!” They bought the house that day.

OK, now the good news. Sarah and Brent moved in during construction and did not kill each other or me, or anyone else that I’m aware of. Did I mention that the house was in need of a few updates?

Translation: a complete top-to-bottom renovation. And because of

circumstances largely beyond their control, they moved in with the dust, the destruction, the chaos, the mayhem, and the construction workers. All one big happy family. And, of course, I was there just about every day (the bright spot in their day, I’m sure). Alas, I have discovered that not everyone loves the renovation and decorating process quite as much as I do. But I have to hand it to Brent and Sarah. They were wonderful to work with. Fun and funny, always maintaining perspective and a great sense of humor and adventure.

Well, “always maintaining perspective and a great sense of humor,” might not completely and accurately capture all of the finer moments of this particular remodel. But, it was a remodel after all. What do they say at the gym? No pain no gain, right?

We started with the budget. A carefully planned (Brent is definitely a numbers guy) and prepared budget with timelines and priorities.

I’m not sure Sarah actually showed as much interest in this aspect of the project as Brent did. Sarah has a wonderful style and design

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The budget was just a “formality.” Our job was to make it happen. And truthfully, I will admit, poor Brent was outnumbered. One genial, good-natured, and very kind man up against two strong-willed and opinionated women just wasn’t working in his favor. He was, in short, in trouble from the start.

The extensive reconstruction on the kids’ side of the house was largely finished before they moved in. One of the bedrooms had previously been used as an office and was in need of significant changes to convert it back to a bedroom. We took out some sliding glass doors that led out to what was originally a breezeway, created a wall, and closed one of two doors to the bathroom. The second bedroom would be shared by the two youngest girls. We installed heart pine as ship lap on all the walls. Above the ship lap we added a funky, gold metallic Zoffany wallpaper. We moved the dining room bronze and crystal chandelier to the center of the bedroom to add elegance, and placed the beds end to end along one wall to increase usable central floor space.

We completely remodeled Brent and Sarah’s son’s room. We highlighted the angled ceiling and walls with bead board, added wallpaper with a cool pattern of dark-blue and gray branches for an outdoors feel, and finished it off with a unique loft bed shaped into a fort. The goal was to create a magical room with an outdoors/camping feel for their young son. Pretty cool, huh? We added a vintage, square-armed midcentury chair, newly upholstered in a taupe fabric, and an Ikea cubby to keep all of his cherished treasures organized. We ended up with the perfect space for the quintessentially rambunctious growing boy. Even though we wanted a fun space, the sophisticated wallpaper and bead board will provide a room he can grow with.

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Our goal for the girls’ bedrooms was to create a space that would grow with them. I designed a headboard to go with a midcentury, vintage dresser and added an accent wall with a subtle travel-motif wallpaper in white and gold selected by one of the daughters. We removed the outdated paneling but left a large, deep, built-in desk with a Formica top for schoolwork and projects. We gave it a contemporary turn with black lacquer paint. We found two vintage chests and combined them into a double dresser with a marble top. We added custom woven blinds to all the bedrooms and bathrooms.

Bead board was installed in the hall bathroom to coordinate with the son’s room, and we added gray porcelain tile with a travertine look to the floor for durability and cost effectiveness. We then added can lighting and new faucets, leaving the existing vanity and sink, and painted the vanity to give it an updated appeal. We finished by adding new subway tile in a pale gray to the tub and shower surround.

Bingo: a new bathroom with a completely independent appeal. We painted the walls in the girls’ bathroom and painted the existing cabinets a deep gray. This bathroom actually looked like the previous owners had accomplished a relatively recent redo, so we saved some time and money on it.

I love terrazzo floors, and this house had them throughout the living room and dining room. Terrazzo is a composite mixture of concrete, quartz, granite, glass, and similar materials and is most often used as flooring. When the floor cures, it is polished to a high gloss. Today, terrazzo is a fairly rare and expensive material. However, it was used extensively in years past as a sturdy, moderately priced flooring. We added terrazzo to the laundry/mud room floor and expanded the steps from the living room to the upper-level game room. Prior to renovation, the living room was open to the back of the house. We closed it off to create an office for Sarah and upper-level living space that the kids will use for games and projects. We matched the new steps with the existing living-room floor. Matching the existing 57-year-old floors was a bit of a trick. But the terrazzo floor guys were experts and did a wonderful job, and the floors turned out great. We definitely made the right decision.

We decided to use wide-plank, gray wood flooring everywhere the terrazzo wasn’t except the master bedroom where we kept the existing coffee-colored brick.

The wood flooring and coloring of the terrazzo blend beautifully to create a sense of continuity throughout the home.

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The existing living-room walls were wood-panel tongue and groove. We decided to leave the paneling and painted it Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter to give the room a fresh, updated look that worked well with the midcentury appeal of the space. The midcentury A-framed beamed ceiling and large front windows provided perfect amounts of natural light but did not help the ambiance of the room at night. We decided to add can lighting by drywalling between the beams to provide the necessary space for the electrical materials, canisters, and housings.

As I recall, during the entire renovation and decorating process, Brent made only one request.

He wanted Joshua 24:15 included in the plan. Consequently, the words, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” are now prominently and permanently featured above the sofa in the upper-level living area. It is the perfect location because this area acts as a family gathering and game-room area. The room contains a custom game and craft table, foosball, Pac Man, and of course, Battlestar Galactica.

By closing off and dividing the upper-level living space, we were also able to create a large office for Sarah. We installed peacock-green grass wallpaper, a vintage Drexel Heritage Louis IV black desk, vintage club chairs upholstered in a contemporary black and white pattern, and a Lucite vintage chandelier. Behind the desk, we used open-back, Asian bookshelves to highlight a black-and-gold vintage Hollywood Regency chest. We added a table with four chairs, white metal base, and rosewood table top for meetings. I believe the space is a perfect reflection of Sarah’s personality, and it is my favorite room in the house.

The front door essentially opens into the dining room, so it was important to make a kind of design statement right off the bat. We placed a wonderful vintage French Blue lacquered sideboard with very cool hardware under a large, dramatic, wildly and colorfully abstract modern painting by artist Austin James that I found on Magazine Street in New Orleans. In fact, I found most of the art either in New Orleans or Charlotte, North Carolina. The dining table was custom created by local artist Jonathan Bucklew who also created the game table, master-bedroom bed, and master-

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bedroom mantle. He brings a chic and modern West Coast vibe to his designs that are a perfect fit for midcentury modern. His designs are sophisticated, using durable products and finishes that work well for an active family lifestyle.

The kitchen, like most of the house, was a big project. The wall between the kitchen and dining room had to go, but I didn’t want to lose the cabinet space. So we created a wide peninsula with lower cabinets that open on one side into the dining room and on the other side into the kitchen. We removed all the dated cabinets and awkward angles and walls, and asked Tom Sharrett, a Lakeland custom cabinet maker, to create and fit new charcoal-gray cabinets, incorporating open shelves and white subway tile into the design. We closed a window in order to create a longer counter run and more cabinets. Sarah and Brent kept the existing Sub-Zero refrigerator and Bosch dishwasher and added a Wolf induction cooktop, undercover microwave, and double ovens.

The powder bathroom off the kitchen was in need of an update. We kept the original footprint of the room and added Thibaut black-and-white graphic wallpaper. We found a large art deco mirror and floated a lacquered, freehanging vanity with an installed sink under it. We finished with a black-marble countertop.

The master bedroom was originally either a large library or a family room with coffee-colored brick flooring and a substantial, natural-stone fireplace.

Located down a hallway off the kitchen and effectively separated from the rest of the house, it was an ideal space to transform into a gracious, private, adult retreat. We kept the dark ceiling beams, and painted the wood ceiling and walls a bright white. We adorned the floor-to-ceiling windows with an alluring Duralee gray-and-blue linen fabric and found a charismatic geometricpatterned rug for the floor. We removed some of the built-in bookshelves and added a closet, redoing and lacquering the remaining bookshelves white and backing them with the same green grass cloth we used for Sarah’s office. We placed the Bucklew low-profile custom bed in front of the windows, balancing

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the fireplace and stone-wall surround across the room. The beautiful backyard views became the headboard. A matching custom fireplace mantle tied the space together into an elegant, yet personal, refuge.

My design goal is always to create a warm, inviting living space reflective of my client’s lifestyle. Sarah and Brent are accomplished and philanthropic Lakelanders with a young and active family. So we wanted to make the spaces durable yet sophisticated, eclectic layers of design and texture with midcentury elements true to the original aesthetic of the house. However, I steadfastly believed that we should avoid creating a time-warped Mad Men stage set. Sarah and Brent lean toward traditional, so we did a lot of transitional design with selective midcentury modern pieces. I also wanted to create some edgy surprise.

For example, I upholstered two Danish chairs in a bright, multicolored vintage Kantha cloth and installed them in the living room with two funky paintings by emerging artist Johnny Taylor. This arrangement provocatively combined modern furniture design, classic South Asian fabric, and abstract mixed-media paintings — all presented on midcentury modern terrazzo floors. I enjoy the challenge of creating harmony among a variety of elements in unexpected places and in unexpected ways. And I particularly enjoy developing individual vignettes throughout a home with the juxtaposition of contrasting components.

It adds a certain, hard-to-define sensuality to four walls, a floor, and a ceiling that brings them to life.

Joseph Eichler, Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Sarah and Brent Powers are connected. They are all innovators and courageous social doers with an appreciation for the clean-lined, timeless efficiency of midcentury modern homes and architecture. They have been pioneers and business developers in their own communities, leaving a lasting legacy in the world around them. And they have all been drawn to those important, timeless aspects of life, developing a bold taste for the organic simplicity of design. Midcentury modern connects them through the originality, ingenuity, and creativity it has come to represent.

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Independently Owned & Operated FST # ST39068 / CST # 2034468-50

863.644.1014 863.660.6434

THERE ARE MANY RETIREMENT OPTIONS,

1001 Carpenters Way | Lakeland, FL 33809 60

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BUT THERE IS ONLY ONE ESTATES AT C ARPENTERS.

Uncompromised Retirement Living.

Not a Saying, a Promise.

People often think moving to a retirement community means giving up the things they love or making compromises in the way they want to live. This is NOT the case at The Estates. Our residents lead active, engaging lifestyles, enhanced by excellent services, dining, camaraderie, the natural beauty of 38 acres of mature oaks – and so much more.

As a not-for-profit community with distinguished, on-site health care to ensure peace of mind, our maintenance-free lifestyle allows you to explore social vistas and pursue opportunities for growth. Join us for an event or tour today and learn why for 30 years our residents have been saying, “Moving to The Estates is the best decision I ever made!”

Celebrating 30 Years!

Call today to take advantage of our current incentives and learn about the unique benefits available to you at a Continuing Care Retirement Community. Also, ask about our rental program!

863-279-4384 | EstatesAtCarpenters.com THE LAKELANDER

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TASTE

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MAN BEHIND THE BAR Meet Seff the Bartender written by Jenn Smurr • photography by Tina Sargeant

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very good bartender shares a set of traits that turn your drink from good to great. Personality, finesse, and expertise certainly affect one’s overall enjoyment of a pour. In Lakeland, one bartender in particular has made a name for himself.

Seff, who can be found mixing and shaking at Fresco’s most every night of the week, warmly introduces himself as, “Seff, S-E-F-F.” He is affectionately known as Seff the Bartender within the community of Lakeland and on social media outlets. His infectious personality, abounding knowledge, and commitment to service welcomes customers from near and far. He sat down with The Lakelander to tell us more about the man behind the bar.

The Lakelander: Where did you grow up?

Seff: Los Angeles, originally from Ecuador.

TL: When did you move to Lakeland and why?

Seff: I moved to Lakeland in 2007. I was heading to Vegas to work barback at the Wynn Hotel, but a relationship brought me to Lakeland. It ended a year later, and I just decided to stay.

Kids Eat Free Monday & Tuesday Dinner

*Offer limited to children under the age of 10. One regular priced adult MarketTable(tm) purchase required per 2 free children meals. Not valid with any other offer or discount, regardless of separate checks.

TL: When did you begin bartending?

Seff: I began bartending long ago in a galaxy far, far away. I was bussing tables, and a manager asked if I wanted to make extra money one night. He asked me to work with Iris, the bartender, someone no one enjoyed working with. She was a pain. For a year, I worked with the coldest person I’d ever met, but she taught me everything I knew about bartending. After that year, I made my first drink and remember her saying, “You can leave now. You’re a bartender.” I had passed. After that, I traveled bartending for years.

TL: After all these years, why do you think bartending stuck?

Seff: I’ve done quite a bit: cars, concrete, construction, house cleaning. But this is the only job that I can be myself. I get to meet new people, and even on a bad day, it’s good. No matter who I’ve worked for, no one has ever told me to be anyone but myself.

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“COUNSELOR, PREACHER, JUDGE, FRIEND — PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THAT THEY CAN TRUST YOU AND HEAR FROM SOMEONE OUTSIDE OF THEIR CIRCLE.”

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TooJay’s specializes in the hearty portions and homemade comfort foods of a traditional New York deli. Enjoy handcrafted sandwiches, made from scratch soups, salads and baked goods. So come in, sit down and have a nosh, you look hungry!

Join TooJay’s Email Club and receive a sweet treat!

To sign up, visit toojays.com/eclub 1235 N Parkway Frontage Rd 70

THE LAKELANDER

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Lakeland

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(863) 937-1598

|

www.toojays.com

TL: What is your favorite part of bartending?

Seff: People know that they can count on you. Counselor, preacher, judge, friend — people need to know that they can trust you and hear from someone outside of their circle. It’s a double-edged sword, though. Relationship wise, it’s difficult to have someone trust you 100%. It’s 90% show and 10% who you are, because if you can’t give a little of yourself, then you’re just an average bartender.

TL: What drink do you love to make for people?

Seff: I always ask, “How do you feel today?” and then make a drink that relates to how they feel. You’ve got to go beyond — it’s about how they feel, not how the bartender feels.

TL: What is your go-to drink?

Seff: Whiskey to wind down, beer on a summer day, stout in the middle of spring, a good glass of wine anytime. It’s not a go-to; it’s what I’m going to.

Made possible by our generous sponsors!

Who will you walk for?

Saturday April 16th 8 a.m. to Noon Lake Mirror spcaflorida.org/walk Register or start your team today at spcaflorida.org/walk

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TL: What’s next for Seff?

Seff: I’m always trying to exceed myself. Bring new drinks and new people to Lakeland.

It’s not about where I’m working; it’s about Lakeland. Even on my days off, I try to keep up with others in this industry.

TL: What do you say if a customer tells you their drink isn’t strong enough?

Seff: You laugh, and tell them to go home and make another drink. It’s not just about the drink; it’s about your friends, your surroundings. If you’re drinking to forget something, this isn’t the place. I want to give you something to remember, not to forget.

TL: Tell me something about personal Seff. What is something people don’t get to see or you don’t share often?

Seff: [pauses] I’m proud of my life. People see me outside the bar and who I am is the same.

I appreciate my peace and quiet, but I like to have stupid fun and be a kid. If I could, I would longboard all day, eat a whole thing of cotton candy, race a kid down the street, and not be an “adult.” I like being a kid.

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EAT LOCAL

quality Only the finest meats, cheeses and vegetables are used to make our delicious classic italian dishes.

Come enjoy.

Il Forno I TA LI A N

R E S TAU R A N T

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THE WEDDING ISSUE | JUNE 2016

STYLE

written and wardrobe styled by Mercedes Grainger photography by Jordan Weiland makeup: Ciara Liebl prop stylist: Lisa Malott

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Hats, caps, and toppers Accessories have a way of instantly pulling a look together. Like a classic red lip, hats are unique to each person who wears one. Spring, summer, fall, and winter, hats are always in season and always chic.

If you think you’re not a hat person, it’s probably because you haven’t found a style that suits you. To dismiss hats entirely, though, cuts out a huge chunk of your accessory wardrobe. There’s a wide array of hat options covering many styles and price points, and once you start looking, you’ll be sure to find your signature style.

Are you headed to the Derby this season? Opt for something a bit more subdued than your typical derby hat. By choosing a hat you can wear for more than one season, you’ll add more value to your wardrobe than by choosing a style you will wear only once. Feeling bold and want something a little more out there?

Scarves, brooches, clips, or ribbon are great ways to spruce up your topper.

So, if your outfit is feeling a little drab, or you just need to cover up on a bad hair day (we all have those days), simply try adding a hat before leaving the house. I promise, it will become your new favorite way to add flair to any look.

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model: Shantel Hernandez

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hat J.Crew top Ann Taylor skirt Old Navy

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hat Target dress H&M

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Michelle

LUXURIOUS S PA PAC K AG E S

Ashley

Day at Salon Salvatore • $360

Indulgence Manicure, Indulgence Pedicure, 50 min Aromatherapy Massage, Salvatore Specialty Facial, Blow-Dry Style, Makeup Application, Product Package ($100 value) and Spa Lunch.

Salvatore Indulgence Package • $295

Larissa

Indulgence Manicure, Indulgence Pedicure, 50 min Aromatherapy Massage, Salvatore Specialty Facial, Product Package ($75 value) and Spa Lunch.

Alyse

Salvatore Classic Package • $175

Classic Manicure, Classic Pedicure, Salvatore Classic Facial and 50 min Relaxation Massage.

Pretty Princess Package • $60

(Young ladies 12 and under) Manicure, Pedicure, & facial to pamper your little princess.

Jenny

Sir Salvatore Package • $155

(For Gentlemen) Sir Manicure, Sir Pedicure, Sir Facial and 50 min Relaxation Massage

Sumner

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Marrah

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SALON

3 3 3 3 C L E V E L A N D H E I G H T S B LV D . • S A L O N S A LVAT O R E D AY S P A . C O M • 8 6 3 . 6 4 6THE . 9 9LAKELANDER 90

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hat Old Navy top Zara shorts Old Navy slides Old Navy

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hat J.Crew dress Zara

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PRESENT

APRIL 2 7:00 PM

JOKER MARCHANT STADIUM

Tickets available at www.tickets.com and the box office SPONSORED BY

A-C-T Environmental Infrastructure, Inc. Badcock & More Bank of Central Florida Best Community Values Boring Business Systems Cement Products

Claussen’s Fine Furniture Harrell’s Harris & Wright P.A. Heacock Insurance Lanier Upshaw, Inc. My Pet’s Animal Hospital

Pilka and Associates, P.A. Porter Geographical Positioning and Surveying, Inc. Publix Super Markets Charities Rooms to Go Foundation Saddle Creek Logistics Services

Southeastern University Stahl & Associates Insurance The Ruthvens Wendy’s

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PHILANTHROPY

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LAKELAND VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE Dream to reality + written by Tara Campbell + photography by Tina Sargeant

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n the corner of Lakeland Hills and Memorial Boulevards, there is an incredible treasure. The quaint yellow brick building and former John Cox Grammar School has now become home to Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine, or LVIM for short.

“Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine began as a dream of various community leaders and organizations in 1999. Led primarily by Watson Clinic physicians and the Watson Clinic Foundation, Lakeland came together to find ways to meet the healthcare challenges of the working uninsured in Lakeland. In 2000, a fundraising campaign was launched, which resulted in the dream becoming a reality. Now, 14 years later, LVIM’s vision is, “A healthier Polk County through improved access to free, high-quality outpatient healthcare for the working uninsured” (lvim.net).

“Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine is one of the largest volunteer-run clinics in the country as far as depth and breadth of service,” says Bobby Yates, president/CEO of LVIM. “We are a full-service clinic. We provide primary care, specialty care, dentistry, pharmacy, and diagnostics free of charge to people throughout Lakeland and Polk County who are working and uninsured. What LVIM can’t provide in house can be handled by a special-care coordinator who works with partners like Moffitt Cancer Center to deliver diagnostics and services to their patients.”

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Get ready for a summer of

ENRICHMENT, DISCOVERY,

&

2016 YMCA CAMP OPTIONS: Day Camp (South Lakeland) with Special Feature Add-ons including archery, fishing, music classes, robotics & more!

Golf Day Camps (YMCA Par 3 Location) Day Camp (North Lakeland) with FREE Morning Enrichment Classes Sports Camp

YMCA CAMP LOCATIONS: Lakeland Family YMCA (South Lakeland) 3620 Cleveland Heights Blvd.

Lakeland, FL 33803 863-644-3528 Fontaine Gills Family YMCA (North Lakeland) 2125 Sleepy Hill Road Lakeland, FL 33810 863-859-7769

Aquatics Camps with full day and half day options, in addition to camp offerings for children with special needs.

YMCA Par 3, Home of The First Tee of Lakeland 1740 George Jenkins Blvd.

Lakeland, FL 33815 863-577-0236

Gymnastics and Cheer Camp

www.ymcawcf.org

Sportsmanship

Confidence

y r e v o c s i D

Enrichment

Since opening on Valentine’s Day 2001, Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine has cared for more than 19,000 patients that make up the nearly half a million patient visits over the past 15 years. LVIM is able to provide high-quality medical care to patients only because of the generosity of hundreds of local doctors, nurses, and community members who volunteer their time and skills every week. “Our [annual] budget is $1.4 million, but we return $5 million to $6 million of free healthcare to the community every year,” Yates says.

To ensure that the LVIM mission continues, it takes the support of Lakeland and the surrounding areas. And, every year, the greater community comes through in a lot of ways. Before the clinic opened, Yates and other local leaders were a part of a $6 million capital campaign that helped buy the building and get the work of LVIM started. For years, multiple donors and organizations like the United Way of Central Florida and the GiveWell Community Foundation have helped support the LVIM’s mission, to provide free, high-quality outpatient medical, dental, and mental-health services to the working uninsured of Polk County in a compassionate environment.

Aside from these generous donors and organizations, the entire community of Lakeland has embraced LVIM by getting involved in the Lakeland Derby, LVIM’s signature fundraising event.

For the last nine years, one week before the Kentucky Derby, 10 swanshaped paddle boats are dropped in Lake Mirror, captained by local businesses and leaders of Lakeland. Hilarity, camaraderie, and fierce competition abound as the community, dressed in their finest Derby attire, cheers these folks on.

The real competition, though, rests in which team can raise the most dollars.

THE LAKELAND DERBY Leaders of Lakeland Teams GigaSwan Alice Koehler & Shane Mahoney SWANna Be Startin’ Something Mandy and Todd Fulton #BestSwanEver Ashley Link and Scott MacDonald Doggy Paddlers Stacy Walsh and Ralph Scholfield Another Swan Bites the Dust Michelle Ledford and Jon Brock Haven Invasion Allison Beeman and Craig Clevenger SWANTED: Dead or Alive Kara Simm and Ryan McCarthy Swan Wars: The Swans Awaken Sarah Case and Clint Edwards Swans Upon a Time Jarvis and Telay Kendrick Lakeland Police S.W.A.N. Team Alex Gomez and Geisa Desouza To make a donation to LVIM, please visit http://www. lvim.net/lakeland-derby/leaders-of-lakeland-2015/ and select your favorite team!

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As vice president of finance for global phosphate chemical manufacturer ArrMaz, Jason Lewis MBA ’15 travels the world for his job. With extensive experience in Asia, Brazil, Europe, and the Middle East, Jason knows firsthand just how vital FSC MBA’s built-in international travel component is.

“There’s a real complexity to international business,” said Lewis. “It’s not just different people you’re dealing with—you have to fully consider the different governments involved, as well as the geopolitical and local situations.”

Despite many previous trips to Asia, Jason found his FSC MBA international field experience to Vietnam and Hong Kong invaluable.

“The interactions with the other students and the professor made it an unforgettable experience.”

Where will your MBA take you?

863.680.4205 flsouthern.edu/mba

The Barney Barnett School of Business & Free Enterprise at Florida Southern College is the only school of business in Polk County accredited by the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business.

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One hundred eighty volunteers serve at LVIM every week.

The Lakeland Derby has become a beloved community event and is one of Lakeland’s best-attended charity fundraiser. Aside from the Leaders of Lakeland race, there is also a Triple Crown Sponsors’ Race, food, games and activities, live music, and fireworks, making this event perfect for the whole family.

Outside of the dollars it takes to invest in the cause of caring for the physical needs of this community, it also takes the heartwarming dedication of hundreds of volunteers. “We have about 180 volunteers who serve every week,” Yates says. “So, I can tell you about what we do, but you have to see the volunteers.” And, he’s right.

Yates takes me on a tour through the old school turned health clinic, and we talk with volunteers, every one of whom is warm and welcoming. The magic and success of the LVIM story is a result of these dedicated volunteers.

They provide kindness and positivity alongside a depth of patient care that is rivaled by many medical facilities that collect payment for service. Many of the volunteers we talk with have been there since the clinic opened.

Discover all the benefits of Insurance through AAA. “Your savings begins with a quote.”

When you start with an auto insurance quote through your local AAA office, you could end up paying less for your auto coverage and have more money to spend doing what you love. You’ll enjoy great service and discounts for being ticket‐free or have a vehicle equipped with air bags. You’ll have reliable coverage with all the discounts your deserve.

Call or visit your local AAA office: AAA Lakeland

1457 E. Memorial Blvd.

863‐688‐7921, Option 4 or AAA.com/Lakeland Auto insurance is underwritten by Auto Club South Insurance Company (ACSIC) and non‐affiliated companies. For qualified drivers only.

INSURANCE

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LVIM provides free, high-quality outpatient medical, dental, and mental-health services to the working uninsured of Polk County in a compassionate environment.

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The following is an excerpt from the July 2015 issue of The Heartbeat, Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine Newsletter.

THE BATTLE OF HER LIFE Jessie Holmes’ early life is a tragic story of loss and abandonment. Her parents were unable to care for Jessie and her brothers, and at eight years old she and her older brothers were left to fend for themselves. Jessie and her brothers were separated, and she grew up going from one foster home to another.

Jessie persevered and made a life for herself and her two sons. She worked hard for 40 years. Her most recent job was working on an assembly line at a plastic molding company. Jessie enjoyed her job and was thankful to have a steady income and health insurance.

Then the unthinkable happened. Jessie began developing painful tumors on her right hand. She could no longer perform her job, was laid off, and found herself uninsured and extremely scared.

In desperation, Jessie came to LVIM to seek treatment for her hand. About the same time, Dr. W. Chris “Kit” Duncan, dermatologist, retired from Watson Clinic and began volunteering at LVIM. Dr. Duncan performed a biopsy on Jessie’s hand as well as a lesion on the side of her head. The lesion on her head was cancerous, and Dr. Duncan performed minor surgery and removed all traces of cancer. Her hand was a different story. Jessie was diagnosed with keratoacanthoma, a rapidly growing skin cancer that can be life threatening.

Yates introduces me to Val. Val sits at the reception desk, the same spot she has since LVIM’s opening day. “I remember when the very first patient came in,” she says. “It was a lady wearing white pearls, and her name was Cassandra. We were all so excited.” And Val isn’t alone in this longevity with LVIM. Julius, a kind, older man who volunteers in the pharmacy, brags about being there since almost the very beginning. “I missed it by a month,” he chuckles. “My kids needed to be taken care of, but I’ve been here ever since March 2001.”

Julius is one of about 10 pharmacy workers who help fill prescriptions for LVIM’s patients. Most of the prescriptions are generic versions of name brands, but Julius works with a small team of pharmacists to get medications donated to LVIM’s pharmacy. As a result, each year LVIM receives an astonishing $3 million worth of brand-name prescription drugs at no cost to the clinic or the patient.

“It gives you a good feeling to do something to get people back on their feet,” Julius says.

Jessie was immediately referred to one of LVIM’s community partners, Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. Her treatment plan consisted of 34 radiation treatments that she received on a daily basis from Monday through Friday for almost two months, all at no charge. Jessie was able to live at the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge on the Moffitt Campus during the week so she wouldn’t have to make the daily drive to Tampa.

While the battle is not over, “Jessie’s prognosis is good,” says Dr. Duncan.

Jessie is extremely grateful for all the life-saving care she has received and says, “Everyone I have seen at LVIM has done a wonderful job, and I feel truly cared for.”

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SHUCKING WINTER Warm-weather beauty intro written by Abdiel Gonzalez photography by Bri Elledge

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s we shuck the heavy, winter sweaters and prepare to welcome spring, it’s time for a warm-weather wardrobe refresh. Simple, light layers help transition from the brisk mornings of winter to the temperate, 70-degree sun on our skin.

Much like the white sand beaches of the Florida coast, fashion takes a cue from calming, tan neutrals and monochromatic coloring in the freshly grown outdoors. Pick a neutral color and color-block your look in close variations of the same hue to create an effortless and refreshing statement. This color pallet easily pulls from existing wardrobe staples and allows for an easy transition into the soon-approaching summer months.

We also turn our attention to another crucial part of this seasonal transition: spring beauty and grooming, often-neglected areas when it comes to the annual style reboot.

A fresh new haircut and style, followed by a light and clean beauty regimen help complete the new you. Just as important as the clothes you wear, your hair and makeup play a big role in how you present yourself, and, like a good hat, puts the finishing touch on an entire look. This issue of The Lakelander features local hair and beauty talents to highlight fresh, spring style alongside the season’s beauty trends.

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WOMEN’S HAIR

styled and written by Carey Morgan, Liquid Hair Studio This spring look features balayage — meaning to sweep or paint — baby highlights around Taylor’s face to give the look of natural sun lightening similar to the highlights seen naturally in children. Balayage is gaining popularity in the United States for its low-maintenance requirements.

It grows out more naturally than traditional color techniques, allowing for more trips to the beach between hair appointments. Using a subtle, golden-blonde toner created a softness in Taylor’s color.

Her layers were kept long to maintain a smoother look that can still be full and carry over well into the summer and fall. This look can always be worn straight, but medium curls with a slight taper curled away from the face bring out the shine and add a sultry finish.

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CHIC SPRING MAKEUP

styled and written by Jessica Thomas

Airy textures, rosy cheeks, and pastels are all iconic images of spring. Not so this year! This spring, revamp that vision with faux sun­ drenched skin and heartbreak-worthy candy apple red lips. Spring 2016 trends are crushing all the rules: unashamed bronzing and fiery lips fit for any day trip. Trends are transcending seasons, and right now it’s all about classics with a twist.

Now, more than ever before, it’s possible to achieve that coveted sun­kissed skin without the damage brought on by UV rays. Even with the focus on skin protection at an all­time high, this newly classic trend isn’t going anywhere; from the runway to the real world, the bronzed-beauty look flourishes. Fortunately, the options to get the glow are limitless. For a quick, everyday glow, add a liquid bronzer to your favorite SPF moisturizer and apply all over. Add more or less bronzer depending on the desired level of color. For a more finished, defined look, complete your usual makeup routine then add color with a powder version bronzer. Use a fluffy brush for a natural look; a more precise brush will create a contoured look. Whichever method you prefer, always remember sun protection. Protected skin is your best skin.

Remember when red lips were taboo, or only for evenings?

Thankfully, those times are long gone! Now is the time for red-lipstick lovers to be alive. If, however, you are on the hesitant end of this trend, there’s something for you, too. With myriad choices, you’re bound to fall in love if you just give it the chance. This season’s candy apple lips will take you from day to night. Headed out to shop or to the park for a picnic? Keep your red glossy and vibrant. What about for a girls’ night out or a special date? Try a matte version with some power­ packed pigment. Want to switch up day and night? Go ahead! This spring, anything goes.

Don’t be afraid to branch out and experiment with something new.

Whether it’s a new bronzer, lipstick, or something else, the season’s trends are too abundant not to veer outside of your comfort zone. You never know, you may find a trend that becomes your new go-to.

At the end of the day, though, makeup washes off and gives you the chance to try a new look tomorrow. It’s about discovering yourself and finding a new love … or lipstick!

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tan tank Urban Outfitters white vest Macy’s

model: Taylor Bone

Chris McLaughlin’s G U I D E TO S M A R T R E A L E S TAT E I N V E S T I N G #1 Best Seller in Real Estate Investments on Amazon

Deciding to become a real estate investor might be the smartest financial decision you’ll ever make. The next step is to make sure you do it right.

Chris McLaughlin is a seasoned and successful real estate investor whose offices collectively sell over a billion dollars’ worth of real estate each year, and he’s sharing everything he knows with you. His guide is much more than a simple walk through the process of buying and maintaining properties—it’s a comprehensive overview of making the best decisions for your financial goals, optimizing your investments for maximum return, and working toward building the happy and rewarding life you’ve always wanted.

Order Today W W W. O R D E R I N V E S T I N G B O O K . C O M LakelanderMar8x4.75.pdf 1 2/18/2016 4:00:15 PM

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MEN’S HAIR

styled and written by Evan Dell, Liquid Hair Studio There’s been a revival in modern men’s hair! Today, men are putting time into hair and at-home grooming. In this revival, men of all generations genuinely care about the way their hair looks, feels, and the sense of confidence it can bring them. From this newfound ardency for grooming and personal appearance, men are beginning to go to great lengths to have and keep their hair how they want it.

This movement has highlighted traditional styles from the past (1930s-50s era), and brought them back into the limelight of men’s fashion. Styles like the traditional side part, pompadour, undercut, and push back can be seen everywhere from movies and stages and just about every fashion campaign in the world.

Considering this, I created a modern take on this traditional men’s style on Matt. The side-parted pompadour keeps length on top to create volume and fades down near the skin level, ending at the nape and sideburns. This technique accentuates the cut and creates a beautiful contour with the natural head shape, thus creating a haircut that is completely custom and tailored to the model’s bone structure.

Here, the natural part and outline of the haircut is emphasized using a straight razor and resulting in a “hard part.” By doing so, clean lines form to draw attention to the contour of the head shape. This step provides a tremendous benefit in the ease of styling at home.

A great haircut should be able to be styled for any occasion, so this is what I strive for with each client.

For example, the top length of the cut is texturized as I remove weight by “channel cutting” movement into the hair. This allows it to be styled clean, messy, or pushed back without solid lines of weight showing when styled.

In men’s haircare, we mustn’t leave out facial hair. Beards and mustaches have made a comeback and require attention as well. Here, I used clippers to trim down the length until it regained its smoothness.

Using a straight razor, I cleaned up the edges and created a smooth outline. When using a razor, hot lather softens the skin and prevents any irritation or razor burn.

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STYLE GUIDE On Matt, I styled a firm hold by dampening the hair and applying some waterbased pomade by Reuzel from Holland to loosen any unwanted wave patterns. Any strong-hold, water-based pomade will work to achieve this desired look. This is a quick and easy way to have a great-looking, everyday style.

Start by using one dime-sized amount of product, first warming it up in the palms, and applying at the crown. Repeat this three times, once for the middle of the head, then the part, and lastly a dime-sized amount for the front to create volume.

Finally, comb the product through with a wide-tooth comb. After incorporating these steps, you will have a nice, firm, traditional look with a modern touch in the razored part.

If you prefer a messy, matte look, a couple changes can be made to the process.

Using a hair dryer and a silicone brush, follow the brush along to smooth the texture of the hair while creating the desired shape. This resets the hairs’ shape just as water does in the firm-hold look. Once dry, apply a matte paste (I use Bona Fide matte paste), and rake it through the hair using fingertips off the scalp to desired shape.

model: Matthew Hagelberger

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tank Urban Outfitters surplus jacket Urban Outfitters skirt Bloomingdale’s sandals Kohl’s

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Florida Dance Theatre

Presents Shakespeare’s Delightful Tale

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Saturday, April 30th 2:30pm & 7:30pm | Branscomb Auditorium Tickets: Adults - $20 Students - $15 | After April 22nd: Adults - $25 Students - $20 Photo by Tina Sargeant

floridadancetheatre.org | 863-802-0399 Sponsored by

You choose your doctor.

You choose your hospital.

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106 THE LAKELANDER

Photo Courtesy of Special Collections, Lakeland Public Library

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THE LAKELANDER 109

110 THE LAKELANDER

CULTURE

Lakeland’s growing arts scene written by Abby Jarvis photography by Dan Austin “It’s not as bad as people think,” says Adam Justice as he studies his sketch. He’s talking about the state of the contemporary art scene in Lakeland, a topic that always sparks passionate discussion around the table.

He is talking to the people who are part of Idle Hands, a loosely organized group of local artists who meet periodically to have a few beers, sketch, and swap ideas. Justice, the curator of art at Polk Museum of Art, is optimistic about what the group calls the “latent contemporary art scene” in Lakeland.

The artists who make up Idle Hands are a varied group that includes photographers, graphic designers, writers, art educators, and other people with creative interests. The only characteristics shared by everyone

in the group are a passion for contemporary art and a strong desire to see artists thrive in the Lakeland community.

Each artist has their own opinions about the role that art plays in Lakeland.

Justice believes that the talent necessary for a thriving art scene is present but that artists need more opportunities to thrive. “It’s not the state of the art scene; it’s the number of resources for the art scene,” he says, smudging his sketch with his thumb.

Matthew Belcher, assistant curator of exhibitions and designs at Polk Museum of Art, agrees, saying, “We need more venues; we need more classes; we need more galleries.”

THE LAKELANDER 111

Sarah Brewington, a photography adjunct at Florida Southern College who is currently pursuing her master’s at New York City’s School of Visual Arts, tends to agree with Justice’s concern about the resources that are currently available to local contemporary artists.

“There’s a desire, not a demand,” says Brewington.

She thinks Lakeland residents are starting to desire art that’s a deviation from more traditional styles and mediums, but she isn’t sure a contemporary art scene is sustainable in the city. “We need art that starts a dialogue,” she says, “not just something that you look at and go home.” She worries that Lakeland will be unable to support the galleries, classes, and venues that would be necessary to build a thriving art scene.

Elizabeth Hults, a local graphic designer and studio artist, thinks the shortage of resources for contemporary artists in Lakeland presents an opportunity for the arts

112 THE LAKELANDER

community. “Most of the art represented in Lakeland is folk art or more traditional,” she says. “What you don’t really see are artists trying to experiment and find their voice. You don’t see diversity. Scenes in St. Pete, Tampa, Orlando — they’re all ethnically diverse, avant garde, contemporary. That’s lacking in Lakeland.

“But,” Hults continues, “what I do see are [artists] taking the reins. They’re no longer hiding behind the fact that there isn’t a contemporary art scene. They’re going out and making connections and building what they need. They’re networking, coming up with their own schools of thought, offering support and critical dialogue. They’re building the community that they want to see.”

The grassroots effort that Hults is seeing to create resources for local artists is beginning to bear fruit. Justice notes that the Polk Museum of Art has

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THE LAKELANDER 113

LAKELAND’S ARTISTS ARE FULL OF HOPE AND EXCITEMENT AS THEY LOOK TOWARD THE FUTURE.

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Sketch by Elizabeth Hults

Sketch by Adam Justice

been placing a great deal of emphasis on showcasing local artists in their galleries, including Tony Guinn, Tinia Clark, Tom Mack, Gregory Jones, Trent Manning, and faculty members from Florida Southern College and Polk State College. Additionally, SoFlo Gallery in the Dixieland area is staying open under new management; KRaP Art is reopening downtown; the Dixieland Art Festival will occur again in April; and the Museum’s annual Art Crawl gives local artists a platform to display and sell their work.

“The potential is strong,” says Justice. “We, as artists, only need to organize and help see it into fruition.”

Perhaps most importantly, local artists are banding together to challenge and encourage each other in their different crafts. Whether they’re gathering in informal groups like Idle Hands or establishing independent galleries and

residencies like the Outer Space Gallery in Winter Haven, local artists are supporting each other and trying to build a thriving arts community that will rival those in the surrounding area.

Hults remains optimistic that their vision may be achieved. She is working with local artists and city officials to build Art/ifact, a nonprofit dedicated to building a thriving art scene by fostering contemporary artists and investing in local artists. She thinks that Lakeland is ready for the kind of vibrant arts community that she and artists like Justice, Belcher, Brewington, and others envision.

“With the influx of students in local colleges, and with Polk County becoming more attractive, Lakeland is being primed for a contemporary art scene,” Hults says.

“We have the geographic location; we have the economic development; we have the demographics; we have the population; we

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Sketch by Loren Plunkett

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have the tourist industry — all indicators that we have the potential. We’re primed for a strong contemporary arts and culture scene.”

Justice agrees. “Sustainability [for an art scene] will come when people are aware of new art styles and ideas, what people are doing, etc.” he says. He notes that the Lakeland arts community is full of artists who are able and willing to shoulder the responsibility of tackling arts education and starting conversations about art.

Lakeland has a well-established arts scene that holds immense potential for contemporary artists. Our artists are full of hope and excitement as they look toward the future, and they’re working with the community to build the kind of resources needed to nurture a thriving arts scene. They’re ready to share, to learn, and to build the kind of local demand that will let artists grow and share their work with the city and the larger arts community.

“It’s going to take the concerted effort of a lot of very strong-willed individuals, but it can happen,” says Hults.

“We’ve just got to put our money where our mouth is.”

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THE LAKELANDER 119

OPENINGS & COMING SOON

OPEN CHEDDAR’S SCATCH KITCHEN

Location: 3411 South Florida Avenue Classic American dishes, from chicken fried steak to Monte Cristos to chicken pot pies. Known for their made-from-scratch recipes, Cheddar’s features fresh dishes made-to-order.

COPPER PENNY HAIR STUDIO

Location: 1003 South Florida Avenue Specializing in a wide variety of hair design and coloring services, Copper Penny Hair Studio is owned by Redken color specialist and stylist, Tina Watson. Copper Penny is set in a unique space surrounded by rustic brick walls, with furnishings entirely locally sourced.

BORN & BREAD BAKEHOUSE LOCATION: SOUTH FLORIDA AVENUE

Date: Early 2016 Currently selling their delicious baked goods at the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market, Born & Bread Bakehouse plans to open a storefront in Dixieland this spring.

MELLOW MUSHROOM

Location: 3355 Lakeland Highlands Road Date: Spring 2016 With a menu full of vegan options and its famed gluten-free crust, this well-known pizza chain is scheduled to open soon in front of Lowe’s.

POLLO TROPICAL

Location: Lakeside Village, 3790 Lakeside Village Court This sports bar and grill is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and affordable menu.

Location: South Florida Avenue Date: TBA This Florida-based restaurant chain recently announced it soon will be serving up Caribbean-inspired eats at its first location in Polk County.

THAI OISHI

WAWA

GLORY DAYS GRILL

Location: Lakeside Village, 1535 Town Center Drive ​Serving authentic Thai cuisine and Japanese sushi

THE WAX & THE NEEDLE

Location: 509 South Florida Avenue This local record shop is committed to bringing you the best new and used records, with a high level of customer service. They also sell instruments, record players, band merchandise, and more.

COMING SOON 5TH AND HALL

Location: 1221 South Florida Avenue Date: Spring 2016 Inspired by classic 1960s’ Ivy League menswear, this clothing store is already a Lakeland fashion staple. Currently open on an occasional basis, 5th and Hall will soon will be offering current street trends year-round.

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Location: Corner of Edgewood Drive and Bartow Highway Date: TBA This popular one-stop for coffee, fresh food, and fuel services will soon open its second location in Lakeland. An added WaWa bonus: feefree ATMs!

Polk County 30th Anniversary 2016 Heart & Stroke Ball Chairman Jeffrey Miles and the Executive Leadership Committee present:

Thursday, April 28, 2016 Please RSVP by March 31

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EVENTS CALENDAR

RECURRING EVENTS

EVERY MONDAY IN MUNN PARK MUSIC MUNNDAYS 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT PUB RUN @ RED DOOR LAKELAND 6:15 p.m. - 7 p.m.

EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT PUB RUN @ THE CHOP SHOP 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.

EVERY SATURDAY MORNING PUB RUN @ MITCHELL’S COFFEE HOUSE 6 a.m. - 7 a.m.

EVERY SATURDAY MORNING BLACK & BREW FUN RUN 8 a.m. - 9 a.m.

EVERY SATURDAY DOWNTOWN FARMERS CURB MARKET 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. downtownfarmerscurbmarket.org

APRIL

APRIL 5 - 10 SUN ‘N FUN FLY-IN sun-n-fun.org

APRIL 7 BROADWAY! THE BIG BAND YEARS 7:30 p.m. polktheatre.org Downtown Farmers Curb Market

122 THE LAKELANDER

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THE LAKELANDER 123

EVENTS CALENDAR

APRIL 9 - APRIL 10 LEGACY DANCE COMPETITION thelakelandcenter.com

APRIL 12 Imperial Symphony Orchestra Tea & Symphony on Stage 5:45 p.m. – 10 p.m. thelakelandcenter.com

APRIL 14 FOOD TRUCK RALLY 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. downtownlakelandfl.com

APRIL 14 BARRAGE 8 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. thelakelandcenter.com

April 15 Art+Music 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. polkmuseumofart.org

APRIL 15 - 16 JAGUARS VS CHARLESTON RAVENS FOOTBALL GAME 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. thelakelandcenter.com

APRIL 15 - 24 A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM Times Vary lakelandcommunitytheatre.com

APRIL 19 IMPERIAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: MASTERWORKS CONCERT - ODE TO JOY 7:30 p.m. - 9:15 p.m. thelakelandcenter.com

124 THE LAKELANDER

Food Truck Rally

SMOKER?

A Simple Test May Save Your Life Ask your doctor about low dose chest CT scan.

If you are a current smoker or former smoker you may qualify for this new screening. Early detection is the most effective way to beat lung cancer.

CANDIDATES FOR SCREENING:

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u Current smoker or one who has quit smoking within the last 15 years u Self pay $225

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THE LAKELANDER 125

EVENTS CALENDAR

Barnett Family Park

APRIL 19 ONE NIGHT OF QUEEN 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. thelakelandcenter.com

APRIL 23 JUNIOR LEAGUE’S WORLD OF READING Held at Barnett Family Park 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. jlgl.com

APRIL 23 RELAY FOR LIFE 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. relayforlife.org/lakelandfl

Everything You Expect From Your Auto Dealership For Almost Half the Cost.

We Service All Vehicles! American & Imports Brakes • Tune-Ups • Power Windows Computer Diagnostics • Full Transmission Services

FREE A/C by appointment only 10% off Brake Job

Relay For Life of Lakeland April 23, 2016 | Noon - Midnight Lakeland High School RelayForLife.org/lakelandfl 1.800.227.2345 ©2016, American Cancer Society, Inc.

126 THE LAKELANDER

Know someone who needs a New Beginning...

Serving all of Polk County, New Beginnings High School is a community-based Charter School serving

New Beginnings High School provides a customized program for each student, credit recovery and one-on-one instruction for successfully earning a state-recognized high school diploma.

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• Available 24/7 • Medications, equipment and supplies provided • A dedicated team of Physicians, Nurses, Social Workers, Chaplains, Hospice Aides and Volunteers assigned to your care

Information 866.742.6655 www.cornerstonehospice.org

Cornerstone is committed to caring for all hospice patients regardless of payer source or ability to pay. 100% covered by Medicare & Medicaid

THE LAKELANDER 127

EVENTS CALENDAR

APRIL 28 WOMEN OF CENTRAL FLORIDA SPRING FASHION SHOW 6 p.m. polktheatre.org

APRIL 29TH THE LAKELAND DERBY 5:30 p.m. lvim.net/lakeland-derby

APRIL 30 JAGUARS VS. FLORIDA TARPON FOOTBALL GAME 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. thelakelandcenter.com

Now Delivering

Little Squares of Heaven. (and pretty much everything else on the menu, too!)

2306 E. Edgewood Dr. | 863-450-2986

MAY

MAY 7 - 8 MIDFLORIDA MAYFAIRE BY-THE-LAKE 2016 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. polkmuseumofart.org/mayfaire-content

MAY 12 FOOD TRUCK RALLY downtownlakelandfl.com 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

All Creatures Animal Clinic NOW ACCEPTING PATIENTS!

Schedule your tour today and experience the beauty of a classical, Christian K4-12 education 863.644.1408 or genevaclassicalacademy.com

Welcome to your “other” family doctor!

All Creatures Animal Clinic has worked hard to not only gain the reputation of being an exceptional medical facility, but also to become an integral part of the families we serve. We are committed to always making time for our clients and providing compassionate care in a cutting-edge medical environment. In addition, we also offer alternative medicine options which include chiropractic care, laser, and a hydrotherapy pool. Our clinic recently earned AAHA accreditation, a distinction awarded to the top 12-15% of animal hospitals in the United States and Canada. We are also a certified Cat Friendly Practice. Pets are our passion, and keeping them healthy is our #1 priority.

HOURS: Mon & Thurs - 7am - 7pm / Tues, Wed, Fri - 7am - 5:30pm / Sat - 8am - Noon

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HISTORY

Date: 1941 Detroit pitcher, Hall of Famer, and charmer, Hal Newhouser, making new friends at spring training.

The year 2016 marks the Detroit Tiger’s 80th season of Spring Training in Lakeland — the longest-lasting relationship for a Major League Baseball team and its Spring Training host city.

Photo courtesy of Lakeland Public Library

years of

EXPERIENCED MINDS handling

COMPLEX LITIGATION Like the playing field, the courtroom can be intimidating and complex. For over 60 years we have protected our clients’ businesses in courtrooms across Florida and around the country.

Our trial team works with our clients to create personalized winning game plans for every type of civil dispute. Please call us or visit our website today for more information about our battletested experience.

PETERSONMYERS.COM • 863.683.6511 • LAKELAND | WINTER HAVEN | LAKE WALES

A tradition of

healthcare excellence continues.

In the summer of 1941, five physicians had an idea in a modest downtown office building: Enhance the wellness of our community by delivering the most advanced medical expertise and technologies available.

After 75 years, that dream has flourished to include hundreds of specialists, multiple locations and a nationally recognized caliber of healthcare.

www.WatsonClinic.com | 863-680-7000 | Follow us on: