The second annual photo contest developed into quite the picture-perfect conundrum. We received an incredible 142 photo submissions, and choosing which ones to feature inside this issue was no easy decision. We got silly photos, so much nature, kids, architecture, and the iconic landmarks we all love. Thank you to everyone who shared their talent with us and helped make this year’s contest better than ever! Thanks to the Central Florida Photo Club for helping to organize. You

The Storyteller Strikes Back: The Return of the Great Storyteller to Polk County Local Author, Dwight L. Macpherson It all started with a Show and Tell session gone spectacularly off script. Five-year-old Dwight L. MacPherson marched to the front of his elementary school classroom ready to share his latest outdoor adventure—and share he did. But when his tale took a sudden left turn involving “a gorilla coming over to talk to his sisters and tell them how to get back home,” h

In 2026, the world moves faster than ever. We order food from our phones, work remotely, and spend much of our lives communicating through screens. Yet somehow, coffee shops still matter, maybe now more than ever. As we celebrate 30 years of this little coffee shop being part of the community, I’ve found myself reflecting on what a place like this truly means today. Yes, people come in for coffee, breakfast, or a quick stop before work. But after spending the last two and a h

Indy - Best Dressed “I will wear whatever anyone wants to put on me! I will also eat anything crunchy. My favorite thing to do is to be around my people, I love them. Christian Slater will play me when Hollywood decides to make a film about my life.” Phineas - Best Alternative Pet “I’m named after Phineas from the cartoon Phineas and Ferb! And probably just like you, I love to eat algae pellets. They’re my fave. In fact, I like to suction upside down under the plants in my ta