“Goodnight, Mister Fish and Polk Museum of Art, too. Goodnight, Library. See you at storytime soon.” – Goodnight Lakeland By Ida Mundell and Josh “Bump” Galletta Have you read Lakeland’s unofficial bedtime story, Goodnight Lakeland? The children’s book, penned by Ida Mundell and illustrated by Josh “Bump” Galletta, is an ode to the Swan City and a perfect local gift for the upcoming holiday season. Mundell and her husband, Nate, have four kids: Aurora, Eleanor, Ezra, and August. The homeschool mom of four is also a children’s Kids Pastor at Access Church. The family moved to Lakeland about 20 years ago. Galletta and his wife Mary have two kids, Emmersyn and Fynn. He is a commercial artist and illustrator with artwork in places like Starbucks and Haus 820. Ida and Bump met several years ago through her store, A Kind Place, formerly in Dixieland. “It was all fair trade, give back, and locally made,” said Mundell of the retail concept she plans to start back again when she isn’t busy homeschooling her children. Looking for more local artists to feature in A Kind Place, Mundell said, “I mustered the courage to ask Bump if he would put art in my shop.” It was one of the first retail spots Galletta sold his art. The two families became fast friends and shared a connection of art and community. The thought to write a children’s book first occurred to Mundell while on vacation in 2018. “I called him immediately because I wouldn’t want anyone else to draw it,” she said. Galletta started sketches after their initial phone call. As it often goes, the two got busy with life and shelved the project. Last summer, looking to produce something positive in such tumultuous times, Galletta’s wife, Mary, encouraged them to finish it. “I made it a goal where every day I focused on one page and sent it to Ida,” said Galletta. In November 2020, they finished Goodnight Lakeland and selfpublished the book. It was delivered the week after Thanksgiving. Goodnight Lakeland sold out by Christmas last year, and when they had a book signing on August 21 at Pressed, they sold out within a day. A BOOK OF GOOD MEMORIES Goodnight Lakeland is about nostalgic and significant locations around the city, accompanied by Bump’s signature black and white illustrations. Mundell said, “The book is full of our favorite traditions and memories. […] It’s an ode to our families’ favorite things. Lakeland is special. People love the place of Lakeland and feeling at home everywhere they go, and that’s the vibe of the book, what we wanted it to be.” “Home and place are important, I think. […] Feeling placement, feeling like you can walk in somewhere and somebody knows who you are. Being seen, known, and loved is verbiage I use through my ministry and with my own family and everywhere. The book is a little extension of that,” Mundell said. “I think it’s really important that you have a place in a world where everything is changing.” Subjects of the book include everything from Circle B Bar Reserve to Silvermoon Drive-in and everything in between. Bump said he drew the Sputnik Tower because that was the first recognizable landmark to his family when they first moved to the city. Every page is filled with words and drawings of memories and traditions for Mundell and Galletta. “I’m not from Lakeland. It took me a while to get used to it when I first moved here twelve years ago. It slowly became a place we loved,” Galletta said. Lakeland has become home to the family, and Galletta said it is special to tell its story with Mundell’s words and his drawings. “It’s fun that she asked me to do it,” he said. The Goodnight Lakeland author and illustrator often receive pictures of grandparents reading it to their grandchildren, kids carrying it around town, realtors gifting it to new homeowners, and parents sending it to their children going to college out of state. They’ve also heard from the parents of children with autism who say their kids love to carry the book and match it to their surroundings around the city. “They share those stories, and that means everything when they take the time, and they’re so excited to say, ‘Our kid loves this book,’ or ‘We read it every night,’ or ‘That’s the book they pick off the bookshelf,’” said Mundell. Galletta said, “People will say, ‘This is where we got married,’ or ‘This is where we met.’ I’ve had a lot of fun encounters hearing those stories.” And of course, Galletta, who often hides free artwork for people around town and places he travels, hid a few ‘Easter eggs’ in Goodnight Lakeland too. If you find one, tell Bump! “I like to wait and see if anyone’s discovered them,” he said. The project inspired Galletta’s daughter to make a book of her own, a creative process he’s been working with her on. HOW YOU CHANGE THE WORLD Alongside Goodnight Lakeland, Mundell and Galletta collaborated with Lakeland-based handmade accessory company East of These to create a baby blanket featuring Galletta’s black and white artwork. You can pick up one of these adorable gifts at any pop-up markets that Galletta attends, including Buena Market and Haus MRKT, or on his website (hurry, amounts are limited). Mundell thought about her bookish breakout and said, “Something I tell my kids and something I have to remind myself of is that it’s okay to be a beginner. […] I think there’s so much anxiety in the creative world that you have to be there already, that you have to know everything, that you have to have every answer.” She continued, “We stop the process from ever beginning, and that makes me sad because how many great things are we missing out on? I would take an all heart, beginner product over someone who thinks they are the best of the best all the time. I like the hustle and the heart and the passion behind the project.” For Bump, the success of their grassroots, self-published book was a reassurance of community love. “It shows how much the community does care for each other,” he said. Follow their social media for future opportunities to meet the Goodnight Lakeland author and illustrator. They plan to read their book during storytime at Pressed. Bump will have copies available at the many holiday markets he’ll be attending. Expect more projects from the duo (perhaps even something in color) in the future. Mundell said, “I do love writing and communicating, and I love storytelling. I love listening to storytelling. I love sharing stories. I think that is how you change the world if you can share captivating stories and invite people to listen.” You can pick up a copy of Goodnight Lakeland at Pressed Books & Coffee, Galletta’s upcoming pop-up markets, or his website, www.bumpgalletta.com. Goodnight Lakeland Author: Ida Mundell FB: Ida Mundell IG @idamundell Illustrator: Bump Galletta bumpgalletta.com FB: Bump Galletta IG @bumpgalletta Photograph by Amy Sexson

The 10th Annual Polk Emerging Leaders Awards were held on August 19th. While the event itself was a little different this year following COVID protocols, it was nonetheless a night to celebrate and honor the work that young professionals are doing to improve Polk County. The 2021 winners are Lauren Jensen, Dr. Andy Oguntola, Brian Yates, Sara Beth Reynolds, and Dr. Michelle Henne. We also honored Katie Worthington Decker with the Polk Emerging Leaders Visionary Award for all of her work to start these programs and give opportunities for the young professionals of Polk County to be recognized for their commitment to their communities. Lauren Jensen Lauren Jensen (Sessums Law Group P.A.) graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Kentucky in 2010 and later would receive her Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2013. As a family law attorney and a mother of three, she has learned the many facets of true leadership and lives it out daily. It’s through her time with local organizations and local leaders that she has had the chance to learn what it takes to be a leader. Because of their influence and her dedication, she has risen in the ranks and is now serving as the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of Explorations V Children’s Museum and has been actively involved as they have launched their new brand, Florida Children’s Museum and built their new location at Bonnet Springs Park. She has also served as Community Vice President of the Junior League of Greater Lakeland. During the pandemic, she had to step up to the plate to ensure that the organizations she serves, were able to continue to serve Lakeland. She acted as the liaison between the Junior League and the Adopt a School initiative to house PPE supplies for schools at her home, while securing volunteer League members to facilitate distribution of the supplies to schools. In her service to Explorations V Children’s Museum, she assisted in making decisions about their finances, as the doors of the facility were closed to the public. Now, as Florida Childrens Museum prepares to move to its new location to Bonnet Springs Park, she will be leading the charge on their membership initiatives for the new facility. When she isn’t volunteering her time and talents to organizations like United Way of Central Florida, Florida Bar Family Law Section, and Lake Morton Community Church, you can find her taking a run with her kids, practicing yoga and serving those who are underprivileged at Lighthouse Ministries or the George Harris Youth Shelter. Dr. Andy Oguntola Dr. Andy Oguntola (Polk State College) graduated from Webber International University with his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and his Masters of Business Administration. He then went on to Nova Southeastern University, where he received his Doctorate in Higher Educational Leadership in 2019. Currently, he is the Director of Polk State College’s JD Alexander Center, where he works to develop relationships with community leaders and educational institutions. While his position encompasses various duties, he coordinates services for students with disabilities and provides programming that meets the needs of faculty, staff, students, and business partners. One of the most satisfying moments of his career was when he stepped up to make an impact in education for Lake Wales students. Year after year, students would inform him that they were unable to go to college due to their family members being unfamiliar with the college admissions process. He heard a problem and did the work to find a solution. In 2015, he created a strategic plan to create a high school college fair for Lake Wales. He made a plan, presented it to the Superintendent of the Lake Wales Charter Schools and, while everyone loved the idea, they were unsure it could be accomplished. After three months of this recipient making calls, meeting with educators, and putting in the work, he saw this plan come to fruition. Today, the Lake Wales College Fair is one of the largest fairs in the State, with over 1,000 attendees and 40 colleges participating. This fair has been so successful that it has helped increase the college admissions rate. It also received a proclamation from the City of Lake Wales for its impactful results in supporting a city’s need. His ability to serve doesn’t take a break, regardless of if he is on the clock or not. His hobbies include, well, serving others! He got together with some friends to create a brand-new youth football and cheer league so that the youth in Lake Wales has a positive outlet after school. As of right now, there are over 350 young men and women signed up to play youth sports this year. They have also gathered 20 other individuals to help raise funds for new uniforms, scholarships, and even opportunities for tutoring and feeding the kids after practice. This past year he was the Chairman of the Lake Wales Citizens and Police Community Relations Advisory Committee in which they tackled challenging issues such as an officer-involved incident and body cameras; he is Chairman of the Lake Wales Chamber and Economic Development Council and is Chairman of the Lake Wales Charter School system. Sara Beth Reynolds Sara Beth Reynolds (Theatre Winter Haven) graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications, Media & Society. In May she completed a dual Masters of Public Administration & Nonprofit Management from the University of Central Florida. It’s no surprise that she is furthering her education. Education is one of her passions. She is the Development Director for Theatre Winter Haven, where she oversees grant applications, donor funding and creates new and innovative programs. In this role, she was able to procure over $1.2 million in funds to help the theatre through the challenges of 2020 and 2021 and continue to provide high-standard programming and classes to the community. Programs like the Theatre of Winter Haven’s internship program, DramaTime LIVE! Reading program, summer Master Classes, and their Performing Arts Academy scholarship programs. She also has had the opportunity to speak at the Great American Teach In, mentor through Polk Vision and the Winter Haven Public Education Partnership. Sara Beth ran for Polk County school board and won at the age of 24. In this role, she aids the district in overseeing what has grown to 109,000 students and 13,000 employees. It’s in this role that she has been able to make a great impact on the lives of students in Polk County. One of the most satisfying moments of her career was with a student from Winter Haven High School. He reached out to inform her that he had been accepted into Harvard. She first met him in his Junior year but appointed him as the District 4 Representative and was the only student of Polk County Public Schools COVID-19 Reopening Task Force. Even though he was sitting in a room with educational leaders with impressive resumes, he spoke up and advocated for what he believed would keep students safe during the pandemic. She was so proud to see that, because of his confidence, he was able to secure ultimate approval of the district-wide masks requirement. It ultimately solidified her thoughts about the importance of giving students the power to speak up and speak about issues and challenges. Brian Yates Brian Yates (Citizens Bank & Trust) graduated from the Florida School of Banking at the University of Florida and currently works for a local bank that has built a culture upon improving the areas they serve through community engagement. In his role at the bank, he does his best to inspire his team to collaborate and always reach for more. In 2020, many small businesses were looking to banks for help in their time of crisis. Even though he had just recently joined their team, Citizens Bank & Trust tapped this recipient to lead the Paycheck Protection Program division who stood up to help the small business of Polk County quickly. If you can imagine, there was a lot of red tape and rules that were constantly changing, but Brian took charge, led, and collaborated with his team and saw amazing results. They issued 1,115 loans for a total of over $118 million across Polk County. Small businesses were able to keep their doors open because of the aid that the bank provided. Twenty-two thousand people got to keep their jobs! He serves as a City Commissioner for Winter Haven, and in this role, he uses his leadership skills to make decisions that are in the best interest of the citizens of the City he loves. Bonnie Parker, Director of Wealth Management at the bank, expressed, “As a resident of this community, I have been very pleased with the way he has handled some difficult situations. From policies on wearing masks to making hard decisions on budget matters, he uses a calm temperament and thoughtful approach to helping move our city forward during what has most likely been one of the most trying times in our history.” His involvement in Winter Haven doesn’t stop with his service to the commission. This recipient is also actively engaged with Main Street Winter Haven, The Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce, the Florence Villa CRA Advisory Team, the Ritz Theatre, and the Winter Haven Rotary Club, all well before his role as commissioner. He is also a graduate of Leadership Winter Haven Class 35 and was tapped to Chair Class 38. Dr. Michelle Henne Dr. Michelle Henne (Releve Sports Medicine) graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science. She also attended the University of South Florida College of Medicine, where she received her Doctor of Medicine. During her time at the University of South Florida College of Medicine, she served as the student leader for the scholarly concentration in Internal Medicine, a Panel Leader at the Florida Bioethics Student Planning Meeting, and was a Bareness/Behnke Chapter Member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society. In the years to follow, she would complete her Residency at Bayfront Health Family Medicine Residency Program and her Fellowship with the Orlando Health Sports Medicine Fellowship. Today, she serves as the founder, owner, and medical director for her own sports medicine facility, Releve Sports Medicine. In 2018, her company obtained the status to provide continuing education to athletic trainers and opted to do it completely free of charge. 2020 was a year where many athletic trainers were furloughed or without work, so she offered these educational meetings virtually, which gave them the opportunity to expand the variety of attendees and speakers. They have had over 2,000 athletic trainers attend these virtual webinars. She was also able to encourage continuing education by participating as a speaker at the annual conference for the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine. It was there that she shared more about the impact of COVID on sports medicine. She is involved in the Polk County Medical Association, the Central Florida Physician Alliance, Junior League of Winter Haven, Light Up the Night 5K, Leadership Winter Haven, and Leadership Polk. Uniquely, she is also carrying on the county’s legacy as the Water Ski Capital of the World on the Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team. Even though she isn’t a Winter Haven native, she felt it was an excellent way to be a part of something unique that her community is known for. Many medical practices had to shut their doors due to COVID. But her practice has actually grown, doubling in size since May 2020. She has also had the amazing opportunity to cover UFC and boxing events on ESPN and Telemundo as a certified ringside physician. Katie Worthington Decker - Special Polk Emerging Leaders Visionary Award Every year, they give five awards to five recipients. But for the 10th year of these awards, the Polk Emerging Leaders Awards committee wanted to do something special for one of the people who started it all, Katie Worthington Decker. It’s because of her influence and vision that they celebrate ten years of breaking down community lines. Ten years of EMERGE, ENDEAVOR, and ENGAGE working together to promote the young professionals of our community. In these ten years, they have had the opportunity to bestow the title of Emerging Leader to over 50 Young Professionals from throughout Polk County while recognizing the work of hundreds of others. None of this would have been possible without her inspiration, leadership, and dedication. Katie strongly believes in the power of our community’s young professionals. She believes that young professionals are unselfishly making a difference in our community every day. She, along with her Chamber predecessor Bob Gernert and mentor Bonnie Parker, wanted to create an outlet to recognize those accomplishments. Born through this was the Polk Emerging Leaders Awards. Katie is an avid UCF fan, a champion for businesses, and an advocate for her community. She is a mother, a daughter, a wife, a sister, a friend, and an admired business leader. As the President & CEO of the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce, she continues to push Winter Haven and Polk County forward through advocacy, business development, collaboration, and so much more.

It’s that time of year again and what better way to celebrate the delicious decadence of spooky season than by combining two of our favorite things: candy and cocktails! This Halloween, I set out to do just this with fellow cocktail lover and owner of Confection candy store, Ivy Horn. Trust me, when you get the chance to work with a candy guru conjuring the perfect cocktails to compliment the trickiest of treats, you step up to the cauldron with mad delight. No matter your taste preference or mixology skill level, you’re sure to find something that piques your interest. From tried and true to new and trendy, from classics to crafts, we’ve got you covered. It wouldn’t be Halloween without fun-sized candy bars like Snickers, Three Musketeers, Milky Ways, and Kit Kats. Let’s face it, they were always primo trick-or-treating loot. We decided the timelessness of an Old Fashioned is best suited for these American classics. With enough moxie to hold its own with flavors like chocolate, peanut, and caramel, it is sure to delight the tastebuds when paired with these tiny candy bars. Choose a bourbon with strong caramel notes like Makers Mark 46 and for extra credit, try switching out the traditional angostura bitters with more interesting selections like chocolate or walnut. Don’t forget the Luxardo cherry! Fruity treats like Albanese 12 Flavor Gummi Bears are best enjoyed with bubbles. Sure, an Aperol Spritz would work wonderfully here but there’s a new spritz in town. Meet the Italicus Spritz. The softly sweet and gently bitter Italicus Rosolio di Bergamatto perfectly enhances each gummi with its floral and citrus notes and comes in the most gorgeous bottle with a lid that gives us some serious Beetlejuice vibes. As a bonus, the olive garnish helps cleanse the palette between flavors. I have to admit, I’ve been having a bit of a love affair with the Negroni cocktail recently. It is oh so bitter, but oh so smooth, and might be the perfect pairing for red licorice. While it’s not for everyone as most folks either love Campari or hate it, those who love it will appreciate how the bold bitterness helps to balance out the sweetness of this classic candy. If you’re feeling extra sassy, try an Empress Negroni with black licorice. Empress gin is made with Butterfly Pea Blossom, giving it a beautiful purple hue that screams Halloween when paired with black. Also, the Luxardo Bitter Bianco has earthy, herbal notes that mirror the anise and fennel flavors of the licorice. While searching for a complementary counterpart to an Almond Joy, we came across the Saturn cocktail. Rum might be an obvious choice here, but the botanicals in gin actually go surprisingly well with coconut. After swooning over this stunning tiki drink (the garnish looks like Saturn), we were compelled to try it with a Mars bar, if only for whimsical posterity. Turns out, this is a match made in the heavens. The sweet almond in the Orgeat and the Caribbean spices in the Falernum enhance the caramel, nougat, and chocolate, while the acidity of the passion fruit and citrus really makes all the flavors pop. It is delicious with an Almond Joy, but Saturn and Mars together? Cosmic! I’ve always been a sucker for Reese’s peanut butter cups. The salty, chocolaty, peanut buttery deliciousness just begs to be washed down with ice-cold milk. For an adult version of this classic childhood combination, try a Brandy Milk Punch instead. Sweet and creamy, with hints of vanilla and nutmeg, and two ounces of Brandy that packs quite the “punch”, this one is good with almost everything. We wanted to include an all-in-one candy-cocktail combination and decided buttered rum infused with candy corn was the best way to encapsulate the feeling of the season. Total Harry Potter vibes were involved in conjuring this creamy and dreamy treat! It makes a great shooter or sipper and might be the ultimate Halloween libation. CHILDREN OF THE CORN 1 oz candy corn infused butter-washed spiced rum* ½ oz Licor 43 1 oz heavy cream Pour all ingredients into a mixing tin filled with ice, shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Double strain into a cordial glass and garnish with candy corn. *For the rum: Melt 1 stick of butter and cook until golden and nutty. Let cool and pour into a mason jar containing 12oz of spiced rum. Swirl and let sit for one hour, then freeze overnight. Pour the liquid away from the fat, then strain through a coffee filter. Add 1 cup of candy corn to buttered rum, swirl, and keep refrigerated. The candy corn will dissolve and leave the rum with a beautiful orange color. Photography by Amy Sexson

When I first heard that Tsunami Sushi was closing Downtown, I thought, ‘Noooooooo!’ It was a favorite and frequent lunch spot for the Haven team. Fortunately for hungry Downtown Winter Havenites, what took its place is just as delicious. Tsukiyomi Sushi Bar & Grill owner Jimmy Van is a restaurant industry veteran. Van, who is originally from New York, moved to Orlando in 2001. Van worked for Japanese restaurants Kobe Steakhouse and Benihana for some 15 years as the head chef and eventually restaurant manager. Central Avenue eatery Tsukiyomi Sushi is Van’s foray into restaurant ownership. The New York native first came to Winter Haven to help a friend open a business, but he stayed for the community. Small town life agreed with Van. “I saw that the people here are really nice compared to where I lived. In a big city, when you manage a big store, it’s hard for you to maintain because they have a lot of competition,” he said. Van knew if he could handle the hundreds of customers per night at a large establishment in a bigger city, he could certainly do it – and do it well – in Winter Haven. He went on to say, “This town has very nice people. […] The way I feel like they kind of welcome you to the neighborhood, it’s easy to talk [to them].” Tsukiyomi Sushi opened its doors on July 15 with a fresh look and menu. So anticipated was their grand opening, Tsukiyomi was booked up on the first day. According to Van, ‘Tsukiyomi’ is a Japanese word meaning “god of the moon” and comes from the Shinto religion. The restaurant’s brushstroke logo even looks like a crescent moon with chopsticks grabbing a piece of sushi. While spiffing up the interior with a fresh coat of deep blue paint, Van opted to keep some accents from Tsunami Sushi, including some of the black and white sushi paintings. The updated digs pay homage to its previous life but have a distinctly updated feel. Van plans to put booths in the restaurant as well. His goal with renovations was to improve the space for a clean look that would leave guests feeling impressed and respected. Tsukiyomi boasts a sizable menu of modern Japanese fare, including nigiri and sashimi, sushi, basic and special rolls, teriyaki, tempura, entrees, and more. Everything on the menu is prepared fresh and is so good that when asked, Van couldn’t single out a favorite. With so many menu offerings, Van says guests often come in and choose a few rolls (there are 60 specialty rolls alone) and work their way across the menu with each visit. Number one on that specialty roll list, their namesake roll, has spicy crab salad, crispy onion, and avocado within it and is topped with Wagyu steak in spicy mayo, fresh jalapeno, eel sauce, masago, and scallions. “We have a lot of customers, and they love it. I’m really happy about it,” Van said. “I walk to each table and ask them [about] my food so I can know from them if there’s anything I can do better, I will. So far, everyone tells me they love it. They love the food.” On the Monday afternoon we visited, the expert hands of Tsukiyomi’s sushi chefs worked carefully behind the bar to craft us a Fancy Rainbow roll. The aptly named dish was vibrant and delectable, filled with tuna, salmon, cucumber, and topped with a variety of raw fish, three tobiko, and spicy ponzu. Though he’s only been in town for around four months and Tsukiyomi has been open for a little over two, Van says Winter Haven has warmly welcomed him and his business. Customers are talkative and curious to know more about Van. “I fell in love with that,” he said. “Living in the big city, your neighbor doesn’t know your name for a year.” “My favorite part is the people here,” said Tsukiyomi Sushi owner Jimmy Van. “I worked hard so I could be a manager of the big company, but when I managed the big company in the big city, I never saw the personality of the people.” 317 W Central Ave, Winter Haven (863) 293-2395 FB @tsukiyomisushi IG @tsukiyomisushi tsukiyomisushi.com Photography by Amy Sexson

You know it, you love it, you’ve probably played a game of drunk Mario Kart there – Rec Room turns one this Halloween! The product of partners Jason Ellis, Conn O’Leary, Corey Ripley, Barrett Hollis, and Mike and Wendy O’Leary, Rec Room quickly won over Lakelanders. We sat down with Jason Ellis and Conn O’Leary to discuss the video game bar concept. “I think collectively we wanted to do another project,” said O’Leary. Initially, the idea was to open a dive bar. Lakeland has quite a few dive bars that have stood the test of time, so the vision changed. Ellis brought up the idea of a “barcade,” a bar/ arcade concept popular in many metropolitan areas. O’Leary thought of his sister. “I can sit at a bar and drink for two or three hours and be fine, but within ten minutes, she’s like, ‘What’s next? What are we doing? We aren’t doing this all night. We need to go play pool, shoot darts, sing karaoke, do something.’” The idea of having an activity-oriented bar had teeth to it. They recruited some like-minded folks for the project and got to work on their Lakeland barcade, Rec Room. The idea was intentionally inclusive of everyone in the community, said the partners – friends getting together for drinks, a date night, and those who don’t drink at all. “That was the impetus behind it. This could be for everybody,” said O’Leary. When they found the building that would eventually become Rec Room, formerly LkldTV, O’Leary said, “We fell into the perfect space. […] We could see the potential bloom.” The renovations took about a year and a half to complete. The Rec Room was set to open in March of 2020 but was delayed into the fall by the pandemic. “It was kind of a bear,” O’Leary said of the project. “It was an old building, built in the ‘30s, I think, so we had to do extensive electrical repairs. We gutted it, and then with all the COVID delays, when we were close to finishing up, they still hadn’t green-lit all the bars yet.” Rec Room finally opened on Halloween of 2020. ALL FUN AND GAMES Bringing video games into the bar scene was a no-brainer for Ellis and O’Leary. For Ellis, his favorite game was Ms. Pac-Man. “I cut a countless number of college classes to go to the Student Center when no one was there, to play,” he said. The iconic arcade game is free to play at Rec Room. For O’Leary, it was Dig Dug. “I remember playing that in the hallway of a gym rec center that I used to go to when I was a kid. I’d throw coin after coin into that,” he said. O’Leary, who grew up in Hawaii, remembers frequenting an arcade there called the Fun Factory. “The best time of the year was my birthday when they’d hand me ten or twenty bucks, and they’d leave so I’d be by myself in this arcade. It was the best thing ever. Twenty dollars back then went a long way because all the games were a quarter apiece.” It isn’t all retro games at Rec Room. The bar has a good mix of old, new, and activity games. Rec Room regulars buy tokens to play everything from Mortal Kombat to NBA Showtime, Guitar Hero, Big Buck Hunter, Golden Tee, basketball, skeeball, and air hockey. They recently installed two pinball machines, a popular addition to the barcade. Above all else, O’Leary hopes Rec Room is a fun space whether you’re looking to socialize, sip a cocktail, or win a few rounds of Jurassic Park pinball. “It can be whatever you want to have fun with. If you don’t care about video games and just want to drink at the bar and hang out with friends, cool. If you don’t drink at all and want to come in and have a basketball tournament with your boys, we’ve got that too.” LEVELING UP THE BAR SCENE As for the drinks, Ellis said, “We wanted to have a curated list that showed that we had bartending skills but could also handle a high-volume atmosphere.” Their most popular cocktail is the Planet Popstar, made with white rum, a strawberry shrub, fresh mint, cream soda, and lemon juice. When we spoke in September, they were preparing to roll out a new selection of drinks with a Tiki flair. Ellis described them as “light, fruit-forward, fun” and “dangerously delicious.” He worked with Rec Room General Manager, Olivia Lewandowski, to develop their cocktail menu. Rec Room slings plenty of seltzers, new-school cocktails, and frozen drinks, serving a primarily younger crowd. Though the bar doesn’t serve its own food, they regularly host food trucks and vendor pop-ups. “My favorite is Pinoy Cravings,” O’Leary said. “They’re so friendly, they’re cool, and their food is amazing.” TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK Reception of the Lakeland barcade has been encouraging, say the owners. “The community and The City have been nothing but great,” O’Leary said. The pair attributes much of Rec Room’s success to their team. “We put together a really good staff,” said O’Leary. The bar hasn’t suffered staffing issues plaguing much of the service industry. “That’s been good to have that continuity. People like coming in and seeing their bartenders, and the ones we’ve had have done well connecting with customers and building that clientele base where they know their names, what they drink, know their stories. That’s been invaluable to us.” Asked if they have any new concepts in the works, the pair behind some of Lakeland’s favorite hangouts, including Rec Room, Good Thyme, and Cob & Pen, agreed that they were “ambitious, but also measured.” O’Leary said, “We’re always looking to expand and do bigger and better [things], but it’s got to make sense. […] That’s how I think we’ve done so well – we have a vision, and we wait for the vision to coalesce into something we can manage.” “We like the burgeoning town as opposed to the established bigger city,” added Ellis. “One of the things we’ve done really well is we know how to find good people and use them to their potential and grow positive working relationships with them. Building the management team at Cob & Pen allowed us to step away and do projects like this. […] ‘You’re as good as the people you surround yourself with’ is pretty true.” Celebrate one year with Rec Room this Halloween. Follow their social media for weekly events and specials like Monday Mario Kart tournaments, Token Tuesday, and Thursday BOGO and ping pong tourneys, as well as their quarterly DJ dance parties. Happy Birthday to one of Lakeland’s most rad bars! Rec Room 202 N Massachusetts Ave, Lakeland (863) 213-4073 FB @RecRoomLKLD IG @recroomlkld www.recroomlkld.com

“It’s magical,” said 25-year-old seaplane pilot Abbie Kellett. “You’ll see – it’s just amazing.” Some 500 feet below the yellow airframe of the Piper J3 Cub, semis and Suburbans move along like toy cars. Breaking up the cityscape and pastoral patchwork are deep blue-green lakes dotted between baseball fields, highways, hospitals, woods, and pastures. Like swollen raindrops, some lakes appear perfectly round from our vantage point and others less so. An alligator suns himself in the shallows of a marshy creek connecting two larger bodies. We circle around to see him a second time. I am exhilarated – uplifted in more ways than one. “It was built in the 1940s. They were originally designed to train people for World War II,” said Kellett of the seaplane we were soon to board. Kellett is Assistant to the Director for the Seaplane Pilots Association (SPA) and an instructor at Jack Brown’s Seaplane Base. Dandelion is an apt enough description of the plane’s hue. It sits on 1500 straight floats allowing it to move through water as it does through the air. The 1940s Piper J3 Cub has undergone a complete restoration by Jack Brown’s Seaplane Base mechanics. The base take their seaplanes to a maximum altitude of 500 feet and hop from lake to lake like a frog spoiled for choice, springing across an unending esplanade of lily pads. A small tractor pulled the seaplane to the base of a series of shallow wooden steps descending toward the water. The plane would then be hand-guided onto the ramp steps and eased into Lake Jessie, one of the northernmost lakes on The Chain. This scene has played out thousands of times and has made many a seaplane pilot since 1963. Abbie Kellett earned her pilot’s license at just 17 and got her seaplane rating at Jack Brown’s as a Christmas present. She went to college for communications and landed a job (pun intended) in New York flying seaplanes off the East River into East Hampton. She returned home to Winter Haven, where she obtained her Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate. Kellett has been a flight instructor at Jack Brown’s for two years and joined the SPA team as an assistant to the director in October 2020. For Kellett, love of flight is familial. Her father, Ken Kellett, is a Restoration Specialist at Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, building and maintaining small aircraft from throughout history, mostly from WWI. “The small airplanes are kind of what I’m used to with dad,” she said. How does Kellett like being a seaplane instructor? “It has its ups and downs.” JACK BROWN’S SEAPLANE BASE “The seaplane base was founded by Jack Brown in 1963,” began Jack Brown’s Seaplane Base owner and president, Ben Shipps. Founder Jack Brown began flying an Aeronca C-3 Floatplane on the Kanawha River in West Virginia. He took his piloting expertise with him into the military during World War II, in which he flew the Grumman “Flying Boats” and PBY’s. Brown worked as a civilian instructor and test pilot for the United States Air Force station in Central Florida after the war and eventually settled in Winter Haven, becoming the fixed base operator at the Winter Haven Airport. “Jack’s affection for seaplanes gave him a grand vision for an overgrown area on Lake Jessie, located just southwest of the Winter Haven Airport. Jack launched a Piper J-3 Cub on floats to introduce a friend to the freedom of float flying, and a seed was planted for Jack Brown’s Seaplane Base,” according to their website. Brown ran the seaplane base for twelve years until his passing in 1975. The business was passed on to his oldest son, Jon Brown. After 42 years of operating the base, Jon Brown would sell the business in 2019 to his son-in-law, Ben Shipps. “I had the dream of going to Alaska. At the time, I was a private pilot with a restricted medical, and I couldn’t go fly commercially there, but I wanted to go out there for a summer adventure and work the line and fuel airplanes,” said Shipps of what led him to pursue his seaplane rating. Not too far from his home in Venice, Florida, Jack Brown’s Seaplane Base was the logical choice for training. “That seaplane rating at Jack Brown’s led to a job offer if I ever got my CFI, that I could come teach here,” he said. Shipps earned his rating in the summer of 2010 and changed his major in school to become a commercial pilot and CFI to come back and teach at the base. He started instructing full-time in the summer of 2011, the same year he was introduced to Jon Brown’s youngest daughter. The two would go on to marry, and Brown would eventually approach Shipps about taking over the family business. In 2018, he became an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner and bought Jack Brown’s Seaplane Base from Jon in 2019. Jack Brown’s may not be the largest seaplane base by size, but it does train more pilots than any other base in the world. Some 25,000 pilots have been trained to fly seaplanes at the Lake Jessie base throughout its almost sixty-year history, with around 450 to 500 pilots training there annually. Their fleet includes five Piper J3 Cubs, a Piper Super Cub (with a second Super Cub being assembled by their mechanics), an M-7-235 Super Rocket, and a recently acquired ICON A5. Shipps attributes relatively idle airspace and abundance of freshwater lakes to what makes Winter Haven ideal for such an illustrious seaplane training base. “We can launch out of our lake here and go less than half a mile in any direction we have other lakes adjacent to it,” he said. There are well over 500 naturally freshwater lakes in Polk County, and within the ten-mile radius around Winter Haven Regional Airport, instructors at the seaplane base have over 100 bodies of water to use for training. THE SEAPLANE PILOTS ASSOCIATION Down the road from Jack’s Seaplane Base is the Winter Haven Regional Airport at Gilbert Field. Last year, The Seaplane Pilots Association (SPA) moved from Lakeland to the airport in Winter Haven, where they plan to build their world headquarters. “This is an incredibly seaplane-friendly community in Winter Haven. The city council and the mayor have always been incredibly supportive of the seaplane community here, which makes it unique and wonderful,” said SPA executive director Steven McCaughey. The SPA was founded in 1972, celebrating its 50th anniversary next year. Their mission is simple – ‘protect and promote water flying.’ The SPA is an international organization, the only one of its kind, “solely focused on representing the interests of seaplane pilots, owners, and operators,” according to their website. It goes on to note, “SPA is dedicated to promoting safe seaplane operations, and to protecting the sharing of our nation’s waterways with other user groups.” FLYING FEVER SINCE FIFTH GRADE Fort Lauderdale native Steven McCaughey became the Seaplane Pilots Association executive director ten years ago. He had been a member of the organization 25 years before that. He started flying to Jack Brown’s Seaplane Base in 1983, with Jon Brown having signed three of his licenses over the years. McCaughey’s aviation addiction started in the fifth grade with his best friend, Michael Wagner. “His father was an airline pilot for National Airlines and flew from Miami to Lima, Peru, as his route. For some reason, that planted an unbelievable seed in me,” said McCaughey. “I started memorizing every statistical data point of every airline airplane made that the airlines were flying – how many passengers, what the engines were, wingspan, length, weight – everything about the airplane.” At age ten, he hand-typed 200 letters to every airline of which he could get a name and address. The letter went something like this: “My name is Steve McCaughey. I’d like to pursue aviation as a living. I’m ten years old. I’d appreciate anything you could send me or any guidance you could give me to help me pursue my path.” McCaughey got 146 responses, three of which were personal letters from the CEOs of Delta, Braniff International Airways, and Eastern Airlines. In his late teens, McCaughey decided he didn’t want to fly the airlines. He wanted to pursue more ‘interesting, hands-on flying.’ He gravitated towards aerobatics, tailwheel, warbirds, and historical airplanes and seaplanes. McCaughey went into special operations for the air force. Coming out of the military, he and his wife used their engineering backgrounds to design rocket components and work on deep-dive submarines. He left his own company to become the executive director of the SPA. ADVOCACY FOR FAIR AND EQUAL ACCESS Current SPA advocacy focuses include seaplane safety, protecting waterway access and saving seaplane bases, invasive species, environmental issues, promoting the next generation of seaplane pilots, and educating resource managers, policymakers, and the general public about seaplanes. The SPA has some 5-6k members internationally. With a modest staff, the organization relies on its many volunteers, also known as field directors. “Volunteers are the bread and butter – they are the backbone,” said Kellett. “Being a field director is so important. What those people do is pretty amazing. They’re setting up events, they’re doing safety groups, they’re talking to local politicians, trying to get legislation in favor of seaplanes, and collecting membership because there is strength in numbers.” According to McCaughey, the SPA wants to protect and expand waterway access for seaplanes and protect pilots from a safety aspect. A large part of that, says the executive director, is educating those in charge of regulating waterways. “Most of what we’re confronted with as opposition is due to lack of understanding. Very few people from the regulator side know anything about seaplanes.” Many assumptions made about seaplanes involve pollution of water, noise, the transmission of invasive species, hazard to public safety, and that boats and seaplanes can’t operate safely in the same water. This is all a lack of understanding posit the SPA. The difference, McCaughey says, between the seaplane and boating communities is that you can buy a boat and launch it, and you’re on your way as a boater. “By the time you get a seaplane license, most of the pilots have invested about sixty thousand dollars in training on average.” In addition to a monetary investment, there is a significant investment of time. To obtain a private pilot’s license requires an average of 60 to 85 hours. “The level of experience that we have going into the water to operate where we’re dealing with boats, we generally take 100 percent responsibility for avoidance and safety. We don’t put any burden on the controlling agencies. We don’t put any burden on the boaters. We’re going to take the burden to make sure that we’re operating safely. We’re trained to do that, unlike the typical boater,” said McCaughey. “With all the regulators and groups that we work with, we want to be a sincere partner,” he continued. “We go in and say, ‘We’re going to partner with you, and we’re going to look at the data, and if we don’t have the data, we’re going to try to find the data and then if we need to make changes we’re going to try to engineer ways to make those changes.” In answer to the perception that seaplanes produce excessive noise, the organization initiated noise studies. “It’s easy to identify because you hear the noise, and you see the airplane taking off. But what people don’t realize is you’re talking about 18 to 40 seconds where you have that noise footprint,” he said. That initial noise spike is minute in comparison when looking at a composite noise footprint of, say, a motorcycle idling, a ski boat on the lake all day, or someone mowing the lawn. “You get that spike of noise, but you don’t have the duration, so your actual footprint is much different than other activities,” said McCaughey of seaplanes. The perception that seaplanes aren’t safe is another relative fallacy when looking at other user groups, says McCaughey. The SPA obtains a detailed annual report from the U.S. Coast Guard measuring all on-water accidents. In almost every state annually, there are more fatalities involving boats than seaplanes. And as far as boating accidents involving seaplanes, it’s virtually unheard of, said the executive director. “Boaters hit boaters. We don’t hit boaters.” “My job is to go to the regulators and the communities and bring this message home. This isn’t our data; this is U.S. Coast Guard data, and they’re measuring all on-water accidents. We don’t show up in the report usually because we’re not even a measurable number,” he said. In addition to advocacy work and providing resources for their members, the SPA conducts some fifty workshops each year from Alaska to Australia. Six years ago, the SPA began hosting exclusive seaplane excursions for members. In Lake Como, Italy, “We would park up on a beach and have lunch at an Italian villa on the side of the lake, and you’ve got the Swiss Alps behind you, and you’re looking across the lake to the rose garden at the Bellagio,” said McCaughey. “I wanted to create the adventure of a lifetime for our members where we could take a small group of our members, 35 to 65 people, and give them an epic adventure that they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.” To promote future seaplane pilots, the SPA awards several scholarships annually. These include the Tyler Orsow/ Chuck Kimes Memorial Seaplane Rating Scholarship and the LIFT (Ladies in Flight Training) Scholarship, with plans to continue expanding their scholarship programs. “Our goal is to award twelve zero-cost seaplane ratings per year to people based on achievement,” said the executive director. Abbie Kellett discussed the LIFT Scholarship as a response to the low number of female seaplane pilots – just three percent. “A lot of it is that they don’t know it’s an option for them. It’s not that anyone is keeping them from flying, but they just don’t know that it’s a viable option,” she said. The first-ever LIFT Scholarship was awarded last month. “We want to be a positive force,” said McCaughey. Being a good neighbor is paramount to this aviation advocacy group. “We want to make sure that our presence is an asset. We want to bring the community more into our world, and we also want to be an active and vibrant part of the community,” said the Seaplane Pilots Association executive director. Jack Brown’s Seaplane Base 2704 US-92, Winter Haven (863) 956-2243 Brownsseaplane.com FB @Jack Browns Seaplane Base IG @browns_seaplane The Seaplane Pilots Association 2072 US Highway 92, Winter Haven (863) 701-7979 seaplanepilotsassociation.org FB @SeaplanePilotsAssociation IG @seaplanepilotsassociation Photography by Amy Sexson

Some of the Sunshine State’s Most Unusual Destinations Beaches, Disney World, snowbirds, alligators, and ‘Florida Man’ are about all the space most people have in their heads for our peculiar peninsula. I’m not sure if it’s the heat, invasive pythons, or what, but we tend to attract (or create over time) a different breed of folks. My native Floridians, we are not absolved from this – we’re all a little cooky here. Some 900 people move to Florida every single day. That’s 900 new bad drivers, consistent sunburn havers, Pub Sub face-stuffers, and oversize fiberglass statue lovers (I personally find the giant wizard in Kissimmee to be a real delight). That’s also 900 new brains to think up ideas for offbeat roadside attractions and questionable tourist traps – two of my favorite things. You’ll find plenty of them on this list of very ‘Florida’ destinations. Through personal experiences, scouring the web, and using www.atlasobscura.com as an invaluable source, I’ve done my best to compile a motley mix of odd and interesting so that the least ‘Florida’ of you and the most ‘Florida’ of you will get something out of it. Psychics, haunted dolls, gator feeding, underwater hotels? We’ve got it! Erotic art, wax figures, serial killers, snake milking? You better believe it. I’d like to think that if this list were any more ‘Florida’ it would be in the county jail with pending ‘theft of a taxidermied flamingo’ or ‘use of hotdogs as nunchucks,’ or ‘robbery of a 7-Eleven wearing suspenders connected to assless chaps’ charges. Anyway… I hope you like it! Weeki Wachee Over 70 years ago, on October 13, 1947, guests gathered in an 18-seat theater to watch the first Weeki Wachee mermaid show. In the decades following, the park has grown and continued its magical mermaid tradition. Weeki Wachee was named by the Seminoles, meaning “little spring” or “winding river.” A seemingly bottomless natural spring, its absolute depths have yet to be reached. One hundred and seventeen million gallons of 74-degree, crystal clear spring water flows every day from the spring into the Weeki Wachee River before making its way another 12 miles into the Gulf of Mexico. By the 1950s, Weeki Wachee was one of the nation’s most popular tourist attractions. In 1959, the American Broadcasting Company purchased Weeki Wachee and started promoting the mermaid shows across America. They updated the theater to sit 16-feet below the surface of the spring. The three-inch glass walls across the front allow everyone in the 400-seat theater to see the show. By the 1960s, there were 35 mermaids, eight shows a day, and a half-million visitors a year. Limestone makes up the side of the spring’s 100-feet wide basin where the mermaids swim. In 1982, Buccaneer Bay water park opened. The park is Florida’s only spring-fed water park. Kayak rentals and paddling adventures are also available at the 538-acre Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, which became a Florida State Park in 2008. A know before you go update for the park on www.floridastateparks.org/WeekiWachee states: Effective May 21, 2021: Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The mermaid show and the ranger experience offer limited seating. Guests who wish to secure a seat for the mermaid show are encouraged to arrive when the park opens. 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill (352) 592-5656 Weekiwachee.com Robert the Doll Apology letters routinely arrive at the Fort East Martello Museum in Key West – all of them addressed to one Robert the Doll. The 117-year old doll is well-worn, donning a sailor suit and cap, holding a stuffed puppy of his own, looking at patrons through the museum glass with eyes as dark as the deepest recesses of Hell. That’s right, Robert the Doll is – you guessed it – HaUnTeD! This little demonic cutie can be traced back to toymaker, the Steiff Company, credited with being the first to manufacture the Teddy Bear. Before his residency at the museum, Robert belonged to a little boy of the same name, Robert Eugene Otto. As legend would have it, Otto began to blame strange and terrifying happenings on the doll. Otto kept him into adulthood, even placing him in an upstairs window at his home. According to Atlas Obscura, “Schoolchildren swore that he would appear and reappear, and they avoided the house.” Even upon changing hands to Myrtle Reuter after Otto’s death, the oddities continued from changing expressions on the doll’s face, sounds of giggling and footsteps, lights flickering, and Robert moving around on his own. Robert the Doll was donated to the museum in 1994. Robert’s reign of terror continues. Museum patrons are encouraged to introduce themselves to Robert and ask his permission before snapping a photo. And don’t dare leave without saying goodbye. Those who find themselves on Robert’s bad side report temporary camera malfunction and repercussions after leaving the museum from a string of bad luck to divorce and even injury. Specter seekers can now go on a ghost hunt featuring Robert the Doll. The adventure takes place throughout Fort East Martello, a Civil War fortress built in 1862. The museum claims the most extensive collection of haunted artifacts in the state. Gutsy ghost hunters can expect a 60-minute guided hunt through the glim fort and a 25-minute sitdown lockdown with Robert the Doll. Be sure to mind your manners, or you may pay dearly and find yourself begging his forgiveness. Fort East Martello Museum 3501 S Roosevelt Blvd, Key West (305) 296-3913 kwahs.org/museums/fort-east-martello/visit robertthedoll.org Spook Hill Ah, Lake Wales, Crown Jewel of the Ridge, home to Bok Tower Gardens, rows of blossoming citrus trees, the friendliest people, and (wiggles fingers in a menacingly scary way) Spoooooook Hill. Posted on a sign just before the hill is the legend of Spook Hill. The sign reads: “Ages ago, an INDIAN TOWN on Lake Wailes lake was plagued with raids by a HUGE GATOR. The town’s GREAT WARRIOR Chief and the gator were killed in a FINAL BATTLE that created the huge swampy depression nearby. The chief was buried on its north side. Later PIONEER HAULERS coming from the old ARMY TRAIL atop the ridge above found their horses LABORING HERE… at the foot of the ridge … and called it Spook Hill. IS THE GATOR SEEKING REVENGE, OR THE CHIEF PROTECTING HIS LAND???” Then it states simple instructions: Stop car on white line, place in neutral, and let it roll back. I’ve heard that Spook Hill is an optical illusion, but I’m not sure what’s so spooky about it. When I tried it with a group of friends, all we could collectively conceive was that maybe there was a smaller hill at the bottom producing this trick of the eye. Though I didn’t see the chief or the giant gator, it was fun to try out. I give Spook Hill three out of five Exorcist head spins since it was not very scary but made for a fun trip with plenty of laughs! Shell Museum The only accredited museum dedicated solely to shells and mollusks in the United States, the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum uses “exceptional collections, aquariums, programs, experiences, and science to be the nation’s leading museum in the conservation, preservation, interpretation, and celebration of shells, the mollusks that create them, and their ecosystems.” Daily programming includes Touch Pools in which guests can touch live mollusks while learning about the animals, a Scavenger Hunt testing your knowledge of shells and mollusks with different levels and prizes, and a Mollusk Movie – a short film about mollusks in Sanibel. The museum offers over 30 permanent exhibits as well as several temporary ones like “Shells of Sanibel & Captiva,” “Shells from Around the World,” “Record-Breaking Shells” (including some of the largest shells ever found on display), “Shells in Architecture, Art, and Human History,” and “She Sells Sea Shells by the Seashore.” (That last exhibit is a joke, of course.) 3075 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel (239) 395-2233 www.shellmuseum.org Skunk Ape Headquarters You’ve heard of the Yeti, an abominable snowman-type creature covered in hair as white as the snowy mountainous landscape they’re said to roam. And Bigfoot, the elusive giant ape-man that traverses the backcountry of the Pacific Northwest only to be caught in a blurry photo or two. Florida has its own legendary creature – the Skunk Ape. The Florida Skunk Ape is said to be a tall, bipedal animal with reddish-black fur and a strong odor similar to rotten eggs. In the heart of the Everglades, about three hours south of Polk County within the Big Cypress Preserve, past a speckling of airboat tours and the tiny Ochopee post office is The Skunk Ape Headquarters. After a selfie with the Skunk Ape replica or the 28-foot fiberglass cougar statue out front, tourists can enter the small gift shop and purchase a magnet, hat, t-shirt, mug, or their very own copy of the Everglades Skunk Ape Research Field Guide. For a fee, visitors can step through a door in the back to see a collection of animals – different species of snakes, including a massive Reticulated Python, baby alligators, turtles, and birds, to name a few. A part of the Trail Lakes Campground, this one-stop-Skunk Ape shop and research headquarters was started by Dave Shealy, an authority on the creature and a self-described Skunk Ape expert. Shealy heard tales of the Skunk Ape growing up and became obsessed with the cryptid when he first encountered it at age ten. Dave and his older brother Jack were hunting in the glades when Jack saw something walking in the distance. Only about 100 yards from the boys, Dave couldn’t see it over the tall grass. “He picked me up, and I looked, and there it was,” said Dave. They agreed that it looked exactly as it had been depicted in the stories they’d heard growing up. Dave has dedicated most of his life to researching the Skunk Ape. He’s taken multiple photos and a video of the creature. Shealy has been featured on The Discovery Channel, The Travel Channel, TLC, Inside Edition, and other national and international media outlets. 40904 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee (239) 695-2275 www.skunkape.info Jules’ Undersea Lodge Key Largo, Montego, baby, why don’t we go to… Jules’ Undersea Lodge (we’ll scuba fast and then we’ll scuba slow… that’s where we want to goooooo… to Jules’ Undersea Lodge instead of Kokomo). This oceanic inn began as La Chalupa research laboratory, “an underwater habitat used to explore the continental shelf off the coast of Puerto Rico.” The lodge is located in a mangrove lagoon plentiful with reef fish like tropical angelfish, parrotfish, barracuda, and snappers, along with anemones, sponges, oysters, and feather duster worms. The underwater structure sits on legs roughly five feet off the lagoon floor and is filled with compressed air, preventing water from flooding the rooms. Divers enter the hotel through a five by seven-foot “moon pool” and into a wet room. The lodge’s most notable feature is a 42-inch round window in each room where guests can look out into the lagoon and the wildlife teeming within it. Principal developers of the project, Ian Koblick and Dr. Neil Monney, named the lodge after “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” author Jules Verne. The Lodge’s unique experience has drawn celebrity guests, including former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, rock stars Steve Tyler of Aerosmith and Jon Fishman of Phish. According to their website, Jules’ is the first and only underwater hotel in which scuba diving is the only way to get to your room and the first underwater research lab to be made accessible to the public. According to Ian Koblick, owner and codeveloper of the Lodge, as quoted on their website, “Jules’ Undersea Lodge serves as an artificial reef, providing shelter and substrate for marine animals. And the flow of air to the Lodge constantly adds oxygen to the entire surrounding body of water, creating a symbiotic relationship between the technology of man and the beauty of nature.” 51 Shoreland Dr, Key Largo (305) 451-2353 jul.com The Bubble Room “It’s always Christmas at the Bubble Room.” The eccentric eatery opened in 1979 and began its whacky multi-themed decor with 1930s and 1940s toys. Now a Captiva Island staple, The Bubble Room is a colorful, whimsical, kitschy restaurant with year-round Christmas lights, an ‘Elf Room,’ moving trains on all three floors, photos covering the walls, and a rainbow Candyland-esque facade. 15001 Captiva Dr, Captiva (239) 472-5558 www.bubbleroomrestaurant.com Last Resort Bar A last resort destination for those who prefer their ice-cold beer with a bloody backstory is a biker bar in Port Orange. At the Last Resort Bar, on January 9, 1991, one of America’s most notorious female serial killers, Aileen Wuornos, was finally apprehended by police. Wuornos murdered at least seven men between 1989-1990. 5812 S Ridgewood Ave, Port Orange (386) 761-5147 Coral Castle Museum The 28-year toil of one man, the Coral Castle (now a museum) in Miami was carved by Ed Leedskalnin between 1923 and 1951. The sculpture kingdom is made up of over 1,100 tons of coral rock, including a 9-ton gate that ‘moves with just a touch of the finger,’ as well as rocking chairs and a Polaris telescope constructed entirely from stone. “Since it is documented that no one ever witnessed Ed’s labor in building his beloved Coral Castle, some have said he had supernatural powers. Ed would only say that he knew the secrets used to build the ancient pyramids, and if he could learn them, you could too,” reads the Coral Castle Museum website (coralcastle. com). Guests can take narrated and guided tours through this otherworldly realm of rock with narration available in English, Spanish, French, and German. 28655 S Dixie Hwy, Homestead (305) 248-6345 coralcastle.com Monkey Island Amidst what resembles a nautical-themed miniature golf course on an island in the Homosassa River, spider monkeys reign supreme. In a kingdom all their own, these mischievous monkeys spend their days swaying from ropes, scampering along platforms, up their miniature lighthouse, and on their beached boat, the USS Primate. Barriers act to keep curious boaters from trespassing on the island (which is under 24-hour surveillance), and the water keeps curious monkeys from escaping and monkeying around Homosassa. You can see these playful primates from the Florida Cracker Riverside Resort (formerly the Homosassa Riverside Resort), The Florida Cracker Monkey Bar, or by walking down an adjacent observation dock. historicmonkeyisland.com Spongeorama Tarpon Springs is a coastal Gulf town known for its rich Greek heritage, culture, shopping, food, and for being the Sponge Capital of the World. Boat tours and sponge diving demonstrations with divers in full vintage diving gear, complete with the hard-hat helmet, are a great way to learn about the town’s former leading export. Or, you could stop in at the world-famous Spongeorama Sponge Factory, complete with a museum exploring Tarpon Springs, the Sponge Docks, and the Sponge Industry. After a stroll around the sponge museum, you can learn what exactly a sponge is and where they come from in their movie theater (both the museum and movie are free). Their gift shop features many aquatic gifts like conchs, barnacles, and of course, sponges. 510 Dodecanese Blvd, Tarpon Springs (727) 943-2164 spongeorama.com Stiltsville Off Key Biscayne Beyond the cerulean shallows of Biscayne National Park is a smattering of wooden structures built on stilts, now aptly called ‘Stiltsville.’ The first of these seemingly floating flats was built in the 1930s by “Crawfish” Eddie Walker, followed by more construction over the years. According to a post by the National Parks Service, this ocean hamlet stirred up stories of illegal alcohol and gambling, which led to several police raids on the Bikini Club and Quarterdeck Club. The article (www.nps.gov/bisc/learn/ historyculture/stiltsville.htm) goes on to say, “At its peak in 1960, there were 27 structures on the flats, but hurricanes, fires and the ravages of being in such an exposed place made every building relatively short-lived. In 1985, the bottomland on which the stilt structures sit was deeded by the State of Florida to the Federal Government as part of Biscayne National Park. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew left only seven buildings standing, none of which existed during the area’s heyday.” Public access to the structures is by permit only (contact the Stiltsville Trust for permit details), but there are several charter boat tours to choose from, like the Stiltsville Guided Historic Tour from Deering Estate, Ocean Force Adventures Miami Boat Tours, and Island Queen Cruises and Tours. Christ of The Abyss If you dive down about 25-feet off the coast of Key Largo in the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, you will literally have a ‘Come to Jesus’ meeting. A nine-foot-tall, 4,000-pound bronze statue of Christ by Italian sculptor Guido Galletti was submerged there in 1965, the final of three to be installed in oceans around the world. The first statue was situated beneath the waves of the Mediterranean Sea in 1954, followed by another off the coast of St. George’s, Granada, in 1961. The Key Largo blessed bronze depicts Christ with arms outstretched and face towards the heavens. Christ of the Abyss is a popular site for scuba diving and snorkeling. History of Diving Dedicated to aquatic avocation, the History of Diving Museum tells “the international story of the attempts to explore, understand and venture under the sea. We also celebrate the special role that South Florida and the Florida Keys played in this untold story.” Dive into exhibits like the Timeline of Diving, Underwater Photography, The Treasure Room, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Deep Diving in the Abyss, or their featured exhibition, Diving in Pop Culture. 82990 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada (305) 664-9737 divingmuseum.org Robert is Here Fruit Stand The year is 1959. Six-year-old Robert was set on a corner to sell his father’s cucumber crop. As the story goes, “Robert sat all day that Saturday, and no one even stopped. That evening, Robert’s father decided that ‘There can’t be that many people who don’t like cucumbers; they must not see this little boy standing here on the corner.’” Determined to sell his crop the next day, Robert’s father placed signs around the little fruit stand with big red letters that said: “Robert is Here.” The signage must have done the trick because, by noon, Robert was walking home after selling out of his father’s cucumbers. A neighboring farmer added produce to his display, and Robert took on occasional help from his little sister Rose. His mother arranged for the bus to pick him up and drop him off each day at his fruit stand, which grew with such gusto that by age nine, Robert hired a neighbor to work for him while he attended school. The young fruit-selling mogul bought his first ten acres when he was fourteen, on which he planted an avocado grove and rented out the house. Today, passers-by are drawn in by the “Robert is Here” signage, now in huge white lettering atop a much larger building than the stand in which he started. What began as a modest fruit stand continues as a family-owned and operated tourist destination specializing in rare and exotic fruits and veggies grown mostly on their Homestead, Florida farms. In addition to produce, guests can indulge in fresh fruit milkshakes and homemade key lime pies. There is also an animal farm, play area, picnic tables, and live music on weekends and holidays. 19200 SW 344th St, Homestead (305) 246-1592 www.robertishere.com Barberville Yard Art Emporium On occasion, I drive by a mini-golf course and think to myself, ‘A 7-foot fiberglass T-Rex would be a tasteful addition to my front yard.’ If you have similar thoughts, head on down to Barberville Yard Art Emporium for all your yard art needs. Do they have a lifesize pink rooster? Probably. The Virgin Mary? You betcha. The Statue of Liberty and a Big Boy Burger boy? I’d certainly hope so. Sprawling over two acres, you’ll find an eclectic selection of indoor and outdoor items, produce, jams, boiled peanuts, peanut brittle, and more. Items at the Barberville Yard Art Emporium range from average to oversize, and most are made of aluminum or wrought iron. They also boast an array of Authentic Talavera Pottery, handmade and brought directly from Mexico. 140 West, FL-40, Pierson (386) 749-3562 www.barbervilleroadside.com Showmen’s Museum Ladies, gentlemen, boys, and girls – step right up and win a prize! The International Independent Showmen’s Museum boasts over 54,000 square feet of artifacts, midway memorabilia, and photographs that capture over a century of traveling shows in America. This collection of carnival vestiges preserves American carnival and traveling show history through exhibits like acres of show wagons, one of the first Ferris wheels in the country assembled and in operating condition within the museum, one of burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee’s slinky black beaded costumes, and an outfit worn by the 9-foottall, 425-pound, “Viking Giant,” Johann K. Petursson. According to their website, “The museum features thousands of rare photographs of carnivals, circuses, wild west shows, and early traveling shows that brought the main and sometimes the only form of entertainment that many towns throughout America would enjoy all year. Visitors will also be able to walk through antique wagons and trailers with ornate facades where show people lived or ran the day to day business of the carnival.” The International Independent Showmen’s Museum is open every Saturday and Sunday from 12-5 pm. 6938 Riverview Dr, Riverview (813) 671-3503 Showmensmuseum.org Cassadaga Known as the “Psychic Capital of the World,” this unincorporated community of Spiritualists was established over 120 years ago and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. According to www. cassadaga.org, after being told during a seance that he would be instrumental in founding a Spiritualist community in the South, a young New Yorker, George Colby, would see that prophecy fulfilled. Colby put roots down in Cassadaga while continuing to travel for work as a medium. In 1894, the Southern Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp Meeting Association was formed, and in 1895, Colby deeded over 35 acres to its founders. Today, the Spiritualist camp is sprawled over 57 acres and made up of 55 homes and a community of spiritual folks, including many mediums, psychics, and healers. As defined on their website, Spiritualism is “The Science, Philosophy, and Religion based upon the principle of continuous life demonstrated through mediumship. Spiritualism embraces the concept of individual responsibility and the belief that the door to reformation is never closed.” The resident Spiritualists of Cassadaga welcome believers, skeptics, and the curious alike. Things to check out in addition to visiting the Camp (and its bookstore) are the historic and allegedly haunted Hotel Cassadaga, The Shoestring Theatre, The Cassadaga Spiritualist Psychic Center, and the Devil’s Chair. The latter of which is a brick throne of sorts, sitting graveside at the Lake HelenCassadaga Cemetery. Legend has it if you sit in the Devil’s Chair at midnight, Lucifer himself will communicate with you. Plan your visit now! I bet they already know you’re coming. The Wonder House Built without blueprints by inventor and oddities collector Conrad Schuck, The Wonder House sits in grand juxtaposition to the average neighborhoods surrounding it. Currently a full-time private residence, this Bartow abode is open for historic tours on a limited basis. As the name implies, the spacious estate is full of wonders. The house is made with a blend of steel-reinforced concrete inlaid with glass and tile mosaics and stands four stories tall with two stories underground. The Wonder House amalgamates an eccentric dreamer’s boundless imagination and vision, from beautiful tile mosaics and hand-painted ceiling panels to hidden rooms and clever inventions. Some of the home’s notable features include a moat with two bridges spanning it and two pools on the third floor (one of which has since been concreted in by a previous owner) used as bathtubs, swimming pools, and then koi ponds. According to their website, “The house featured many time-saving devices like delayed light switches, a laundry chute, and inventions including air conditioning in the 1920s!” Historic Tours of the Wonder House are available only by booking a reservation online in advance. 1075 Mann Rd, Bartow www.wonderhousebartow.com FB @wonderhousebartow Tour The Bulk Candy Store Have you ever had sweet dreams of touring the history and production of candy at a one-of-a-kind candy emporium? At the Bulk Candy Store in West Palm Beach, you can ‘experience the evolution of candy’ through a live guided tour and video presentation. The family-owned candy shop has been slinging sweets and treats since 1992. Throughout a 40-minute tour at their candy store, guests will sample the sights and tastes of confections and have the opportunity to shop copious candies and over 50 flavors of gourmet popcorn. 235 N Jog Rd, West Palm Beach (561) 540-1600 www.bulkcandystore.com Reptile World Serpentarium Opened in 1972, Reptile World Serpentarium in St. Cloud houses a collection of over 80 species of snakes from around the world. This includes six species of cobra (including an over 13-foot king cobra), a black mamba, East African green mamba, and 11 kinds of rattlesnakes, in addition to more innocuous non-venomous snakes. Also on display are several species of lizards, a Nile crocodile, an alligator, turtles, and tortoises. What sets them apart is their regular venom extraction shows performed in front of visitors. According to their website (www. reptileworldserpentarium.com), “Though there may be only fifty snakes on public display at any given time, behind the scenes are hundreds of venomous snakes just waiting to be “milked” for their valuable venom. Reptile World Serpentarium ships this precious commodity worldwide for use in medical and herpetological research.” Venom shows begin with a verbal presentation about snakes and their venom. Then, behind a glass barrier, owner George Van Horn handles venomous snakes, which are “coaxed into sinking their fangs through a clear membrane stretched over a collection glass” for medical and herpetological research purposes. 5705 E Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, St Cloud (407) 892-6905 reptileworldserpentarium.com Dysfunctional Grace In this Ybor City art gallery and gift shop, you may find antiques and oddities from skulls and skeletons of various animals to vintage door knockers or a pair of taxidermied squirrels playing a game of cards. “The only shop in Ybor where death and dysfunction dance in a graceful ballet.” 1903 E 7th Ave, Tampa (813) 842-0830 dysfunctionalgrace.shop Dome House Four stilted concrete dome structures (initially six) make up an abandoned home sitting about 300 feet offshore from Cape Romano just south of Marco Island. These domeshaped pods commissioned by now-deceased oil producer, Bob Lee, seem to be a testament to perhaps what ‘the future’ looked like from a past perspective. The smattering of pillared domes, construction of which began in 1980, today attracts fishermen and tourists. Solomon’s Castle Solomon’s Castle is one man’s masterpiece, tucked amongst orange trees and cow pastures in Ona, Florida. Howard Solomon, who unfortunately passed away in 2016, had an imagination that overflowed into everything he did. According to Solomon’s daughter, Alane Solomon, after buying the property and realizing there wasn’t much room to build out, he built up. What came of that was an eclectic castle. Solomon estimated the property to be about 10,000 square feet with a restaurant in a 65-foot ship made of recycled wood called “The Boat in the Moat,” a lighthouse, a replica facade of the Alamo, and more. The artist’s work throughout the property is made from carburetors, gas tanks, oil drums, beer can bottoms, coat hangers, and other recycled materials. Solomon made everything from people, creatures (real and imaginary) to boats, cars, and beyond. Today, guests can tour the castle, meandering through the galleries and home of its builder, boat, and lighthouse. Taking the tour several years ago, my tour guide, Cindy, described Solomon as “The Da Vinci of debris, the Rembrandt of reclamation, the wizard of odds and ends, and the savior of salvage.” 4533 Solomon Rd, Ona (863) 494-6077 Solomonscastle.com Shell Factory And Nature Park A tourist draw for over 80 years, the Shell Factory (now including their Nature Park and Scallywags Fun Park) offers over 50,000 square feet of shopping, including millions of shells, gifts, nautical décor, jewelry, pearls, toys, coral, fine jewelry, Christmas collectibles, pick your own pearl, and much more. The eclectic destination offers a “dizzying and constantly changing array of diversions and amusements reminiscent of Florida roadside attractions of yesteryear, which, by the way, the Shell Factory was one of the first. The changes will never be complete,” according to their website. Die-hard holiday fans will love The Shell Factory’s year-round Christmas House, or if that’s not up your alley try the Fossil and Gemstone Mining Rig, Game Room, US Post Office, Gulf Coast Homemade Fudge and Ice Cream Shop, and a Hunt Brothers Pizza shop. Scallywags Fun Park & Mini Golf boasts a zip line, and the Nature Park has over 400 animals, a petting farm, three walk-thru aviaries, a full-scale dinosaur exhibit, and a Touch Center with daily shows in which kids can touch and hold animals. 16554 N Cleveland Ave., North Fort Myers (239) 995-2141 www.shellfactory.com National Comedy Hall of Fame It is often said that laughter is the best medicine. I guess that makes the National Comedy Hall of Fame the pharmacy. The NCHF aims to “preserve and celebrate the history of Comedy and to honor the “Great Legends of Comedy” who have dedicated their lives to improve the world we live in by sharing with us their humor and bestowing upon us the greatest gift of all, laughter.” The museum has a substantial collection of comedy memorabilia, from original movie posters and comedy albums to authentic puppets, studio photographs, and more. “Short films that display rare footage accompany each comedian’s exhibit, like Charlie Chaplin’s slapstick, Jack Benny’s violin dexterity and Phyllis Diller’s wit,” according to the museum’s website (nationalcomedyhalloffame.com). Guests can chuckle and howl at short films and comedy sketches in the museum’s in-house theater. 2435 US-19, Holiday (727) 944-4453 Nationalcomedyhalloffame.com Gatorama This roadside wildlife attraction, open for some 60 years, promises the biggest gators and crocs along with plenty of thrills and education. Gatorama offers your run-ofthe-mill (for Florida, that is) gator and croc feeding shows as well as up-close encounters with tortoises, pythons, and more. Brave Gatorama guests can opt for the Fast Hands Challenge and feed hungry leaping gators and crocs from the bridge. Not for the faint of heart is the Face to Face Challenge in which you can get up close and personal with these prehistoric monsters with ‘little more than a Gator Stick between you’ and feed the beastly gator, Big Daddy. Of course, you’ll need a photo for bragging rights and probably a new pair of shorts. If you’d prefer less thrill and more education, check out their numerous exhibits of alligators, crocs (including Orinoco, Cuban, and Saltwater), other reptiles, Kinkajou, bobcats, and the Florida panther. 10665 N US Hwy 27, Palmdale (863) 675-6023 www.gatorama.com The World Erotic Art Museum Expect your fair share of tasteful hoo-hoos and ha-has in this steamy Miami museum dedicated to all things erotic. Standing erect in the Art Deco Historic District of Miami Beach is The World Erotic Art Museum, or WEAM. The museum has received global attention and was founded by Naomi Wilzig (1934-2015), known as ‘an authority on exotic art.’ In part, her obituary reads, “Naomi Wilzig presented her collection with the aim of imparting a historically and culturally comprehensive picture of erotic art. She explained that she wanted to evoke the sensual experience of the pleasure and pain of love, and also wanted to send a message of tolerance in acknowledgment of the community and diversity of mankind.” The extensive collection at WEAM includes African - Native North American Art, Art Deco, Asian Art, Glass Art, Folk Art, Gay Art, Indigenous Art of the Americas, Pin-Up, Photography, Boxes, Figurines, and Hidden Art, Humor, Iconic Artists, India - Tibet Art, Lady Godiva, Leda, and the Swan, Outsider Art, P and P, Prints, Realism, Surrealism, and Wunderkammer. 1205 Washington Ave, Miami Beach (305) 532-9336 www.weammuseum.com Fairyland Figures Tampa’s Ulele eatery features native-inspired food and spirits as well as an on-site brewery. Only slightly more magical than their Gouta Grouper or Seafood Risotto is the collection of remnants from Tampa’s former attraction, Fairyland, which ran from 1957 into the 1990s. According to their website, “The Humpty Dumpty character on the Ulele roof is part of 11 remaining vignettes,” from Fairyland. “Columbia Restaurant Group owner Richard Gonzmart bought the discarded figures at a city auction last year because Richard had such fond memories of them from childhood visits. He recently had them restored by local artist Jason Hulfish.” 1810 N Highland Ave, Tampa (813) 999-4952 www.ulele.com Potter’s Wax Museum St. Augustine is the oldest and one of the most haunted cities in the country. So, of course, this spooky settlement would vaunt America’s first and oldest wax museum (with an entire section devoted to horror movies) located within the country’s oldest pharmacy. Potter’s Wax Museum opened in the mid-century by George Potter and now houses over 160 wax figures, including Harry Potter, Henry the VIII, Freddy Krueger, Abraham Lincoln, Jack Sparrow, Cleopatra, Annie Oakley, and more. “Potter set out to preserve the likenesses of great American leaders and statesmen for posterity and proceeded to procure the very best wax from France, the finest hair from Italy, and the most highly skilled artisans to give shape and form to it all. Belgium was where the first production facility was located, and the first run of wax figures found their way to what would become Potter’s Wax Museum back in 1949,” according to their website. Guests can take photos with the likenesses of celebrities, politicians, historical figures, musicians, sports stars, royal families, and an expansive list of fictional characters. 31 Orange St, St. Augustine (904) 829-9056 www.potterswaxmuseum.com

It’s a little humid but not too bad for a summer morning in Florida. The hum of player chatter is interrupted by the clack of one disk colliding with another on this Tuesday at the Winter Haven shuffleboard courts. We were invited to meet with the Winter Haven Shuffleboard Club by one of its members, Kat Davis-Cooke, and spent the morning learning about the game. Using a long stick called a cue, players push a weighted disc across the narrow court to marked triangular areas. The objective is to accumulate more points than the team you’re playing against by maneuvering the disk into certain areas while avoiding others. Shuffleboard is a popular recreation activity aboard cruise ships, at hotels, and among retirees. It has origins going back at least 500 years in Europe but didn’t make its way to America until 1913. Robert Ball, the owner of Lyndhurst Hotel in Daytona Beach, played shuffleboard on a cruise ship during his vacation and was so enthused with the sport, he decided to make his own shuffleboard court on the sidewalk in front of his hotel. He then “went about assembling the necessary equipment – some long, pronged poles and some small wooden discs and the first shuffleboard court on dry land made its debut,” according to Chuck Moulton in his article, “Shuffleboard: From Table Top… To Decks… To Courts,” on www.zephyrhillsshuffle.com. Moulton goes on to say, “The sport quickly became popular, especially among retired people, and it was quickly adopted at other resorts and in the retirement communities that sprang up in Florida during the 1920s.” In 1923, St. Petersburg’s City Park Board built two public courts at Mirror Lake Park. “It’s a place sacred in the lore of shuffleboard since it gave rise to the Mirror Lake Shuffleboard Club, where the first organized and competitive games were played,” writes Moulton. According to “The History of Florida Shuffleboard,” a booklet compiled by FSA Historian, Dorothy Spillman Wagasky, Winter Haven Shuffleboard Club is the second oldest club in the state, established in 1926. Shuffleboard clubs cropped up around the state, and in 1928 the Florida Shuffleboard Association (FSA) was formed, leading to the formation of the National Shuffleboard Association (NSA) in 1931. Shuffleboard saw the height of its popularity in the 1950s, and in 1979 the International Shuffleboard Association (ISA) was founded in St. Petersburg. Though its popularity has declined since its 1950s prime, the sport continues to draw avid players and fans and is played competitively between clubs internationally. In recent years, shuffleboard has garnered popularity with a younger crowd as well. Every Friday night, twenty- and thirty-somethings gather to play, drink and socialize at the St. Pete Shuffleboard Club. To find out more about a game so beloved throughout history and making a come-back with younger generations, we spoke with resident retired pro and District Tournament Director for the FSA Central District, George Adyns. A husky New England accent gives away Adyns’s northeastern origins. He moved to Florida from Massachusetts in 2000 and started playing shuffleboard in 2001. In 2003, after meeting a couple of shuffleboard professionals, Adyns was invited to the Winter Haven Shuffleboard Club. He took notice right away of the difference between the recreational shuffling he’d been playing and tournament-style shuffling at the club and became hooked on the latter. “I remember my first day here. I joined in March of 2003. I played in the summer here, and when a fellow by the name of Ron Crawford, who was a pro, was here all summer too. I learned more from Ron Crawford than anyone else in the state of Florida. He was so good to me that first summer. I think it’s because of him I liked the game,” said Adyns. The District Tournament Director has since taken roles as president, vice president, secretary, and director for the club. Adyns has never been the treasurer, though. The retired accountant promised his wife, “When I retire, I am retiring from numbers,” and he’s kept that promise. “On the first tournament after Thanksgiving, I had already accumulated my five points to become pro the following October,” said Adyns. He played in the state championship tournament, held in Port Charlotte that year, with Bish Kowicz as his teammate. They won the state’s amateur championship double tournament that year. Adyns turned professional and played for about three more years, slowed down only by progressive pain in his shoulders. He eventually found that he had arthritis, and there wasn’t a thing to be done about it, ostensibly ending his shuffling career. This news came between the 2011-2012 seasons. “That was the end of my playing shuffleboard,” he said. “I was devastated. To tell you the truth, I cried. I just loved to play the game.” But, looking at the shuffleboard silver lining, Adyns knew there was always a shortage of tournament directors. He started on the path of becoming a tournament director in October of that year. He did one year as an apprentice, became certified in March 2013 as a director, and spent two years in that position. He was later elected to his current position on the board of directors. “I’ve stayed involved with the community only because they’re a bunch of great people. But I miss playing,” he said. In March of 2020, George Adyns was inducted into Winter Haven’s Shuffleboard Hall of Fame with a service award. The club presently has around 40 active members. According to member Kat Davis-Cooke, the club is doing Summertime Shuffles for the first time in recent history. During Summertime Shuffle, they gather and play every Tuesday and Thursday at 9 am, weather permitting. During the winter, that shifts to Wednesday and Sunday afternoon, says Adyns. The club has 24 courts that can accommodate 96 players at one time. They use these courts to practice and host tournaments, including one state amateur tournament and some seven or eight district tournaments. The largest of these is a two-day tournament held in February, says Adyns, an open mixed doubles (open to all players, two players on each team, one man and one woman). “This district alone is quite large. Territory-wise we are the largest district under the umbrella of the Florida Shuffleboard Association,” said Adyns. The City of Winter Haven plays a supportive role to the Winter Haven Shuffleboard Club. The City owns the shuffleboard courts and made the investment about a year and a half ago to resurface the courts, working with the club for specs of the Nidy surface. The City also provides the Shuffleboard Hall of Fame and allows the club to use the building during tournaments. The more, the merrier at the Winter Haven Shuffleboard Club. Members welcome all who are interested in the game. According to Adyns, the club typically requires interested players to come once as a guest, the second time as a friend, and join as members on the third visit. Membership is $20 per year. According to Adyns there are two types of shuffleboard games. The first is called a ‘frame game’ in which 16 frames are played to get the highest score after those frames, or 75 points, whichever comes first. State-sanctioned tournaments play ’75 games’ in which the first team to accumulate 75 points wins. The shuffleboard pro knows a thing or two about the game. Adyns talked tricks of the trade using shuffleboard slang like ‘snuggling’ and ‘the kitchen’ and says he’s willing to share his knowledge with anyone interested in learning more about shuffleboard. “It can be complicated, but yet it’s very easy,” he said. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, says Adyns. “Nobody has to be afraid of a pro shuffleboard player because I’m willing to bet that 90 percent of the pros would be more than willing to help an amateur or a beginner. […] Help is always available, and we always welcome new people.” For more information about the Winter Haven Shuffleboard Club, check out their public Facebook Group of the same name. They play at their 24 lighted courts at 250 South Lake Silver Drive SW in Winter Haven and host open shuffles from October to April on Wednesdays and Sundays at 1 pm. Check out Summertime Shuffles every Tuesday and Thursday at 9 am where they offer free instruction, beginners are welcome, and there is no experience or equipment necessary Photography by Amy Sexson

Independent bookstore and coffee shop, Pressed had their grand opening on July 29. The page-turning proprietors, Christina and Paul Needham, are offering a hand-curated selection of new books (classics and new releases) and a small cove of used books, along with Ethos Coffee Roasters coffee, tea, and Honeycomb Bread Bakers baked goods. Pressed patrons can enjoy their Ray Bradbury with a bagel or a new copy of Frankenstein with fresh espresso from ‘Florence,’ the newly named espresso machine. Christina Needham has lived in Lakeland for twenty years, save for her college years. In college, she met her husband, Paul, who hails from Durham, North Carolina. The Needhams moved back to Lakeland nine years ago when their daughter was born. Pre-Pressed, Christina Needham was a Music Education teacher instructing elementary, middle, and high school students in private piano and voice lessons. Her music lessons paralleled her book store dreams. “In music, you’re teaching so much about overcoming fears and expressing yourself. I was telling this to my students, and at the same time, it was giving me confidence,” said Needham. “This last year was a different time for everyone. We had a lot of time to reflect on life and goals and dreams. While music was fulfilling me very much, I also had this other dream about starting a bookstore,” she said. The realization of that dream started last November while walking downtown and spotting a ‘For Lease’ sign on a Kentucky Ave. storefront. She called to inquire about the space, and so it all began. Needham registered her bookstore business without having a confirmed location, hopeful that the Pressed pieces would fall into place. The initial Kentucky Avenue space fell through, and Christina found herself in March without a clear path to opening her book shop. “I felt like I hadn’t gotten anywhere. I thought maybe this isn’t the right time.” At the end of that month, another landlord called her about the Bay Street space formerly occupied by Twenty Seven and Honeycomb Bread Bakers. “I knew the space,” said Needham. “I had been in here before, and I thought it was perfect.” A FAMILY LOVE OF LITERATURE Christina Needham’s mother is an English teacher, which meant plenty of books in their home. “Growing up, I was surrounded by books,” she said. As a child, she was more into music and playing piano than reading but enjoyed it all the same. Her favorite childhood story was one that her dad would read to her, called Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey. “My love of books really sparked as an adult,” said Needham. Her husband’s family are also voracious readers with books filling their family home – a point of connection between Christina and Paul’s mom. “My mother-in-law would hand me things on holidays and recommend different books to read,” she said. Today, her favorite genre is historical fiction, whereas Paul’s interest is piqued by biographies, philosophy, and other nonfiction reads. When the Needhams started their family, they wanted their three children, now nine, six, and four, to have the same love of literature that their families shared. “For us, books open up a world of imagination and stories, and connect us with things that we don’t know. I think it’s so important right now to learn and grow as a person by expanding your knowledge of the world and of different people’s beliefs and behaviors. I think books open that up for us. That’s why books are so important to us and our children,” said Needham. IM-‘PRESSED’ WITH THE CONCEPT When Christina and Paul first had the idea to open a bookstore a few years ago, they began visiting bookstores whenever they would travel. They browsed the shelves at places like Letters Bookshop in Paul’s hometown of Durham, Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh, and Parnassus Books in Nashville. “We saw the magic of a bookstore, especially in a local community, and we thought Lakeland would benefit from having a bookstore,” she said. Excited to see their dream come to life, the Needhams began to form a concept they thought the community would enjoy. “When we decided to bring the bookstore to Lakeland, we felt like it would succeed having another element to it as a gathering space. Not just selling books, but also a place where people can come and sit and gather,” said Needham. So, they added a coffee shop. The Pressed owners have been intentional about adding local elements into their space. “Lakeland is growing, and new businesses are coming here, including us, that want to be here and want our city to thrive and are passionate about Lakeland,” said Needham. This shared passion for the city is why they chose to offer coffee from local roasters, pastries from a local baker, feature books from local authors on their shelves, and art from local artists on their walls. Along with the children’s book section with curation help from the Needham kids, their selection of adult books was handselected as well. “The curating process was where we tap into our experience of what we’ve read, what we’ve enjoyed and making the experience of buying a book a little less intimidating,” said Needham. She went on to acknowledge that “Books are an investment of your time and money,” and as such, having a smaller, more diligently curated selection from which to pick makes for a better investment of both, rather than sifting through a sea of titles at big box stores. Opening in late July, the plan is for Pressed to kick-off events in the fall. Those in the forefront of Needham’s focus include book clubs, writing workshops, author spotlights, book signings, and storytime for kids. “I think it would be fun to have different people in the community come read during storytime,” she said. Though the book shop owners haven’t had much time to read while preparing to open, they did have a few recommendations and books they’re excited about. Christina gave high praise to The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah and said she is looking forward to reading The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller as well The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune. Paul is keen to sink his teeth into The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race by Walter Isaacson. These and many other titles will be available at the indie Lakeland book shop. For months, brown paper has obscured from view the transformation taking place within 213 E. Bay Street. Pressed is shaping up to be what I can only describe as (and I include myself in this) a book nerd’s paradise. The cozy atmosphere – greenery here, a stylish rug there – is like being in the living room of someone very, very cool who also happens to love books. There are reading nooks, tables for studying, cozy seating, and a green velvet couch – among other mid-century modern features contributing to a comfy bookish vibe. Across the coffee bar are works from Vakti Gallery by local artists Paul O’Neill, Seungdo Hyun, and Mockingbird Artist. A colorful Twenty Seven mural is the backdrop for the children’s books section, which Christina Needham plans to keep, saying, “It’s so sweet and whimsical.” Now that the paper has finally come down and the community is invited to share in their love of books, Christina Needham reflects on her Pressed journey. She described their book shop as an extension of themselves. “We have big dreams for the place. I think Pressed has such potential. […] I think our ultimate vision is that it’s a gathering space for people to work, read, study, have conversations, host community events, and be a place where people want to come, and it brings them joy.” 213 E. Bay Street, Lakeland www.pressedlkld.com FB @pressedlkld IG @pressedlkld Photography by Amy Sexson

In May of this year, St. Louis, Missouri native and twenty-year Lakeland resident Derrick McBride released his debut selfpublished novel, “One Search for All.” Inspired by true events that transpired in 1970s Fulton, Missouri, the story follows Miss Willie Swanson Edwards and the author’s grandfather, Jack McBride. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Following years spent in program development and fundraising within the nonprofit sector, Derrick McBride turned his focus to presenting, keynote, and motivational speaking. Through his work, McBride hopes to motivate people “to become better versions of themselves, create better opportunities for themselves, and to do exactly what they’ve always dreamed.” Derrick McBride is the founder of Vizon Quest, a nonprofit dedicated to providing services to youth ages 6-18 in education and career development, health and life skills, sports, fitness, and recreation. He co-founded event management company Eventrics and is well-known locally as the Executive Director of the YMCA/ First Tee program in Lakeland. First Tee is an international program utilizing afterschool and in-school programs to introduce the game of golf to young people. “It’s meant to bring diversity to the game of golf,” said McBride. “We were able to do some amazing things in the community through that program.” He has also worked as CEO/ Executive Director of a Boys and Girls Club. ONE SEARCH FOR ALL When Miss Willie goes missing one frigid February morning in 1974, friends Ortis ‘OT’ Williamson and Jack McBride will stop at nothing to find her. “One Search for All’’ is a moving account passed down by McBride’s grandfather exploring the “realities of racism, homelessness, despair, and desperation.” Miss Willie is described as a fiercely intelligent woman who loved literature and poetry. An excerpt from the book reads, “In her early years she was a confident woman, whose beauty was like the fire-gold flame of dawn. Her thoughts flowed with wisdom, and that heart of hers would be the source of love that so many young people would cherish.” Another passage asserts, “She commanded respect from all who knew her, and even though she was denied many opportunities because of the color of her skin, she continued to hold her head high.” Polk County educator for over twenty years, Michelle Snell, synopsized the book, writing, “It offers an insightful glimpse into the lives of Black people and injustices happening in the 1970s. The story centers around a homeless Black woman that goes missing and the search to find her. The book unravels a shocking, surprising story that takes the reader back to a time where racial tension was at its peak.” An 18-year-old McBride was struck when his grandfather first told him the story of the search for Miss Willie. “After he told me, I knew I wanted to share it with the world. I didn’t know how I was going to do it. I didn’t know what method it was going to be, what media, but I knew I had to,” he said. McBride and contributor Laird Garner took time fact-finding, regularly consulting with Jack McBride, and organizing information for historical accuracy and pertinence to the story. “Even before we started writing, we had to gather up information about Miss Willie, about the City of Fulton, about laws, about music, about candy,” said McBride. “He played an integral part in helping me with the book,” McBride said of Garner. Compelled to relay the tale, McBride noted, “I don’t know if it’s something that I wanted to tell. I thought it was something that you would want to hear as a reader. […] This is one of the best true stories I’ve ever heard. It doesn’t get any better than this.” And an extraordinary true story it is. Towards the book’s conclusion, the narrator aptly recounts, “I couldn’t help but realize that this entire search wasn’t just about finding Miss Willie, it was about finding the American dream, whatever it may be, to whomever it may be.” ‘FOLK HERO’ JACK MCBRIDE McBride described his grandfather Jack as “a folk hero back home.” Many in Fulton and surrounding areas were familiar with Miss Willie’s story from Jack McBride, who wrote his account in a journal. “So many people liked the story that he sold that journal,” said McBride of his grandfather’s book, “The Search: The True Story of Miss Willie Swanson Edwards.” Jack McBride, now 96-years-old, is a civic leader in Missouri, contributing to the Fulton Chapter of the NAACP, the Youth Life Improvement Association, the Callaway Alcohol and Drug Awareness Action Committee, Habitat for Humanity, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. State Commission, and Governor Mel Carnahan’s Advisory Committee. His efforts have been recognized through honors, including the 1994 Fulton Chamber of Commerce J.H. Atkinson Award for Outstanding Community Service, the 1992 Fulton Kiwanis Club Community Spiritual Advancement Award, and the Central Missouri Negro League George Washington Carver Achievement Award. “I don’t know if I really knew what kind of person he was until I started writing the book,” said Derrick McBride. Growing up, McBride regarded his grandfather, who the family calls ‘Hi Pop’ as “rock solid.” Spending time on his grandfather’s farm was the highlight of McBride’s summers growing up. He admired Jack but didn’t quite realize the depths of his character and community impact until diving into “One Search for All.” “People in his community loved him. He advocated to bring diversity to the state of Missouri and to the surrounding cities he worked in. He was a big component of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. He was really big on bringing people of different colors together for a common goal,” said McBride. A GOAL TO GET IN SCHOOLS Drawing from the real lives and experiences of Miss Willie, Jack McBride, and others, the book delivers an impactful, twisty read filled with beats of profound sadness, injustice, revelation, and triumph. “I did want to stir up emotions,” said McBride. “I wanted to stir up feelings, and I wanted to stir up thoughts. Even if it did make you mad and you couldn’t do anything – what can you do today?” Each reader will doubtlessly walk away with something different from the story. McBride certainly gleaned something from telling it. “It took me a long time to write the book, and there were several times that I got stuck. I’d set it down, but I kept pushing through. I think that if you have a dream to do something, you have to push through, and you learn that about yourself.” “I don’t even know how to feel about it yet,” he said. McBride had a deadline, finished the book, and it came out in a whirlwind. “Now I’m just able to sit back and go, ‘I did that.’ […] It was a tough journey. There were times as I wrote the book when I was in some difficult places in my life. Some of the best chapters in that book were in those difficult times.” The “One Search for All” author is currently on tour to promote his book. McBride has designs on several more books that would expand on Miss Willie’s life and that of his grandfather, as well as a motivational book nearing finished, titled “There’s a Hole in My Sock.” His goal is to get “One Search for All” into middle and high schools. “I want to get a paperback version into schools with a curriculum and a workbook,” he said. McBride envisions a workbook with exercises that will spark conversation, and if asked, he would love to speak to students about it. Educator Michelle Snell noted, “As a teacher, I’d love to see Mr. McBride get his book into our Polk County schools. Our world needs more unity and compassion. This book touched my heart, and I’m sure it will for all who have the privilege to read it.” One Search for All To purchase, visit: theonesearchforall.com FB @OneSearchForALL IG @onesearchforall

Born in Bellingham, Massachusetts, an hour outside of Boston, into a family from the French-speaking part of Quebec, Daniel Pepin has an unmistakable New England accent wed with good-natured Candian comportment. His brawny figure and tattoos may be imposing, but it is only a facade for a passionate musician who loves his craft and community. “My grandmother had one of those old flip-top record players. The first record she had was Eight Days a Week by the Beatles,” remembers Pepin. The first time he heard it, he said, “That’s what I want to be. I want to do that.” Pepin got his first guitar lesson at age four. To encourage his musicality, Pepin’s grandmother bought him an electric guitar. His father was upset that she would spend all that money on something he may not stick with. “Which I love holding over his head now and forever,” he said affably. Music consumed Pepin. He constantly played, even strumming the tune to Super Mario Bros. or Zelda as he waited for his turn to play the game with friends. As he grew older, he delved further into The Beatles’ catalog. Works like the Magical Mystery Tour stood out. He remembers thinking, “This is it. I don’t know what’s happening because I’m not even a teenager yet. There’s something psychedelic happening. I dig that.” Eventually, Pepin’s father canceled his guitar lessons. “He took me out of lessons because I was teaching the teacher how to do some of the riffs,” he said. His father took him to one of New England’s most famous guitar instructors, Steven Kirby. Kirby, a Boston-based guitarist, composer, and educator, is a graduate of Berklee College and earned a degree in Jazz Composition and Arranging from the University of Massachusetts (Amherst). He has been faculty at Wellesley College, Brandeis University, and Berklee College of Music. Kirby has won awards for his jazz compositions and published articles in Guitar Player Magazine and Jazz Improv Magazine. His music has aired on radio stations worldwide, and he has toured in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, Europe, China, and Africa. “I couldn’t out-play him. He was the top of the top,” said Pepin. Kirby encouraged Pepin to go to college for music. So, he did. Pepin enrolled at Rhode Island College to pursue a degree in Musical Education. Even before earning his degree, Pepin taught music. His professors would vouch for his skills to play and read music. He taught at a Bellingham store called Larry B’ee Music Center, which is still open today. He taught there for years and is still in contact with the families he instructed. Pepin also studied under Mychal Gendron, a classical guitar player, and world-touring artist. Around that time, he and friend Ron Howard started a band, The Letdown, now The Mighty Letdown. During his last year of college, The Letdown took off. The band opened for top names at the time, like Godsmack, Cold, Breaking Benjamin, Mudvayne, and Disturbed. “We played everything from stadiums to little tiny dive bars,” said Pepin. He toured with The Letdown until his son Ethan was born. He stopped going on the road and eventually moved to Florida to be closer to his parents. Pepin became a single father and put all of his focus on raising Ethan. With his musical flame all but extinguished, he met his now wife, Cori Blythe. Raising Ethan on his own, he described Blythe as a ‘surrogate mom’ to his son and a steadfast supporter of his music. OVER THE CLIFF Pepin plays guitar, bass, drums, and piano and can chart music. He worked as an entertainment technician at an area theme park producing tunes that played in the background throughout the park and for their events. “It was great for me because I could just sit in a black room with nobody bugging me and just do my thing,” he said. In a devastating turn of events, Pepin was severely injured while weightlifting, tearing his abdomen in half. A year and a half later, the couple lost their jobs during the pandemic. “That was the cliff that I fell over to start playing again,” said Pepin. During a trip to Europe, his wife arranged for Pepin to play the Cavern Club in Liverpool, a music mecca that hosted The Beatles during their early years. Playing where his musical paragons had played reignited Pepin’s fire, though his injury held him back. “I was crushed for a while. I didn’t think I was ever going to play again,” Pepin said. Splitting his abdomen made it uncomfortable even to hold a guitar. He had an initial surgery that failed. “When I was in England playing the Cavern Club, I had to wear a binder that would literally hold my stomach in,” Pepin said. “I thought it was over.” After he healed up, Blythe pushed him to play again. She bought him a classical guitar, and he booked his first show at the Winter Haven Farmers Market. “I had never played by myself,” he said. Pepin worried people might see his Spanish guitar and think, ‘How cool can that be?’ But when Pepin begins to pick the strings, it is chill-inducing – an amalgamation of years mastering his craft and an innate radiating talent. People stop what they’re doing to listen and watch Daniel Pepin. He is an entertainer to the core. His showmanship is complete with jokes, banter, and guitar tricks. He shouts out market vendors, and once shred so fast during a performance at Swan Brewing, his pick caught fire. “Once you break the ice, not to mention having a rapport with people and talking to them and being friendly… once you connect to them, it’s easy.” “That’s why when you see me playing at the market, I’m always smiling because I can do it again, and it’s fun. Whether it’s for five people or 500, you’re going to get the same exact response,” he said. Pepin’s ‘baby’ is a Yamaha Spanish Classical, a flamenco guitar with nylon strings. Considered one of the most romantic of instruments, its sound is dreamy and serene. “I think it does help that what I do is so different from what other people do. There’s a specific sound that that type of guitar has that you don’t get from your average guy with an acoustic guitar, steel-string,” he said. Demand for Pepin’s pretty Spanish guitar sound grew. He went from one or two shows a month to sometimes two or three in a day. Now, music is all that Pepin does. He performs gigs and does sound production and mastering for other artists. “I play every minute that I can.” He has some 32 guitars and keeps at least one in every room of his house. He’s even been known to shred in his sleep and play along to the theme songs of movies and television shows. Blythe tunes him out at this point, he said with a smile. He plays all over Polk County from the Winter Haven Farmers Market, and the Twisted Prop to the Pink Piano, Swan Brewing, Craft + Kitchen, Haven Coffee Roasters, and the Poor Porker. Pepin said, “The places close to home around here are really good for me. People just seem to get it.” During gigs, he plays a mix of original music and covers – Queen, The Beatles, and even Willie Nelson upon request. You may know him as ‘the unicorn guy’ because of his galaxycolored hair and his logo of a guitar backdropped by a unicorn designed by his wife. But that pet name has even more wholesome origins. Pepin’s son Ethan liked My Little Pony and would get picked on for it while waiting for his school bus. So, Pepin, a tattooed, weightlifting, guitar-thrashing hulk of a guy, bought a My Little Pony shirt and wore it to walk Ethan to the bus stop. After that, his bus mates never made fun of him again. “I may be a good guitar player, but I’m a way better dad.” PEPIN’S PROCESS Producing his original music is an enthralling process. Sans band Pepin plays each instrument on a track by recording one and layering it with another from the guitar and bass to drums. As far as lyrical inspiration is concerned, Pepin keeps it close to home, writing about personal experiences and that of friends and family. “I like soul-crushing stuff, unfortunately. I like the really sad and then inject it with hope,” he said. He called his song “Time Slips Away” “the happiest sad song you’ll ever hear in your life.” A section of the song intones, “When you’re losing your hope, I will throw down a rope. You can come back up to me.” He continued, “I like that mood that it might be melancholic, but there’s always hope in it.” Pepin’s best friend Tom Sabin, an uncle to his son, Ethan, recently passed away. One of Pepin’s songs was played at his funeral. “That guy loved me and supported me since Letdown through all those years,” he said through tears. Pepin booked a trip to New England last month to see Sabin, who unfortunately passed before his visit. “He was my hero,” Pepin said. The two met through playing music, and Sabin had been there since day one. “I always say, ‘I don’t have a lot of friends, but I’ve got a lot of really close friends.’” LIVERPOOL LIVE What can only be described as Serendipity’s divine hand of intervention – from a little boy who loved The Beatles to a successful musician in his own right – Daniel Pepin has joined The Beatles tribute band, Liverpool Live. Pepin is excited for the theatricality of the costumes and instruments as his part performing George Harrison. “It’s very authentic,” he said of the band. From chord strikes to minor mistakes The Beatles made, Liverpool Live plays precisely. Pepin was introduced to Liverpool Live after meeting one of their singers, Mark Benzur, at a club. They were looking for understudies to fill in from time to time if bandmates were sick or otherwise couldn’t perform. Interested, Pepin rehearsed with them and was offered a leading position. “And there’s no work for me because it’s The Beatles – it’s like putting on an old comfy shoe,” he said. His first performance with Liverpool Live was a June 19 gig at The Friar Tuck in Clermont. “How ironic is it that when I was a little kid, I said ‘I’m going to do that someday,’ and now I’m literally doing that song?” ‘I LOVE THIS COMMUNITY’ “I’ve made lifelong friends from the market, lifelong friends from the Pink Piano, lifelong friends from here,” Pepin said as he took a sip of unicorn latte at Haven Coffee Roasters. Even when he’s having an off day or doesn’t feel good, “When people are having a good time, it makes you into it. It pulls you in.” he said. “I love the connection with people. I love this community.” As for his musical aspirations? Now that his son is older, Pepin hopes to go back on tour. He plans to keep plugging his original music and playing at every opportunity. “While I can still do it, I’m going to give it a hundred percent.” www.danielpepinmusic.com FB @DanPepinMusic YouTube: Daniel Pepin SoundCloud: Daniel John Pepin Photograph by Amy Sexson

You’ve had their warm bagels at N+1 and lined up for their country sourdough at the farmers market, but soon you will have more opportunities to enjoy Honeycomb Bread Bakers. The bee brand bakeshop is expected to open in Winter Haven later this month. Benjamin Vickers thought he’d go to college for English Lit and become a “bookish academic” type. His hobby of home baking for his friends and family slowly took center stage. He called his parents one day and said, “I’m going to New York for culinary school, guys.” He was accepted into the Culinary Institute of America in upstate New York for a slot opening three weeks later. “It was a whirlwind starting out, but I haven’t looked back since,” said Vickers. Benjamin did his externship at Manhattan bakery, Dominique Ansel. He was even part of the team that brought into being the popular croissant, donut hybrid – the cronut. After graduation, he was invited to work at a high-end catering service in Ithaca, New York. The business catered many of the galas and banquets for nearby Cornell University. The company didn’t have a pastry or dessert program at the time Vickers joined them. Fresh out of culinary school, he stepped up to help them build one from the ground up. Initially, he was catering weddings and banquets. Understanding that dessert and cakes were the most in-demand pastry jobs, he knew he wanted to be a bread baker. He noted that the rest of his journey was “carving out that career.” The next stop in his bread baking journey led him into the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains at world-renowned Blackberry Farm in Maryville, TN. There, he was able to foray from desserts into bread. Vickers remembered fondly, “We would bake bread all night, [...] [and we] would go down these twisting paths through the farmlands to deliver to all the houses and restaurants. You’d see the sun rising over the mountains and all the sheep as you’re driving your little bread cart.” Vickers got his next pastry gig by happenstance while out to dinner at Nineteen61. Chef Marcos needed a pastry chef, and there was Vickers. He became the pastry chef for Chef Marcos and worked for about two and a half years. Vickers started his cottage food business making bread, Honeycomb Bread Bakers, in February 2018, though Honeycomb’s official birthday is October of that year. He joined Catapult and began selling at the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market a month later. “Our first day was one loaf of bread to Concord,” Vickers said. Word spread, and the baker began to realize just how much of a need there was for quality bread from an honest source. “That’s one of the things that I’m trying to cultivate – a brand on one hand that is really accessible because bread should be humble. It shouldn’t be too expensive or unattainable. It should be easy to find and delicious and nutritious and fill your belly,” said Vickers. Bread should also come from a brand you trust and believe in. “When people see the little gold bee, it should have a resonance or a meaning.” Even before he genuinely knew he wanted to be a baker, Vickers envisioned a bakery called Honeycomb as a kid. “I’ve always had this affinity with bees as a symbology, […] they represent a place where the natural, wild world meets the more rigorous and architectural world which as an aesthetic, I’ve always really liked,” he said. “With our bread, for example, I love the wild and rustic – it is what it is, but also, we do a lot to make it have a beautiful ear and a nice golden crust, and it’s a certain shape, and everything is precisely measured. When those two things meet, I think that’s a nice sense of beauty,” he said. “Also, Honeycomb in bakery parlance, when you slice a loaf of bread, and you see that whirl pattern of air bubbles – bakers call that the honeycomb. Whenever it’s properly fermented, it should be a nice open honeycomb.” It was essential for Vickers to pay homage to the tradition of bread baking. According to Vickers, the version of bread that Honeycomb produces is only slightly modernized from the ancient Greeks. “What I love about us being one tiny piece of that long timeline is that it’s not necessarily about reinventing the wheel,” he said. He isn’t looking for a gimmick. He wants to do his part to make the simple staples incrementally better over time – a blip in bread’s evolution. Honeycomb’s most popular items are their Country Sourdough, followed by their Wild Maine Blueberry Muffin. Among the many things that make his muffins stand out are the tiny Maine wild blueberries he uses. He said they grow wild in bushes on the sides of the road there. They are notably smaller than Florida’s plump blueberries that tend to hold more water. These berries offer a sweet, tart, “punch of flavor,” says the baker. “We have to bend over backward to get these berries, but it is so worth it.” Honeycomb continues to sell at the Downtown Lakeland Farmers Curb Market and the Winter Haven Farmers Market, at which he was a debut vendor in January 2020. In addition to various wholesale locations, Vickers opened a Bay Street bakery in Lakeland in the Fall of 2019. Due to a real estate dispute, the bakery could not renew the lease and closed the storefront in April 2020. Vickers described his reception in Winter Haven as ‘extremely warm’ with folks lining up every Saturday at the Winter Haven Farmers Market for his baked goods. Along with the name recognition from Winter Haven partners such as N+1 Coffee and Haven Coffee Roasters who sell or utilize Honeycomb products, Honeycomb fills a niche for this side of the county. Whereas most of his colleagues sell cookies, cakes, and confections, Honeycomb offers more savory options and bready pastries. As soon as he knew the Bay Street location would close, Vickers went on the hunt for a new building. After a few months of looking in Lakeland and Winter Haven, he began talking with Six/Ten Group and found himself drawn to one of their properties on Sixth Street downtown. The building is roughly 1600 square feet, including additions to the structure. The Sixth Street location was a gas station in the 1960s and, more recently, an auto glass repair shop. “The thing that I loved about it was the Spanish mission-style architecture, and the shape of the building is very unique and quirky. I thought it would be a great opportunity for us to have ample outdoor seating,” said Vickers. “We’ve been basically baking out of a closet for the past three years,” said the baker. His Winter Haven bakery will be a dramatic upgrade for baking, manufacturing, storage, and quality of environment for him and his staff in terms of space and production. Honeycomb will bring back the products and services customers loved at his Bay Street location and venture into new culinary terrain. Vickers described this soon-to-open bakeshop as a ‘much more holistic approach to Honeycomb’ with retail and wholesale under one roof. Construction on the building commenced around eight months ago. The community is a-buzz about Honeycomb, a welcome addition to the downtown dining landscape. The bakery will offer what patrons are already familiar with from the farmers markets along with an expanded menu of goods – fresh bread, bagels, pretzels, a pastry case, viennoiserie including muffins, croissants, pain au chocolat, morning buns, and Kouign-Amann. The Sixth Street bakeshop will boast a full espresso bar and a tea bar with fine imported teas. “Some of the newer things that we weren’t able to do in our old shop will be more full-service breakfast and lunch,” Vickers explained. The scrumptious Honeycomb lox bagel will make a comeback along with quiche, be it roasted vegetables or a more traditional offering of Quiche Lorraine. Break out your comfy pants because Honeycomb is doing breakfast sandwiches, baby! Hungry sammie seekers can expect morning offerings on their fresh bread, bagels, croissants, and sourdough English muffins. Just before he had to close shop in Lakeland, Vickers and his team implemented lunch options at the bakery. Winter Havenites rejoice! Honeycomb will have six sandwiches to start, including a Rueben, made on house Danish rye bread with homemade sauerkraut, as well as a Cubano and a smoked turkey club. The menu will feature salads, too, like the beloved Honeycomb Bistro Salad and Caesar Salad. “Soup is my all-time favorite lunch,” said Vickers. “I’ve wanted to do it for a while. That will be a mix of creamy and brothy soups. He went on to say, “The weekends will be for more playful, composed lunch items.” “We have these big beautiful hearth ovens, so we might as well crank them all the way up and do pizzas on Fridays and Saturdays.” In addition to pizza and flatbread specials, Honeycomb will offer plated specials like perhaps a ratatouille, meatloaf, lasagna, or a curry dish. “Bakeries and cafes have always been these gathering places for communities. People in the hospitality industry call it the third space. Home is the first space, work is the second space, and cafes are the third space. They are an extremely social environment, and we’re hoping that it can be that crossroads in Winter Haven or that cornerstone of the community that people really gather at,” said Vickers. “To that end, we’re hoping to use the large outdoor area as a venue space for different markets or events. We have a lot of passionate creators as partners – either as vendors or on our team.” He hopes to provide these creatives opportunities to express themselves, be it in a coffee tasting, a farmer discussing their sustainability programs, or a bread baking class. “We’re hoping it will be a very event-focused venue and more of a community place rather than a place to do transactions where we just sell bread.” Honeycomb Bread Bakers will have an outdoor gathering space in the front of their building as well as a shared space with Adler’s Burgers behind them. Vickers hopes to see the beloved burger joint open not long after his bakery so the two can create a collaborative synergy. The building’s industrial history has led to a less than glamorous construction process. They’ve dealt less with the cosmetic and more with environmental remediation and installed underground utility lines to ensure it is up to standard for a food service facility. Vickers hopes to be fully open or soft-open towards the end of July. In a November 2020 social media post announcing the new store, Vickers wrote, “Our goal for this new home is to improve the value and quality of our products and services, to provide fulfilling careers for our staff, and to make our beautiful world a little better and yummier.” Honeycomb Bread Bakers 140 6th Street SW, Winter Haven www.honeycombbread.com FB @honeycombbread IG @honeycombbread Photography by Amy Sexson