For the first time since 2014, the Florida Mission of Mercy (FLA-MOM) will take place in Polk County. The free, two-day dental clinic hosted by the FDA Foundation is slated for May 31 – June 1, 2024, at the RP Funding Center (701 West Lime St., Lakeland). The FDA Foundation, which started in 1980, is the philanthropic arm of the Florida Dental Association. Over the years, they’ve given back to the community in various ways, from dental scholarships to support for clinics and programs across the state and coordinating volunteer efforts. The FDA Foundation has three primary programs: Donated Dental Services, a partnership with the national organization Dental Lifeline Network in which dentists can volunteer in their office; Project Dentists Care, a statewide safety net listing of clinics and programs which the FDA Foundation provides funding to some annually; and Florida Mission of Mercy, a signature program they coordinate every year. Florida Mission of Mercy (FLA-MOM) is a large-scale professional dental clinic that provides care to any patient at no cost to them, with the goal of serving the under-served and uninsured in Florida – those who would otherwise go without care. Lakeland’s will be the organization’s ninth clinic, with previous FLA-MOM events in Tampa, Jacksonville, Pensacola, Orlando, Ft. Meyers, Tallahassee, and West Palm Beach. The impact they’ve had over eight years can’t be overstated. Since 2014, FLA-MOM has provided $14.67 million in dental care, treated over 13,000 patients, completed over 90,000 procedures, and had over 12,000 volunteers. The May 31 – June 1 RP Funding Center clinic will have 300 dentists on site with an additional 500-600 hygienists and assistants. Beyond that, the clinic boasts pre-dental students, dental hygiene students, and around 2,000 community volunteers. They hope to serve 2,000 patients over the twoday event. “There is a huge unmet need in the state of Florida and across the country for routine access to dental care,” said R. Jai Gillum, director of foundation affairs for the FDA Foundation. The Mission of Mercy patients will receive patient education, medical screenings, a panoramic X-ray, and a dental exam. From there, treatment varies from fillings, cleanings, extractions, limited root canals, pediatric treatment, and prosthodontics (partials, bridges, and dentures). “We have patients who leave our clinic with mouths full of gauze, and they are overwhelmingly grateful for this service – in awe at what we are able to do and have done,” said Gillum. “What’s really important to us is the dignity of our clinic and making sure our patients feel dignity while they’re getting care.” “We get calls every single day in our office from patients across the state that just need help. They’re trying to find a program or place they can go,” said Gillum. “I didn’t have the money to go to the dentist, so I was suffering. […] These are tears of joy. I am so thankful for everything you guys have done for me,” said one grateful FLA-MOM patient. FLA-MOM is coming to Lakeland thanks in part to Representative Sam Killebrew and Senator Colleen Burton, who championed legislation last year that provides funding to the program. This is only the second time FLA-MOM has received state funding, and it remains one of the only states to receive state funding. “This is not a solution. We want to help, especially with acute needs within an area. More than anything, it brings attention to what is needed,” Gillum said. The event is more than free dental treatment; it catalyzes change in statewide funding for dental programs. FLA-MOM provides data on the patients they treat to local and state officials. According to Gillum, the need is far greater than the 2,000 people they’ll be able to help in Lakeland. Gillum called the clinic “life-changing” for volunteers and patients alike. Of the providers, she said, “This gives them a chance to provide care to people, some of whom haven’t had treatment in years.” One dentist volunteering at the West Palm Beach FLA-MOM event last year noted, “It’s more rewarding for me than for all the people I’m helping.” 2024 FLORIDA MISSION OF MERCY DETAILS: The 2024 Florida Mission of Mercy Veterans Dental Event will be held on May 30 at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. You must register for an appointment. See their website listed at the end of the story. Veterans will register for an appointment time on Thursday, May 30, to complete paperwork, X-rays, and a dental exam. They will return at 7 am on Friday, May 31, to complete dental treatment. The 2024 Florida Mission of Mercy will take place from May 31 to June 1, 2024, at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. Doors open at 7 am. Patients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. The goal is to treat 2,000 patients in two days. Information about treatment: • Adults must be willing to wait in line and not have medically compromising conditions to be treated. • Photo identification, social security number, insurance information, or other personal identification/documentation is not required. • Children under the age of 18 can be treated, but a parent or guardian must accompany them. • Interpreters will be available to assist in some languages, but please bring an interpreter if you do not speak English. Florida Mission of Mercy FB: Florida Dental Association IG @fda_dental floridadental.org/foundation/programs/mission-of-mercy Photography provided

You’ve just received the news. It’s breast cancer. The diagnosis shatters you. Questions pile one on top of the other in your mind. What are you going to do? What toll will the treatment take? Are you going to lose your breasts? Are you going to lose your life? How will your family cope? How will you afford medical bills on top of all your basic needs? This is a familiar crisis to many women across Central Florida. Thankfully, there is an organization that seeks to ease the burden of those going through cancer treatment. Nearly one out of every eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, according to the Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida (BCFCF). This disease ravages the lives of those it touches, including family, friends, and finances. The BCFCF financial assistance program was started in 2017 to provide help with household expenses while a breast cancer patient is in active treatment. This includes covering the cost of rent or mortgage payments, utility payments, car payments, car repairs, home or auto insurance, or other necessary expenses. Based in Lakeland, the organization works with communities across the west to the east coast of Central Florida. They assisted 130 women in Polk County alone last year. BCFCF also provides a Children’s Fund that supports the unique needs of children in the homes of families with a member in active treatment for breast cancer. This assistance has included orthodontic continuation, eyeglasses, clothing, birthday and holiday gifts, school supplies, childcare, and infant supplies. According to their website, “BCFCF reaches out to the local, Central Florida communities we serve through breast cancer education and awareness initiatives, such as panel discussions, speaking engagements, health fairs, and web-based resources. BCFCF works to share both facts and myths about breast cancer, spreads the word that breast cancer can affect all ages and sexes, and is passionate about advocating for early detection and yearly mammogram screenings. We are doing our best to impart the importance of routine, monthly self-breast exams starting by age twenty.” In the last year, they’ve partnered with Moffitt, BayCare, and Florida Cancer Specialists to provide wigs and chemo caps to patients who can’t afford them and have started survivor groups. In addition to their annual Pink Ribbon Gala, the Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida hosts Jeepin’ for a Cure in October. Last year, they raised $18K and look to triple that number this year. One hundred percent of the proceeds raised go directly to breast cancer patients. Ashley Lloyd is the outreach director and only employee for the Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida. She was also a recipient of their care. Two years ago, Lloyd was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. “You don’t know what you’re going to do when you’re diagnosed. How am I going to feed my kids, pay for their soccer camp, and pay my mortgage?” she said. After receiving assistance from BCFCF, she fell in love with their mission, quit her job, and started with the organization in November 2022. Since Lloyd took over, there’s been a 73% increase in awareness of their cause. In 2023, BCFCF gave out nearly $300K and saw an increase in patient applications by almost 50 percent. The originization is always in need of donations and volunteers, but spreading awareness of what they do is just as valuable. “We want people to know that we exist. We’re not just here to give assistance. We also have people who can mentor you if you’re diagnosed,” said Lloyd. MARBIE’S STORY Marbelis ‘Marbie’ Garcia Wonders is originally from South Florida. She’s lived in Lakeland since 2006. Wonders is a fifth-grade teacher at Willow Oak School in Mulberry, has been married for over 26 years, and has two grown children. Wonders went for a regular checkup in the summer of 2022. She was turning 50 in October and hadn’t had a mammogram the previous two years because of the pandemic. “I wasn’t very worried about it because I don’t have a history of cancer in my family,” she said. Her son was a senior in high school and a member of the Dreadnaught marching band. The team was headed for a championship, and Wonders was president of the band boosters and partially in charge of the concession stand. Life was busy. Then, she was called in for a second mammogram. Following that, she was told to come back for a biopsy. Wonders began to grow worried. “They called me back in late September and informed me of my diagnosis over the phone – that I had breast cancer,” she said. She was diagnosed with Stage 1 of an aggressive form of breast cancer called HER2+. “I was very stunned because I felt fine,” she said. “For them to tell me that there’s something wrong with my body when I didn’t feel like there was anything wrong with my body was counterintuitive to me. It was really something I had to wrap my mind around. That was a tough pill for me to swallow because there was nothing wrong with me.” Wonders was rushed to the oncologist and the breast surgeon to decide on a treatment plan. She was given the diagnosis on September 22, saw the breast surgeon on September 26, and was in surgery for a lumpectomy by November 1. Her case required a second surgery on November 15 to clear the margins. Following these two surgeries, Wonders had 12 weeks of chemotherapy, 21 rounds of radiation – five days a week for four weeks – and had to take Herceptin and Perjeta every three weeks for a year. The financial demands began to take their toll when someone from Watson Clinic recommended she apply with the Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida. “Things were starting to pile up at the house as far as bills go,” she said. Her engineer husband lost his job in 2008, and the family went through bankruptcy and foreclosure. “It’s just been in the last four or five years we’ve finally started to come out of it and be in a much better place financially.” They’d gotten their homeowner’s insurance bill, and because of an aging roof on the house, their mortgage payment skyrocketed by $600 a month. “What are we going to do now?” she thought. Then, BCFCF accepted her application. They agreed to pay her utility bills in full for four months. “That alone was a big help,” she said. “Them paying that one bill was enough to give us a little breathing room to figure out what we needed to do. […] It was one thing off my plate that I didn’t have to worry about. I could put it on them and focus on other things. When you have so many things going on, even one less stressor was helpful.” Today, Wonders is in remission with no evidence of disease detected. She is finished with treatment and has since had two clear mammograms. The fifthgrade teacher hopes to pay it forward with the organization that helped her during her battle with breast cancer. Asked if her diagnosis changed the way she lived her life at all, Wonders replied, “I was someone who didn’t sweat the small stuff to begin with. I definitely don’t do it now.” Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida P.O. Box 2508, Lakeland, FL FB: Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida IG @breastcancerfoundationcfl bcfcf.org Photographs Provided

SUNSET PADDLE HAPPY HOUR April 5, 12, 19, & 26 at 7 pm at Armature Works. Paddle during “golden hour” for beautiful views of downtown. Register with Urban Kai online. SUP, single kayaks, and double kayaks available to rent. urbankai.com BOOK OF MORMON April 16 – 21 at the Straz Center. This outrageous musical comedy follows the adventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. Contains explicit language. strazcenter.org FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL Throughout April at Busch Gardens. Guests can sip & savor their way through eats and treats before finding their new favorite brew or cocktail. Park guests can also enjoy a diverse concert lineup. buschgardens.com SPRING PLANT FESTIVAL April 13 & 14, 9 am – 3 pm at the USF Botanical Gardens. Featuring plant vendors as well as food trucks. Vendors at this event are commercial growers and local clubs from throughout the state are expert growers, and available to field your questions. Small admission fee. usf.edu TAMPA BAY RAYS The Rays are back! They play 13 times at home in April. They will go up against the Rangers, Giants, Angels, and Tigers. Check the website for days, times, and special promotions. Bring your dog on April 14 for Dog Days at the Rays. mlb.com/rays TAMPA BAY BLUES FESTIVAL April 12 – 14 at Vinoy Waterfront Park in St. Pete. Artists include Grace Potter, Beth Hart, Tab Benoit, and the Blood Brothers, full lineup online. One of America’s finest waterfront blues festivals, with food vendors, drinks, and VIP experience for additional charge. tampabaybluesfest.com SPCA ANNUAL PET WALK April 6, 8:30 am at Largo Central Park in Largo OR at North Straub Park in St. Pete. SPCA Tampa Bay is a For-All shelter and veterinary center. Being “For-All” means that SPCA Tampa Bay will not limit admission or refuse to take in a pet of any type or situation. Register online. spcatampabay.org MOVING DAY April 27, 9 am at Al Lopez Park. Moving Day is an annual fundraising walk event that unites people around the country living with Parkinson’s disease. This event serves to raise funds, increase awareness, and celebrate the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease. movingdaytampabay.org ST. PETE INDIE FLEA April 7, noon – 4 pm at The Factory. Locally made and curated handcrafted goods, vintage housewares, decor, Mid-century furniture, vintage clothing, antiques, plants, collectables, food, music, art and so much more. TASTE AT THE STRAZ April 27, 7 pm. The Straz Center’s annual eat-and-drink extravaganza on the beautiful Riverwalk gives you access to the Bay area’s best food, craft brews, cocktails, and more for one price. This is their signature fundraising event. VIP available. strazcenter.org

SPRING FIESTA IN THE PARK April 6 & 7, 10 am – 5 pm at Lake Eola Park. Celebrate the beauty of the season as hundreds of amazing artists and crafters take over Lake Eola Park. Savor the flavors from a variety of food vendors, a beer garden, and a Kid’s Zone. fiestainthepark.com MRS. DOUBTFIRE April 23 – 28 at the Dr. Phillips Center. This new musical comedy brings everyone’s favorite Scottish nanny and tells the hysterical and heartfelt story of an out-of-work actor who will do anything for his kids. drphillipscenter.org BUSTA RHYMES April 1, 8 pm at House of Blues. The 12-time Grammy nominee will be in Orlando with his BLOCKBUSTA Tour in support of his latest album of the same name. VIP experience available for additional charge. houseofblues.com AMY SEDARIS April 19, 8 pm at The Plaza Live in Orlando. Spend the evening with comedian, actress, and author, Amy Sedaris. This hilarious evening of comedy and moderated conversation will end with an audience Q&A. plazaliveorlando.org SEVEN SEAS FOOD FESTIVAL Throughout April at Sea World Orlando. Explore more than 50 fresh global cuisine choices to pair with over 75 refreshing wines, cocktails, and craft brews. Don’t forget the rides and animal encounters to add to the fun. seaworld.com BRUNCH IN THE PARK April 13, noon – 3 pm at Lake Eola Park. Graze for hours on delicious brunch bites, bloody Marys, mimosas and cocktails with live entertainment for one all-inclusive price. VIP experience available for additional purhase. orlandoweeklytickets.com CREATIVE CLASH April 6, 5 pm on the lawn of the Dr. Phillips Center. Armed with markers, students and alumni from the UCF School of Visual Arts and Design race against the clock to create artwork in front of a crowd. The theme will be announced seconds before they begin. Free. arts.cah.ucf.edu/celebrates RUN FOR THE TREES April 27, 7:30 am at Ward Park in Winter Park. The last mile is on the tree-canopied, dirt road of Genius Drive. This privately-owned glimpse of old Florida is opened to the public only for this event. All in person finishers receive a young tree. Kids Fun Run available. trackshack.com/event/108 FLORIDA FILM FESTIVAL April 12 – 21 at the Enzian Theater. Now in its 32nd year, this Oscar®- qualifying festival, premiers the best in current, independent, and international cinema. Through 10 days of 160+ films and firstclass events, film lovers mingle with filmmakers and celebrities. floridafilmfestival.com SCIENCE OF WINE April 27, 7 – 10 pm at the Orlando Science Center. Enjoy an adults-only night out exploring OSC’s four floors of interactive exhibit halls. From activities in The Hive: A Makerspace, special seminars, and interactions with professional sommeliers and chefs. osc.org

DID YOU KNOW The first-ever pizzeria in the world is the Port’Alba in Italy. Established in 1830, the store cooked their pies in an oven featuring Mount Vesuvius lava. The active volcano lies on the Bay of Naples. Pizza only came to America in the late 1800s. The food had been a staple in Naples for years. Italians started migrating to the United States bringing their flavor preferences along. Pizza in America started on the East Coast. The first areas to start commercializing pizza were Boston, Connecticut, New Haven, New Jersey, New York, and Trenton. Also, these places received the highest influx of immigrants from South Italy by the shift of the century. The first pizzeria in the United States opened in 1905. Italian-American Gennaro Lombardi started a mini-pizza business at his street-front shop in Manhattan. While the shop no longer stands in its original location, Lombardi’s is still operating. A returning GI invented the gas-fired pizza oven in 1945. World War II got American soldiers craving pizza from their service in Europe. It inspired GI Ira Nevin for his Baker’s Pride invention, allowing an easier and less-expensive way to bake and retail pizza. Pizzas would only sell by the pie, exclusively. It lasted until 1933 when Patsy Lancieri of Patsy’s Pizzeria, New York initiated the selling-by-slice trend. Pizza ATMs debuted in the United States in 2016. The first machine stands at Xavier University, Ohio, where it holds 70 pizzas. Customers can place orders on the touchscreen, which will then command the machine to heat then serve the pizza. Pizza Hut made history as the first pizza chain to send a pizza delivery to space. The pizza chain sent a 6-inch salami pizza via a Russian rocket to the International Space Station. Russian cosmonaut Yuri Usachov ate the pizza and took a photo. The record for the biggest pizza in the world has a diameter of 131 feet. Made in 2012, the colossal pizza tipped the scale at 51,257 pounds. The ingredients included 19,800 lbs gluten-free flour, 8,800 lbs mozzarella cheese, and 10,000 lbs tomato sauce. PIZZA TRIVIA What is the most popular pizza topping in the US? What is the second most popular pizza topping in the US? What is America’s least favorite topping? What day of the year are the most pizzas ordered? What percentage of Americans eat pizza at least once a month? Where was the classic Hawaiian pizza with pineapple, cheese, ham & tomato sauce created? What year did Bagel Bites make their debut? On average, how many slices of pizza does an American eat in one year? What is the largest pizza chain in the world? How many billion pizzas are sold in the US in one year? What day of the week is the most popular day to order a pizza? In the movie “Toy Story,” the main characters Buzz and Woody find themselves at a themed pizza restaurant. What was the name of the restaurant? What type of pizza did surfer Jeff Spicoli order in the movie “Fast Times at Ridgemont High?” How long does it take Domino’s “World’s Fastest Pizza Maker” to make a single large pizza (to the nearest second)? What percentage of Americans prefer thin crust? Answers Pepperoni Sausage Anchovy Super Bowl Sunday 93% Canada 1985 46 Pizza Hut 3 billion Saturday Pizza Planet Double cheese & sausage 11 seconds 61% Information gathered from dogtownpizza.com

COMMUNITYFEST Join the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce for a FREE family festival in downtown Winter Haven on March 2 from 11am – 4pm in Central Park. They will have live entertainment, food, games, activities, local businesses, character meet & greets, and more. winterhavenchamber.com LUAU PARTY March 2, 5 – 11pm at Grove Roots Brewery. Celebrate Hawaiian style! The Luau will have Hula dancing, fire dancers, Tikis, Hawaiian food, ukulele, music, and even Moana! Family-friendly. More info on FB @groverootsbrewing. MUSIC IN THE MOVIES March 7, 7pm watch “Amadeus” featuring classical music. March 14, 7pm watch “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” with folk, bluegrass, and gospel music. March 28, 7pm watch “Phantom of the Paradise” with rock, pop, and glam rock music. Admission $5 at the Ritz Theatre. ritzwinterhaven.com SPRING BLOOM WINE WALK March 9, 2 – 5pm at Bok Tower Gardens. Sip, sample, and stroll through the Gardens while sampling 12 wines from the best wine regions in the world. Your ticket includes wine samples, nibbles at each stop, and a souvenir-tasting cup. Register online at boktowergardens.org. CENTRAL PARK ART FESTIVAL March 9 from 9am – 4pm & March 10 from 10am – 4pm in Central Park in downtown Winter Haven. Explore fine art from talented artists across the country. Enjoy live music and entertainment. Engage in hands-on activities for kids. More info on FB @CentralParkArtFestival. ITALIAN WINE DINNER March 13, 6pm at the beautiful Adam’s Estate in Lake Alfred. Mangia bene, vivi felice! Experience Italian wines with skilled sommeliers, expertly paired with a curated Italian dinner for a night of Roman charm. centralfloridatix.com THE BODYGUARD March 14 – April 7 at Theatre Winter Haven. A former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge; what they don’t expect is to fall in love. theatrewinterhaven.com BARK IN THE PARK March 22, 5:30 – 8:30pm at Central Park. Explore a variety of dog vendors offering everything from tasty treats to stylish accessories. The annual wiener dog race, where these pintsized pups race for the title of fastest wiener in town. Hosted by Main Street Winter Haven. More info on FB @MainStreetWinterHaven. PUNK ROCK FLEA March 24, noon – 6pm at Swan Brewing in Lakeland. 70+ eclectic vendors and artists with nostalgic toys, upcycled clothing, rare vinyl, handmade jewelry, original artwork, and more. Family-friendly. More info on FB @lakelandpunkflea. WINTER HAVEN FARMERS MKT & SPRING FLING March 30, 9am – 1pm at 250 Magnolia Ave, in the parking lot across from Grove Roots. Along with the usual market vendors, they will have face painting, kid’s activities, and more. Shop for produce, plants, meat, seafood, flowers, pasta, bread, baked goods, and more every Saturday. winterhavenfarmersmarket.com

We're All Stardust ARIES March 21 - April 19 March brings opportunities for personal growth. Focus on your goals and be ready to take charge. Watch out for impulsive decisions; instead, channel your energy into constructive actions. TAURUS April 20 - May 20 This month emphasizes your relationships. Strengthen existing bonds and be open to new connections. Pay attention to your emotional well-being and find balance between work and personal life. GEMINI May 21 - June 20 Communication is key in March. Express your thoughts clearly and listen to others. Be open to learning and expanding your knowledge. Stay adaptable to changes in your routine. CANCER June 21 - July 22 Your focus shifts to home and family matters. Nurture your close relationships and create a harmonious domestic environment. Trust your intuition when making decisions. LEO July 23 - August 22 March encourages self-expression and creativity. Embrace your passions, and don’t be afraid to showcase your talents. Connect with like-minded individuals who share your interests. VIRGO August 23 - September 22 Prioritize your well-being in March. Pay attention to your physical and mental health. Organize your daily routines for efficiency. Take time for self-reflection and relaxation LIBRA September 23 - October 22 March emphasizes relationships and partnerships. Strive for balance and harmony in your interactions. Communicate openly and address any issues diplomatically. Collaborate for mutual success. SCORPIO October 23 - November 21 This month encourages self-discovery and transformation. Face any internal challenges with courage. Focus on personal growth and explore new perspectives. SAGITTARIUS November 22 - December 21 March emphasizes your social life. Connect with friends, join group activities, and expand your network. Pursue your goals with enthusiasm, and don’t shy away from new opportunities. CAPRICORN December 22 - January 19 Career matters take the forefront in March. Stay disciplined and focused on your professional goals. Strive for recognition but be mindful of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. AQUARIUS January 20 - February 18 March encourages exploration and learning. Broaden your horizons through travel, education, or exposure to different cultures. Embrace diversity and open your mind to new ideas. PISCES February 19 - March 20 This month is about self-care and reflection. Listen to your inner needs and take time for spiritual pursuits. Trust your instincts and make decisions that align with your true self.

Fire, often perceived with apprehension, plays a pivotal role in maintaining Florida’s diverse ecosystems. Today, I’ll be chatting about the interplay between fire and nature, particularly highlighting the winter/spring fire season in Florida, and underscoring the significance of adopting firewise behaviors in neighborhoods inside or adjacent to the wildland urban interface (often abbreviated to WUI, and sometimes pronounced ‘Woo-EE’). THE DUAL NATURE OF FIRE IN FLORIDA In Florida, fire acts as a double-edged sword—its absence as detrimental as its uncontrolled presence. Fire has historically been a threat, something to prevent at all costs. This attitude became mainstream in the 1940’s with films like Bambi emphasizing the danger and destruction wildfire could bring to an area. In 1944, the Smokey Bear Wildfire Prevention campaign began and it has since become one of our nation’s longest running public service advertising campaigns. As Smokey famously said, “Only YOU can prevent forest fires!” But, you may not have noticed that sometime in the 2000s and 2010s Smokey’s message changed to, “Only YOU can prevent wildfires!” This subtle change means a world of difference across the USA and particularly, here in the SE USA. Unfortunately, this resulted in decades of fire suppression in the US. When fire is excluded from ecosystems in which it was a normal disturbance, it can disrupt the habitat available to wildlife, change the dominant plant and tree species in an area, and even affect the way water moves through a system. And, in extreme cases, it can make the next fire that comes through even more dangerous due to an unnatural buildup of fuels (dead wood, overgrowth, vines, etc.). PRESCRIBED FIRE Prescribed burns, carefully managed by trained land managers, are instrumental in maintaining ecological balance, enhancing biodiversity, and reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires. These planned fires mimic natural fire cycles, essential for the rejuvenation of fire-adapted ecosystems like pine flatwoods, which historically experienced fires ignited by lightning. It’s important to note that many of our American Indian cultures also used prescribed fire to help renew the forests throughout North America. We know through dendrochronological research (the study of tree rings) that specific ecosystems and species living within them are dependent on regular fire rotations (in other words, the average number of years between burns) to enhance their reproduction and suppress overgrowth of the ecosystem. For instance, many longleaf pine ecosystems have a natural fire rotation of 2-4 years but sand pine-scrub systems may have a much longer fire rotation, 10-60 years. The types of fire associated with these different cycles vary in intensity, season, and how species have adapted to survive and thrive in them. FIRE DEPENDENT SPECIES IN FLORIDA The dance between fire and nature paints a complex picture, where fire-dependent species like the Florida scrub-jay and the longleaf pine play pivotal roles. The Florida scrub-jay, exclusive to just a few of Florida’s unique scrub habitats, thrives in the open environments maintained by periodic fires. These necessary flames clear away dense vegetation, ensuring the scrub-jay has access to ample foraging grounds and nesting sites. Similarly, the longleaf pine, a symbol of Florida’s fire-prone ecosystems, relies on fire to clear the ground for its seeds to take root and grow, maintaining its dominance in the landscape. These examples highlight the nuanced role of fire as both a guardian and a renewer of Florida’s natural heritage, promoting a landscape where both plant and animal life are intertwined with the cycle of fire. Recognizing and implementing controlled burns not only protects these fire-adapted communities but also embraces a broader understanding of fire’s integral role in sustaining the ecological diversity and health of Central Florida. FLORIDA’S FIRE SEASON Florida’s fire season is usually from mid-April through July and is marked by naturally ignited lightning fires across the state. Fire season, preceding the wetter months, often includes lower humidity and drier vegetation, conditions ripe for both natural and prescribed fires. And as you can imagine, fire season may start early or run late if drought conditions are also going on! It all depends on how much rain we’ve received that year. You may see announcements from local land managers that there are prescribed fires going on. If so, you might like to know that prescribed fires are planned extensively and permitted through the Florida Forest Service. In their plans, they must make contingency plans in case the fire was to escape due to a change in conditions. Escaped prescribed fires are rare, but it is possible. If you notice a “red flag warning” on your local weather app, this is an indication that conditions are ripe for a fire. Be extra careful with barbecues, fire-pits, pile burning, and avoid parking on tall dry grass if your car’s engine is hot from driving. FIREWISE BEHAVIORS FOR RESIDENTS Amid the natural occurrence of fires and the implementation of prescribed burns, residents play a crucial role in fire prevention and safety. The goal of defensible space is to create and maintain a safety zone around the home, which increases the likelihood that a home will survive a wildfire even in the absence of firefighters. Adopting firewise landscaping, creating defensible spaces around properties, and understanding the ecological benefits of fire can significantly mitigate risks. These practices, inspired by nature’s own mechanisms like the gopher tortoise’s burrow serving as a natural firebreak, not only protect homes but also aid firefighting efforts. Some tips you can adopt if you live in a rural wooded area: • Clean your roof and gutter system of dead leaves, debris, pine needles and cones • Remove or trim back all flammable materials such as mulch, flammable plants, wood piles, or other vegetation making a 5-foot wide buffer around your home • Trim back any trees leaning over your roof • Prune all trees within 30 feet of the home up to 6-10 feet above the ground As stewards of our environment, it is important to support and understand the role of fire in maintaining the health of Florida’s ecosystems. Encouraging the use of prescribed burns and adopting firewise practices at the community level can foster a harmonious coexistence with this natural process. For further information and resources on fire management and safety, residents can contact me at scarnevale@ufl.edu OR 863-519-1041. You can learn more about firewise landscaping from UF/IFAS Extension at: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/fr076. Or, from Florida Forest Service at: fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/ForCommunities/Firewise-USA.

RENT A SWAN BOAT The City of Orlando rents pedalpowered swan boats on Lake Eola so guests can enjoy the fountain up close. Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 7pm, closed on Mondays. They don’t take reservations. Swan boats are available first-come, first-served, weather permitting. orlando.gov FLEET FARMING SWARM RIDE March 2 & 16 from 9am – noon. Meet at Audubon Park Covenant Church’s backyard farm and work on the neighboring farms together, traveling via bicycle. All farming tools will be provided. Please bring water, closed-toed shoes, and a hat. More info on FB @fleetfarming. VANYA March 2, 11am at Enzian Theater. Andrew Scott brings multiple characters to life in Simon Stephens’ radical new version of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya. Filmed live during its sold-out run in London’s West End, Vanya will be playing exclusively in cinemas in 2024. enzian.org THE COLOR PURPLE March 8 – 10 at the Dr. Phillips Center. This musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s widely celebrated novel (and the popular 1985 Steven Spielberg film) spotlights Celie, a downtrodden young woman whose personal awakening over the course of 40 years forms the arc of this epic story. drphillipscenter.org PLANT SALE March 9 – 10, 9am – 5pm at Leu Gardens. Free admission all weekend. Growers will be selling a variety of plants, and outdoor garden accessories. There will be food and treats to purchase so you can shop all day. Bring a wagon to carry your new plants. leugardens.org ST. PADDLE’S DAY PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT March 14 – 16 at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Winter Garden. A recreational pickleball tournament & event. Test your skills in a round-robin tournament open to all beginners, intermediate, and advanced players. Register online. cwgdn.com WINTER PARK SIDEWALK ART FESTIVAL March 15 – 17 along Park Ave. in Winter Park. One of the nation’s oldest, largest, and most prestigious outdoor art festivals that consistently ranks among the top juried fine art festivals in the country. It features a wide variety of fine arts and crafts in several categories. wpsaf.org JAGGED LITTLE PILL March 19 – 24 at the Dr. Phillips Center. This new musical based on Alanis Morissette’s world-changing music is about a perfectly imperfect American family full of joy, love, heartache, strength, and wisdom. drphillipscenter.org ORLANDO CRITICAL MASS March 29, 777 E Princeton St, Orlando. Meet at 6:30pm, and ride at 7pm. You will ride for roughly an hour and a half and go about ten miles. All skill levels are welcome. No gasoline or four-wheeled transportation allowed. Takes place on the last Friday of the month. More info on FB @OrlandoCriticalMass. RUN FOR THE ANGELS 5K March 30, 7:30am at the Orlando Executive Airport. Supports Angel Flight Southeast, a non-profit volunteer pilot organization that provides free air transportation by private aircraft to medical facilities when commercial services are not available, or simply not affordable. Visit runsignup.com and search Run for the Angels5k Orlando.

PREHISTORIC PREDATORS Throughout March at Zoo Tampa. Take a step back in time and encounter awe-inspiring creatures during this limited-time event. Running until April 28, you can get up close to 15 colossal animatronic predators of the past. zootampa.org PREHISTORIC PREDATORS Throughout March at Zoo Tampa. Take a step back in time and encounter awe-inspiring creatures during this limited-time event. Running until April 28, you can get up close to 15 colossal animatronic predators of the past. zootampa.org GASPARILLA FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS March 2 – 3 at the Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. One of the top outdoor, juried fine arts shows in the US, showcasing a wide variety of art mediums and price points. Includes live music, food, and areas designed for children and families. gasparillaarts.com THE TEMPTATIONS & THE FOUR TOPS March 11, 7:30pm at Ruth Eckard Hall. This will be a night of classic Motown hits, harmonies, flashy wardrobes, and original choreography. Both bands have propelled popular music with a multitude of award-winning and chart-topping songs and albums. rutheckerdhall.com PADDY FEST ST. PETE March 16 & 17 at Willliams Park in Downtown St. Pete. The 2-day Festival is for all ages with tons of Irish food & drink, live Irish music performances, vendors, Celtic games, a kid’s zone, and more! paddyfeststpete.com GASPARILLA INT’L FILM FEST March 21 – 24. The largest celebration of independent film held annually. The festival showcases films of all types/genres, including features, documentaries, shorts, music videos, international films, and more. gasparillafilmfestival.com GOLDEN GIRLS THE LAUGHS CONTINUE March 22 – 24 at the Straz Center. Miami’s sassiest seniors return for one more hurrah in an all-new show written by Robert Leleux and directed by Eric Swanson. Imagine what the gals would be doing today if they were still alive. strazcenter.org SOUTHEASTERN GUIDE DOGS WALKATHON March 23, 9am – noon at Gadsden Park. Featuring a 5K, a 3K walk and a doggone great party with music, food, vendor and sponsor booths, and an exciting raffle drawing. To learn more, register for the 5K run, or sign up as a fundraiser, visit guidedogswalkathon.org. BE MY NEIGHBOR DAY March 23, 10am – 2pm at the WEDU PBS Berkman Family Broadcast Center. Families can meet Daniel Tiger and Katerina Kittycat, play with inflatables and games, meet firefighters, paramedics, and police officers, take trolley rides & more. More info on eventbrite at WEDU PBS. Free. STRANGER SINGS! March 26 – April 21 at the Straz Center. The musical parody is a hilarious “upside down” take on the hit Netflix series - and all its campy 1980s glory. Take a trip back to Hawkins, Indiana in 1983 with Mike, Eleven, Lucas, Dustin, and the whole Hawkins gang. strazcenter.org

Fourteen-year-old Harlow Manning is a freshman at Harrison School for the Arts. The young Winter Haven native was bound to be creative, surrounded by art since birth. Her father, Trent Manning, is an internationally renowned mixed media artist who describes his work as a reflection of his personality, “a somewhat disillusioned cynic, with an odd sense of humor who still clings tightly to his inner child.” Mother Daphne Manning is a painter and the executive director of the Ridge Art Association. “I’ve always been around art from an early age because my dad is an artist. He really inspired me. Growing up around creative people and art inspired me a lot,” said Harlow Manning. “I’ve been drawing since I can remember.” In a 2019 Haven Magazine interview with Harlow and Trent, she noted that she’d been sketching since age three. Her dad remembered being called into her class by her teacher when he picked her up one day. The teacher asked if he could pick out Harlow’s self-portrait from the collection on the wall. He said, “Yes, that one’s Harlow’s.” Her teacher explained that the project was to do a self-portrait. Harlow’s self-portrait stood out because of the big rainbow. When the teacher told her that wasn’t part of the project, Harlow retorted, “But that’s my rainbow.” When her teacher told her she didn’t have a rainbow, Harlow said, “Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it isn’t there.” At age seven, Manning first displayed her work in a joint show with her dad at Outer Space Art Gallery called “Inspired.” When she was ten, she collaborated with Trent again for a show at the Punk Rock Flea Market, where they debuted their business, Cerk Fillet. “All of the sculptures I did were based on her sketches for our first show. All the paintings originated from her sketchbook,” Trent said in the 2019 interview. “This time, it’s going to be a little bit more me and a little bit more her, and then we’re also going to collaborate.” “I think that’s what was fun about when we first collaborated,” Harlow said. “Our styles are so different, but we made them work together.” Since then, Manning has shown and sold her art at Art Crawl, the Punk Rock Flea, Mayfaire by-the-Lake, and the Central Park Art Festival, where she’ll return this month. “My style is very bubbly and happy and very colorful,” Manning said. She’s currently inspired by the many colors in nature. Her medium is acrylic paint and Posca paint markers. A mural featuring a series of cute, colorful creatures graces the wall behind The Lodge in downtown Winter Haven. These “blob animals” blossomed directly from Manning’s imagination. She described her process: “I start with random shapes and layer it with a Gelli plate. I layer the acrylic which I like because it makes a nice texture. Once I have my base of layered colors, I go in with the Posca markers and make the details of the creatures themselves.” After sketching the animals with chalk, the mural took only four days to complete. She also did a live mural at Swan Brewing for the Punk Rock Flea in 2023. Manning has plans for more mini murals throughout downtown Winter Haven that are hidden, making for a happy surprise when you come across one. “I’ve loved art for so long that it’s a big part of my life now,” Manning noted. “I do it for fun.” Her friends think it’s cool that she’s an artist and support her endeavors. “Since I go to an arts high school, there’s a lot of creative people there. It’s nice to have so many other creative people who go to school with me to encourage me.” Aside from her colorful paintings and murals, Manning enjoys theatre. She volunteers at Theatre Winter Haven and focuses on technical theatre in high school. “I like setwork, design, and lighting,” she said. Manning has worked on the set for “Moana Jr.” and has worked on lighting for five other shows at the community theatre. “I think it would be really cool to do some setwork for Broadway. It’s a good mix of theatre, which I love, and the painting aspect and working on building sets.” To see Harlow’s work and what shows she plans to attend, follow her Instagram @harlowmanningstudio. Manning will sell pieces at the 46th Annual Victor Smith Law Group Central Park Art Festival in downtown Winter Haven. The festival, presented by Ridge Art Association, is a premier fine arts festival with established artists and rising stars alike. The festival will be held in Central Park on March 9 and 10, 2024. Manning will have large-scale versions of her canvas pieces and smaller framed works.

Little hands tend to rosemary, garlic chives, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts on a 10-acre farm in Lakeland. They collect eggs from chickens and plant bluebells, among other farm chores. They take a moment to pet Gilbert, the resident cat. Reading, writing, and arithmetic are well-balanced with play, creativity, and open green space at this private microschool. Fresh air and freedom inspire joyful shouts and giggles. WonderHere, a learn-and-play farm and schoolhouse for pre-K and elementary-aged children, cultivates wonder and a love of learning in its students. According to WonderHere, “We strive to holistically develop children who are curious, empathetic, community-minded, problem solvers, and creative leaders.” The school promotes play-based, project-driven, and personalized education, with the schoolhouse divided into areas of interest, including a library, science lab, project room, study, and a STEM room. Whether attending a half or full day at WonderHere, students receive direct instruction in language arts and math with an assigned teacher. But at WonderHere, it isn’t about letter grades and test scores – it’s about exploring that intangible curiosity we lose somewhere along the way to adolescence. Or maybe we don’t ‘lose’ it. Perhaps it isn’t appropriately nurtured and withers. That curiosity – that wonder – needs tending like the bee balm and milkweed in the garden. Alongside learning the core subjects, kids at WonderHere can traverse the schoolhouse according to their pace and areas of interest. Ten-year-old Eva likes “everything” about WonderHere but has a particular affinity for acting class and hanging out with her friends. Matias, a curly-haired seven-year-old, enjoys the freedom and “being able to run around.” Gavin, age 12, has a unique perspective on the microschool. He attended WonderHere before his family moved. He went to traditional school for a time before returning to the Lakeland farm and schoolhouse. “You didn’t have as much freedom to do what you wanted,” he said of public school. He enjoys that he doesn’t have to change classes and remain seated. “We can move around and work with our friends,” he said. A SPARK OF WONDER Former public school teachers and best friends Jessica Zivkovich and Tiffany Thenor founded WonderHere in 2016 as an urban alternative learning space. “We questioned if there was a different way to do school,” said Zivkovich, who has a Bachelor’s in Exceptional Student Education and a Master’s in Reading Education from Southeastern University and over ten years of teaching experience. Co-founder Tiffany Thenor also graduated from Southeastern University with her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She taught in a Title 1 School for seven years. The school started as a learn-and-play homeschool enrichment program with ten kids. Ten grew to over 30 the following year as WonderHere transitioned to a full-time school. “The whole goal when we started WonderHere was to make learning fun again – to preserve the joys of childhood. We believe in academic growth and progress, but we do it in a way that honors the whole child, that brings joy and spark into their whole learning experience,” said Zivkovich. They started with the intention of being an urban school with a space downtown near the Polk Theatre. They had no green space but fenced in a parking lot where children could play. “We grew out of our downtown location, and then we started pursuing the farm,” said Zivkovich. Now on a sprawling ten-acre farm with a garden, farm animals, and plenty of space to run and play, WonderHere enters its eighth year. “This is a lot more green space than we ever dreamed of,” said Thenor. The school was given several goats for the farm. With no idea how to care for the animals, they called in Karrie Tidlund, who has worked with animals and gardening her entire life. She has an associate degree in business administration, a Bachelor of Science degree in Integrative Studies, and 15 years of experience working with children. As the farm director, Tidlund leads programs, including Toddler Farm School, The Outdoor Classroom, and Wilderness Workshop. Tidlund walked us through a shaded copse of trees they call “the woods,” where a cluster of kids were playing and exploring. We entered the garden at the back of the farm. “When we got this farm, it was just grass,” she said. “We’ve built this from the ground up, and the students have been a part of that.” Tidlund means that literally. Early on, students heaved wheelbarrows full of soil, compost, and woodchips to build out the garden that they now tend, with Tidlund’s help, of course. “Every classroom in our schoolhouse has a garden bed. They’re learning to grow different things,” Tidlund said. “They weed it, they do pest control, they harvest it, they do the whole process.” Last fall, they installed a wildflower garden, planting flowers like zinnias, bluebells, and sunflowers. The flowers will be a boon to the school as they’ll sell them on special Family Farm Days. The produce grown by the students also helps to support WonderHere as Tidlund sets up a booth to sell it at the Winter Haven Farmers Market a couple of times a month. What do the kids benefit from all this open space and time playing in the dirt? “Fresh air,” said Tidlund. “Honestly, they’re just learning, and they’re able to interact with it differently. To know what a garden is and to put your hands in the dirt and experience it is another thing entirely.” She noted how excited the children were to see what had changed since their last time working in the garden. They also love to find caterpillars and butterflies among the milkweed. “We don’t use chemicals in the garden, so the kids can pick and eat right from the garden,” Tidlund said. “That has gotten some kids to eat vegetables they have never been willing to eat before. […] I think that experience has done wonders for them to understand where their food comes from.” “I had a great educational experience as a child, but I didn’t learn that kind of stuff,” said Zivkovich. FREEDOM TO LEARN AND GROW “Some of the biggest things we did differently when we left public school are that we don’t do letter grades, we don’t classify kids by grade level, and we don’t do standardized testing,” said Thenor. This means more flexibility for students and teachers alike. “Because we don’t isolate kids by their grade level, they have much more growth. They can grow as slowly or as quickly as it takes. They’re not compared to each other.” WonderHere takes a gentle approach early on. “Traditional education puts such a huge emphasis on learning to read proficiently and write at the pre-K, kindergarten level. And if a kid is ready for it, that’s great. Most kids need time to grow their social and emotional wellness, their time to play, and time to explore without getting all this explicit direct instruction. Their brains just aren’t wired for that yet,” said Zivkovich. As they attempted to find footing in this new terrain, the co-founders explored what they believed about children and education. Thenor and Zivkovich found much inspiration in the Finnish style of teaching. Digging into this method, they found that in Finland, compulsory education is started later than in the American school system, typically around age seven. “We’ve been doing this long enough that we’ve found that those kids that we took a gentle approach with early on – they’re growing into just fine learners and wellrounded kids who are now in our older grades,” said Zivkovich. As they enter year eight as an organization, WonderHere has alumni who are currently in high school – and they’re successful. These students have had roughly 75% less paper-and-pencil, sitting-in-a-desk instruction than their counterparts. “They’ve done a lot more digging in the dirt, drawing, creating, playing in the garden than most kids. But academically, they look the same on paper,” said Thenor. “There’s not as much merit as we’re led to believe that the number of hours we spend at a desk doing paperwork will equal the amount they’ve learned and retained. […] When they are developmentally ready, they will get the knowledge that they need.” MORE MICROSCHOOLS COMING SOON It’s always been in the co-owners’ hearts to share what they’ve learned the past eight years. Thenor likes to refer to their location as a research center for their ideas. Skilled and intuitive teachers are given the autonomy to try different learning methods, an opportunity not afforded to many public school educators. “They have been a really important sounding board as we’ve grown and developed,” Thenor said of their WonderHere instructors. Over their tenure, the best friends feel that they’ve tested and honed in on a successful education style. “We’re getting to the point now that we want to create other microschools like WonderHere in other locations and empower other people to do the things we do,” said Thenor. WonderHere recently received a grant from VELA, which, according to their website, “is the nation’s leading community of entrepreneurs providing alternatives to conventional schooling.” Zivkovich said, “It really is the perfect time. There are so many people realizing that education can be done differently, and they feel the same urging that we felt to do our part to make the educational world a better place.” WonderHere 5120 Colbert Rd, Lakeland (863) 698-7782 FB: WonderHere IG @wonderhere wonderhere.com