K & M Blueberry Farm and Nursery – 2 Temporary workers needed in Buckatunna and Waynesboro, MS from January 15, 2019 – October 15, 2019. Must be 18 years or older. Job requires 3 months experience. To ensure the safety of all employees, those interested must be bilingual in English and Spanish to be able to communicate with field workers and adequately follow instructions given by supervisor. Safety training for use of farm equipment will be provided. Job duties include but are not limited to the following: Nursery: Shovel, level, haul, spread rock, dig holes, ditches and trenches. Use hand tools such as shovels, trawls, hoes, grass trimmer, pruning hooks, pruning shears and knives. Duties may include tilling soil, transplanting, thinning or pruning crops and spraying insecticide, fungicide and herbicide with air blast sprayer on tractor and 4-wheeler. May also construct, repair, cover and maintain greenhouses, fences and farm buildings. Worker will re-plant and step up gallon pots to two or three gallon pots. Load and unload plants from/on truck. All tools, supplies and equipment will be provided at no cost to workers. Worker will use a tractor; weed eater, lawn mower and 4-wheeler with trailers to perform certain duties around fields and inside nursery. Blueberries: Manually plant, cultivate, harvest field crops. Graft blueberry plants. Prune blueberry bushes by hand using pruning shears, loppers and mechanical pruner. Inspect bushes for damage, disease or insect infestation and remove or replace as directed by farm manager. May also pick blueberries by hand. Harvest by use of mechanical harvester equipment, load and transport blueberries to processing shed with trucks and trailers. Inspect field irrigation systems, dig up and replace damaged pipes, valves, water jets, sprinklers, etc. using shovels, wrenches, etc. There is a lifting requirement of 5-75 lbs. Work in 0 degree to 100-degree temperatures and possibly rain. The majority of the day is spent on one’s feet and outdoors. Hours and days of work may vary due to weather conditions. Clean and organize greenhouses and loading sheds before and after use. Proper work attire is required. No cell phone usage during working hours. Workers should expect occasional periods of little/no work because of weather/crop/other conditions beyond the employer’s control. Due to possible date of need changes, worker is required to purchase travel insurance if available. We will reimburse the worker for transportation cost (including travel insurance) and subsistence to the employers work site from the place of recruitment upon completion of 50 percent of the contract period. Transportation payment will be no less (and is not required to be more) than the most economical and reasonable common carrier transportation charges for the distances involved. If the employee is unable or unfit to perform the duties listed after the 14-day pretrial the employee will receive warnings, hours may be reduced to the minimum allowed in the certified petition or may be terminated. A copy of the work contract or a copy of the ETA 790 in lieu of a work contract, and any modifications, will be provided to the worker on or before the day, the work commences. Employer may conduct criminal background check. Workers will be paid $10.73 per hour, three fourth’s guarantee, 35 hours per week, housing, equipment and transportation provided at no cost to workers who cannot reasonably return to their permanent residence at the end of each work day. We participate in the E-Verify program and workers must have valid identification for I-9 preparation when they report to begin work. Complete job description can be found at your local State Workforce/Job Center in your area, please call for the nearest office in your area MS (601) 584-1202, AL (256) 259-1835, LA (318) 676-7705, FL (863) 385-3672 using job order #MS281739.
UPDATE: Minor School Bus Accident Central Ave E Winter Haven
Update regarding the minor crash with a school bus.
The bus carrying 20 students from the Learning & Literacy Academy was traveling on Central Ave. E when a 2004 Black Mercedes sedan, driven by 74 year-old Leo Sanchez pulled out of a business at 6th St NE and Central Ave. into the side of the bus.
This was a minor crash with no significant injuries. Nine students on the bus complained of minor pains and were transported to Winter Haven Hospital as a precaution.
Sanchez was charged with Careless Driving.
The Accident Report Update Sponsored by:
Body Armor Tattoo Finds New Home At Eagle Ridge Mall
Body Armor Tattoo Finds New Home At Eagle Ridge Mall
by James Coulter
Ever since he received his very first tattoo at age 19 in Daytona Beach, Lee Gibb has been enamored with the art of tattooing.
He has since been sharing his love for the art through his business, Body Armor Tattoo, in Lake Wales. Now his tattoo art studio has since found a new home at Eagle Ridge Mall.
Body Armor Tattoo has gained quite the following due in part to its fair prices and quality work. Whatever you’re looking for a tattoo or a body piercing, Gibb and his team are sure to ink or pierce your skin for a decent price.
“I can do anything you want,” he said. “Whatever it is they are looking for, we can help fill a niche.”
Customers have come from far and wide to get their skins inked at Body Armor Tattoo. One customer from Ohio and their daughter has traveled there at least three times for all their piercings, as they trust no one else.
“His [their artist] experience in piercings will give you the confidence you need in knowing whatever piercing you want, you will get it done right & with very little discomfort,” she wrote on Yelp. “I wouldn’t go anywhere else. Had such a horrible experience in Ohio just to get a rook piercing done. Came here to Brandon [their artist] & he was successful no problems!”
Those who aren’t quite sure what they want and who aren’t that picky can come in on Wednesdays to partake in Gumball Mystery Tattoos. For $25, they can get a random design pulled from a vending machine—though fair warning: you get what you get.
“It is not for the faint of heart,” he said.
Gibb has been an artist most of his life, and became interested in tattoos with his very first at age 19—which, admittedly, was not his favorite.
He has since inked most every inch of his body with tattoos. His personal favorite is a dagger with his family name under his arm.
As an artist, what inspires him varies from day to day, and through his line of work, he ends up designing whatever it is his patrons require of him.
“I have always been an artist, it has always fascinated, and that is why I wanted to do it,” he said. “I do it all, so whatever I need to do, I do it. I am a color guy, if you are looking for what I am really into it, it is color.”
Gibb started tattooing professionally 16 years ago. His very first business did not do so well, but his very next one in Winter Haven saw much better success.
As a Lake Wales local, he decided to move his business closer to home. So in 2011, Body Armor Tattoo opened in Lake Wales and operated next to Sky Powersports along Highway 27.
“I felt that we needed a tattoo shop, so that is why I came back here, and that is where I have been,” he said.
Their former location had since shut down, as their building had closed and was set for demolition. Gibb decided to find a new location elsewhere, and discovered such a place at Eagle Ridge Mall.
Their new mall location offers better visibility and accessibility, as potential customers can more easily find and visit their store, as well as peruse the other stores within the local vicinity.
Gibb hopes to continue offering the same quality service at their new location that allowed them to remain successful over the years.
“We offer a unique experience,” he said. “We take really good care of our people. We have become family when you work for us.”
Body Armor Tattoo is located within Eagle Ridge Mall right next door to Claire’s, located at 955 Eagle Ridge Dr., Lake Wales, FL 33859. For more information, visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bodyarmortattoo
Sebring Christmas Boat Parade December 15th
Cooking On the Ridge: Cottage Pie
Cooking On the Ridge: Cottage Pie
Ingredients
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Prep 30 m
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Cook 20 m
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Ready In 50 m
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9 inch deep-dish pie plate.
- Place potatoes into a pot; cover with salted water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover; simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain; mash with 2 tablespoons of the butter and the garlic. Season to taste with salt and pepper; set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef, herbes de Provence, and nutmeg; cook and stir until beef is lightly brown and crumbly, about 10 minutes. Spread the beef evenly in the prepared pie plate. Cover evenly with the peas; spread the mashed potatoes over the peas. Dot the casserole with the remaining butter.
- Bake, uncovered, in the preheated oven until heated through and bubbly, about 20 minutes.
When Your Town Is Lighting Its Christmas Tree
When Your Town Is Lighting Its Christmas Tree
by James Coulter
Thanksgiving may be over, and holiday shopping may have started, but the holiday season truly hasn’t begun until the Christmas tree has been erected, trimmed, and lit.
Every town has at least one big Christmas tree, and they often host their own tree lighting ceremony where everyone can rock around the tree, with everyone dancing merrily in the new old-fashioned way.
The following towns will be hosting their own upcoming tree lighting ceremonies. Check and see when your own hometown will be rocking around the Christmas tree, and be sure to arrive so you too can be dancing merrily.
Winter Haven
Christmas Tree Lighting in Central Park
When: Thurs. Nov. 29, 2018 @ 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Central Park in Downtown Winter Haven
The City of Winter Haven is set to light up their Christmas Tree at Central Park in the heart of historic downtown at the stroke of 7 p.m. Before then, the first 200 children can enjoy the festivities with free crafts, hot chocolate, and cookies provided by local establishments, while guests of all ages can enjoy traditional songs as sung by carolers from Theater Winter Haven.
Auburndale
Christmas Tree Lighting
When: Thurs. Nov. 29, 2018 @ 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Historic Depot in Downtown City Park
The trains may no longer stop at the Historic Depot in Downtown Auburndale, but Santa Claus will surely be pulling in on the Polar Express to this small town to help celebrate its tree lighting at 7 p.m. So you better watch out, you better not cry, and you better not pout because Santa Claus will be coming to Downtown.
Haines City
Glitter, Glisten & Snow
When: Sat., Dec. 1, 2018 @ 6:00 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Where: Lake Eva Park
What could be better than watching Lake Eva’s 31-foot-tall tree light up in holiday splendor? How about doing that while playing in the snow? Guests can do just that by sliding down snow sleds, as well as engaging in other holiday festivities such as arts and crafts and photo opportunities with Santa Claus himself.
Mulberry
Mulberry Christmas Tree Lighting
When: Sat., Dec. 1, 2018 @ 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Mulberry Civic Center
There’s no place like home for the holidays, no matter how far away you roam. And for the city of Mulberry, their own hometown will be set for the holidays once the big tree at the Mulberry Civic Center is lit for the season, ensuring that local residents for the holidays feel at home sweet home.
Davenport
Tree Lighting Ceremony
When: Mon., Dec. 3, 2018 @ 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Market Square
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere you go in Downtown Davenport, but it’s not quite Christmas until the big tree is decorated and lit. Only then can downtown visitors have a happy holiday with everyone dancing merrily to the new old-fashioned way.
Duke’s Brewhouse Offers Cold Beer & Hot Wings
Duke’s Brewhouse Offers Cold Beer & Hot Wings
by James Coulter
Thanksgiving has come and gone. If after eating more than your fill of turkey legs you’re now craving chicken wings, then come and try out the new Duke’s Brewhouse in Winter Haven.
Whether you prefer your wings boneless or traditional, you’ll love their diverse selection of wing sauces ranging from mild to nuclear, and including unique flavors such as Garlic Buffalo, Carolina Gold BBQ, or Boom Boom Sauce.
Anyone looking for something new can try these chicken wings “Duke’s Way”, with the wings blackened and grilled with any sauce. Or try their jumbo chicken wings, which are not only big in size and flavor, but also the best non-GMO wings around, according to their website.
What makes these chicken wings especially finger-licking good is how they’re coated in sauce with a spinning technique unique to their eatery, with all of them prepared from only the freshest chicken breast.
Not in the mood for white meat? Then take a bite out of one of their Brewhouse Burgers. No matter if you order the Mushroom Swiss, Highroad Bacon, Southwest Jalapeno, or any of their other signature burgers, you’re guaranteed to sink your teeth into a handcrafted premium beef patty.
You’ll also want to peruse their menu for a diverse selection of other food items ranging from soups, salads, sandwiches, and appetizers. And be sure to wash down your meal with a tall glass of locally-brewed craft beer, with their menu offering dozens of different choices.
For three and a half years, Duke’s Brewhouse has been serving good food and beer within a family-friendly enviroment. With live music performed two to three times per week and football games playing every Sunday, this establishment has everything to offer for sports fans and families alike.
“We offer amazing food with amazing personalities,” explained Amber Peacock, Manager of the Winter Haven location. “Our food is certainly better. I don’t just say that because I work here. All of our menu items are made fresh daily. You can buy wings anywhere, but ours is [the best].”
Duke’s Brewhouse had previously opened their Winter Haven location a few months ago, and celebrated their grand opening last week on the evening before Thanksgiving.
Owner Duke Mendel opened his very first location three years ago in Plant City. Having previously moved to the area 15 years ago, he and his friends would regularly frequent a local eatery for lunch.
So much had he become enamored with the establishment that when it went up for sale, he took the opportunity to buy it, rename it, and rebrand it with his own unique service, he said.
Three years later, his resturant became so successful that he had since opened up two other locations, one in Lakeland a year ago, and the newest one in Winter Haven this year.
“I have known the [Winter Haven] area for a little while, and we really loved the area,” he explained. “I felt there wasn’t anything like what we do here, and we thought like it would bring a lot to the community, so we decided to find a place and we found this building.”
Since opening their Winter Haven location, business there has more than met expectations, as customers there have become more than receptive to their quality food and service.
“Excellent food that DOES NOT taste like your ordinary dull sports bar food,” one Facebook reviewer wrote. “All of the staff is very friendly and the girls are always smiling.”
While studies have shown that the current generation of “millenials” are less likely to eat out at similar wing establishments such as Hooters, the folks at Duke’s Brewhouse do not seem phased in the least and expect to continue going with the flow of current trends.
In fact, so confident they have become with their own brand, they expect to continue opening new locations throughout the state and even within the country, with five more potential locations spotted in Kissimmee, Tampa, and Brandon.
“Our future is to have a Duke’s Brewhouse in every city and every state,” Peacock said. “We already have three.”
Duke’s Brewhouse in Winter Haven is located at 1708 6th Street SE, Winter Haven, Florida. For more information, visit their website at: https://dukesbrewhouse.com/
Road Depression In Haines City Closes Part Of Johnson Avenue
Update:
Polk County confirmed a sinkhole is the cause of the depression earlier reported for Johnson Avenue just west of Powerline Road in Haines City. A local consultant specializing in sinkhole remediation is preparing a plan to address the damage and work will start immediately after determining the quantity of cement-like material needed to fill the void beneath the road. Once the sinkhole is filled and the material has hardened sufficient to support traffic, the county Roads & Drainage Division will rebuild the pavement section atop of the restored area. This work could take up to two weeks to complete. In the meantime, motorists are reminded to be attentive to detour signs and to add extra time to trips through this area.
———- Earlier Report ——-
Polk County has closed Johnson Avenue West of Powerline Road in Haines City due to an emerging depression across the roadway. Crews from the County’s Roads & Drainage Division are on site investigating the cause and determining what repairs are required.
Until repairs are completed, traffic will be detoured around the area. Eastbound traffic along Johnson Avenue (County Road 580) will detour at 30th Street, while westbound traffic will divert at Powerline Road. This release will be updated when the timing of repairs and reopening of the roadway are known. Motorists are advised to be attentive to detour and to add extra time to trips through this area.
Pinewood Estate Holiday Home Tour Brings Guests “Home For The Holidays”
Pinewood Estate Holiday Home Tour Brings Guests “Home For The Holidays”
by James Coulter
“Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
But over at Pinewood Estate, there was really quite a quarrel. For instead of a rodent, they were invaded by a squirrel!”
Guests to Pinewood Estates at Bok Tower Gardens can keep an eye out for a pair of silly squirrels as they tour the estate’s 22 rooms decorated for the holidays.
Hidden within each room are Tucker and Tilly, the resident estate squirrels, which young guests can search for using their special holiday guide map provided to them upon admission.
When not on their squirrel hunt, guests can also appreciate the elaborate Christmas decorations set up within the estate’s many rooms, all decorated to this year’s theme of “Home For The Holidays.”
Each room was decorated to reflect scenes based upon the memories of the home’s former owners, the Bok family, using scrapbook pages and photographs as references.
“We went through and read every letter and looked at every picture,” said Erica Smith, Bok Tower Marketing Director. “Throughout the entire home, you will find little pieces of history in each of the rooms that illustrate actual stories that happened with the family when they were here.”
For the past 24 years, the Holiday Home Tour has allowed visitors the chance to visit the Medeterenian estate (once home to Edward Bok, founder of Bok Tower Gardens) within its holiday splendor, with rooms decorated with garlands, ribbons, and of course, plenty of Christmas trees.
Eight months are spent planning the overall event and its annual theme. The end result are several classic Christmas scenes presented within a classic household setting.
“What we wanted to bring about is the luxuriousness of the house as well as the elaborate, beautiful holiday,” Smith said. “So you will really see in every room these wonderful details with ribbons, garlands, and it is just an extravaganza of color and holiday finery.”
In previous years, several teams from local businesses and organizations would come together to help decorate the home for the holidays. Now the event is coordinated by a design team.
With one team working on the decorations, the entire event can be better encapsulated with a singular vision, thus allowing a more coherent theme throughout the house and its many rooms, explained Trisha Cutchen, Pinewood Estate Manager.
“We meet with our decorators almost year round trying to decide how to put the house together and make it,” she said. “This year, it flows as one piece. We spend many hours ahead of time trying to figure out a storyline and make the house flow as one piece.”
The only thing more gratifying than seeing the entire house decorated and lit up for the holiday season is seeing the many visitors react to the decorations and even draw inspiration from them, she further elucidated.
“But I like it that they can take an idea home to decorate their own house,” she said. “It is my favorite time of the year.”
Last year, more than 25,000 guests visited the house during the annual holiday tour; and this year, nearly 30,000 are expected to attend the tour, Smith said.
Danny Rogerson, Assistant Coordinator, has been helping guests learn more about the house and its many rooms as a tour guide for the past year.
As a coordinator, he helps the volunteers cooperate with one another, and he helps with last minute details with the overall decorating, making sure that things are running smoothly and moving forward.
“It’s not just one person,” he said. “It takes a long time. They have been spending eight months until today creating the storyline, researching the photos from Bok family, and making this real.”
Being able to see everything come together at the very end proves rewarding, especially with all of the hard work that goes into the decorating.
“I love the people,” he said. “[I love] working with the volunteers to bring the house alive, and working with the guests that come either way, whether it is their first time or it is a traditional thing they love to do every Christmas, just being here.”
The Holiday Home Tour at Pinewood Estate is being hosted from Nov. 23, 2018 through Jan. 6, 2019 at Bok Tower Gardens, located at 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales, FL 33853.
Admission is $25 for adults, $12 for children 12 and under, and free for children under 5. For more information, visit their website at: http://boktowergardens.org/
Grove Roots Gets Thankful On Thanksgiving Eve For Third Year
Grove Roots Gets Thankful On Thanksgiving Eve For Third Year
by James Coulter
On the night before Thanksgiving, Grove Roots patrons were thankful that their favorite brewery was open to offer them some fun before the big day after.
For the third year in a row, Grove Roots celebrated the night before Thanksgiving with an evening of craft beer, food trucks, and live music.
As always, patrons were able to enjoy more than a dozen locally-brewed craft beers, including a new beer introduced that evening: Moose Apples, a mix between apple cider and beer most ideal for the Thanksgiving season.
When not sipping beer, they had a choice of eating pizza, sandwiches, milkshakes, or other food items as served by three food trucks operated by Engine 53 Pizza, Grovetucky Farms, and The Catering Company.
All the while, they could enjoy an eclectic mix of blues and country as performed by local musician Hunter Smith and his friends, Marcus Brixa and Danny Shoemaker.
The day before Thanksgiving tends to be the busiest night for most bars, as many people from out of town are looking for a place to chill and hang out with family and friends after a long day of traveling.
“It is just a good time for everybody to get together with their families,” said Morgan Wilson, Chief Operating Officer and Bar Manager of Grove Roots. “We knew that everyone would be coming this way, so we figured to make an event out of it and make it fun for everyone.”
Grove Roots has been hosting this event for the past three years, and each and every year has seen an exceptional turnout, Wilson said.
The very first year, the bar only had four bartenders; now they have seven bartenders plus management, allowing them to provide greater and more efficient service during such a busy time of year, she further explained.
Being able to see so many people come together and experience quality time for the holidays has proven to be the most fulfilling aspect for such an evening, she said.
“Seeing people enjoy their families, seeing everyone mingle, it has been very good,” she said. “We are expecting a large turnout, and they have rarely disappointed us yet.”
Sarah Olivieri, Owner of Grovetucky Farms, has been serving milkshakes from her new food truck since July, and has been running her other food truck, Treehouse Truck, for the past six years.
She had been visiting Grove Roots with her Orlando-based truck for the past year. While service is often slow at the start of the evening, as patrons are seeking out actual food, service starts to pick up much later when they want desert, she said.
With Thanksgiving Eve being an especially busy time, she decided to come out that evening to help out with the event, especially since she loves the camraderie of the patrons there.
“Grove Roots is the best,” she said. “It seems like this is the place for the city to go. Everybody knows that the night before Thanksgiving is the night to go out, and this is where we have chosen to go.”
Hunter Smith, who performed that evening with his friends, was most impressed by the turnout. He counted at least 500 in the crowd, and heard that there would be more than 800 to 1000 visitors coming in and out.
He was more than willing to offer his musical stylings that evening and provide a little music to such a fine beer establishment, especially because he loves the beer and people there.
“We love to see Winter Haven and Polk County turn out and supporting the community-minded stuff,” he said. “We have great beer, great beer, great people, and great beer.”
Grove Roots will continue to usher in the holidays with upcoming events next month, including their Snow Day Winter Extravaganza on December 15, and their Christmas Eve Party on December 22. For more information, visit their website at: http://groveroots.com/