Glancing at Bill Dirienzo’s art will remind you that it’s always 5 o’clock somewhere, and it will have you wish to be wasting away in Margaretville. His tropical beachside landscapes and portraits of Key West locations certainly make people imagine steel drums playing in their heads, if not the occasional Jimmy Buffet tune.
Dirienzo has painted plenty of pictures set in the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Key West. Fittingly enough, these art pieces are framed in beach wood frames he crafted himself. With so many of them invigorating the senses of the Florida beachside, it’s no surprise that many of his most faithful clientele is at Mayfaire-by-the-Lake.
For the past 12 years or so, Dirienzo has been frequenting the outdoor art festival hosted annually along the scenic shores of Lake Morton. The overall relaxed atmosphere and loyal customer base keep him returning every year.
“I love the atmosphere and around the lake and the community,” he said. “It is a nice community.”
Dirienzo was one of nearly 100 artists from across the state and country who attended the annual Mayfaire-by-the-Lake last weekend near Lake Morton in Downtown Lakeland. The event was hosted by the Polk County Museum of Art and sponsored by Citizens Bank and Trust.
Hugo Cruz was one of the photographers who showcased his photography skills. He specializes in inferred photography, not only allowing him to show his natural subjects in a different light but in an overall different wavelength not visible through the naked eye.
“I love seeing nature, and inferred has a way to really make it pop,” he explained. “It really opens a whole new dynamic. It alters perspective through a very surreal and ethereal feel.”
He has attended Mayfaire-by-the-Lake many times before. He loves the Lakeland community, and he loves the overall organization of the event.
Meanwhile, Tracey Womack attended the event for the first time this year. She is a jeweler who specializes in creating colored glass ornaments through “flame work”, or “lamp work.” She has been making her art for 38 years and she decided to attend Mayfaire to showcase it.
While she felt the setting around the lake was “too long and far” for people to walk, especially in the summer heat, she nevertheless remained impressed by the overall execution of the event. She felt it was pulled off flawlessly much to her satisfaction.
“I thought it might be a good show,” she said. “I am enjoying it very much. I say it is an average show for me…[and] they [the event organizers] do a good job of putting on the show and taking care of the artists.
They say truth is stranger than fiction, and perhaps no truth in history is stranger than the mysterious explosion of the USS Marine in 1898, which instigated the Spanish-American War. Who or what caused this explosion remains a mystery to this day. However, one local author has proposed one possibility in his latest historical romance novel.
In Love and Terror in Havana, award-winning Sebring author Mark Barie combines suspense, mystery, and romance all against the backdrop of the rising tensions between the Spanish and Americans during the turn of the 20th Century—tensions which eventually explode with the explosion of the USS Marine, sparking the ensuing Spanish-American War.
The story involves the budding romance between two teenagers who remain divided by political divisions. Isabella loves Roberto, but with Roberto being a Cuban rebel and her uncle being a general out to stamp out the rebel army, their love remains more than complicated. Matters become even more complicated when an unstable sailor threatens to blow up the USS Marine.
Mark Barie considers himself to be a methodical historical fiction author, someone who meticulously researches a subject before writing about it to ensure it remains authentic to its historical setting. However, the best thing about writing about the USS Marine is that its explosion remains a mystery to this day, so he could more easily exercise his creativity by creating his own explanation for it—albeit corroborated with his own research.
“The more I delved into it, the more curious I got because, even today, 125 years later, there is still a very hot debate as to what exactly and who or what caused the explosion of this USS battleship,” Barie said. “The more I got into it, the more I realized that I am not sure that the conventional and accepted theories for its destruction were correct, and as a result of my extensive research which involved dozens of books and hundreds of articles and scientific treatises, I have uncovered evidence that suggests an altogether different explanation for the explosion of the ship. It is revealed in the book, and sufficed to say, the so-called experts from 125 years ago were in the right church but the wrong pew. I have come up with another reason for that explosion.”
Barie was inspired to write historical fiction following his retirement. His wife, a genealogist, made an amazing discovery that he had relatives who fought the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. Discovering that history in his family tree sparked an interest in learning about history and writing fiction about it. Barie previously wrote three other historical romances about the Civil War, the American Revolutionary War, and the War of 1812. His newest book came full circle with him writing about the Spanish-American War.
His books have earned him national and international acclaim. His first book, War Calls, Love Cries, earned him is first book earned him a gold medal from the Florida Authors and Publishers Association for Historical Fiction, and it was designated a Finalist in the prestigious Eric Hoffer
book awards. His third book, The Commodore and the Powder Monkey, received a third-place bronze medal for military fiction in the Annual Independent Publisher Book Awards.
To hear more about Barie and his newest book, listen to his interview on our podcast, Chattin on the Ridge, available on Spotify: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/kepLJ3KVtzb
Love and Terror in Havana is available on Barnes and Noble and Amazon. To learn more about Barie and his work, visit his website at: https://www.markbarie.com
SEBRING — A deputy-involved shooting that took place earlier today. This information is preliminary, and may change as the investigation proceeds.
At approximately 1:15 p.m. today, Highlands County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at 6409 Concord Street in the Spring Lake area of Sebring to attempt to contact 63-year-old Bradley Frank Begens.
Begens had multiple active arrest warrants dating back to October 2022 and was a fugitive sex offender, who was previously convicted of attempted sexual battery on a child under 12 years of age.
When deputies arrived on scene, they saw Begens inside the home. At that point, they secured the perimeter of the home and called for back-up units.
A search warrant was obtained for the home. After the warrant was obtained, multiple attempts were made to contact anyone inside the home before deputies breached the front door at around 2:45 p.m. and made entry into the residence.
A search of the house revealed that the door to one of the bedrooms was closed and locked. Deputies once again made repeated attempts to have Begens surrender peacefully, including giving multiple K-9 warnings.
When deputies forced entry into the bedroom, they discovered Begens hiding in a closet. He refused to show his hands and surrender, at which time a K-9 was deployed.
As the K-9 made contact with Begens, he raised a handgun. At that point, which was approximately 2:52 p.m., deputies fired several rounds at Begens. Deputies initiated life saving measures however, Begens died at the scene of the shooting.
When deputies entered the closet they discovered 60-year-old Doreen Murphy Turner. She was not wounded in the shooting, but was taken into custody and will be charged with felony murder in the second degree and resisting arrest with violence.
No Highlands County Sheriff’s Office personnel, including the K-9, were injured during the incident. The deputies involved in the shooting will be placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
The 10th Judicial Circuit Officer Involved Deadly Incident Task Force, which includes law enforcement officers from Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties, as well as the State’s Attorney Office, will conduct the investigation.
Saturday, May 20th, In-Gauge of Polk County donated a STOP THE BLEED, emergency blood loss control, tourniquet kit to the Flaming Arrow Scout Reservation, in rural Lake Wales.
Flaming Arrow Scout Reservation Chief Ranger Kevin Slater accepted the kit on behalf of the Scout reservation.
Saturday, May 20th, In-Gauge of Polk County donated a STOP THE BLEED, emergency blood loss control, tourniquet kit to the Flaming Arrow Scout Reservation, in rural Lake Wales. Flaming Arrow Scout Reservation Chief Ranger Kevin Slater accepted the kit on behalf of the scout reservation.
May is National STOP THE BLEED Month and in an effort to generate public awareness of the ability to prevent needless deaths, due to traumatic blood loss, through simple easy to use techniques, with simple, easy to use equipment, In-Gauge of Polk County is donating emergency blood loss control, tourniquet kits to high-risk venues.
Saturday’s donation to the Flaming Arrow Scout Reservation was In-Gauge’s second donation to a non-profit organization in as many weeks. Two weeks ago In-Gauge donated a STOP THE BLEED kit to the Florida Frontiersmen’s Alafia River Rendezvous Park shooting sports program.
In-Gauge will be donating emergency blood loss control, tourniquet kits to other non-profit organizations throughout the month of May.
Janet Ergle, a certified STOP THE BLEED instructor, with In-Gauge, said they will continue donating kits to worthy, non-profit organizations throughout May. “We have several other organizations currently waiting to receive their kits.” “We will get their kits to them as quickly as we can.” “We will be busy the next couple of weeks.” said Ergle.
Any non-profit organization having the need for a kit, can request one by simply sending an email request to [email protected] or through ‘CONTACT US‘ on the In-Gauge website. Requests will be evaluated and granted based on need.
In-Gauge of Polk County, an NRA chartered, non-profit organization, in Winter Haven, Florida specializes in firearms safety training and is a licensed affiliate ofSTOPTHEBLEED.org. In addition to conducting firearms training, In-Gauge offers free STOP THE BLEED training clinics to the public.
In-Gauge will be conducting free, official STOP THE BLEED training clinics throughout the month of May. Day and afternoon, weekday and weekend classes are being conducted. Pre-registration is required for participation. Registration for the clinics can be done on the In-Gauge website or through EVENTBRITE.
On Sunday, May 21, 2023, at approximately 3:35 p.m., officers responded to a traffic crash involving a single vehicle near the area of County Line Road and Swindell Road. Just before the crash, a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox was traveling northbound on County Line Road, approaching the intersection of Swindell Road. At some point, the vehicle hit the curb, struck a stop sign, and continued across Swindell Road before leaving the roadway and striking a tree.
The Lakeland Police Department Patrol Unit, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all arrived on the scene to begin life-saving measures. The driver, Byron Ihle, age 84, from Ocala, was pronounced deceased by medical personnel at the scene.
This remains an open investigation. Anyone with additional information regarding the crash should contact investigating Officer Tyler Anderson at [email protected].
On May 20th, Polk County Animal Control will host another FREE adoption day. Animal Control is attempting to increase our life-saving measures by removing adoption barriers and getting all of our animals into loving homes forever.
The adoption hours are 10am-4pm on Saturday, May 20th. Animal Control is located at 7115 Decastro Rd. Winter Haven, FL 33880.
LAKELAND, FL (May 18, 2023) – On May 18, 2023, at approximately 4:43 a.m., a City of Lakeland street sweeper was working and traveling northbound on North Tennessee Avenue. The sweeper turned right onto East Oak Street and after negotiating the turn, the driver felt an impact. After checking his surroundings and seeing nothing, the driver proceeded to move forward in an eastbound direction. It was at that time the driver observed a pedestrian lying on the roadway behind the vehicle. The driver immediately exited the cab of the sweeper and called 911.
The Lakeland Police Department Patrol Unit, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all arrived on scene, and it was determined that the pedestrian was deceased. The driver of the sweeper did not suffer any injuries sustained in the crash.
At this time, traffic homicide detectives are unsure what the pedestrian was doing in the roadway at the time of the crash. Detectives are still attempting to locate the deceased’s next of kin.
The scene was photographed for the continuing investigation.
The driver of the street sweeper was identified as:
Terry Pelham
Age: 57
City of Lakeland Employee – 17 Years
The pedestrian was identified as:
Male
Age 70
(name is being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin)
A 15-year old male was arrested by detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office early Thursday morning, May 18, 2023, and charged with attempted murder and other crimes.
The suspect is Demarion Wilson of Mulberry. His charges include: Attempted Murder (FL, 3-counts), Attempted Armed Burglary (F2), Discharging a Firearm in a Public Place (M1), and Possession of Marijuana (M1) and Paraphernalia (M1). The investigation is ongoing and more charges are likely.
PCSO Deputies responded to the McDonald’s restaurant at 1805 Shepherd Road in Lakeland, following reports of gunshots in the parking lot, at about 1:38 am.
Wilson attempted to rob an employee at gun-point behind the restaurant. The victim told two people in a parked vehicle nearby to call 911, and Wilson fired three shots toward the car, striking it once. Wilson fled the scene on foot, and none of the victims were injured.
Deputies created a perimeter around the area and a K-9 Unit located Wilson hiding in the bushes behind a Publix shopping plaza. He was in possession of a Glock 9mm and a black mask.
“It’s aggravating that a 15-year old would be out in the middle of the night robbing people at gunpoint and shooting at people. It’s completely unacceptable, so we’re going meet with the State Attorney’s Office about charging this suspect as an adult. We need juveniles to realize that we’re not going to tolerate such abhorrent, dangerous behavior.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
For homicide detectives, serial killers are a dime a dozen, and investigating their cases are part of the job description; but what happens when the killer’s killing spree gets too close to home?
Homicide detective Cal Miller faces that dilemma in “The Dicer”, the debut novel of local author A.B Kayge. As the story description explains: the case becomes “very personal” to Miller as soon as he is placed on leave. With body after body turning up, he and his partner need to crack the case “before it’s too late.” But will they solve it in time?
Born in Vero Beach, raised in Lakeland, and currently residing in Bartow, A.B. Kayge is a proud mother of three children and the wife of a loving husband for the past 22 years. During her spare time–which she claims she doesn’t have enough of—she had been typing away at a crime thriller, which she finally had published as her debut novel, “The Dicer.”
A.B. Kayge owes her venture into becoming an author to her parents, both of whom were “huge connoisseurs” of reading who would “read books like it was nothing.” Growing up, she quickly inherited their love of reading and writing. Her biggest literary influence, bar none, was Stephen King. She was also inspired by Nora Roberts and Stephanie Meyer, providing equal parts intrigue, suspense, and allure to her stories.
However, while she loved to read, many of the books she read proved too trite and predictable. After all, a bad mystery or horror story is one whose plot can easily be predicted by reading the first few pages or chapters, which was a common problem for A.B. So, like any good writer, she decided to write her own story.
“It got to the point where I could figure out within the first couple of chapters who did what,” she said. “I would get frustrated with that because it was no fun for me when I got to the end of the book to already have known who did it. So, my thought was I want to write a book and I want it to be something like the movie The Sixth Sense where everybody was like…I did not see that coming. And that is how it all came about.”
A.B. Kayge wrote the manuscript for “The Dicer” in over a year. She was fortunate enough to have both of her parents, along with her husband, help her through the process of beta reading and proofreading. As she explained: “Both of them became my side readers and were able to tell me if I was missing plot holes to needed to explain something further.”
Initially, A.B. Kayge self-published her novel as an e-book. Over the next five years, she researched various publishing companies and submitted queries to have her book traditionally published. After coming across a local writer’s group, she was able to go through that process more easily and finally become picked up by traditional publishing.
Currently, she has started writing the second book in her thriller series. She will also be one of many local authors attending the upcoming Writers Block Part and Street Fair, to be hosted in Bartow on Sat. May 20. For more information, visit bartowcon.com/
“The Dicer” is currently available on Barnes and Noble, Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, and Readers House. To learn more about it, visit the book’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/ABKayge
A.B. Kayge was recently interviewed on the podcast “Chattin on the Ridge”, where she discussed her book and her writing career. Listen to the podcast on Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/chattinontheridge/episodes/Ep–04-A-B–Kayge-e242blt
Tyler doesn’t have an easy life living in a family of success stories. His mother is a doctor. His father is a lawyer. His older brother went to college on an athletic scholarship. And his younger brother always makes the honor roll. Yet the only success Tyler ever had was with video games.
With the start of a new school year, Tyler hopes to turn his luck around. He aspires to make the team and make the grade. He even made friends with the new girl in town, Amber. Will she be able to help him achieve the same success as the rest of his family? He’ll need to overcome temptations from some real losers at school to do so.
*****
Recap:Tyler really wants to make something of himself this school year. He’s determined to join the baseball team and ace his upcoming algebra test. Problem is, he’s not very good at math. So, he’s recruited the help of the new girl, Amber, to tutor him during study hall. Temptation arises when an old friend, Hannah, informs him of someone who has the test answers. Tyler refuses to cheat and chooses instead to study hard. Will his integrity and determination pay off?
*****
Chapter 6: Tests, Allies, Enemies
After practicing for nearly a week, Tyler had significantly improved his batting swing. Once more, he stood inside the batting cage to test his luck. This time around, he landed more hits, though he still made plenty of misses. Once more, the machine launched a ball, he swung his bat, and—
“Hey, Tyler!” a familiar voice called out to him.
Missed!
Amber stared back at him through the netting. The loud hum of the pitching machine came to a stop, and Tyler set down his bat.
“Amber,” he greeted her through heavy breath. “Hey! What are you doing out here?”
Amber jabbed a thumb to the arcade building. “My Dad decided to treat Chelsea and I to a night out. We just wrapped up a game of mini golf, and now Dad and Chels are inside playing a round of skeeball.”
“Interesting he would take you two out on a school night,” Tyler replied.
Amber shrugged. “He works irregular hours and shifts. Now was the best night he could schedule something like this, before it gets too cool outside. And you?”
Tyler leaned against his bat. “Baseball tryouts are tomorrow, and I wanted to blow off some steam after today’s math test.”
“You seem like a pretty good player,” Amber said.
Tyler put a hand on his hip. “Thanks. But you need to be better than pretty good to make the team. Hey, have you ever played in a batting cage before?”
Amber shook her head. “I never learned to play baseball.”
Tyler held the bat out to her. “You want to give it a try?”
Amber shrugged her shoulders with a smirk and opened the cage door. “Why not.”
Tyler handed her the bat. She held it over her shoulder and faced the batting machine.
“Do I hold it like this?” she asked him.
Tyler pantomimed the proper way to hold it. “Just raise your hand a little higher—yeah, that’s perfect. Now, keep your eye on the machine and wait for the light.”
He dropped a token into the slot, the machine revved up, and the lights flickered. Tyler once more pantomimed holding a bat.
“Now,” he told her, “the key to landing a hit is to hold it nice and steady and—”
Amber swung and hit the ball clear across the cage. Both she and Tyler blinked in astonishment.
“Whoa!” Amber exclaimed.
“Huh?” Tyler added. “Lucky first try. Not sure if you’ll be as lucky as—”
With another pitch came another hit from Amber, giggling in sheer glee.
“Nice.” Tyler said with a chuckle. “Third time’s the charm.”
Amber swung, missing the ball by several inches as it slammed into the netting.
“Aw!” Tyler uttered through a laugh. “Seems like your luck ran out.”
“This is kind of fun,” Amber said.
“You sure you never played before?” Tyler asked. “Maybe you should try out for the team.”
Amber shook her head. “Thanks, but no thanks. I’m not a fan of sports.”
A sharp wolf whistle made them both crane their necks toward the netting. Tyler rolled his eyes when he saw three familiar faces peering through it.
“Yo, Tyler!” T-Man said with a chortle. “You and your new girlfriend out on a date?”
Amber blushed in response. Tyler’s face also turned red, though not in embarrassment.
“We’re, uh, we’re not dating,” Tyler stammered.
“Like, you must be the new girl, Amber,” Katie said through a giggle.
“Yeah,” Amber replied. “I think I’ve seen you three around at school. And you—” she pointed at Hannah. “You’re in our study hall period. Sorry, forgot your name.”
“That’s okay.” Hannah chewed a wad of gum. “Names are a social construct anyway. It’s a futile attempt to give people meaning in a meaningless universe.”
“So,” Tyler interjected. “What brings you three out here?”
T-Man clapped his hands so loudly it drew the attention of everyone nearby.
“Just wanted to go an invite you two to a party tomorrow night,” he said, flashing two peace signs. “It’s gonna be ballah!”
Katie nodded. “Yeah, like, T-Man is going to be playing with his band and everything. And all the popular kids are totally going to be there.”
“I’m going, too,” Hannah added. “I’ll be in my usual spot: in the corner with a drink in hand contemplating the existential dread of my life.”
“In other words,” T-Man said, “it’s going to be the main event of the century. So—” he pointed to the other two, “you two in?”
Amber cocked an eyebrow, uncertainty clear on her face. “Isn’t tomorrow a school night.”
T-man chuckled and shrugged both shoulders. “Yeah, but who cares?”
“Well…” Amber clicked her tongue. “I would have to ask my Dad, and he’d probably say no, but—”
Tyler held up his hand, his glance steady on T-Man. “Is there going to be adult supervision?”
“Well,” T-Man quickly glanced in either direction. “My parents are going to be home.”
“I know your parents,” Tyler replied. “They’re real loose. Just because they’re at home doesn’t mean they’ll be supervising. And what about drinks? What are you having there?”
T-Man sucked in breath. “You know: soda—and a little something extra.”
“Yeah,” Tyler replied. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to pass.”
“Same here,” Amber added. “Even if I wanted to go, my Dad wouldn’t let me.”
Katie snorted. “You two still do what your mommy and daddy want you to?”
“The nuclear family,” Hannah said, “is a social fiction invented by capitalists to get us to conform to upper-class white bourgeoise hegemony.”
T-Man could only blow a raspberry and swat his hands. “Ah, well, when you two want to get down with your bad selves, just hit me up at my place tomorrow. You know where I live, and you’re always welcome.”
When the three walked away. Tyler blew a sharp breath and picked up his bat.
“Losers,” he said under his breath. “Am I right?”
Amber cocked an eyebrow at him. “That’s kind of harsh. Rather mean, too.”
Tyler inserted a coin and the machine warmed up. “You heard them. They’re hosting an unsupervised party with alcohol.” He hit a ball that launched at him. “They’re total losers.”
“Well,” Amber said, “obviously, they’re not good, but—”
“But what?” Tyler swung and missed. “It’s bad to call them what they are? A spade’s a spade.”
“Look,” Amber held up her hands, remaining calm. “I’m not condoning anything they’re doing, and I wouldn’t exactly associate with them, but—you still shouldn’t go around judging people like that.”
“Why not?” Tyler swung and hit. “You don’t know them like I do. If you did, you’d understand why I don’t want anything to do with them.”
“Okay, and you’re right to do that,” Amber replied. “But—you know, my momma used to tell me all the time: never go pointing fingers at people, because you only end up pointing three fingers back at you.”
“Yeah?” Tyler asked, before taking another swing and a miss. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means,” Amber answered, “people only go around judging other people for their faults as an excuse not to look at their own. You know, tend to your own business before poking your nose into others’.”
“Oh?” Tyler turned briefly to place a hand on his hip before returning to his game. “And what, exactly, are the faults I’m trying to ignore? I’m not a slacker like T-Man.” Swing. “Or an airhead like Katie.” Swing. “Or a cynic like Hannah.” Swing. “And I’m not as bad as any of them.
Amber folded her arms with a stern look but maintained a calm composure. “No, but you are awfully hard on yourself. And you’re hard on others. And I think it’s only because you’re so hard on yourself.”
Tyler missed one last time and threw down his bat. “I’m only hard on myself because I know I can be better. No one wants to be friends with a loser.”
“That’s not true,” Amber replied. “I want to be friends with you. And you’re not a loser.”
Tyler stood with arms akimbo.
“Okay.” He returned his glance at her, steadying his breathing to calm down. “So, why are you friends with me?”
“Because,” Amber bit her lip and thought for a second. “I guess I’m just a loser as well, and we losers need to look out for each other.”
Silence passed between them.
“I have to get back to Dad and Chels, now,” she told him as she opened the gate to exit. She closed it behind her and made sure it was secure. “If you need someone to talk to, I’m always available to listen.”
She waved as she walked away. Tyler waved back, then picked up his back and inserted another coin.
###
“Tyler’s Journey” is a side-story to the fantasy novel, “The Light Prince Grail.” The story follows Tyler’s life before he and Amber ventured into the fantastical world of Arden. It details his many personal struggles and how they influenced his decisions in the novel. His story will help readers learn more about themselves as they do about him.
“The Light Prince: Grail” and “Tyler’s Journey” are available in paperback and e-book on Amazon. For more information, visit the author’s website at: jcalexandre.com
J.C. Alexandre will also be one of the participating authors at the inaugural Writer’s Block Part and Street Fair, to be hosted on Sat. May 20 in Downtown Bartow. Feel free to visit him and pick up a copy of his books in-person. For more information, visit their website at: bartowcon.com
