Teen arrested for making bomb threat during piano recital
A Haines City student who apparently didn’t like a school piano recital is now facing the music, as well as facing felony charges for making a bomb threat.
After a four-month investigation into a bomb threat at Ridge Community High School,16-year-old Ruben Diaz was arrested by Haines City Police Department detectives for posting a threatening social media comment during a school piano recital.
The recital was live-streamed on Instagram on May 13, 2022, so students and parents could watch it live. The comments function on the stream, usually turned off during the recitals, was accidentally left on for this recital.
During the recital, Diaz commented “Don’t mess up or I will report the stream”, and “I’m gonna have to ban you,” apparently as a gesture of his dissatisfaction with the piano performance.
But what led to the teenager’s arrest was his next comment, “There’s a bomb at the school.”
If Diaz was hoping to disrupt the recital, he got his wish and a whole lot more.
The teacher notified school administrators and immediately shut down the recital and the livestream. Due to the nature of the comment, bomb threat protocols were quickly activated and a school lockdown was put into place. Detectives, police officers, and Polk County Sheriff’s Office bomb sniffing canines searched the entire campus, finding no evidence of explosives, and cleared the scene.
Haines City Police detectives immediately began a summer-long investigation into the matter. Detectives were able to obtain investigative subpoenas that led to Diaz being identified as the commenter on the live stream. The FBI also assisted with data analysis in this case.
On Thursday, Diaz was located and arrested and transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice Center in Bartow.
“Even though this incident occurred towards the end of the last school year, the public needs to know that we take any type of school threat seriously. The detectives and officers at the Haines City Police Department will do whatever it takes to arrest anyone who makes a threat against our students and teachers, no matter how long it takes,” said Haines City Police Chief Greg Goreck.
“We appreciate the Haines City Police Department’s thorough investigation of this matter, and we’re disappointed that a student was responsible for this reckless act,” said Superintendent Frederick Heid. “There is no excuse for making threatening messages. Every instance will be treated seriously, and major consequences will follow. We urge parents to speak candidly with their children about not making poor decisions that will negatively impact their lives.”
Diaz is facing the following charges:
• False report of a bomb, a felony
• Unlawful use of a two-way communication device, a felony
Are you one of the countless people whose job has you sitting at a desk for long periods of time? If so, you might be familiar with back and neck pain from slouching. We’re here to explain how to improve your posture at work and the benefits of better ergonomics.
Poor Posture Can Impact Your Health
Chronic slouching and overall poor posture increase your risk of chronic pain, musculoskeletal disorders and injuries, all of which impact long-term health and productivity. Even if you exercise regularly, poor posture from sitting still causes musculoskeletal symptoms from reasons like:
Bad habits like crossing your ankles and legs cause hip misalignment
Continuous sitting increases wear and tear on your spinal discs
Lack of movement restricts blood and nutrient flow to spinal discs
Poor workstation setup causes neck straining if computer monitors aren’t at eye level
Slouching occurs the longer you stay seated, keeping your spine misaligned
Even with the strong link between desk work and chronic neck and back pain, you can use the following tips for better work ergonomics to reduce pain and improve your overall health long term.
Use Neutral Posture
Neutral posture is the spine’s natural alignment position. It creates the least stress on your nerves and joints.
A neutral posture at work is possible even if you sit at a desk. Here are some tips on how to improve your posture while sitting:
Keep your computer monitor at eye level
Pull your shoulders back and keep your back flat against the chair
Rest your feet flat on the ground
Use a lumbar support tool to ease your low back and help keep your upper back straight
Take Movement Breaks
Research shows that regular movement breaks every 30 minutes greatly reduces the health risks associated with being sedentary. Desk workers who have chronic low back pain can reduce symptoms by taking regular movement breaks.
To reduce the health risks of sitting for long periods, it’s important to make time for scheduled breaks and perform good posture exercises throughout the day. Stretching overhead and opening up your chest and back can counteract slouching. A brisk walk around the room can help boost circulation and energy.
Invest in Ergonomic Supports
There are many wonderful support products out there that encourage neutral posture and help build better ergonomic habits.
An ergonomic workstation should fit you and your body type. With so many ergonomic products for the workplace to choose from, you can build the perfect adjustable workstation that keeps you in a neutral position and comfortable throughout the day.
Therapy for Body, Mind and Spirit
At AdventHealth Sports Med and Rehab, we want to see you pain-free, active and living life to the fullest. If you’re ready to feel like you again, we’re ready to help with individualized treatment plans developed in close collaboration with your team of physical therapists and other rehab specialists. If you’re experiencing chronic pain from posture issues, an injury or a medical condition, we’ll help you to feel whole again. Call now to schedule: (833) 787-6755.
Winter Haven Police announce an arrest has been made in the July 4th shooting death of Demetrick Brown.
After non-stop investigations that started the night of the incident, investigators arrested 47 year-old Bernard Footman (DOB 3/12/75) in the July 4th shooting that occurred during a pop-up block party on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Winter Haven. On August 18, 2022, a warrant was obtained for Footman’s arrest. He was located and taken into custody without incident. “Our investigators worked tirelessly to get justice for Demetrick’s family,” said Police Chief David Brannan. “We know this doesn’t erase the pain the family has gone through, but we are glad to help bring closure for them.” Footman was booked into the Polk County Jail for Second Degree Murder-Firearm (FL) of Demetrick Brown, Two Counts of Attempt Murder in 2nd Degree (F1), Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon(F2), Tampering with Physical Evidence(F3) and Discharge Firearm in Public(M1).
**ORIGINAL RELEASE** On July 4, 2022 just before midnight, Winter Haven Police officers responded to a call of shots fired in the 200 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. As officers arrived, they found one male shot. Officers started life-saving measures to the victim who was transported to the hospital ultimately succumbing to his injuries. Two other males were found at the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Preliminarily, it was discovered that a pop-up block party occurred bringing a very large crowd to the area. “With the large crowd in attendance, somebody knows something,” said Chief David Brannan. “I implore anyone who knows any information to contact Heartland Crime Stoppers.”
Local Polk County Resident Opens Camaraderie Rescue Mission Inc. To Support Veterans Dealing With PTSD
By Allison Williams
Photos provided by Greg Bicknell
Greg Bicknell spent much of his adult life serving our country. He joined the United States Air Force at the age of 18 and served for 28 years. Upon retirement, he eventually moved to Polk County, where he currently resides. He spent a few years at Draken International and then decided he wanted to focus all of his attention on helping veterans.
Backstory
After serving for nearly 30 years in the Air Force, Bicknell underwent a brain surgery in 2018 that was not successful, and after this he felt lost.
“I was at the point where suicide seemed like my best choice to take care of my family,” Bicknell said. “When I reached out to a mental health professional via email at the local military clinic, I was met with a response that stated, ‘make an appointment with the front desk’ along with a copy of the Air Force instruction that explained why I used the ‘wrong’ method of communication. No follow-up, no phone call, just the email. As unbelievable as that response was, it angered me so much that I came out of the fog and refocused the negative thoughts and vowed to never let something like that happen to anyone else under my supervision or within my reach.”
Shortly after his move to Florida, Bicknell started seeing the death notices of several military members.
“I saw seven military maintenance badges with black stripes across them on my Facebook feed, indicating a Facebook friend had passed away,” Bicknell said. “What I later found out was that six of them were from suicide…and that was when Camaraderie Rescue Mission Inc. was officially born. Over the next week, the paperwork was completed and officially became a Florida nonprofit on January 18, 2021.”
Bicknell explains what the his nonprofit is all about:
“Camaraderie Rescue Mission Inc. is a veteran-founded and veteran-led nonprofit organization that focuses on providing social and humanitarian outreach. Specifically, our mission is to directly engage with local and national agencies to connect, support and sustain veterans and first responders through our offerings as well as through other likeminded organizations within our network of friends. Utilizing this vast network, it is our intent to end isolationism and suicide one life at a time.”
This organization is near and dear to Bicknell himself, as he struggled with suicidal thoughts and did not feel he had a supportive outlet to express his feelings. He used this to make sure others don’t feel the same way he did when he went through that experience.
His goal is to support veterans who are experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and/or suicidal thoughts.
“Through Camaraderie Connection events, retreats, virtual and online mentoring, and follow-up interactions, we will provide connect with community services, outreach organizations, and likeminded veteran nonprofits to offer assistance to our brothers and sisters as they face challenges daily,” Bicknell explained. “By connecting with teammates at events held in outdoor settings and providing information in a classroom setting, we will restore old friendships as well as build new ones along the way.”
Camaraderie Rescue Mission Inc. has an ongoing fundraiser with Freedom Boat Club in Winter Haven. They are selling $100 raffle tickets for a chance to win a 6 month membership with the boat club (valued at $7,500).
“Additionally, our goal at a minimum is to raise enough money for a membership ($4,500) and then to utilize the membership to take veterans out boating, fishing and whatever other fun things we can come up with,” Bicknell said. “We intend on utilizing this membership at the local Winter Haven location as well as at some of the other 350+ locations across the country where it has a reciprocal agreement.”
He added, “In January and May of this year, we had a retreat at Nancy Slater Natural Horsemanship Cowboy Camp in Lake Wales. The event in May included 13 veterans to include a visitor from InStride Therapy at Easterseals SW Florida. Since then, I have attended their four week (every Friday) horsemanship event and am now a certified volunteer at their Sarasota location.”
This weekend, the nonprofit is hosting a fundraising, dinner and silent auction in Key West to help provide boat trips for the future for veterans with PTSD.
Bicknell is in the process of planning two additional weekend events for this year. For more information on then nonprofit, visit https://www.tcrmi.org
Detectives with the Central Florida HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) task force, working together with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies across the country, conducted a two-year-long undercover drug trafficking investigation that resulted in 85 suspects being arrested, and three other suspects charged via warrants.
“I’m so very proud of our detectives and the agents and law enforcement officers who partnered with us to get these dangerous drugs and felons off the street. This is the single largest seizure of drugs and arrests made in the history of Polk County during an undercover wiretap investigation. We will continue to follow up leads and make more arrests, so those who think they got away from us – think again.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
The partnering agencies are: The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE); Office of the State Attorney for the 10thJudicial Circuit, Brian Haas; U.S Border Patrol; U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Tampa International Airport Police Department; Winter Haven Police Department; Orlando Police Department; Osceola County Sheriff’s Office (FL); St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office (FL); Fresno Police Department (CA); and Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (TN).
The investigation was initiated in September 2020 when detectives executed a search warrant in Winter Haven and seized a pound of methamphetamine. From that point forward detectives continued to make undercover narcotics purchases from dealers in the Winter Haven area, and learned that large amounts of methamphetamine were being smuggled from California to Florida in checked luggage on domestic flights. In February 2022, detectives began a wiretap investigation, during which court-order intercept of communications between suspects within the criminal drug trafficking organization were initiated and monitored.
As a result of the investigation, 85 suspects were arrested and charged with a total of 355 felonies and 93 misdemeanors. The suspects’ previous criminal histories include 690 previous felonies, 712 previous misdemeanors, and 194 felony convictions.
Detectives served 14 search warrants in Auburndale, Davenport, Polk City, Lake Wales, Winter Haven, and Riverview, FL, as well as in Fresno, California.
Illegal drugs, firearms, and currency seized:
· 268 pounds of Methamphetamine / 112,563 grams ($9,725,040 street value)
· 31 pounds of Cocaine / 14,055.17 grams ($1,405,337 street value)
· 180 pounds of Cannabis / 81,417.89 grams ($1,628,357 street value)
· 3.4 pounds of MDMA (Ecstasy) / 1,692.02 grams ($84,601 street value)
· 6.8 ounces of Fentanyl / 192.77 grams ($26,880 street value)
· 68 Alprazolam (Xanax) pills
· 173 Oxycodone pills
· 49 firearms
· 3 non-active grenades
· 2 bulletproof vests
· 1 stolen motorcycle
· $235,000 cash
The total street value of the drugs confiscated is over $12.8 Million. The investigation is ongoing, and more arrests and charges are pending.
The six ring leaders of the organization are:
Demarcus Terrell Jefferson, DOB 10/19/1989. On September 13, 2020, Demarcus crashed his 2015 Kia Optima into the Marathon gas station on Havendale Blvd in Winter Haven, killing a male customer inside. He has been charged with DUI Manslaughter and his criminal case is still pending. Detectives received information that Demarcus and other family members were involved in smuggling large amounts of methamphetamine through the airlines in checked luggage on domestic flights from California. Detectives made multiple undercover drug purchases at his home, 2073 9th Lane NE in Winter Haven. During the investigation, detectives also learned that one of Demarcus’ brothers, Devontae, died as a result of an overdose of Fentanyl and Xanax at that same house on March 24, 2020. Drugs continued to be sold by family members after his death.
Dwayne Kenneth Stackhouse, Sr., DOB 12/2/1982. Stackhouse was identified as a large scale cocaine supplier in the central Florida area. On April 20, 2022, detectives conducted a traffic stop on US Hwy 27 in Davenport as Stackhouse was traveling from Orlando. They seized one kilogram of cocaine that was concealed inside a leather zippered Bible case. Detectives also executed a search warrant at his residence, 160 Serenity Blvd. Apt #202 in Lake Wales, where they found another pound of cocaine, marijuana, $13,000 cash, and a firearm. He was charged with trafficking in cocaine (F1), possession of a vehicle for drug trafficking (F2), possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (F2), and possession of drug paraphernalia (M1). They arrested his partner, Vicente Carranza-Basanta, the same day. Stackhouse was released from jail on May 31, 2022, after posting bond in the amount of $116,250, and a GPS ankle monitor was placed on him.
Abadosh McKenzie, DOB 5/8/1981. McKenzie was identified as a counterfeit Fentanyl pill supplier, as well as a supplier of methamphetamine, MDMA, and marijuana. He lives in Riverview but conducts undercover drug sales in Winter Haven. On September 14, 2021, McKenzie attempted to flee from undercover detectives but crashed his vehicle. He was taken into custody but released from jail two days later after posting bond. He was re-arrested on warrants on September 20, 2021. During this investigation, he was arrested on June 1, 2022, and charged with trafficking in Fentanyl.
Lenard Henderson, DOB 1/7/1980. He was identified as a ring leader in the drug trafficking organization, as a large-scale cocaine supplier. Several suspects who were arrested obtained their narcotics from Henderson. He was arrested on August 16, 2022, and charged with 25 counts conspiracy to sell cocaine, conspiracy to sell marijuana, conspiracy to purchase marijuana, and use of a two-way communication device to commit a felony. He was released from jail after posting $24,500 bond.
Javarius Samuel, DOB 2/14/1991. On August 5, 2022, detectives in Fresno served a search warrant on his residence there, and seized 68 pounds of marijuana, 109 grams of Fentanyl, 14 grams of cocaine, 3 firearms, and $45,000 cash. The same day, detectives conducted a traffic stop and arrested Samuel on his two active warrants here in Florida – he has been using a forged Georgia driver’s license, with which he used to evade law enforcement and travel back and forth from Florida to California. They served a search warrant at his Davenport address (928 Brooklet Drive) and seized two loaded black AK-47 pistols, which were out in plain view and in a home with six children. He was arrested and charged with conspiracy to traffic in Fentanyl, conspiracy to traffic in heroin, conspiracy to sell marijuana, armed robbery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a fictitious driver’s license, felony battery, use of a two-way communication device to commit a felony, and three counts of probation violation. He is being held on no bond.
Darmonte Munson, AKA D-Money, AKA Money, DOB 9/4/1991. A luggage that was intercepted was slated for Munson’s residence, 514 Lake Dexter Blvd in Winter Haven. On August 16, 2022, detectives served a search warrant at 2245 5th Street NE in Winter Haven, one of his known residences. Large amounts of illegal narcotics were seized, along with scales and paraphernalia, and two firearms – a 12-gauge shotgun and a 9mm handgun. The drugs seized were: 551 MDMA pills; 86 grams of methamphetamine; 6 hydrocodone pills; 51.97 grams of cocaine; 2,492 grams of marijuana; and 53 Oxycodone pills. He was taken into custody and charged with trafficking in cocaine, trafficking in MDMA, possession of marijuana over 20 grams, possession of marijuana resin, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of methamphetamine, possession of oxycodone, possession of hydrocodone, maintaining a structure for drug trafficking, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released from jail on August 18, 2022, after posting bond in the amount of $119,500.
Other notable arrests:
Antonio Deandre Jefferson (Demarcus’ brother), DOB 6/15/1991. On April 21, 2021, HIDTA task force detectives arranged to purchase a large amount of methamphetamine from Antonio in Winter Haven. Detectives placed Antonio under arrest and searched his vehicle, seizing 168.45 grams of meth, a pound of marijuana, and a loaded 9mm Taurus handgun. He was charged with armed trafficking in meth over 28 grams (FL), possessing a vehicle for drug trafficking (F2), possession of marijuana over 20 grams (F3) and possession of paraphernalia (M1). He was released on April 28, 2021, after posting a bond amount of $56,500, and had a GPS ankle monitor placed on him. While out on bond and with an ankle monitor, Antonio continued to distribute trafficking amounts of meth, and detectives intercepted communications between Antonio and his brother, Demarcus, as they conducted drug deals. Antonio was arrested again on August 16, 2022, and charged with trafficking in methamphetamine (F1), use of a two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3), and possessing a structure or vehicle for drug trafficking (F2). He’s being held in the jail under Parker v. State.
Vicente Carranza-Basanta, DOB 7/5/1982. On April 20, 2022, detectives arranged to purchase a kilogram of cocaine from Vicente in Lake Wales. He delivered 1012 grams zipped inside a black leather Bible cover. The amount is over twice the trafficking amount, which is 400 grams. Vicente was immediately taken into custody and charged with trafficking in cocaine (F1), conspiracy to traffic in cocaine (F1), possession of a vehicle for drug trafficking (F2), and possession of drug paraphernalia. He told detectives that he was in the country seeking political asylum from Venezuela. He was booked into the Polk County Jail, but released on May 25, 2022, after posting bond in the amount of $105,500, and a GPS ankle monitor was placed on him.
Cley Bryan, DOB 11/20/1990. On July 24, 2021, two juveniles stole Bryan’s vehicle from the Racetrac in Eagle Lake, which contained a pound of methamphetamine. They drove the stolen car and drugs to another juvenile’s house, who planned to sell the drugs and split the profits three ways. As detectives were following up with the car theft victim, Bryan, they found a cooler containing 24 pounds of methamphetamine in his home. The juveniles were all charged with possession of meth, and two of the juveniles were charged with grand theft auto. Bryan was arrested for trafficking in meth, possessing a vehicle for drug trafficking, and possession of paraphernalia. He was arrested again in April 2022 for violating his pre-trial release conditions on those charges. He was released from jail on May 20, 2022, and had a GPS ankle monitor placed on him.
A Lakeland man was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, after he intentionally fired a rifle numerous times at his former business partner’s residence in north Lakeland.
Nobody was shot during the attack, but five people were in the home at the time; one victim was struck in the arm by a piece of shrapnel but refused treatment.
Several witnesses and victims saw the shooter, 27-year old Michael Stribling, flee from the scene in his truck—deputies found him a short time later at his residence in north Lakeland and took him into custody.
Victims at the scene told detectives that they believe Stribling was upset about his construction business, and the decision by his partner to leave the company. The business partner had returned a work van to Stribling Wednesday afternoon, and about 20 minutes later, at around 6:00 p.m., Stribling showed up at the victim’s house with a rifle.
“The fact that nobody was seriously injured in an attack like this is both astonishing and fortunate. Business partnerships end all the time…but going out and trying to end someone’s life for it while endangering the lives of four other people in the process is completely unhinged.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
One victim reported that she heard about six to ten shots fired at the house. Seven bullet holes were found in walls and doors of the home.
During a search of Michael Stribling’s home, detectives recovered five firearms, ammunition which matched casings found at the scene of the shooting, marijuana, methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia.
Michael Stribling was booked-in at the Sheriff’s Processing Center and charged with: Attempted 2nd Degree Murder (5-Counts, F1), Firing a Weapon into a Dwelling (F2), Discharging a Firearm from a Vehicle (F2), Discharging a Firearm in Public (M1), Possession of Methamphetamine (F3), Marijuana Possession (M1), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1).
Eddie Bower and Other Musicians Packs Wales Pointe with Comedy Rap Show
by James Coulter
Photos provided by Eddie Bower
Located at 207 E Park Ave. in Lake Wales, the Wales Pointe restaurant often accommodates several dozen diners on any given evening. One local artist and comedian, along with several other performers, filled the eatery to near capacity during their concert last Saturday evening.
Eddie Bower, a local rap artist and comedian, performed at “Jokes and Jams” last Saturday on Aug. 13th at Wales Pointe. His show drew in an attendance that nearly filled the building’s total capacity, Bower claimed.
“I always wanted to perform in a mixed crowd, and that’s exactly what we had,” Bower said. “I am so overwhelmed with how many people came out. I didn’t do a head count, but whatever the capacity was for the building, we about filled it.”
From music videos, movies, and skits to local shows, Bower loves to wow his fans through his art. He recently released his newest single, “I Got You,” currently on YouTube. He’s preparing to film the music video with Mike Saar, his official Videographer.
“I love making people laugh and feel good,” he said. “When I perform, it is therapeutic for me. Seeing everybody laugh and have a good time [is] the best part for me.”
Bower always dreamed of becoming a rapper since a young age. He started playing rap music with his brother at age six, writing his own music at age 11, and recording his first song at age 15. By age 16, he purchased equipment for his studio, started a rap group, and started selling albums and singles
His big break came when he partnered with his manager and videographer, Mike Saar, to make music videos. Bower wanted his own creative videos. Saar was ready to capture the moment and became great at his craft. The rest, they say, is history.
Bower’s next show will be Sep. 10 at his private comedy workshop in Lake Wales Fl at 113 E Ave. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets will go on sale on Eventbrite soon!
He also plans to perform alongside his mother, Beanie (a.k.a.:Mother Peal) in her upcoming show, “Mother Pearl”, to be hosted around November or December.
“I appreciate everyone supporting me,” Bower said. “I thank God for every opportunity that is given to me. I pray that I can continue to make everyone laugh and have a good time. Every show that I give them, I promise to give them my all, and I hope they catch my next show. Shout out to Wales Pointe for hostinga great venue and every comedian and artist who came out to Jokes and Jams.”
For more information about Bower and his music, visit his pages on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100055926946435, on Instagram: @E_Bower, and on YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC8XTGJteJv8PwgKubFVSIwA
Comics and Collectibles Convene at 3rd Annual Central Florida Collectorfest
by James Coulter
Do you enjoy Legos? Have you ever wanted a Lego figurine based on your favorite comic book, video game, or anime character? But you can’t find it because Lego doesn’t sell an official figure?
Don’t worry! Plenty of people like Admiel Burgos have made unofficial Lego figures of different characters, especially those from Japanese anime like One Piece, My Hero Academia, and Sailor Moon.
Burgos makes and sells over 300 different kinds of characters from various media including comics, video games, and anime. He showcased several of his custom figurines at a recent toy show expo in Lakeland this weekend.
“I want to be sure that all the people are accomplished through the Legos that I can offer,” Burgos said. “People come here to see different things, things they cannot see at regular stores.”
Burgos was one of several dozen vendors who participated at Central Florida Collectorfest, an expo hosted by Florida Toy Shows & Expos. The event was hosted at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland last weekend.
This year’s event was their third anniversary. The expo offered 15,000 square feet and 100-plus tables of floor space showcasing various toys, comics, memorabilia, and retro gaming consoles and games from vendors across Central Florida.
Various artists also participated in the expo to sell their artwork, many of which was inspired by popular culture including comics, television shows, and movies. Allen Grimes, for example, sold several art pieces based on everything from Marvel’s Moon Knight to Star Wars Kenobi.
Grimes has been participating in events hosted by Florida Toy Shows & Expos for many years. He was very pleased by the turnout for the event this weekend, with foot traffic good on both Saturday and Sunday.
“People can see my art and talk about their favorite scene and character,” he said. “It is what inspires me to capture a certain element, or maybe mix things up a little bit.”
Michael McElroy has resided in Central Florida for 23 years. His day job has been drawing caricatures at Disney Parks. He utilizes experience in creating his art, mostly prints and shadow boxes with characters from Disney, Muppets, Marvel, and DC Comics.
“It has been a great experience,” McElroy said of the expo. “I enjoy this because people in the area, we are also in like mind, different retro characters, people seem to get along with each other because we all like similar things. Getting my artwork out there has been nice.”
For more information about events hosted by Florida Toy Shows & Comic Expos, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/floridatoyshows/
LAKELAND, Fla. – For Melissa Kubic, women in healthcare spans back generations of her family. Kubic’s great grandmother was a nurse during the Great Depression, and Kubic herself said that she spent most of her adolescent life caring for other members of her family. It came as no surprise that Kubic enrolled in Keiser University Lakeland’s Associate of Science Degree in Medical Assisting when she moved to Florida about nine years ago.
The medical assisting program gave Kubic the professional healthcare background that she felt she needed to become a nurse, which was the end goal. After completing her associates degree, Kubic moved on to Keiser University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program.
“Even when I was in the medical assisting program, they prepared me in a way that would make me a strong candidate for the nursing program,” Kubic said, speaking of her instructors in the program. “They kind of helped plant that seed.”
Kubic is a single mother with three young girls. Both of her parents are retired military members, making her no stranger to being of service to others.
“The ability to help people in their time of need, and to get them all mended up, it’s just a fantastic feeling,” Kubic said.
Kubic said that after graduating next spring, she dreams of becoming a surgical nurse in a local hospital. She was recently allowed to shadow a surgery at the hospital where she attends clinicals for class and said that it was an unforgettable experience.
There is a growing need for compassionate and qualified nursing professionals. To help meet the need, the College of Nursing at Keiser University is offering students like Kubic the education, academic credentials, best practices, skills, and insights she might need to provide the best patient care and advance her nursing career.
About Keiser University
Keiser University is a private, independent, non-profit university serving nearly 20,000 students at 21 Florida campuses, online, and two international sites. Co-founded in 1977 by Chancellor Arthur Keiser, Ph.D., and Evelyn Keiser, Keiser University currently offers more than 100 degrees from associates to the doctoral level. Keiser University is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, and was ranked No. 5 in the U.S. in Social Mobility by U.S. News And World Report in 2022.
During the Hundred Years War, the French port village of Calaiswas laid siege by the English army. The English king, Edward III, offered the town an ultimatum: if they offered six people to bring him the key to the city and sacrifice their lives, then he would allow food to be delivered to the city.
Six men agreed to offer themselves up to the king. However, at the behest of his pregnant wife, who considered their potential deaths an omen to her unborn baby, the kind spared the lives of these would-be martyrs.
These six gentlemen would become known as the Burghers of Calais, and their story was memorialized in an eponymous art piece by renowned 19th Century sculptor and artist, Auguste Rodin. Five of the six burghers are currently on display, along with many of Rodin’s other famous sculptures at the Polk Museum of Art in Lakeland.
Alex Rich, Executive Director and Chief Curator, offered a lecture and tour of the art exhibit during the museum’s monthly Point of View Gallery Talk on Friday afternoon. The Burghers of Calais is his favorite of Rodin’s sculptures, as they exhibit his expert craftsmanship and pathos. He often highlighted these statues as a tour guide during his apprenticeship at a museum in New York.
When Rodin was initially commissioned to create the sculptures by the city of Calais in 1885, they wanted the six men portrayed as heroic martyrs; however, Rodin approached his commission with a different angle. He portrayed each men with a different emotion. Some were stoic and others more forlorn and weary. These diverse emotions better showcased the burden of martyrdom, Rich explained.
“I love [it] because the story is so powerful, as are the art pieces that make up the sculpture itself,” Rich said. “I love that we have five of the six burgers in the exhibition, and each ones shows its own set of emotions and shows off the sculptural skill of Rodin himself.”
The Burghers of Calais are currently showcased in “Rodin: Contemplations and Dreams”, a traveling exhibit on display at the museum from now until October. With more than 40 of Rodin’s sculptures, the exhibit is one of the largest and longest-running at the museum. The overall exhibit took six weeks to set up alone, Rich said.
“He [Rodin] breathed new emotional and psychic life into the human figure as never seen before in sculpture,” the museum website explains. “Forgoing idealization for astonishingly naturalistic representation, Rodin created sculptures that draw their power from physical and psychological truth, capturing human pathos, drama, tragedy, mindfulness, and hope through the sculpted form.”
While Rodin’s most famous statue, “The Thinker”, is not on display, the art piece it originally originated from is: “The Gates of Hell”, which had been originally commissioned to serve as the centerpiece of a Paris museum. The titular thinker would have appeared at the top of the door, looking down in judgement and contemplation upon all who passed through them.
“I want them [guests] to take away…the great mastery of Rodin himself, and the fact that the Polk Museum of Art is a really special place that can offer these styles of exhibitions and experiences to everyone who walks through the doors,” Rich said. “The opportunity to show Rodin in our galleries was something we could not pass up on, and it is wonderful to present these works not seen in this region before to our community and beyond. It is one of the greatest opportunities that Polk Museum has had in history.”
The Museum was founded in 1966. Its current facility, built in 1988, is expected to undergo major renovations. Construction is expected to begin this autumn. When completed, the 13,000 square foot expansion will provide an additional six galleries/multi-purpose spaces.
The Polk Museum of Art is located at 800 E Palmetto St., Lakeland, FL 33801. The museum is open Tues. – Sat. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free to the public. For more information, visit their website at: http://polkmuseumofart.org
