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Eddie Bower Among Other Musicians Pack Wales Pointe Restaurant with Comedy & Rap Show

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Eddie Bower Among Other Musicians Pack Wales Pointe Restaurant with Comedy & Rap Show

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 

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Comics and Collectibles Convene at 3rd Annual Central Florida Collectorfest 

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/

Generations of Healthcare Professionals Inspire Lakeland Student To Enter Nursing 

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Generations of Healthcare Professionals Inspire Lakeland Student To Enter Nursing 

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.

Rodin: Contemplations and Dreams

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Rodin: Contemplations and Dreams

Rodin: Contemplations and Dreams

by James Coulter

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

Welcome, World Travelers! Here’s 3 Things to Avoid at Theme Parks 

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Welcome, World Travelers! Here’s 3 Things to Avoid at Theme Parks 

Welcome, World Travelers! Here’s 3 Things to Avoid at Theme Parks

by James Coulter

Recently, I visited LEGOLAND Florida with some family from up north. Our visit was okay, to say the least. I certainly enjoyed the quality time with my relatives. However, there were some hiccups during our stay that somewhat hampered the overall experience for me.

Photo by James Coulter

For this column, I want to review my faux pas during my trip and allow you all to learn from them so you don’t make the same mistakes I made. Here are three things to avoid when visiting a theme park:

#1: Getting Dehydrated

Do: Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water and sports drinks.

Don’t: Consume only soft drinks, juices, and other sugary drinks.

On the day of our LEGOLAND trip, the temperature was a scorching 100 degrees, and the hot pavement did not improve conditions. While I did bring along a drink container, it was filled with lemonade which, while tasty, did more to increase my thirst than quench it.

Pic from Pixabay

By the middle of the day, after visiting only three attractions, I felt so hot, muggy, and dehydrated from the sweltering summer heat that I was tempted to ask to leave the park early. By the end of our trip, my energy was drained, and I left with an unbearable migraine that required a two-hour nap and several aspirins to mitigate.

During a theme park visit—especially on a hot summer day in Florida!—it’s imperative to remain hydrated. Bring a reusable water bottle or drink container and consume plenty of water. At the very least, have a sports drink to help replace electrolytes.

Do not drink only soft drinks, fruit juices, tea, lemonade, or other sugary drinks. Those drinks contain mostly sugar and salt that will only make you thirstier, especially on a hot day. Caffeinated beverages are the worse, as caffeine is a diuretic that absorbs more water from your body. Not to mention that soda and other drinks cost a lot of money–especially with current inflation. (Thanks, Biden!) So drink plenty of water and sports drinks instead.

#2: Go Unprepared

Do: Try to plan your visit ahead of time by deciding which rides and attractions you want to go on.

Don’t: Try to wing it, especially in a group.

As someone who often visits theme parks by himself, I usually wing my trips as the only people I need to satisfy are me, myself, and I. And some people, even in large groups, are capable of going with the flow and doing whatever they want as they meander aimlessly through the park. However, when you have several people, especially if they have different tastes and tolerances for rides and attractions, planning your visit ahead of time usually helps.

Pic from Pixabay

You do not need to meticulously schedule every second of your visit. That would be impossible. Rather, before you visit the park, preferably the day or two before, you should sit down with your party and discuss which attractions you want to visit the most and which ones you can skip. Review a map so you know where to go, and check ride requirements so you know your youngest members can ride. Also, review the eateries there so you know a good place to eat in your price range. The last thing you want to do is sit down at an unshaded table in the middle of a hot summer day bickering with your party members about where you want to eat while perusing a park map.

Finally, and most importantly, always check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. Is the day going to be mostly sunny? Wear and pack sunscreen. Is there a chance of rain? Bring a small umbrella or disposable rain poncho. Again, the last thing you want to do is cut your day short because of incremental weather and miss riding an iconic ride like the Dragon Coaster at LEGOLAND.

#3: Take Anything Valuable

Do: Take only the bare essentials that you need.

Don’t: Take anything you’re not willing to lose.

Theme parks are chaotic. Things get left behind and forgotten. They can get lost, stolen, or broken. So don’t bring anything that you aren’t willing to lose. Don’t take anything too valuable or irreplaceable.

Expensive items like fancy jewelry including rings, necklaces, and bracelets are especially no-no’s, as they can be easily knocked or flicked off on wild rides. Have a favorite piece of clothing? Hope you don’t have a problem getting it messed up or wet. Because stains will happen.

Pic by Paul Gorbould – Flickr

Also, only wear tight-fitting shoes and sandals. Don’t wear loose flip-flops, slippers, or crocs—especially if you going on a wildthrill ride. They will fall off and you will be left with bare feet. Long ago, I once had a relative lose their flip flop after riding Peter Pan’s Flight, of all places!

Finally, don’t bring anything that can easily break. If you bring a drink container, make sure it’s made of metal or durable plastic. I made that mistake with my favorite travel tumbler. On my first visit to a park, its reusable straw broke off, forcing me to buy a metal straw. And on my latest trip, it fell out of my backpack and shattered on the stone pavement. Fortunately, I bought a replacement, but I’m saving it for my home and car from now on.

More tips: If you want to learn more about mistakes to avoid while visiting theme parks, I highly recommend this video by Disney Food Blog Guide: “10 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid in Disney World.” AJ experienced similar problems during her recent Disney trip that she wanted others to learn from. Her video inspired me to write my own column on the topic. Watch her video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0RfHodyS2Y

3rd Annual Fire on the Lake Chili Cook-Off 

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3rd Annual Fire on the Lake Chili Cook-Off 

3rd Annual Fire on the Lake Chili Cook-Off

by James Coulter

Mike Powers and his crew have been attending the Fire on the Lake Chili Cook-Off ever since it started three years ago. This year, not only did he have the honor of winning first place in people’s choice, but also awards for best salsa and best traditional red.

Powers appreciated winning three awards in three of the four chili cook-off categories. Even then, he remains humble, owing his success to his family. He especially remains grateful to his wife and son, both of whom participated with him this year.

In the end, the secret to his success is not any secret recipe. It’s not a secret ingredient or secret process. Powers has no secret. His success is with his friends and family, he said.

“We come back time and again for the competition, the area, and the venue,” he said. “My family right here…the family and friends, that is what it is all about. We will hopefully do it again. We keep trying and trying…[and it is a] great place and great location, we look forward to the next one.”

Powers and his team were one of the many contestants who participated in the 3rd Annual Fire on the Lake Chili Cook-Off. The International Chili Society (ICS)-sanctioned event was hosted by Camp Mack, a Guy Harvey Lodge, Marina & RV Resort, in Lake Wales last Saturday.

More than 14 teams from across the county and state convened at the Lake Wales resort to compete in four different categories: salsa, traditional red, Verde, and people’s choice. As such, the overall competition received 16 entries, explained Kevin DeNall, Guy Harvey ResortsEVP.

DeNall owes their success these past three years to their return participants and attendees. Their loyal support since the very beginning has allowed the competition to remain relevant to the local area, and thus help to draw in larger crowds, he said.

“We have had a lot of return visitors and new cooks,” he said. 

“So [we appreciate] getting on the map with the contest for being an international chili competition, and we have [plenty of] return visitors coming. We are thankful for Visit Central Florida for helping us out a bit, [for] telling Polk County about what is going on here, and, of course, staff helping us out. So, it is a fun day on the riverfront.”

Aside from the chili contest, which allowed participants to cook chili and attendees to sample it, the event also provide live music performed by local bands and singers, cornhole, raffles, ax-throwing, and concessions.

Proceeds from this year’s event will go towards The Mission of Winter Haven. DeNall mentioned how much the organization assists the homeless and food insecure, so giving back to such an organization through a food competition felt apropos.

“The Mission of WH helps feed the hungry,” he said. “We are eating chili, we are enjoying food, we need to remember the hungry out there who need food and need at this time and donate to them.”

Camp Mack, a Guy Harvey Lodge, Marina & RV Resort, will be hosting other events soon. Their next event will be the Tickle Pink Playoff, part of their Bonfire Bass Series. Their next event after that will be their annual Rocks and Brew BBQ on Oct. 22.

Camp Mack, a Guy Harvey Lodge, Marina & RV Resort, is located at 14900 Camp Mack Rd, Lake Wales, FL 33898. For more information, visit their website at: https://guyharveycampmack.com/

Polk County Deputy Struck By From Behind By Oncoming Car Hospitalized

Carl Fish
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Polk County Deputy Struck By From Behind By Oncoming Car Hospitalized

In response to media inquiries about the Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputy who was hit by a vehicle near Lakeland Sunday nightshe remains in the hospital for 24-hour observation, but appears to have no serious injuries.

Deputy Sheriff Katie Reese was on foot conducting an investigation with other deputies on Combee Road near Old Combee Road at around 9:20 p.m. on August 14, 2022, when she was struck from behind by an oncoming car.

The driver of the car remained at the scene and has been cooperative with the investigation.

Deputies had parked their patrol cars on the northbound shoulder with their lights on, and Deputy Reese and another deputy were walking on the shoulder of the southbound side, outside of the white fog line.

The driver told detectives that he didn’t notice the deputies on foot because he was looking at the patrol cars on the other side of the road, and as he approached the patrol cars, he moved his car further to the shoulder of the road, and in doing so, his vehicle hit Deputy Reese.

“We are very happy that Deputy Reese was not seriously injured. This is a reminder of the dangers that law enforcement officers face every day, and for drivers to approach cautiously when emergency vehicles are present.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

There are no charges against the driver at this time, but the investigation is ongoing

Truck driver hit and killed by car while checking his jackknifed truck on US 17 In Polk County

Carl Fish
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Truck driver hit and killed by car while checking his jackknifed truck on US 17 In Polk County

Truck driver hit and killed by car while checking his jackknifed truck on US 17 near Bartow

A truck driver was killed Friday morning, August 12, 2022 after he was hit by a passing car while he was walking around his jackknifed truck.

Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and crews from Polk County Fire Rescue were dispatched at about 5:47 a.m. to the scene near 4151 US 17 South, between Bartow and Homeland.

40-year old Yusniel Gonzalez Lemus of Hialeah was found deceased next to the road.

PCSO Traffic Homicide detectives collected statements and evidence at the scene. Their preliminary investigation determined that Mr. Gonzalez Lemus’ yellow 2006 Freightliner truck was southbound on US 17 when, for unknown reasons, it jackknifed and came to a stop with the cab facing north in the median with the trailer across the inside southbound lane.

A short time later, a white 2011 Ford Edge, also driving southbound, was passing the stopped truck when Mr. Gonzalez Lemus stepped from behind the trailer and into the path of the Ford.

The driver of the Ford stayed at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.

A portion of US 17 South was closed for about three hours while units were on scene.

Polk Country Parks and Recreation’s Letters From The North Pole Registration Opens Sunday

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Polk Country Parks and Recreation’s Letters From The North Pole Registration Opens Sunday

Mark your calendars! Polk Country Parks and Recreation’s Letters from the North Pole returns with our pals at the North Pole helping to send out customized letters and certificates to the residents of Polk County.

Registration opens THIS Sunday, August 14, at 8:00 a.m., check back on our page Polk County Parks & Recreation for the registration post with the link to enter. Registration will continue while spaces last (max 1000 households).

Each household will have the chance to register up to three children. One registration per household. This program is free and meant for children up to the age of 12 years old.

UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Offering Free Zap Your Utility Bill Class

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UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Offering Free Zap Your Utility Bill Class

Join UF/IFAS Extension Polk County to learn more about how to conserve electricity and water in your home for savings on your utility bills.

This workshop is presented by UF/IFAS Extension Polk County. 

August 30 at 12 pm

Register here:

https://ufl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIpdu6tqzssE9Cc8JFgcsSXXpe77PlRdtqC?fs=e&s=cl

IMPORTANT: The email address you provide is the one that will receive the webinar link and confirmation email. Please double check that your email address is correct before clicking “Register”

If any accommodations are needed, please contact Julie Schelb at 863-519-1068 or [email protected]. Requests should be made as soon as possible but at least ten days prior to the scheduled meeting.

We collect demographic information to ensure equitable access to Extension programs by all of our audiences. Each individual’s participation is optional.

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