Hand colored etching by John Leech from A Christmas Carol
Dickens was born in 1812 and attended school in Portsmouth. His father, a clerk in the navy pay office, was thrown into debtors’ prison in 1824, and 12-year-old Charles was sent to work in a factory. The miserable treatment of children and the institution of the debtors’ jail became topics of several of Dickens’ novels.
In his late teens, Dickens became a reporter and started publishing humorous short stories when he was 21. In 1836, a collection of his stories, Sketches by Boz, later known as The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, was published. The same year, he married Catherine Hogarth, with whom he would have nine children. The short sketches in his collection were originally commissioned as captions for humorous drawings by caricature artist Robert Seymour, but Dickens’ whimsical stories about the kindly Samuel Pickwick and his fellow club members soon became popular in their own right. Only 400 copies were printed of the first installment, but by the 15th episode 40,000 copies were printed. When the stories were published in book form in 1837, Dickens quickly became the most popular author of the day.
The success of the Pickwick Papers was soon reproduced with Oliver Twist (1838) and Nicholas Nickleby (1839). In 1841, Dickens published two more novels, then spent five months in the United States, where he was welcomed as a literary hero. Dickens never lost momentum as a writer, churning out major novels every year or two, often in serial form. Among his most important works are David Copperfield (1850), Great Expectations (1861), and A Tale of Two Cities (1859).
Beginning in 1850, he published his own weekly circular of fiction, poetry, and essays called Household Words. In 1858, Dickens separated from his wife and began a long affair with a young actress. He gave frequent readings, which became immensely popular. He died in 1870 at the age of 58, with his last novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, still unfinished.”
EAGLE LAKE, FL — November 21–22, 2025 — R2Cares successfully concluded its 2025 Weekend of Wellness, a transformative two-day initiative that brought together community leaders, educators, athletes, mental health advocates, families, and youth across Polk County. The event fostered inspiration, education, and meaningful community connection while reaching thousands of young people with messages of resilience and mental wellness.
Record Attendance and Broad Community Impact
Ronnie Richardson, Amy King, Chris Singleton
The weekend’s centerpiece was a school assembly at Lake Region High School featuring presentations to over 3,500 students and staff. Keynote speakers Chris Singleton, Raquel Manning, and Ronnie Richardson delivered powerful messages on resilience, unity, overcoming adversity, and mental strength, setting the tone for an impactful two days of programming.
“This event exemplifies what happens when leadership, love, and community come together,” said organizers at R2Cares. “We showed Polk County what’s possible when we prioritize the mental wellness and development of our young people.”
Comprehensive Programming Across Multiple Venues
Youth Mental Health First Aid Certification Facilitated by Orlando Health and RiseCommunity at the Magnolia Building, the training program certified 14 new Youth Mental Health First Aiders from a pool of 30 registered participants, expanding local capacity to support youth in crisis.
Coaching Symposium for Athlete Mental Wellness In partnership with TEAMUP Mental Fitness and Josie Nicholson from ARCH, the symposium certified 20 coaches with specialized training in athlete mental wellness, performance optimization, identity development, and leadership skills.
Wellness Leadership Panel More than 200 players and families attended an in-depth panel discussion featuring Chris Singleton, AJ Andrews, Tom Lane, Jen Lay, and Chip Lawrence, moderated by Gerald Smiley. The panel was complemented by testimonials from athletes Antwan Brown, Deamez Moss, and Ken Scoby, creating authentic conversations around mental health and athletic excellence. Smith’s Tavern generously provided food for panel participants and guests, helping make the discussion a warm, welcoming community experience.
Youth Baseball and Softball Camp
The event hosted 150+ young athletes at an interactive baseball and softball camp featuring professional guidance from MLB players, Minor League Baseball players, scouts, college coaches, trainers, and influencers, including Jemile Weeks, Dee Gordon, AJ Andrews, Ozzie Timmons, Colton Gordon, Kyle Ryan, Richie Martin, Jordan Schafer, Josh Johnson, Carlos Sierra, Francisco Rosario, Isaac Ballou, Toure Harris, Mike Wrenn, Ryan Moore, Nelly Gonzalez, and many others.
The MLB Players Alliance, a major sponsor, made an incredible impact by donating premium equipment — including branded gloves, bats, baseballs, nets, and buckets — to support local youth athletes. In addition, Bruce Bolt contributed over 100 pairs of professional-grade batting gloves, helping young players perform at their best with quality gear.
Emerging Leaders Game A select group of 23 athletes participated in a specialized game coached by Josh Johnson (MLB Coach) and Gerald Smiley (Former Minor League Baseball Coach and Life Skills Coach), designed to develop leadership and athletic excellence.
Community Giveback and Support R2Cares distributed 200 turkeys to families in need, powered by Gordon Foods, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to comprehensive community care beyond mental health education.
The event featured contributions and participation from Blue Velvet Cupcakes, Polk Sheriff’s Office, Culpepper Cardiac Foundation, Logan Deines Foundation, and numerous other community organizations and vendors.
Strong Corporate and Community Support
The success of the Weekend of Wellness was made possible through generous support from major corporate sponsors including GiveWell Foundation, TeamUp for Mental Fitness, Gordon Foods, MLB Players Alliance, Bruce Bolt, and Visit Central Florida. Community impact sponsors included Orlando Health, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Trey Mancini Foundation, and Lake Region High School. Additional community donors such as Lenny Rodriguez, Webb’s Candy Shop, East Lakeland Diamondbacks, and Smith’s Tavern provided critical sponsorships and hospitality support.
2025 Weekend of Wellness by the Numbers
3,500+ students and staff inspired through assembly presentations
14 new Youth Mental Health First Aiders certified
20 coaches trained in athlete mental wellness
200+ families in attendance at Wellness Leadership Panel
150+ youth camp participants
200 turkeys distributed to families
23 Emerging Leaders selected and coached
Dozens of professional athletes, mentors, and coaches volunteering their time
About R2Cares
R2Cares is dedicated to building strong minds and strong futures for young people in Polk County through mental health advocacy, youth empowerment, and community leadership development. The organization brings together educators, athletes, mental health professionals, and community partners to create transformative experiences that prioritize the holistic wellness of youth.
For more information about R2Cares and upcoming events, visit r2cares.org.
Come Visit Christmas in the Village at Fort Meade on Dec. 19 & 20 by James Coulter
What could be better than seeing more than 60 old-fashioned houses and farming equipment decorated with Christmas lights? How about doing so while helping make other people’s holidays merrier and brighter?
Then come visit Florida Flywheelers Christmas in the Village. Not only will you be able to see thousands of Christmas lights decorating dozens of antique tractors, trailers, and buildings, but also be able to donate canned goods, toys, and money for people in need in the local community.
Since 1972, Florida Flywheelers has been a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and exhibiting antique internal combustion engines, steam engines, antique tractors, and other vintage farming equipment.
Every December, they host their annual charity drive through Christmas in the Village. The elaborate Christmas display takes up to four weekends to prepare, with up to 20 volunteers working six to eight hours a day.
Marly Warner and her husband have been involved with Florida Flywheelers for 12 years. Both have served as caretakers for eight years, planning the different decorations and scenes for the annual Christmas event.
“If you have never seen Christmas in the Village, it is something you really need to come see,” she said. “You just need to come out and see the fabulous lights.”
Aside from being able to see their hard work for the event come into fruition, Warner enjoys being able to give back to her community through the donations they raise.
“The donations that we receive help change people’s lives locally here at Christmas time,” Warner said. “It melts my heart to hear the children’s voices saying, ‘thank you for doing this for us.’ It is for charity, and Christmas is for kids. That’s a big part of our lives: watching the kids grow up.”
Christmas in the Village will be hosted this weekend on Fri. Dec. 19 and Sat. Dec. 20 from 6 PM to 9 PM at the Florida Flywheelers’ Antique Engine Club, located at 7000 Avon Park Cut Off Rd. in Fort Meade. Admission is only a canned good, toy, or monetary donation—or all three!
Phillip Anthony Cuffe, of Davenport, Florida, passed away peacefully on December 6, 2025, at his residence with his loving family by his side. He was 64 years old.
He was born on October 2, 1961, in Kingston, Jamaica. He moved to the states in the 1980s, before settling in Davenport, FL in 2005.
Phillip was proud to be a culinary cook with Norwegian Cruise Lines for nearly 10 years after obtaining his culinary degree. Phillip had a gift for connecting with people. He could make friends with anyone, anywhere, and was known for his generous spirit.
A devoted follower of Christ, Phillip was a faithful member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church, where he was very active in the choir and volunteered regularly. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and he lived out his faith with humility and joy.
Phillip was a loving husband and proud father who believed deeply in the importance of family and worked hard to provide for the family. He valued faith, peace, education, and hard work, and he instilled those values in his children. Phillip is remembered as a loving man with a great sense of humor who loved to sing and who found joy in bringing people together.
He was predeceased by his parents, Edwin and Leida, as well as his sister, Cheryl Cuffe.
Phillip is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, June Cuffe; his son, Phillip Cuffe Jr; his daughter, Chelsea Peters, and her husband, Benjamin; his sisters, Marjorie Williams, Valerie Sterling, Sharon Gascott, Angela Cuffe, Theresa Williamson, Karen Rivera, and Donna Cuffe; and his brothers, Dr. Stafford Cuffe, Wayne Cuffe, Edwin Cuffe, Michael Cuffe.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025, from 1 p.m. until the funeral at 2 p.m., all at Oak Ridge Funeral Care, Haines City
Polk County Commissioners approved Eisman and Russo, Inc. to provide construction and engineering services for the Chestnut Road Sidewalk Phase Two and Phase Three Project on earlier this month.
The Chestnut Road Sidewalk Improvement Project is one of the Polk County Roads and Drainage Division’s Fiscal Year 2025-2026 CIP projects and construction is expected to take around seven months to complete.
Earlier this month, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office handled a rather unusual eviction—one involving a 14-foot, 600-pound alligator. According to the Sheriff’s Office, it took seven deputies and one skilled trapper to safely remove the massive reptile, who seemed ready to settle in for the holidays.
The gator was initially found on the front porch of a resident’s home.
Thanks to teamwork and plenty of courage, the alligator was safely captured on the road and transported to an alligator farm, where he was released. The deputies signed off with a fitting farewell: “See ya later, Alligator!”
Photos courtesy of Sarasota County (FL) Sheriff’s Office Facebook
In a holiday season crowded with everything from mouthwatering cakes, cookies and pies to “fa-la-la-la” forgettable fruitcakes, the dessert table can bring you comfort and joy or sweet-tooth dismay.
Here’s the secret to spicy, sweet cupcakes that “sleigh” at the dessert table: These gingerbread cupcakes with honey cream cheese frosting swap molasses for raw honey to deliver bold flavor and buzzworthy bragging rights.
Just like most legendary desserts, every drop of Busy Bee Raw Honey comes with a story. Sourced entirely in the U.S. and tested for safety, quality and three times for purity, it comes with a peel-away back label and Real Honey Code so you can trace your honey’s journey from flower to hive to your holiday dessert table.
Gingerbread Cupcakes with Honey Cream Cheese Frosting Yield: 12 cupcakes 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 2 teaspoons ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup Busy Bee Raw Honey 1 egg, lightly beaten 1/2 cup buttermilk, at room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Honey Cream Cheese Frosting: 8 ounces cream cheese, sottened 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened 1/4 cup Busy Bee Raw Honey 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 4-6 cups powdered sugar
1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Line 12 regular-size muffin cups with paper baking cups.
3. In medium bowl, whisk flour, brown sugar, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and salt.
4. In large bowl, using hand or stand mixer, beat softened butter and honey until smooth and slightly fluffy, 1-2 minutes. Beat in egg then mix in buttermilk and vanilla until combined.
5. Add dry ingredients to wet mixture and stir gently until no streaks of flour remain; don’t overmix.
6. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.
7. Bake 20-22 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center of cupcake comes out clean.
8. Let cupcakes cool in pan about 5 minutes then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
9. To make frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Add honey and vanilla then gradually beat in powdered sugar until fluffy, spreadable and reaching desired sweetness. Chill for firmer consistency before piping or spreading, if desired.
A sitting Haines City city commissioner had her city wages briefly subject to a court ordered garnishment tied to a civil judgment involving a vehicle related debt owed jointly by her and her husband, before a Polk County judge later granted an exemption that stopped the wage withholding.
Court records show the case involves Financial Portfolios II, Inc. and defendants Kimberly A. Downing and Darrick J. Downing. The matter stemmed from a vehicle account that went unpaid and later resulted in a civil judgment. After the judgment remained unresolved, the creditor sought to collect by filing a continuing writ of wage garnishment.
Because Commissioner Downing receives compensation from the City of Haines City, the city was named as the garnishee. In correspondence included in the court file, Omar DeJesus, Finance Director for the City of Haines City, confirmed the commissioner is paid $1,833.33 per month, which equates to approximately $22,000 per year.
Payroll records associated with the case show that $416.41 was withheld from Downing’s pay for September and another $416.41 was withheld for October, totaling $832.82. That amount was later returned on Nov. 5, after the court ruled on Downing’s exemption request.
Downing filed a Claim of Exemption under Florida law, asserting that her wages qualified for protection as head of family wages. In her sworn filing, she stated that she provides more than half of the financial support for a dependent child and that her net earnings of $750 or below per week, within the statutory limits that shield wages from garnishment. Florida law allows individuals who meet those criteria to seek relief from wage garnishment, even after a writ has been issued.
The creditor opposed the exemption and requested a hearing. Court records show a hearing was held, during which Downing provided sworn testimony. Following that hearing, the judge granted the exemption, dissolved the continuing writ of garnishment, and ordered that any wages withheld during the process be released back to her. The garnishment action was administratively closed.
Commissioner Downing was elected in a May 2024 runoff election and is serving a four year term on the Haines City Commission. Commissioners are responsible for adopting the city’s annual budget, approving ordinances, voting on land use and development matters, setting certain fees and policies, and appointing key city leadership positions. The Haines City Commission oversees decisions involving a municipal budget of approximately $151.5 million, with commissioners voting on how those public funds are allocated.
The Daily Ridge reached out to Commissioner Downing for comment prior to publication but did not receive a response.
Welcome, World Travelers! Mattel Plans New Indoor WaterPark in Orlando by James Coulter
Orlando is home to three major theme parks: Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld. However, a fourth theme park may soon be coming—an innovative indoor park built by an unlikely company: Mattel.
Recently, Mattel—the company famous for toy brands like Barbie and Hot Wheels—announced it will be opening “five unique destination waterparks” across America.
Mattel Wonder Indoor Waterparks, as these parks will be named, have been described by Mattel’s corporate website as “a series of experiential aquatic destinations to create a new form of entertainment featuring Mattel’s beloved brands.”
“Mattel Wonder Indoor Waterparks will encompass many iconic Mattel brands that span generations of play, offering innovative water-based attractions and amenities in a dynamic new format for Mattel,” said Julie Freeland, VP Global Location Based Entertainment at Mattel.
The first of these indoor water parks is expected to open in Orlando. This park will feature many innovations, including a retractable roof—the first of its kind in the country!
Mattel will be collaborating with Martin Aquatic, which has been involved with more than 2,500 projects with cruise ships and other water parks, including the award-winning Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay, Universal Orlando’s Volcano Bay, and The Ritz-Carlton Naples.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with these exceptional industry leaders in waterpark development to create an experience where guests can connect with their favorite brands in an entirely new way,” Freeland said.
“Blending our innovative experiential design with Mattel’s family of brands is a dream come true,” said Josh Martin, President and Creative Director of Martin Aquatic. “We look forward to inspiring that same sense of wonder for kids and adults alike as they cross the threshold into each Mattel Wonder Indoor Waterpark.”
The exact location for the new park has yet to be determined, but the park is expected to open sometime in 2028.
Nestled at 4872 Indian Oak Dr., Mulberry, FL 33860, the Alafia River Reserve is a peaceful 334-acre natural haven in west-central Polk County. Jointly purchased by Polk County and the Southwest Florida Water Management District, this protected area was established to preserve the vital wetlands and uplands along the upper corridor of the Alafia River.
Photo source Polk County Parks and Rec
The reserve provides critical habitat for wading birds and amphibians that depend on seasonally flooded areas free from predators to complete their life cycles. Visitors will find the landscape dominated by forested hardwood wetlands, featuring sweet gum, laurel oak, ironwood, hickory, sabal palms, and bay trees. Due to long periods of inundation, ground cover is limited, creating a unique and pristine wetland environment.
Open to the public for hiking and picnicking, the Alafia River Reserve offers a quiet retreat into nature and stands as one of Polk County’s important conservation sites—right in the heart of Mulberry.
