The Town of Lake Hamilton is inviting residents and visitors to come together for a Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Community Celebration on Friday, January 31, beginning at 12 p.m.
The MLK Parade will follow the designated route through town. Community members are encouraged to line the route and show their support as the parade makes its way to Gunter Park, where the celebration will continue.
Map provided by Town of Lake Hamilton
Following the parade, attendees can enjoy a variety of activities at Gunter Park, including food, live music, entertainment, vendors, and family-friendly fun. The event will also feature a guest speaker, honoring the legacy and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
This free, public event is designed to bring the community together in celebration, reflection, and unity.
Residents are encouraged to arrive early, review the parade route map in advance, and join the Town of Lake Hamilton for an afternoon of remembrance and community spirit.
Neurodivergent Diversions: Can One Barbie Represent a Spectrum?
by James Coulter
Barbie has been everything from a doctor to an astronaut. She’s been many shades and skin colors. She’s even been in a wheelchair. Now, her newest doll has Barbie being something completely different: a person with Autism.
A Barbie with Autism
Earlier this month, Mattel unveiled its first Barbie doll with Autism. The doll includes many features and accessories that reflect traits commonly associated with people with Autism:
• Posable Elbows and Wrists: The doll’s flexible joints allow her to mimic common stimming movements, such as hand flapping, which many people with Autism use to self-regulate their emotions or manage their sensory input.
• Sideward Eye Gaze: Her eyes are slightly averted to reflect how some people with Autism avoid direct eye contact.
• Headphones: The doll wears noise-canceling headphones that many people with Autism wear to reduce sensory overload and stay focused.
• Fidget Spinner: The doll uses a fidget spinner, a type of stim toy used by many people with Autism to help manage stress and support concentration.
• Tablet: The doll uses a tablet featuring an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) app, similar to devices some people with Autism use to communicate through symbols.
• Sensory Sensitive Fashion: She wears a loose, soft A-line dress designed to minimize fabric-to-skin contact, reflecting common sensory preferences.
Mixed Reactions from Autism Community
Mattel created the new doll through a close 18-month collaboration with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), a non-profit disability rights organization run by and for people with Autism that advocates for the rights of the autistic community.
“As proud members of the autistic community, our ASAN team was thrilled to help create the first-ever autistic Barbie doll. It is so important for young autistic people to see authentic, joyful representations of themselves, and that’s exactly what this doll is,” said Colin Killick, ASAN Executive Director.
However, while the new doll received praise from some people with Autism, as Daily Dot reported, other individuals on social media were less than enthused, claiming the dolls could perpetuate negative stereotypes.
“On one hand, I’m so happy this is being released. On the otherhand, I fear it’s going to reinforce stereotypes of what we look like and how we act, as well as reinforce beauty stereotypes vs. who gets support,” wrote Kit Author on Blueksy.
“As someone with Autism, I find it offensive that a complex and challenging condition is reduced to a handful of plastic accessories and some flexi joints. What next? Autistic Ken with nerdy glasses and a trainspotter log book?” wrote Steve Bower on Bluesky.
One Spectrum, Many Experiences
Toys and other media that aim to represent diverse identities, especially within marginalized communities, rarely pleaseeveryone. Even people with shared life experiences can have very different lives and perspectives within those experiences.
This is especially true for Autism, which is described as a spectrum disorder: a wide range of traits and symptoms all rooted in the same underlying condition but with varying severity and presentation. In other words, people with Autism often experience it differently. Some people experience some symptoms more severely. Others experience other symptoms less severely.
Everyone experiences Autism differently because everyone is different. There is no single “autistic experience.” That’s why representing people with Autism in media, or in toys like Barbie, can be challenging: a character or doll might reflect one person’s lived experience but not another’s.
For example, as someone with Autism, I can relate to this Barbie doll’s difficulty with eye contact and her use of stimming to manage emotions. But while I use regular headphones to tune out the world, I’ve never used noise‑canceling ones. And I’ve never needed an app to help me communicate.
Throughout her 60‑plus years, Barbie has reflected many different kinds of people. Part of that diversity includes the many ways individuals experience their identities. A doll that resonates deeply with one person may not reflect another—and that’s okay! Because we’re all different.
A Canadian man was killed Friday night, January 23, 2026, in a two-vehicle crash in northeast Polk County.
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched at around 8:49 pm, to the crash scene on Ronald Reagan Parkway at Loma Del Sol in the Davenport area.
The two drivers were the lone occupants of the vehicles. Both were transported by Polk County Fire Rescue to a local hospital.
One of the drivers, a 71-year old man from Ontario, Canada, died from his injuries upon arrival at the hospital.
The other driver, a 22-year old Clermont woman, was treated for non-life threatening injuries.
According to the preliminary investigation by the PCSO’s Traffic Homicide unit, the Canadian man had been driving a 2025 Chrysler Pacifica east on Ronald Reagan Parkway, while the Clermont woman was travelling west in a 2019 BMW sedan.
It was determined that the Chrysler made a left turn to enter the subdivision on Loma Del Sol Drive. While doing so, it crossed in front of the oncoming BMW, and the two vehicles collided.
Ronald Reagan Parkway was shut down in this area for approximately three hours.
Detectives are still trying to notify the next of kin for the deceased victim.
No criminal charges are anticipated at this time, but the investigation is ongoing.
Haines City is ready for takeoff as the Aerospace Center for Excellence brings its popular Wings & Things event to town for a day of high-flying fun, learning, and family entertainment.
“Talk to me, Goose!” says Deputy City Manager Loyd Stewart, who is inviting the community to experience the excitement firsthand at Wings & Things: Haines City Edition.
The FREE, family-friendly event will take place on Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lake Eva Community Center.
Designed to bring aviation and science to life, Wings & Things will feature hands-on STEM activities, flight simulators, bounce houses, and interactive experiences for all ages. One of the highlights of the day will be the Big Bang Theory Costume Contest, adding a fun and nerdy twist for science fans and pop-culture lovers alike.
“Whether you’re a Top Gun fan, a future aviator, or just looking for a great day out with the family, this event is sure to be a hit,” Stewart said. “Come explore, learn, and have fun as Haines City takes flight.”
Residents and visitors are encouraged to mark their calendars and join in for a day of discovery, creativity, and sky-high excitement.
On January 23, 1957, machines at the Wham-O toy company roll out the first batch of their aerodynamic plastic discs—now known to millions of fans all over the world as Frisbees.
The story of the Frisbee began in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where William Frisbie opened the Frisbie Pie Company in 1871. Students from nearby universities would throw the empty pie tins to each other, yelling “Frisbie!” as they let go. In 1948, Walter Frederick Morrison and his partner Warren Franscioni invented a plastic version of the disc called the “Flying Saucer” that could fly further and more accurately than the tin pie plates. After splitting with Franscioni, Morrison made an improved model in 1955 and sold it to the new toy company Wham-O as the “Pluto Platter”–an attempt to cash in on the public craze over space and Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs).
Photo source Gamma- Keystone via Getty Images
In 1958, a year after the toy’s first release, Wham-O—the company behind such top-sellers as the Hula-Hoop, the Super Ball and the Water Wiggle—changed its name to the Frisbee disc, misspelling the name of the historic pie company. A company designer, Ed Headrick, patented the design for the modern Frisbee in December 1967, adding a band of raised ridges on the disc’s surface–called the Rings–to stabilize flight. By aggressively marketing Frisbee-playing as a new sport, Wham-O sold over 100 million units of its famous toy by 1977.
High school students in Maplewood, New Jersey, invented Ultimate Frisbee, a cross between football, soccer and basketball, in 1967. In the 1970s, Headrick himself invented Frisbee Golf, in which discs are tossed into metal baskets; there are now hundreds of courses in the U.S., with millions of devotees. There is also Freestyle Frisbee, with choreographed routines set to music and multiple discs in play, and various Frisbee competitions for both humans and dogs–the best natural Frisbee players.
Today, at least 60 manufacturers produce the flying discs—generally made out of plastic and measuring roughly 20-25 centimeters (8-10 inches) in diameter with a curved lip. The official Frisbee is owned by Mattel Toy Manufacturers, who bought the toy from Wham-O in 1994.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — On Monday, January 12, Florida State Baseball opened its doors to the media as preparations continued for the upcoming 2026 season. Head Coach Link Jarrett addressed a wide range of topics, including the team’s academic success, facility upgrades, roster concerns, and adjustments to new NCAA regulations.
FSU PRESS CONFERENCE
Jarrett began the press conference by praising his team’s academic performance during the fall semester, highlighting the players’ dedication in the classroom alongside their commitment on the field. He emphasized that the semester stood out not only within the program, but across the athletic department as a whole. “I’ve had some really good academic teams,” Jarrett said. “I have never seen a semester that was that strong, and it was one of the stronger ones in the department overall.”
FSU PITCHING MACHINE
Following his remarks on academics, Jarrett shifted focus to recent upgrades made to the program’s training facilities. Most notably, Florida State added the Driveline Launchpad pitching lab inside the team’s batting cage. The state-of-the-art technology, used by only a select number of collegiate baseball programs nationwide, provides advanced performance data that enhances player development and strengthens recruiting efforts. “That modification was the best upgrade to an existing footprint I have ever seen,” Jarrett said.
FSU BASEBALL
Turning his attention to the team’s on-field preparation, Jarrett addressed recent NCAA calendar changes and rule modifications that limited coaching involvement during offseason workouts. Under the new rules, coaches were not permitted to instruct or coach players during workout sessions until January 12. During that time, student managers were responsible for setting up equipment while players conducted open-field training on their own.
Despite the restrictions, Jarrett emphasized that he and his staff adapted as best as possible. He implemented his established “ramp-up template” to gradually prepare players for live action, allowing them to build up before transitioning into full scrimmages. Jarrett noted that this approach has been effective in ensuring players are physically and mentally ready once formal coaching resumes.
When discussing challenges facing the team, Jarrett pointed to concerns at catcher and in the middle infield, stressing the urgency to solidify those positions. He expressed confidence that the roster contains the necessary pieces, but acknowledged that wear and tear at the catcher position has impacted the team over the past year and continues to present challenges. To address this, Jarrett mentioned players such as Nathan Cmeyla and Hunter Carns, noting the importance of getting them up to speed as key contributors.
Jarrett also spoke about the middle infield and the task of replacing players lost to the MLB Draft. Rather than seeking outside solutions, he emphasized developing talent already on the roster and maintaining the consistency that defined last season’s group. “We have capable bodies,” Jarrett said. “The consistency, playing clean, playing smart, understanding the team fundamentals, not taking the defense to the plate or the plate to the field—those are things that Alex Lodise and Drew Faurot did a nice job of last year. The consistency of those guys in the middle were the benchmark of the team, so we’re going to have to figure that one out as we move forward.”
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As the press conference concluded, members of the media were given the opportunity to ask questions. When asked how he keeps the team focused amid national attention and preseason rankings, Jarrett acknowledged the challenge while reinforcing internal expectations. “It’s not easy,” Jarrett said. “The expectation is that each individual in here reaches or surpasses their potential.”
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Florida State Baseball enters the 2026 season ranked inside the top 15 nationally, bringing high expectations from both within the program and across the fanbase. The Seminoles are looking to bounce back after a disappointing super regional loss to Oregon State last season. Florida State will open its season at home on February 13 against James Madison, and anticipation is high among the Seminole faithful for what lies ahead.
Brr! The temperatures have been dropping in Florida these past few weeks, haven’t they? Down to the 20s? And I thought it was cold up here in Virginia. When Florida starts shivering, you know winter means business.
Regardless, whenever the weather gets cold, I like to warm up with a nice hot meal prepared in the slow cooker. There’s something comforting about knowing dinner is quietly bubbling away while you go about your day. Some folks like to warm up with beef stew, and don’t get me wrong—there’s nothing wrong with a good stew. But I love something even better: beef curry.
This Japanese-style curry is easy to make, pairs well with cooked rice, and warms you up with both its heat and blend of spices. And if you’re someone like me who likes a little extra kick, a few splashes of your favorite hot sauce will certainly warm you up even more.
What I love most is how unfussy it is. A bit of chopping, a quick sauté, and then everything goes into the slow cooker to work its magic. By the time evening rolls around, you’ve got a rich, hearty curry that tastes like you spent hours hovering over the stove, even though you barely lifted a finger.
It’s the perfect antidote to chilly weather, busy days, or those evenings when you just want something cozy without the effort.
Slow Cooker Beef Curry
Ingredients
• 1 lb. ground or stew beef
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups carrots, sliced
• 1 cup peas (frozen or canned)
• 2 large potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 can (14–15 oz.) crushed or diced tomatoes
• 2 cups beef broth
• 3–4 blocks Japanese curry roux (Golden Curry, Vermont Curry, or similar)
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger (optional but lovely)
• Cooked rice for serving
Directions
1. In a saucepan, sauté onions, garlic, and ginger until translucent and fragrant.
2. Add ground or brown beef and cook until brown.
3. Dump into slow cooker and add carrots, peas, potatoes, tomatoes, and beef broth.
4. Cook on low for eight hours or high for four hours.
5. During the last hour of cooking, add curry roux and stir until well blended. Let it cook for half an hour.
Welcome, World Travelers! Star Wars: Galaxy Edge’s Expands Timeline by James Coulter
Visitors to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge have been able to meet characters like Rey and Kylo Ren from the new Star Wars movies. They’ll soon be able to meet familiar faces like Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader from the older movies.
Starting on April 29, 2026, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park in California will expand its timeline to represent more eras from the Star Wars films, including the Original and Prequel trilogies.
“These exciting updates…will enable visitors to experience even more of the eras of Star Wars,” wrote Kelsey Lynch, Senior Manager of Public Relations, on Disney Parks Blog.
“Each era will be brought to life with the same care and attention to detail that the land was originally designed with, masterfully weaving together stories from across time and space in one location,” he continued.
Black Spire Outpost will roll back in time several decades to include characters, props, and even musical scores from the original Star Wars films. Soon, visitors will be able to meet Darth Vader, Leia Organa, Han Solo, and Luke Skywalker within the Outer Rim outpost. Accentuating that area’s atmosphere will be the beloved scores of the legendary composer John Williams from the first six Star Wars films.
Meanwhile, the forested area outside the marketplace will remain in the era of the prequel films, with characters like Rey and the rest of the Resistance continuing their fight against the First Order.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge first opened in Disneyland Park in California on May 31, 2019, and at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida on August 29, 2019. Originally, the themed area was set on the fictional planet of Batuu, existing within the timeline of the Star Wars sequel trilogy: The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker.
At Disney World, the land’s theming was consistent with the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel, which opened on Mar. 1, 2022. However, since that hotel closed on Sep. 30, 2023, the land has since been undergoing retooling in Disney World and Disneyland.
The first of many changes began when both the Mandalorian and Grogu (affectionately referred to by fans as Baby Yoda) started appearing at Disneyland on Nov. 18, 2022, and at Hollywood Studios in Mar. 2023. Both Mando and Grogu will be appearing in the attraction, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, on May 22, 2026, in both Disneyland and Disney World.
While many of the big changes to the land’s timeline will be coming to Disneyland later this year, only time will tell when these changes will appear at Hollywood Studios.
Regardless of when Galaxy’s Edge will be set in the Star Wars timeline, both lands in Disneyland and Disney World will continue to allow guests to experience fun in a galaxy far, far away.
Notice is hereby given that Lake Wales Storage intends to sell the property described below to enforce a lien under the Florida Self Storage Facility Act, Statutes (section 83.80-83.809). The owner will sell at public auction on or after February 11,2026 at 10:00 am at storageauctions.com
Units belonging to the following:
Robert Mitchell/Unit 406
This sale will be continued on such succeeding sale days thereafter as may be necessary to be completed. Unless otherwise noted units contain household items.
Those looking for a fun and creative way to celebrate Valentine’s Day are invited to attend the Brushes and Bites – Valentine’s Day Edition, hosted by Haines City Parks and Recreation.
The event will take place on February 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lake Eva Community Center. Participants will have the opportunity to unleash their inner artist while enjoying delicious snacks in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
Whether attending solo or with a date, Brushes and Bites is designed to be a memorable evening focused on creativity, connection, and fun. No prior art experience is required, making it a great option for anyone looking to try something new this Valentine’s season.
The cost to attend is $10 per person or $15 per couple, with payment accepted at the door. The event is open to ages 18 and older.
For more information, contact Haines City Parks and Recreation at 863-421-3700.
