Aaaaaaaaaand we’re back. Yes, a Walmart post. (Can we say though that our friends – that would be you – are really good at helping us identify people. So we say Thank You!) And keep the tips coming. So, this guy went to Walmart (as we said earlier) and scanned a few items and not others. He attempted to pay with what appears to be an EBT card, but it wasn’t approved. He didn’t care. He grabbed the items and walked out. Anyone recognize him? Give Detective Maldonado a call at 863-837-0946. Or to remain anonymous contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers are guaranteed anonymity and could be eligible for a CASH reward.
Explorations V Rebrands As Florida Children’s Museum
by James Coulter
In preparation for moving to its new location next year, Explorations V Children’s Museum in Lakeland rebranded itself with a new name and logo.
Explorations V officially announced its new name, Florida’s Children Museum, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted last Saturday at Munn Park, right across the street from its current location.
The 30-year-old children’s museum will be moving into its new location at Bonnet Springs Park in 2022. The 47,800 square-foot facility, which is currently under development, will allow for double the attendance and is expected to draw in an estimated 100,000 annual visitors, according to a press release.
“We are not building a bigger place. We are building a bigger purpose,” said Kerry Falwell, Museum CEO, in the release. “Almost 2 million people have given Explorations V the opportunity to serve their family over the last 29 years. Florida Children’s Museum will carry on the tradition with pride and well into the future.”
Founded in 1991, Explorations V, true to its original name, was created with the emphasis of teaching children about the five senses through its exhibits. The Florida Children’s Museum hopes to continue its three-decade-long legacy with a more modern feel.
“The purpose of the rebranding is to help more families find us and connect with our learning environments,” said Falwell via e-mail. “A new brand helps navigate these big changes. We will serve the modern family complete with emerging needs that just weren’t around when we started almost 30 years ago.”
With the upcoming new facility about to contain more than double the capacity of the original location, Falwell hopes that the museum will draw in more visitors and that more families will enjoy what it has to offer for children and parents alike.
If anything, the turnout during the rebranding ceremony on Saturday showed how much the local community has come to embrace the museum and how many people have been inspired by it since its humble beginnings, Falwell said.
“What a great way to start a Saturday,” she said. “This was an important step in helping connect the community with our bigger purpose when we move to Bonnet Springs Park…We hope to bring as much joy to families in the future as we have since 1991. We will serve all children through curating the world for them to explore. Ultimately, we want to inspire a community of curious explorers.”
The vision of the new facility at Bonnet Springs Park, according to its website, is:
· To open the doors of a children’s museum that re-defines informal learning beyond 21st Century teaching.
· To provide a community resource that strengthens families.
· To conduct research that advances our understanding of how children learn, how families achieve together, and what Central Florida needs as we raise the next generation.
· To engage a community of curious explorers.
Florida’s Children Museum is expected to open sometime next year. For more information, visit their website at: https://explorationsv.com/bonnetspringspark/
Bartow Celebrates Return of Juneteenth Celebration
by James Coulter
Members of the African American community in Bartow gathered together to welcome the return of their Juneteenth Celebration last weekend.
Several local vendors and food trucks set up underneath the Polk Street Overpass near Downtown Bartow to offer their food, drinks, and merchandise during the celebration on Saturday and Sunday.
Live musical performances were also offered with April Brown of Orlando on Saturday and Tremayne Toombs Campbell of Lake Wales. Several local organizations also set up booths to promote their services and programs to the local community, including the Bartow Police Department, Fire Department, and Polk County Democrats.
The two-day celebration was hosted by the Bartow Deacons and Stewards Alliance. Juneteenth had been celebrated in the city previously, but a celebration had not been hosted for several years.
Zelma Harris, Event Co-Chair and Vice President, wanted to bring the celebration back to her community. She was impressed by the turnout that weekend, as it showed that locals were willing to go outdoors following the pandemic and that people were honoring the holiday and what it means to the African American community.
“We are here to celebrate our past, to enjoy our present, and to look forward to our future,” Harris said.
Juneteenth commemorates the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln on Jan. 1, 1863, officially ending chattel slavery in America, freeing black slaves, and granting them equal rights as citizens.
Recently, President Joe Biden signed a bill officially recognizing Juneteenth as a national holiday. Harris was incredibly proud of this accomplishment, as it formally recognizes the historic milestone for African Americans towards achieving equality and liberty.
“I am so excited,” she said. “It is well overdue. I think it is a great thing because so many people have given their lives so that we can have this freedom, and I think it is a great thing.”
The local community turned out in droves to celebrate the occasion. Several years had passed since the last Juneteenth was hosted in Bartow. This year’s celebration was a welcome return to normalcy for many residents, especially after a less-than-normal year.
“We are excited about the support we have received here in Bartow,” Harris said. “We love seeing people have fun. We have all been locked away during the pandemic. Now is the time for us to get out, enjoy ourselves, breathe, see our neighbors, and it is time for a good time.”
Jamie Gaskin, a member of the Juneteenth committee, was especially pleased by the turnout. The event offered her the opportunity to see and meet many friends and neighbors that she has not seen since the start of the pandemic.
“I think it is a wonderful gathering of a diversity of people here today that we are all celebrating after the pandemic with people ready to get out and enjoy the world,” she said.
Laurisa Clay, Director of Customer Service for New Beginnings High School, attended that weekend to promote her school. Recently, 143 students graduated that week during their graduation ceremony in Lakeland. She wanted to help local children gain similar educational opportunities.
Aside from chatting with prospective students, she also enjoyed celebrating Juneteenth. She loved the overall “vibe” of the event and was proud that the holiday had officially been recognized as a national holiday.
“I am so happy to be here,” she said. “I am so happy because what is exciting to me is that it is now a national holiday. And that is happening this week, so to be out here today celebrating our independence is a wonderful thing.”
ROAD CLOSURE: Eloise Loop Road will be closed from the Pollard Road intersection to the West Lake Eloise Drive (aka Hoover Road) intersection for Phase 1 of water utility work. The road will be closed intermittently now through July 28 when it will then be closed for roughly 6 weeks through August 9. Only residents and emergency vehicles will have access. In addition, a single lane of traffic will be closed on Pollard Road, on the south side of Eloise Loop Road. The portion of Eloise Loop Road that turns into Eagle Lake Loop Road remains open. Drivers should follow signage and drive with caution as traffic may be heavy. Please call Winter Haven Water at 291-5853 with questions or for more information.
Visit Bok Tower Gardens Free on Wawa Summer Day on Friday June 25
by James Coulter
Want to enjoy the great outdoors this summer. Want to step outside after being cooped up inside during the pandemic? Why not start your summer off right by enjoying Florida’s natural landscape with a free visit to Bok Tower Gardens?
Visit Bok Tower Gardens this Fri., June 25, and experience everything the 250-acre park has to offer for free. From its beautiful botanical gardens to its clarion bells and even its children’s play area, you can explore the grounds through free admission.
Allow your little ones to crawl around and play about the three-acre Hammock Hollow, take a visit to the edible gardens for a cooking demonstration, and listen to the clarion bells play their harmonic symphony through recorded concerts at 1 pm and 3 pm.
Best of all, Bok Tower Gardens will offer free admission for everyone who shows up at the gates. No vouchers or mobile downloads are required. Just drive on up and drive on through with free admission.
All expenses will be covered through a generous donation from Wawa. The convenience store and gas station have partnered with the Gardens to underwrite the costs of the day for all guests.
“It is a normal day at the gardens for us, but every day is an exciting day at Bok Tower Gardens,” said Erica Smith, marketing director for Bok Tower Gardens. “We are hoping that families and individuals are going to be coming into the gardens and enjoy a day of rejuvenation and relaxation and connect to nature.”
Wawa is a nationwide chain of privately-held gas stations and retail convenience stores, with over 850 locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, and Washington, D.C. The chain is committed to giving back to its local communities through such acts of philanthropy.
“They have been integral to making the communities that they serve happier, healthier, and more fulfilled,” Smith said. “Every dollar that Wawa provides for us is another dollar to keep the gardens growing…When companies like Wawa have a philanthropy gift, it really helps keeps the place sustainable and keeps us in operation for generations to come.”
Wawa Summer Days will be hosted the last Friday of the month from now throughout the summer until September. If you are not able to attend this Friday, be sure to drop by the Gardens all this summer for an opportunity to enjoy the grounds and facilities.
Bok Tower Gardens also kicked off “Spice Up You Summer,” a summerlong event from June 15 to August that will showcase pepper plants on display in the edible garden and outdoor kitchen.
Learn all about these unique plants and their contribution to the local ecosystem, primarily through the Bird Pepper, the only pepper plant native to Florida. Stop by the gift store to purchase your own pepper plant for your own garden, and enjoy a special salsa and guacamole prepared at the cafe by their on-site chef.
Wawa Summer Fun Day will be hosted on Fri, June 25 from 8am to 5pm. Other free days will be hosted on the last Friday of the month every month from now until September.
Bok Tower Gardens is located at 1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales, Fl. 33853. For more info, visit their website at: https://boktowergardens.org/
Love, Peace and Soul Retreat Marks 5-Year Anniversary of Mental Health Counseling Services
by James Coulter
For the past five years, Pieces to Peace Counseling has been helping improve the mental health of its clients by offering a full range of affordable counseling services. To celebrate their fifth anniversary, as well as raise awareness for men’s health, they will be hosting a free retreat in Downtown Auburndale this Saturday.
The outdoor event will be hosted at Auburndale’s Downtown City Park on Sat., June 26, from 9 am to 12 pm. According to the event’s press release: “The purpose of the free retreat is to provide resources to Polk’s African American community in the areas of mental, physical, and spiritual health.”
The free retreat will include two yoga classes, one of which will be led by a black male yoga instructor. The festivities will also offer other resources and services, including a wellness panel discussion, food trucks serving vegan soul food and Jamaican cuisine, free haircuts provided by Jairus Rutherford, owner of Second 2 None Barber Shop, along with other vendors, exhibits, and live music.
Aside from offering vending opportunities for locals, especially within the African American community, attendees can improve their mental, physical, and spiritual health, the free retreat will also celebrate Men’s Health Month by focusing on men’s health issues, especially for black men.
“I believe male culture and the media portray expectations for men to be strong like superheroes and rarely show signs of weakness,” said Antionette Pollard, founder of Pieces to Peace and mental health counselor. “This socially ingrained mindset subconsciously trains men to believe that going to the doctor exhibits weakness.”
Pollard started Pieces to Peace Counseling five years ago in Auburndale. However, due to a fire in the restaurant located downstairs from her practice, she has moved their location to Lakeland. She wanted to pay homage to the city that provided her business a great foundation, which is why the retreat is held in Auburndale.
“My goal is to educate the community and bring awareness to health issues,” she said. “Getting men to take charge of their health is a great challenge and an even greater challenge in the African American community.”
Pollard expects to educate attendees on the importance of men’s health and mental health through her event. Regardless of your gender, or if you are facing any current health issues, she hopes that attendees will at least have their awareness of prevention raised on these health issues and become educated about them.
“Attending the retreat will give you an opportunity to participate in activities you might not be familiar with and learn about health issues affecting our community,” she said. “Therefore, it gives you the opportunity to engage, educate yourself, and be proactive and once we can educate ourselves, we can also educate others.”
Love, Peace and Soul Retreat will be hosted on Sat., June 26, from 9 am to 12 pm at Downtown Auburndale City Park, located at 119 W Park St, Auburndale, FL 33823. For more info, visit their website at: https://lpsretreat.com
Plant City Highlights Downtown With Blues, BBQ & Berries
by James Coulter
Downtown Plant City has been thriving lately with new businesses and eateries, especially along the Evers Street Boardwalk. Come see how the downtown area has grown with the upcoming Plant City Blues, BBQ & Berries.
Come experience the Evers Street Boardwalk and the many new businesses that have set up shop with an evening of live blues music performed on-stage, along with old-fashioned barbecue and refreshments served from local establishments including Roots on Tap, 3 Hand Mead, Tipsy Bookworm and The Corner Store.
From 6pm to 10pm, come listen to live music as performed by blues bands from across the state and even the country. Indulge in the history of the historic downtown with photo exhibits from the Plant City Photo Archives, as well as artwork from local artists as showcased by Afro Shades.
“We expect attendance to exceed expectations,” said event coordinator William Thomas Jr. “We are looking at 250 people, and from inquiries, we will exceed those efforts here… We ask people to bring their lawn chairs out and have a pleasant evening.”
The Plant City Blues, BBQ, and Berries will be hosted by the Improvement League of Plant City, Community Development Corporation, a 40-plus year old non-profit that serves the greater Plant City area. Recently, the organization efforts seeking to revitalize the downtown area through projects, advocating for a youth sports complex including a new 10-million-dollar community center.
“Our mission statement is to foster equitable opportunities for residents regardless of age, sex, race, or religion,” Thomas said. “A few of our signature programs involves economic development, workforce development, and cultural programs.”
They are hosting their upcoming event to showcase the vibrancy of the downtown area, especially along the Evers Street Boardwalk, which has experienced significant economic growth and development through new businesses and other establishments setting up shop there. The area has also seen an expansion of residential properties nearby, providing new opportunities in housing as well as business.
“We thought it would be good to do an event to bring people together and help provide financial support regarding those businesses that are located along Evers Street,” Thomas said. “Our expectations is to show the viable of doing outdoor events along Evers Street where people can come together…Our excitement is that we like what is going on in Plant City with the thriving of young businesses that are coming here.”
There are several sponsors whom are donated monetarily such as Wetherington Tractor Services, Hillsboro Bank, Solution Source, Holiday Inn Express and City Cuts Barbershop to cover band costs associated with this event.
With the downtown area ever growing and expanding, Thomas and the rest of his colleauges hope to highlight Downtown Plant City, especially Evers Street, as the go-to place for shopping, dining, and potential nightlife through outdoor events.
“[We hope] to see how events support those downtown and send the message to visitors there that we are glad they are here,” Thomas said. “You want some vibrancy to keep young people downtown as opposed to them going to other areas so they see what is going on in their backyard.”
The Plant City Blues, BBQ, and Berries will be hosted on Sat., Jun. 26, from 6pm to 10pm along Evers Street in Downtown Plant City. For more info, visit their website at: https://www.facebook.com/Plantcitybluesbbqberries
On June 16, 2021 around 10:37 a.m., the woman pictured below entered Country Primitives Vintage Market (251 Ave A SW). She walks around the front part of the market and selects two purses. She puts them both on her arm and then proceeds to walk out of the store. She then comes back at 10:41 a.m., selects two more purses and then walks out again. Total value of the merchandise is $767. She is seen leaving in a 4-door Gold Lexus sedan. Anyone who recognizes her is asked to call Det. Taylor at 863-837-9074. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers are guaranteed anonymity and could be eligible for a CASH reward.
Frostproof, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed a double death investigation is now considered a murder suicide in Central Florida.
The incident occurred over Father’s Day weekend in Frostproof. According to a sheriff’s office spokesperson the suspect Adam Anderson shot the victim before turning the gun on himself. Due to Marsys Law the identity of the victim is not being released. The incident took place near Monks Corner just North West of Clinch Lake.
We don’t expect further details to be released on this incident.
At approximately 11:32 p.m., long after most people had returned to their homes after celebrating Father’s Day, Lake Wales Police Officer Emmanuel Viera was patrolling the area of Lincoln Avenue. As he neared B Street, he could hear loud music and drove toward the noise, which became louder as he approached D Street. As he turned onto D Street, he could see a large crowd had gathered near the intersection of Dr. J.A. Wiltshire Avenue in the parking lot of a vacant and dilapidated building. This location is in the middle of a residential neighborhood with nearby commercial businesses.
Officer Viera was approximately half a block away when he heard multiple gunshots and saw the crowd running from the area. He rushed toward the gunfire and requested available units to come assist. As he approached the crowd, citizens began to shout for him and directed him to the victim. Officer Viera located the victim, a 42-year-old male from Bradenton unresponsive at the tailgate of a pickup truck. The Lake Wales Fire Department and Polk County Fire Rescue arrived on scene and attempted lifesaving measures to no avail.
Officers soon learned a second person had been shot during this incident and was at a local hospital receiving treatment. This victim, a 28-year-old Lake Wales man, was treated and later released from the hospital. Police believe this person was unintentionally struck during the reckless gunfire.
This remains a very active investigation and detectives are working around the clock to identify the shooter and determine motive. Police are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Ricky Hartwell at Lake Wales Police Department.
Or, if you would like to stay anonymous and be eligible for a CASH REWARD through Heartland Crime Stoppers: • Call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477) • From your cell phone, dial **TIPS • Visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,” • Or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.
You will always remain anonymous when you send a tip through Crime Stoppers and you are eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.
Original Article
Lake Wales Police Department detectives are conducting an active homicide investigation, which occurred in the late evening hours on Sunday, June 20, 2021. The shooting occurred in the area of D Street and Dr. J A Wiltshire Avenue. At this time, one person is deceased and a second is being treated for a gunshot wound. Detectives are in the early stages of this investigation and are looking for anyone who may have knowledge of this incident. Police are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Ricky Hartwell at the Lake Wales Police Department at 863-678-4223 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477).
