In response to reducing the spread of COVID-19, the City of Winter Haven had previously passed and extended a number of emergency Ordinances requiring masks/face covering when in public settings inside the City limits. On September 25, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 2020-244 which prohibits the City from collecting any fines or penalties associated with COVID-19. In light of the Governors order and the reduction in the Winter Haven area infection rate, the City Commission will allow Emergency Ordinance O-20-39 to expire October 15, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.
The City Commission strongly encourages the use of face coverings/masks when in public settings, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Social distancing, hand washing and staying home if ill or if there is exposure with someone with COVID-19 is also strongly urged.
The City’s policy to require masks in City facilities for both employees and customers remains in place. Business owners are permitted to make their own determination as to whether employees and/or customers should wear masks.
Tuesday, October 13 @ 8:00 am – Tuesday, October 27 @ 5:00 pm
mywinterhaven.com: The Books Bridge Bus Program is an outreach program designed to bring books and book-related knowledge to communities in Polk County. Books Bridge Library Media Specialists and Paraprofessionals take books on busses outfitted as mobile classrooms to young children throughout Polk County. The Book Bridge Bus will be stationed at the Winter Haven Recreational & Cultural Center for the next few weeks. Stop by before they drive off!
Frostproof
Jeeptoberfest Draws In 4x The Crowds And Jeeps
by
James Coulter
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What
started as a few dozen jeeps and vendors last year has since quadrupled in
size. This year’s Frostproof Jeeptoberfest had more than double the crowd,
double the jeeps, and double the fun on Saturday.
The
Frostproof Jeeptoberfest started last year as a community event, hosted by the
Frostproof Chamber of Commerce, to bring people together for their mutual love
of four-wheel off-road driving in the great outdoors.
Even
with COVID-19 still looming, this year’s event more than doubled in size, with
four times the number of jeeps and people turning out for last Saturday’s event
on Henderson Field.
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“We
have so many jeeps here it’s crazy,” said Melody Kinkaid, Director of the
Frostproof Chamber. “Last year we did a trial run on the first year to see
what people were wanting and looking for. We listened to their needs and
opinions and wants and interests. We gave them what they wanted, and we lined
the field.”
More
than a hundred jeeps parked inside Henderson Field near Lake Reedy in Downtown
Frostpoof. So many jeeps turned out for the event that some had to park in the
overflow parking across the street. Many of these vehicles proudly flew their
American colors, and even sported flags and memorabilia in support of Donald
Trump 2020 and Blue Lives Matter.
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While
some Jeep owners proudly showcased their vehicles on the field, others took off
to drive along a nearby off-road trail. Back at the field, attendees perused
the food and merchandise vendors, allowed their children to play in the bounce
houses, and listened to live music on stage.
Melody
Kinkaid was born and raised in Frostproof, having graduated from Frostproof
High School in 1992. She’s been involved with the Frostproof Chamber, and
recently obtained its Vice President position. She loves being able to host
events such as this to draw the community together.
Their
growth within the past year has been due to the support they receive from local
community businesses, many of whom have contributed with donations and
sponsorships. Only through their help has the event grown as large as it has,
especially in light of the recent pandemic.
“The
purpose of the Jeeptoberfest not only is to give everybody in the community a
chance to meet and greet people from all over the state and a fundraiser for
the chamber,” she said. “I believe we are over and beyond any
expectations right now. It is more than amazing. We are giving the community
something to do and somewhere to go.”
While
many vehicles were showcased by jeep enthusiasts, some were being promoted by
Jeep Dealers like Lake Wales Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. The dealership not only
sells Jeep vehicles, but it is one of the few that provides a Jeep proving
ground with a Jeep mountain, allowing potential customers to test-drive their
vehicles in an off-road simulated-environment.
“So
we don’t only talk to people about jeeps,” said Peter Conklin, Commercial
Consultant for Lake Wales Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. “We show them what the vehicles
can do.”
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Conklin
loves events such as Frostproof Jeeptoberfest. Not only does it allow him an
opportunity to showcase his dealership’s latest models, but also allows him to engage
in camaraderie among other Jeep enthusiasts.
“Jeep
vehicles are a vehicle that transcends paths,” he said. “[They are]
more than just a vehicle on the road with four wheels. It is a lifestyle that
brings all sorts of people from across the community. The people, they are
awesome, and you get to meet different people and different backgrounds.”
As
for this year’s event, it has more than exceeded his initial expectations:
“With COVID-19 being as serious as it is, I have seen people doing social
distancing and it is a little bit of a break. It is nice to have everybody
outdoors where everyone can come together and see what is going on.”
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Other
vendors participating this year included Bang Energy, an energy drink company
that sells drinks of many flavors like Rainbow Unicorn. They attend events such
as this to allow people to try their drinks before they buy. They also loved
the synergy between their drinks and Jeep vehicles, even sporting a vehicle
decked in their logo and colors.
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“We
were invited because our regular everyday cars are Jeeps,” said Nicole
Johnson, field team leader. “Just being surrounded by other jeep lovers
[was fun]
. We are an everyday drink, so anybody doing anything can consume our
drink to make their day better.”
Local Lieutenant with PCSO Raises More Than $30,000 For Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center
by
James Coulter
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Lt.
Jim Ostojic normally serves his community through law enforcement. This past
month, he has also been serving it by helping raise money for a local treatment
facility that helps countless children with their hearing disorders.
Lt.
Ostojic is one of 22 local gentlemen who are helping to raise funds for the
Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center by participating in its annual Mr.
Central Florida fundraiser event.
For
the past several weeks, he has volunteered 168 hours. During that time, he has
raised nearly $30,000. He has another month to reach his goal of $50,000.
Aiding
him with his efforts was Craft + Kitchen in Lakeland. The local eatery hosted
specials that evening, with all proceeds from their pulled pork dinners going
towards Lt. Ostojic and his campaign for Mr. Central Florida. Sales from their
beer drafts were also included, with $2 for every draft sold.
For
the past 60 years, Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center has served as a
world-class speech, language and hearing disorders treatment facility whose
core mission, according to its website, is “to provide the highest quality
speech, language and hearing services, always in a caring manner.”
Deborah
Dodge, the owner of Craft + Kitchen, previously ran her business near the
Hearing Center, having since changed location along South Florida Avenue three
years ago. She has a friend whose son has hearing problems that were being
treated at the Center. She appreciates the work that they do, which is why she
wanted to help raise money for it.
“Jim
has been fantastic,” she said. “He is very passionate about
supporting this cause with the speech and hearing center. He has been great to
work with, he has spearheaded this entire endeavor.”
Lt.
Ostojic has been a proud member of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) for
the past 26 years. He started as an explorer as a teenager, having been
introduced to law enforcement by a school resource officer. He became a reserve
deputy at age 19, and his career has only grown ever since.
“I
always wanted to be a police officer,” he said. “I always thought it
was a good thing, a good way to help the community, and I want to give back to
the community because they do so much for us, and we want to do a lot for them
as well.”
He
was chosen by the Honorable Sheriff Grady Judd personally to participate within
the Center’s annual fundraiser, Mr. Central Florida. The event allows 22 men to
raise funds and compete against each other for the titular title of the event.
As
one of his daughter’s best friends receives treatment from the Center, Lt.
Ostojic knows from personal experience the good that the local facility does.
As such, he takes his position and volunteer work for it very seriously.
During
his campaign, he met a gentleman who had taken a child under his care. The man
had assumed that the child suffered from disciplinary problems. Only until
after the child received a hearing test did they realize that he was
hearing-impaired.
Earlier
on, Lt. Ostojic met a stranger at a restaurant. He told her he was raising
money. After giving her his info, he received a phone call from her. She asked
to meet with him at another eatery. There she offered him three big checks for
donations.
“She
gave me a check from the organizations she is involved in,” he said.
“It was inspiring, because for how hard I was working, it is nice for
someone to go out and work hard to help us.”
For
as much work as he has already accomplished, Lt. Ostojic hopes to continue
raising more funds and perhaps even winning Mr. Central Florida. Of course, in
the end, the goal is always to support a great organization like the Speech and
Hearing Center.
“We
have done a lot already, but there is a lot to be done,” he said.
“Please help these organizations. There will be children who will be
depending on this money to get hearing aids [and other treatment].”
“Clean It Up to Green It Up” Program for Jan Phyl Village, Lake Thomas and Sun Acres Communities and Bartow Tire Recycling Event planned for October 24, 2020.
October
12, 2020– Keep Polk County
Beautiful, Inc. in partnership with Polk County Board of County Commissioners
is bringing their “Clean It Up to Green It Up” Program to the Jan Phyl Village,
Lake Thomas and Sun Acres Communities on Saturday, October 24, 2020.
Residents
in these communities are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this program
that will consist of a large scale trash pick-up throughout these selected
communities only (clean sweep). This
program will provide disposal of items that are NOT generally collected with their residential garbage only such as
household construction debris (shingles, drywall, etc.) on THIS DAY ONLY. Absolutely NO tires or hazardous waste will be
collected. All households are asked to
participate by placing these items by the curb no later than 6am for this one day event. Please do not place these items out more
than 48 hours prior to the event. No
mixed piles with yard waste will be picked up. Trash
hauling services have been graciously donated by FCC.
Keep Polk County Beautiful, Inc. will host a FREE Tire Recycling
event for all COUNTY RESIDENTS from 8 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.(noon) at Bartow High School, (Enter from E. Georgia St. ONLY and exit onto S.
Broadway Ave. -No Vehicle Entry on S. Broadway only Exit). Residents and
agricultural land owners may dispose of up to 24 tires per vehicle. Absolutely NO TIRE BUSINESSES, INDEPENDENT
or COMMERCIAL TRUCKING COMPANIES or AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESSES of ANY kind will be
permitted. Legal hauling limits will be strictly enforced.
Tire hauling services have been graciously donated by City of
Bartow Solid Waste.
For
additional information on the “Clean It Up to Green It Up” program, Tire
Recycling or to find out when/if this program is scheduled to come to your
community, contact Keep Polk County Beautiful, Inc. at (863) 875-8911 or email [email protected] .
It
is a violation of Florida Administrative Code Rules to transport more than 24
Waste Tires over public highways without a permit. Violation of this rule
would constitute a 1st degree criminal misdemeanor and be punishable by a fine
of not more than $10,000 and/or by 6 months in jail for further information
please regarding the handling of waste tires please visit the DEP website http://www.dep.state.fl.us/ .
The annual event sponsored by the Winter Haven Police Department that was postponed in April is set for Saturday, October 24 from 10 am – 2 pm at the Police Department.
Purge Your Pills & Shred Your Stuff gives the community an opportunity to bring their expired and unused medications to be properly disposed of. We will also have Crown Business Solutions, the company the Police Department uses for shredding confidential documents, on site for citizens to bring in paperwork to be safely disposed of preventing possible identity theft.
There is no limit to what can be brought and you do not have to be a Winter Haven resident. (No businesses please) Staff will be on site to assist citizens.
What: Purge Your Pills & Shred Your Stuff When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020 10 am – 2 pm Where: Winter Haven Police Department 125 N Lake Silver Dr., NW , Winter Haven FL 33880
Local Lake Wales Resident Uses Podcasts To Promote Positive Change Within Community
By Allison Williams
Photos provided by Frederick D Brinson Jr.
Frederick D Brinson Jr., local Lake Wales resident is young, but sure has lived a lot of life. He has been through a lot and his positivity and optimistic outlook on life contributes to all his successes. Currently engaged to his fiancé Parys Miller, the couple is raising four beautiful children together. Parys’ oldest child unfortunately passed away earlier this year from drowning. His late daughter, along with his three biological children and fiancé are his driving force in life. They inspire him the most.
Brinson Jr. graduated from Lake Wales High School in 2011. From the date of his graduation up to present day, Brinson Jr. has been on in incredible life journey. On his journey, he looks for happiness and the positives in every situation. His parents have taught him love, passion and what it means to be a hard worker and take care of your family.
“Seeing my mom still go hard for all six of her kids hurts me but makes me smile because I know her DNA runs through me,” Brinson Jr. says. “My mom shouldn’t have to work that hard. I love that woman so much, that’s my lifetime inspiration. Seeing my dad go so hard for his Photography business inspires me so much, he is the foundation of the Brinson name and I want to keep that going in my own way. I am just Frederick D. Brinson Jr. a great value version of the original “Frederick D. Brinson Sr. On my pursuit of happiness, I’ve discovered that the love of my family is the greatest love there is and seeing them happy fuels me.” Brinson Jr. speaks about his parents, children and fiancé.
Brinson Jr. currently runs a podcast. This platform lets him truly be himself.
“I started “The High 5ive” podcast because podcasting allows me to be myself without having to feel any pressure from the “world,” he says. “It allows me to “stay true” to myself, and that helps me to motivate others to stay true to themselves also. This podcast platform allows me to help promote change within our local communities all the way to our Federal governments. I want to do something I love outside of an athletic ability and talking is something I’m pretty good at.”
Brinson Jr. believes that the power of a “play button” allows him the opportunity to promote change and reach thousands of people in a matter of seconds.
“We have listeners from all over the world including 10 different countries like Spain, Portugal, Brazil and others,” he said. “I feel like the powerful stories and voices I bring to this podcast will change one life at a time. Changing one life at a time for myself and my team means after you listen to our podcast did you learn something, and would you listen again, and if the answer is “yes” then we are successful. Our listeners are our customers and we want to make sure we give them the best experience possible by using our energy to promote healthy energy to others.”
Brinson Jr. has learned growing up the importance of being oneself.
“I feel like we were all created equal UNIQUELY,” he said. “If each individual person on this earth is his/her own unique self on a day in day out basis this world would be a better place, but the oppression the human race faces on a “day in day out” basis can make that task seem near impossible.”
With the help of his fiancé Parys, sister Fredaysia and friends, Ricky Custodio and Smooth Jay, he is able to produce a positive, powerful and uplifting podcast to share with others. Brinson Jr. is currently working on his second season and this season is special to him. Brinson Jr. is a black man, and he has partnered with Taylor Sweet, a white woman. Sweet is a registered mental health counselor intern in the state of Florida and National Certified Counselor, with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from UCF. She also has her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Rollins College, and she is a current PhD student in Counseling and Counselor Education at UF.
“We have always talked about doing a podcast together because she is a white woman who wants change just as much as myself and when you have two different races and genders who want the same thing opposite from their own race, this makes for great impact,” Brinson Jr. shared. “All the opinions and different stories from our podcast will give you a rollercoaster of emotions. To help push this podcast forward we need monthly subscribers. Monthly subscribers allow us to focus strictly on the podcast and invest in better equipment and produce better quality episodes so that our listeners experience “The High 5ive Podcast” in the best sound and video quality possible, and right now we are only working with an iPhone but we have made such an impact in a short amount of time, and we want to keep that momentum going but are going to need the help of our listeners and our local communities. With the help of both, change is inevitable.”
Polk County Fire Rescue Responds to Fatal Fire in Winter Haven
(Oct. 9, 2020) – During the late night hours Thursday, Polk County Fire Rescue crews were called to a structure fire in Winter Haven where one man was found dead.
Just prior to 11 p.m., Polk County Fire Rescue crews were dispatched to a mobile home fire at 3409 Avenue R NW. Upon arrival on scene, crews found a fully involved shed with fire spread to the adjacent mobile home.
Crews were informed that there was an individual who lived in the shed and that there was a possible person trapped inside the mobile home. The crews began an aggressive attack on the fire while performing a primary search of the home and shed. A deceased man was subsequently found in the shed while the adjacent mobile home was unoccupied.
Polk County Fire Rescue was then notified that neighbors, including a local pastor, had pulled the female resident from the mobile home prior to the arrival of fire personnel. This individual was then transported to a local hospital for observation.
Crews commenced in putting out the blaze and overhauled the two structures. The scene was then turned over to the State Fire Marshal’s Office and Polk County Sheriff’s Office for investigation. The cause remains under investigation.
Halloween Fun Coming To Enchanted Fairytale Hollow This Month
by James Coulter
Looking for safe Halloween fun this month? Then put on your favorite costumes, pick up your trick-or-treat pail, and come on down to Enchanted FairyTale Hollow in Lakeland.
All this month, the local entertainment venue is hosting various Halloween-themed events that will allow children of all ages to dress up, meet their favorite fairy tale characters, trick-or-treat for candy, and engage in other family-fun activities.
Make your RSVP today and join them for the following upcoming Halloween event:
Thurs., Oct. 15 @ 5:30-7:30 PM: Moonlight Mischief with Maleficent
Come join the Mistress of all Evil and revel in some spooky fun. Visit her as she pays a visit to the Enchanted Forest, then have fun making a Halloween craft and collect candy along the Trick-or-Treat trail through a few local Downtown shops.
Even the prettiest princess loves to have fun with spooky thrills. Guests will visit a trick or treat table, and decorate their own masquerade mask. Then, Cinderella and the Frog Princess will host a Halloween themed story time and sing and dance along. March in a costume parade for a chance to win a fantastic prize in the costume contest.
What could make for a more magical Halloween night than collecting candy from your favorite characters? Hike along the Trick-Or-Treat trail and meet your favorite princesses, fairies, and superheroes. Once you’re done collecting candy, enjoy other fun activities from a fun Halloween parade to costume contests and dance parties.
About Enchanted FairyTale Hollow:
Amy Sharpe, Owner of Dreams Come True Entertainment, always loved performing as a child. She and her cousins would often put little plays together for the rest of her family. Her love of acting drove her to attend theater in high school and major in theater at Florida Southern College in Lakeland.
After graduating college in 2008, she worked at Geico, Disney World, Cypress Gardens and other places, but found it difficult to find opportunities in theater. She returned to college, obtained her teaching certification, and went on to teaching art at Garner Elementary in Winter Haven, then Bartow Middle School, and,most recently, Tampa Day School.
As she still had a love for performance, she wanted to channel her interests through her own venue. She purchased her own costumes and started her own company, Dreams Come True Entertainment, which initially started as a mobile entertainment service in 2011.
She hosted her first birthday party in Winter Haven in 2012. She continued hosting birthdays, tea parties, and other special events through her mobile service until last year, when she left teaching for good and opened up a permanent space with Enchanted FairyTale Hollow.
“That was my whole goal, making a place where everyone can come to for fun and unique events and get away from the world to experience the magic. We just want to create happiness for everyone we meet,” she said.
Since opening last year on Nov. 9, Enchanted FairyTale Hollow has been hosting at least five events each month, allowing young children and their family to enjoy family fun activities with their favorite fairy tale characters and superheroes.
Currently, to maintain safety and health during these uncertain times, their venue has been compliant with the city’s mask mandate. All of their support staff members are required to wear masks, and participants over the age of 8 are likewise required to wear masks unless seated at a table six feet across from others. They are also maintaining social distancing when possible and providing extra sanitation, while taking special precautions to clean everything.
Aside from the events this October, Enchanted FairyTale Hollow will be hosting two major events later this year. The first will be their birthday on November 7, celebrating their first year in operation.
Their second major event will be the Merry Magical Holiday Ball for Charity on Dec. 6. The fundraiser will help raise money to finance free tickets they offer to children and adults with special needs. The event will allow attendees to meet and greet such holiday favorite characters like Santa Claus and the Frozen Characters.
Whether they are attending one of the many Halloween events this month, one of their major events later this year, or simply any of the smaller events they host every month, children and adults alike will be able to enjoy the magic of meeting their favorite characters and otherwise making happy memories together.
“They can expect to have unforgettable magical memories that will last a lifetime,” Sharpe said.
At 5:45 a.m. on Wednesday, October 7, 2020, the PCSO ECC received a 911 call in reference to a car versus a bicycle crash on Kathleen Road.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the bicyclist, 29-year-old Dominique Lyon of Pine Avenue NW in Lakeland, was riding his Schwinn bicycle southbound along the fog line on the two-lane road. A black Ford F-150 being driven by 32-year-old Carson Shelby of Old Dade City Road in Kathleen was also heading southbound. As he approached Block Prine Road, Shelby observed the bicyclist riding without his hands on the handlebars. The bicycle then suddenly entered into the southbound lane and Shelby could not avoid striking the bike. Lyon was ejected from the bike after impact, and Shelby stopped and administered CPR until first responders arrived on-scene. Lyon was declared deceased. The area of the roadway was dark at the time, with no street lights, and the bicycle was not equipped with rear or front lights. Lyon was not wearing reflective clothing or safety gear.
Kathleen Road was shut down for approximately four hours during the investigation. The investigation is ongoing
