Join in on the holiday fun with our annual Friendsgiving at Tanners Lakeside, Saturday, November 30th from 12-6 p.m.
Live music by Spankin’ Sadie. Bounce houses, cardboard boat races, bounce houses, hula-hoop, 50/50, raffles, contests and other games!
Tanners Lakeside is located at 1006 S Lake Howard Drive in Winter Haven
It’s that time of year; time to ‘fall back’.
The good news: You will get a most-appreciated extra hour of sleep tonight. The bad news: It’ll be dark by late afternoon or early evening for the next few months.
Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. local time Sunday, which means you should set your clock back an hour before you go to bed. Standard time will continue until you get ready for bed on March 8, when it will be time to ‘spring forward’ once again, as daylight savings time returns.
“Fall back” is typically a little easier for the body to adjust to than the spring time change. It may still take a while to adjust to a different sleep schedule, getting home from work under darker skies, and wearing reflective clothing for an evening run around Lake Wailes.
So settle in for a good night’s sleep tonight; enjoy!
Bok Tower Gardens Fall Wine Walk, Presented by Forni Dental, is happening Saturday, November 2 from 2-5pm at Bok Tower Gardens. The after party with The Free Whisky Band will occur from 5-7pm.
Sip, sample, and stroll through the Gardens while sampling 12 wines from the best wine regions in the world. Your ticket includes wine samples, nibbles at each stop, and a souvenir-tasting cup.
Registration is required: tickets are $60 for members and $80 for non-members. Designated driver registration is also available.
Good more information, please visit www.boktowergardens.org.
December 3rd, 1941 – October 5th, 2024
Carol Sue Hutchinson, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on October 5, 2024, at the age of 82. Born in 1941 in Detroit, MI, Carol lived a life marked by deep love, steadfast faith, and an unwavering commitment to her family and faith communities.
In 1965, Carol married her soulmate, Robert “Hutch” Hutchinson Sr., sharing nearly six decades of a loving partnership until his passing just four weeks ago. Together, they supported each other in all aspects of life, forming a strong, enduring bond.
Carol’s life was a testament to her faith in Jesus Christ, which was evident in her gentle spirit, compassion, and dedication to serving and investing in others. She attended Maryville College and earned a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Seminary in the early 1980s, a time when women in ministry were not always accepted. This challenge only motivated her to further define and legitimize the vital role that women would come to play in ministry.
Throughout their military travels, Carol and Hutch raised their family while Carol served in churches wherever Hutch was stationed, from Boston to the Air Force Academy, to Virginia. Their lives, careers, and family became the heart of their ministry. After Hutch’s retirement, he flipped the script, supporting her as she embarked on the next phase of her career in Florida.
Carol’s involvement in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church, through various lay and ordained ministerial roles, touched the lives of many. In 1997, she was ordained as a deacon in full connection. Before her retirement in 2008, Rev. Carol Sue Hutchinson served over 20 years as part of The Florida Conference Connectional Ministries staff. From 1993 to 2000, she directed the children’s summer camp program at the Warren Willis United Methodist Camp and served appointments at Asbury, Bartow, and First United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg. With a determined heart, Carol invested in countless children, youth, and adults—empowering them to be the church while boldly paving new paths for women in ministry.
Beyond her professional contributions, Carol was known for her warmth, kindness, and mentorship. She poured herself into knitting projects, producing an Advent book each year, sending Christmas cards, teaching Sunday school, preaching occasionally, and bringing joy to every encounter. Her smile and welcoming nature endeared her to everyone she met, making her a cherished presence in the lives of family, friends, and acquaintances alike. Even in her 70s, she stepped in as a children’s pastor and served as council chair until last year.
Carol Sue’s legacy of love, faith, and service will forever live in the hearts of all who knew her.
She is survived by her children, Dr. Dawn L. Hutchinson and Rev. Robert J. Hutchinson Jr., whose accomplishments brought her immense joy and pride. Her love continues through her grandchildren, Aralynn McVey, Micah Hutchinson, Piper Hutchinson Spencer, Justin Hutchinson, and Nicole Hutchinson, as well as her great-grandchild, Karter Hutchinson Copeland, all of whom she cherished deeply.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Bob Hutchinson, and her parents, Warren and Marion McNabb. She is survived by her siblings, Janet Lyle, Charlene Miotke, and Charles McNabb, along with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild.
A service celebrating Carol’s remarkable was held at Beymer Memorial United Methodist Church in Winter Haven, Florida, on October 12th at 1 pm, followed by a reception where family and friends gathered to honor her memory and share stories of her grace and love.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Beymar memorial UMC, Feeding Tampa Bay, or Crosspaws Dog Rescue in her memory, reflecting Carol’s lifelong commitment to giving and service to others.
April 26th, 1948 – October 4th, 2024
Robert “Bob” Gillard of Winter Haven, Florida, passed away on October 4, 2024 at the age of 76.
Born on April 26, 1948 to Walton Gillard and Betty Fransted, Bob lived a full and adventurous life. He married his beloved spouse Phyllis (surviving) in 1991 and together they shared many happy years.
Although Bob and Phyllis did not have children of their own Robert took in Phyllis’s two children as his own and loved them unconditionally. Paul Fish and Jennifer Fish. They built a life filled with love, laughter, and endless adventure with their grandkids, Ty Ghent (Rachel Ghent) and Arryn Gibler. Also survived by his brother Bill Gillard and preceeded in death by his oldest brother Alfred (Al) Gillard.
Bob was known for his love of motorcycles and sports and could often be found enjoying both in his spare time.
Bob had two dachshunds Tiny 1992-2005 and Tinkerbell 2007-Current whom he loved and spoiled rotten.
Disney was a great big deal in the Gillard home. Robert and his wife would go any chance they could get. Their house is a Disney explosion of figurines, photographs, collectibles and much more.
Bob studied at Jackson High School and graduated in 1966 before serving his country in the US Army as a SP4 (T). He later went on to work at Allied Chucker Engineering, where he dedicated many years of service before retiring in 2013.
Bob will be remembered for his kind heart, infectious laughter, and unwavering love for his family and friends. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Rest in peace, Bob. Ride on in paradise.
During the early morning hours of November 1, 2024, Polk County Sheriff’s deputies assigned to the Northwest District in the north Lakeland area solved a series of car burglaries, recovered three stolen firearms, arrested the teenaged suspect, and then arrested the teen’s stepfather when he decided to physically fight them.
The car burglary trend began in the middle of September 2024 in the Hamlet Circle area. A wallet was stolen from a vehicle parked overnight. One month later, two firearms were stolen in the same area from another personal vehicle. Video surveillance from the October burglary showed a suspect wearing gloves, a face mask, and long sleeves, flipping door handles and attempting to break car windows.
On October 31, 2024, in the middle of the day, deputies responded to Hamlet Circle in response to a suspect fitting the same description attempting to break into vehicles, who was scared off by a resident. The resident confronted the suspect, who grabbed his waistband and said that he “had something for him,” and clarified that it was a firearm if he came any closer. In fear for his life, the witness retreated and called 911. During this time frame, one vehicle had its back window shattered.
Deputies flooded the area and conducted a neighborhood canvass. Several home surveillance videos were reviewed that showed the suspect’s path, which included the area of Porch Court. While deputies were still circulating the area, they saw an unknown black male teenager fitting the description walking in between Porch Court and Hamlet Circle. When they called out to him, he took off running, and they ran after him.
They caught up with the fleeing suspect on Britt Road, and he was identified as 17-year-old Ronetae Degraffenreid, who lives at 8314 Porch Court with his mother and stepfather. The family recently moved to Polk County from North Carolina.
Ronetae’s parents were initially cooperative while talking with deputies about their son’s activities, until another victim approached and told deputies that her car keys were missing, along with her work ID badge and keys to her office. She had video that showed Ronetae on it. She advised when she is home, her vehicle is parked inside her garage.
Ronetae’s parents then decided not to cooperate and attempted to go back into their home, which was being secured for the purpose of obtaining a search warrant. Ronetae’s stepfather, 37-year-old Anthony Pettiford, balled up his fists and took a fighting stance while approaching a PCSO Sergeant. A detective intervened, at which time Pettiford grabbed the detective and threw him aside. Pettiford was taken to the ground, where he continued to actively fight the deputies, and Tasers were deployed. He was taken into custody, and charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, and resisting arrest without violence.
Pettiford told deputies that he is from New York, then North Carolina, and that the family moved here from N.C. approximately one-and-a-half months ago [note; the first burglary occurred on September 16th]. His criminal history from four different states includes charges such as armed robbery, kidnapping, possession of a firearm as a minor, burglary of an occupied dwelling, theft, fleeing to elude, and DWLSR.
During the execution of the search warrant, deputies found the following stolen items in Ronetae’s room:
Ronetae has been charged with:
“This family learned the hard way that we don’t play around here in Polk County when it comes to keeping our residents safe. I cannot even fathom why this juvenile had so many loaded and dangerous firearms in his room. And what a great example his stepdad is setting. They both fooled around, and found out. We welcome anyone who wants to move here to our county, which is a wonderful and safe place to live, but we do have this message – if you come here to commit crime, we will lock you up without hesitation.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
“Oh and, you can’t make this up – this family has a doormat at their front door that says ‘come back with a warrant.’ They might want to think about redecorating now that they’ve gotten our attention, and everyone else’s.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
A family-friendly day of fun at the Harvest Festi-Fall, presented by Polk County Parks and Recreation in partnership with the Town of Dundee, is a free event. Celebrate fall on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at East Central Park, 11 Trask Road in Dundee.
Activities will include a pumpkin patch, scarecrow competition, inflatables, creation stations, hayrides, food trucks, artisan vendor booths and more! Admission is free.
November 3, 2024 update from National Weather Service:
Tropical Update for Sunday November 3
A tropical depression is likely to form within the next couple of days while moving generally northward to northwestward over the central and western Caribbean Sea.
STILL TOO EARLY TO DETERMINE to determine the exact impacts that may occur across the eastern Gulf of Mexico or Florida peninsula, but we are expecting increased rain chances along with beach and marine hazards during the middle of this week.
For more, see https://hurricanes.gov
—————
November 1, 2024 8:00 a.m. report from the National Hurricane Center:
Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
800 AM EDT Fri Nov 1 2024
For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico:
1. Southwestern Caribbean Sea:
A broad area of low pressure is likely to develop over the
southwestern Caribbean Sea during the next day or so. Gradual
development is possible thereafter, and a tropical depression is
likely to form late this weekend or early next week while the system
drifts generally northward or northwestward over the central or
western Caribbean Sea. Regardless of development, locally heavy
rains are possible over portions of the adjacent land areas of the
western Caribbean.
* Formation chance through 48 hours...low...30 percent.
* Formation chance through 7 days...high...70 percent.
2. Northeastern Caribbean Sea and Greater Antilles:
A trough of low pressure located near Puerto Rico is producing a
large area of showers and thunderstorms over portions of the Greater
Antilles and the adjacent waters of the Atlantic and the
northeastern Caribbean. Slow development of this system is possible
during the next few days as it moves west-northwestward near the
Greater Antilles. After that time, this system is expected to be
absorbed into the low pressure area over the Caribbean. Regardless
of development, locally heavy rains are possible during the next
several days from the northern Leeward Islands westward across
Puerto Rico and Hispaniola to eastern Cuba and the southeastern
Bahamas.
* Formation chance through 48 hours...low...10 percent.
* Formation chance through 7 days...low...10 percent.
3. North Atlantic:
A storm-force non-tropical low pressure area located about 400 miles
west of the western Azores is producing limited shower activity.
Some subtropical development is possible while the low moves
generally eastward during the next few days. Additional information
on this system is available in High Seas Forecasts issued by the
National Weather Service.
* Formation chance through 48 hours...low...10 percent.
* Formation chance through 7 days...low...10 percent.
Ever wonder what’s happening in your City government? Curious about how we’re planning for Winter Haven’s growth and future? Want to know what’s next for your community?
YOU’RE INVITED!
2024 State of the City
Thursday, November 7
Doors Open 8:00 a.m.
Presentation 8:30
The Historic Ritz Theatre, Downtown Winter Haven
Join us at the State of the City address to hear directly from Mayor Nathaniel J. Birdsong, Jr. and City Manager T. Michael Stavres. You’ll get a look into Winter Haven’s brand new Five-Year Strategic Plan and learn how we’re tackling challenges, fostering innovation, and setting the course for a bright future.
Tickets are $5 and include Pastries & Coffee
Reserve your ticket here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?performance=787720
If you drove Hwy. 60 in Lake Wales this summer, you saw it posted on the Lake Wales Arts Council marquis for weeks: Kids’ Creative Market. It was an event held in July that allowed local children the opportunity to showcase their own artwork to the public and market their items for sale at absolutely no cost.
From photography to baked goods, brightly painted canvases to terrariums, yarn, ornaments to handmade games, the products that they had worked so hard on making were set up on provided tables. The little artists themselves talked to countless attendees about their ideas and how they created their items. They went home at the end of the day with a little cash in their pockets from sales, and experience that can’t be bought anywhere.
Enter Brannan Lawson. She’s the arts teacher at Hillcrest Elementary School in Lake Wales. She’s an artist in her own right. And she’s the newly named winner of the 2024 Arts & Cultural Educator of the Year award by the Polk Arts and Cultural Alliance.
The Polk Arts & Cultural Hall of Fame Gala was held on Oct. 29 and is hosted by the Polk County Arts & Cultural Alliance annually, led by a board of directors and Executive Director Daryl Ward, PhD. The six awards are given each year to individuals who have significantly contributed to the arts and cultural community in Polk County.
The Kids’ Creative Market was the result of a successful partnership between the Lake Wales Arts Council and Lawson. As an educator, she says she’s eager to share her knowledge, which she’s been curating for years as an artist herself.
“The Kids Creative Market was created due to my daughter; she loved making and creating and most art venues you have to pay for a booth or entry fee. Fees could be $100 or more. This event allows any child to sell items for no cost and all they have to do is sign up. We don’t require an application, a fee, a tent, not even a table. I wanted to make so easy for the child to participate.”
When her principal notified her about winning the award, Lawson was shocked.
“To have this recognition allows me to feel that all the time and effort that I put forth has been appreciated by our community,” says Lawson. “I love to share all the information and knowledge that I have acquired over the 15 years of teaching art at Hillcrest. I never want to hold on to any secret formula within my classroom or within my practice.
“I remember being a new art educator, new teacher and new artist and I loved soaking in all the knowledge that other teachers and artist would share. I was so thankful for those creators taking the time to document and share how they created, what they used to create and the actual creation of the product or piece.”
While many of us have taken an art class during our school years, and some beyond that, an overwhelming number of us do not take on the title of artist as a profession. However, Lawson believes that art is part of a range of larger life skills.
“Lives are impact through art by allowing us to see through different perspectives; to understand life isn’t always pretty and perfect, life can be messy, just like art. Getting our hands messy with any creative process helps us work through all of life’s good and bad. I try to encourage my students to know that art isn’t just paint, paper and pencils. Art is cooking and plating a meal, planting a garden, baking and decorating a cake, color coordinating and adding accessories to your outfit, or building with any type of materials.”
The Art Barn Studio is Lawson’s personal studio where she creates floral art and other custom pieces available for sale. Lawson also produces a YouTube channel, offering step-by-step art project instruction.
“I started The Art Barn Studio to be able to share art within anyone, anywhere, at any time. I know not every family can afford outside art lessons. I use my YouTube channel to give art teachers more information on how I run my art room. I share kids’ art lessons, providing teachers or home school families with a lesson plan, and links to all my videos and handouts. I create draw alongs and paint alongs using the most simple materials to allow families to join in on creating with whatever they have at home. My passion is sharing for free!”
The Kid’s Creative Market was created due to my daughter loved making and creating and most art venues you have to pay for a booth or entry fee. Which was usually more than 100 or more. This event allows any child to sell items for no cost and all they have to do is sign up. We don’t require an application, a fee, a tent, not even a table. I wanted to make so easy for the child to participate.”
Lawson says she is grateful to the many people who helped to facilitate her growth in the realm of art.
“Thank you to the late Connie Christoph who was the Hillcrest art teacher when I attended. She was my favorite teacher and really let me shine in my element. Thank you to the late Damien Moses for believing in me and allowing me to take Connie’s position. Thank you to Tommy Frank and Gigi Hernandez for always being ready to help host the Creative Kids Market each summer. The Lake Wales Arts Council for hosting the Creative Kids Market event. Thank you to my mom, Doris Gukich for being a crafty mother and taking the time for art lessons outside of school.”
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