Chain Of Lakes Lights Up With Winter Haven Boat Parade

by James Coulter

Every town has its own Christmas parade. But not every town has their parade on the water. As Winter Haven resides within the Chain of Lakes, it only makes sense that the City of Lakes hosts its annual Christmas parade on the water.

Several dozen boats decked themselves with Christmas lights and other decorations and took to the waters within the Chain of Lakes to participate within the 32nd Annual Winter Haven Chain of Lakes Boat Parade.

Hosted by Chain Life Winter Haven, the annual parade had participating boats gather on Lake May around dusk before setting off to Lake Howard, then back to Lake May, and then onto Lake Shipp for a round trip.

As the boats passed through each lake, attendees watching the parade could observe from the shore. Some stood upon the sandy banks, while others sat in lawn chairs or upon picnic blankets on the grass.

The parade passed by several lakeside eateries and bars, including Tanner’s Lakeside, Old Man Franks, Harborside Restaurant, and Caribbean Bay. Several patrons could see the parade while sitting and eating on the waterside patios. Many of these eateries even included extra amenities for the parade festivities including live musical entertainment and dinner specials.

Chain Life Winter Haven has been hosting the holiday tradition for the past several years. The event planning business hosts events such as this, along with the Floatilla, as it is, according to its website, “dedicated to promoting, revitalizing and enhancing public access to and use of the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes.”

Each of the participating boats and their decorations were judged by judges watching the parade from Caribbean Bay and Old Man Franks. The winning boats, according to the Chain Life Facebook page, were as follows:

2nd Place: “Green Dragon”

1st Place: “Patriotic Palm Tree”

The owners of these winning boats are advised to contact Chain Life Winter Haven to receive their prizes. Please contact them at their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/ChainLifeWinterHaven/

On December 14, 2019, Elias Alan-Arturo Flor (19 yr old, Ave B E, Wahneta) came to the Winter Haven Police Department to turn himself in after he was seen on video at Walmart conducting a lewd act in front of a 12 yr-old child. Flor was charged with Battery and Committing Lewd Act In Presence of Child 16 or Younger.

Flor entered Walmart at 355 Cypress Gardens Blvd. on 12-13-19 around 8:30 p.m. and masturbated on the back of a woman in the toy aisle as a 12 yr-old child who was with her witnessed the act. The woman was looking at the shelves of toys and in the buggy while the child was on the side of the buggy.

Flor is seen on video apparently looking for the right opportunity to commit the act. Although it was a short time-frame, the child saw the act and was distraught. When the woman realized the child was upset and inquired as to the reason, Flor had fled the aisle and out of the store. Management was immediately alerted and law enforcement was notified.

Upon questioning, the child revealed what occurred. Video was retrieved and confirmed what the child reported.

“This situation is absolutely sickening,” said Chief Charlie Bird. “I applaud the child’s bravery to speak up and give details that gave information we could get to the media that assisted with the ultimate arrest of the suspect.”

Original Release:

Officers desperate to identify male who committed lewd act in front of a child at Walmart.

On Friday, 12-13-19 at approximately 8:30 p.m., the male in the photos attached entered Walmart (355 Cypress Gardens Blvd.) and appeared to be looking for someone. He walks around a bit and then goes to the restroom. He exited the restroom and headed to the toy section where a woman and a 12 year-old child were looking at toys.

The man paces the aisle for a short time and walks up behind the woman while her back is turned looking at merchandise on the shelves. The child, who was in the cart, witnessed the man masturbating onto the back of the woman. When the woman turned to the child she noticed the child was obviously distressed. She asked what was the matter and the child told her what the man did. By the time the woman turned to look, the suspect was gone. (The incident was captured on video at a distance, however it is not available at this time.)

Anyone who recognizes this man or sees him in public is asked to call the on duty supervisor immediately at 863-401-2256. Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477).

Christmas Carols Performed At Carols In The Park

by James Coulter

Here they came a caroling along the park so green. Here they came a caroling so fair to be seen. Many local schools and musical groups performed Christmas classics in Downtown Winter Haven during the annual Carols In The Park on Saturday.

All–day on Saturday from noon to sunset, the air in Central Park was filled with the sound of live holiday music as performed by music groups, especially those from local schools such as Denison Middle School, Brigham Academy, Chain of Lakes Elementary, and Jewett Academy.

All performances were hosted upon a large stage provided by the City of Winter Haven, which was new this year, explained Anita Strang, Executive Director of Main Street Winter Haven, which hosted the event.

“It has been wonderful,” she said. We had a very great turnout. Our vendors are happy. Our students performing are wonderful and sweet. Thanks to the city of Winter Haven, the new stage is wonderful and everyone loves it.”

For nearly four decades, this annual holiday tradition has drawn many local residents and visitors to the downtown area for a day of live music and other holiday fun, ranging from horse and buggy rides to visits with Old Saint Nick himself.

“I think it is all about community and tradition,” Strang said. “This has been Winter Haven’s most favorite traditions, and I think it is something for the entire family to enjoy. There is something for everyone.”

Bailey McDaniel, President of Main Street, attributes the growing success of the event, year by year, due to its longevity. Many of the attendees who now visit with their children once attended the event once upon a time as children themselves.

“It is very much a generational event,” he said. “It is wonderful to see parents come and see their children sing on stage when they once sang as kids.”

Aside from the holiday music, attendees could also browse various local vendors offering a diverse selection of homemade arts and crafts, including holiday ornaments and wreaths.

Jenni Gregory, a comic book illustrator from Davenport, attended the event for the first time this year with Ka-Blam Digital Printing to showcase their comic books and artwork.

As a proffesional illustrator, Gregory specializes in fantasy artwork, especially mermaids and other magical creatures. She creates her artwork using water media such as acrylics and watercolor.

She was recommended by a friend to attend the event. With this being her first year, Carols in the Park more than exceeded her initial expectations.

“So this is different,” she said. “I met a lot of new people and sold some art…The event has been fun, the traffic has been great, a lot of diverse things.”

Aside from serving as a venue for local artists and vendors, the event also allowed a platform for local organizations and community initiatives. One such initiative was for a study of Highway 17.

Debra Chesna, Bike and Pedestrian Planning Coordinator of District 1, attended the event to receive public feedback and to showcase several proposed treatments for the highway as to better “harmonize the roads for all users.”

Following a community meeting a few weeks ago, Chesna learned about the event and considered it an opportune opportunity to engage the community and get their input on how they would like to see their community grow, she said.

Many of the proposed changes to the highway corridor include ways to “harmonize traffic” as to better allow cars, cyclists, and pedestrians to safely share the highway. These changes include new infrastructure including bridges and crosswalks.

“We are showing folks…the potential solutions to make a safer environment for people to cross the roads…and connect the amenities…[as to better] get people to their destinations safely.” she said. “This has been a good time to help [people] understand what these [proposals] mean, and it has been an opportunity to learn that there is a benefit of these [proposals] have many implications.”

Toys 4 Our Town Collects Gifts For Second Year

by James Coulter

Every child deserves to find a Christmas present underneath their tree or inside their stocking. One local Winter Haven woman has been working hard to ensure every child enjoys such a privilege.

For the past two years, Melanie Brown, owner of Cutting Edge Hair Salon in Winter Haven, has been hosting the Toys 4 Our Town toy drive to collect toys and other presents for local children.

This year, she and her team have been visiting several locations throughout the city and hosting toy drives to collect donations. Within the past few weeks, they have visited establishments such as Gary’s Grove, Twisted Prop, Barrel 239, and Somewhere Sports Bar.

On Sunday, she visited Tanner’s Lakeside, where she collected toy donations from many bar patrons, as well as helped provide live entertainment with local music groups such as Southerndipity and Michael LuBeck.

Over the next month, she will be hosting drives at other locations such as Apple Lounge, Jessie’s Brewhounds, Old Man Franks, Winter Haven Bar Off The Chain, Grape Expectations, and Caribbean Bay Bar.

For every donation provided, each location has provided patrons with a special coupon offering them a special offer, be it a free drink or a discounted meal.

Aside from actual toy donations, the drive is also collecting funds that will go towards the purchase of toys and other gifts. Last year, Brown and her staff were able to buy everything from bicycles, games, and even clothing.

All of the presents donated through the drive will be delivered to select homes on Christmas Day in the city through the assistance of Bobby Williams with Freedom Church and Families with Central Florida Health Care.

Along with the holiday toy drive, Toys 4 Our Town will also be hosting a free Christmas Dinner for the homeless on Christmas Day at Freedom Church.

“Overall, it is really better,” Brown said of this year’s event. “I had to turn a few people down because I am only one person. I do a lot with the locations, but I think it is growing and I want to continue to do it because I love this community and the City of Winter Haven.

As a proud business owner, Brown has used her privilege as an entrepreneur to help out with local fundraisers and even host a few of her own. She loves her hometown for allowing her to make it big, and she wants to do everything she can to give back to the community that supported her.

“Our community here together is one of the strongest communities that I am proud to be a part of,” she said. “It helps the kids here because that is what I am focused on: helping this town. Thank you for coming to support every event I am a part of, and especially with Toys 4 Our Town, and for helping to make a difference with everybody.”

Greg Gay, the owner of Tanner’s Lakeside, has been assisting with Melanie Brown and many of her events for the past five years. He appreciates being about to help out with a wonderful woman who does wonderful things for the local community.

“She helps the community a lot, a lot of valuable time helping other people, and we all love her for that,” Gay said. “It is a great cause, anything we can do to help, we try to do it.”

Performing that day were Southerndipity, the mother-daughter duo of Tenesa Cargill, her daughter, Amanda, and with the assistance of her daughter’s fiancé, Dylan Smith. This family loves their hometown, so they love being able to support it by assisting with events such as this.

“Melanie does a great job putting events together and helping children out and helping different people with their needs, so we wanted to come out here and support what is going on,” Cargill said. “She has such a great heart, and we love working next to her. It feels great.”

Michael LuBeck, who also performed at the fundraiser, has been performing at Tanner’s Lakeside first Sunday of every month for quite some time. He’s been friends with Melanie for an even longer time, and is more than willing to lend a helping hand with her projects and fundraisers.

“I do what I can for Mel, and it is a great community for people who just come together,” he said. “To me, there is nothing more important than giving a child a smile. Whatever you can do in this weird world, to make a child happy…[to do] something so insignificant to what we would consider, to a child, a rubber ball means the world. It is a great community we had here.”