Cancer Survivors Strut Stuff At 12th Annual Pampering Event At Belk’s Winter Haven

by James Coulter

Chris Hazelwood, Chair of the Winter Haven chapter of the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, fought the battle against cancer and won. In 2008, she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, but had long since become cancer-free.

Having been a cancer survivor for nearly a decade, she has used her time since then to help aid others in their personal battles against cancer. She accomplishes this through her organization and through events throughout the city, including the annual Pampering Event at Belk’s Winter Haven.

Hazelwood started the event back in 2008 when she was first diagnosed with cancer. Several other of her closest friends were also diagnosed with the disease. She wanted to do something to help them, so she convinced the manager at Belk’s in Winter Haven to start the event.

For the past 12 years, the annual pampering event has brought in vendors from local organizations within the community to provide care items and other services to help people in their personal fight against cancer, whether they or a loved one are diagnosed.

“We give back to the community,” Hazelwood said. “All these vendors are here just for them, all the people who are going through the challenge of battling cancer, they pick up tips and pamper them and help them along the way.”

The big finale of the event is the fashion show, where cancer survivors throughout the community celebrate their victory against the disease by modeling their best outfits on the runway. This year’s theme was Hollywood, with many outfits based on movie stars and popular movies.

Aside from offering helpful items and services to cancer patients and their families, the event also offers a cheerful atmosphere where they can uplift their spirits during a very challenging moment in their lives, Hazelwood said.

“They enjoy it is an upbeat event that gives back to everyone and anybody, and everyone feels like we are one here,” she said. “Everyone here has a really big heart. Everyone knows someone who has gone through cancer, is going through cancer, or knows someone who has cancer. They have a big heart, and they show up each year.”

The proceeds raised from the fashion show go directly towards benefiting the Winter Haven chapter of the American Cancer Society (ACS), which has been associated with the event since its inception, explained Cassandra Fridovich, Community Development Manager.

Hazelwood herself is the chair of the Winter Haven ACS’s annual event, Relay for Life, and has been associated with the organization for many years. As such, she is considered to be a highly valuable asset of the organization, especially with her pampering event raising proceeds for them, Fridovich said.

“I love coming and seeing all the cancer survivors and hearing their story,” she said. “I love seeing them come together for a good cause.”

Jen Wells of Cameo Split Ends Salon attended the event for the very first time this year. She helped cut hair to collect donations to help create wigs for cancer patients, as well as cut the hair for many patients going through cancer treatment.

“We collected two samples,” she said. “The people and that it is good for the community…I think it turned out amazing.”

Grove Roots Celebrates Three-Year Anniversary

by James Coulter

Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name and they’re always glad you came, as goes the theme song to the old television show “Cheers.”

For the past three years, Grove Roots has been that type of place for the locals in Downtown Winter Haven, whether it’s for good craft beer or good company among friends.

The local craft brewery and bar commemorated three years of good times and good beer during its anniversary celebration on Saturday with beer specials, live entertainment, and food trucks.

From noon to midnight, Grove Roots celebrated its anniversary with select craft beer releases brewed especially for that day only, including two beers that were aged in bourbon barrels.

The beer was especially helpful in allowing attendees to wash down food as provided by three to four food trucks parked outside.

Whether enjoying good beer, food, or company, attendees could appreciate the entire scene with live musical entertainment as provided by local bands such as Acoustic Dose, The Broke, and Hunter Smith.

Grove Roots opened its doors on Sept. 16, 2016. Part of its appeal has been its specialty craft beer, including such unique flavors as Slanted Ladders (pale ale with tropical flavor), Wakes Of Grain (amber ale caramel malt and American hops), Rind & Shine (Citrus Witbier with grapefruit and tangerine).

By far, what has allowed the downtown brewery and bar to have thrived these past three years has been the support and camraderie from the local community, explained Morgan Wilson, Manager.

“Since we opened those doors, the community has embraced us,” she said. “So we attribute everything that we have been able to do and our success to the community. It has been a wonderful three years.”

Such community support has been the result of the bar’s overall family-friendly atmosphere. While most other bars tend to be smoky, seedy establishments, Grove Roots offers a family centric atmosphere where parents can feel safe downing a cold one while letting their kids run around and play in the grassy courtyard.

“We are in a family-centric environment that everyone can enjoy,” Morgan said. “People know us a little bit more. We still have people who have not heard of us, but we had the best team we ever had, and that helps make us who we are.”

Aside from serving their beer at their downtown establishment, Grove Roots (through their sister distribution company) also distribute their beer in LEGOLAND Florida and 30 other locations throughout Polk, with plans to expand out to Tampa and Kissimmee.

Grove Roots has been around for three years, and they plan on staying around for many more, with plans for future expansion and growth. The local community has allowed them to be around for this long, and they expect them to continue on for even longer.

“We want to thank everyone who has become more than just customers but friends and family and we would not be able to do what we do and be here without them,” Morgan said.

Other upcoming events include their Octoberfest event on Sept. 22, their Fall Fest on Oct. 12, and their Halloween party on Oct. 26.

Grove Roots is located at 302 3rd St SW, Winter Haven, FL 33880. For more information on upcoming events, visit their website at: http://groveroots.com/