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James M Weaver Named Lake Wales Citizen Of The Year

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James M Weaver Named Lake Wales Citizen Of The Year

James M Weaver Named Lake Wales Citizen Of The Year

by James Coulter

A local attorney whose law office has been serving the community for more than 40 years was recently honored for his service by being named this year’s Lake Wales Citizen of the Year.

James M. Weaver, PA was conferred this honorary title at the Annual Gala hosted by the Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce at the Lake Ashton Clubhouse on Thursday evening.

Weaver has been serving clients in Lake Wales and throughout Central Florida from his law office since 1976. He started his business four years after graduating from the George University School of Law in 1972.

Aside from serving the community as a law attorney, he has also served by participating within several local boards and organizations, including the Rotary Club, Lake Wales Art Council, Kiwanis Club, and the Citizens Bank and Trust Board.

Weaver has also served within the U.S. Army, and he has been a faithful husband to his wife, Kay, for more than 50 years, through which they have had many children and grandchildren.

He was as much honored as he was humbled by the award, claiming how many other individuals within the ballroom were just as worthy, if not more so, of the title as he was.

Most worthy of all in his eyes was Mayor Eugene Fultz, who had won the honor several years prior. The honorable mayor had raised the bar for citizenship, as well as “bridged the gap” for others to serve their community to the fullest through his leadership, Weaver boasted.

“I am humbled by this award,” he said. “So many wonderful people here tonight who have made fabulous contributions to our city that we love so much, that we are so invested in.”

Weaver was one of many Lake Wales residents who were honored for their contributions to their local community through their achievements at the 4th Annual Awards Gala on Thursday evening, hosted by the local chamber and economic development council.

Here are the other award winners that evening:

Community Service Organization of the Year

Family Literacy Academy of Lake Wales

Formed through a grant from the Barbara Bush Foundation in 2005, this non-profit organization helps provide local residents a “second chance” at their education by helping them obtain their GEDs.

Their organization focuses on four aspects: education for adults, for their children, having adults and children grow together, and life skills for the whole family.

Over the past 14 years, they have helped over 1,500 students. Recently they helped confer their 97th GED, two of which were obtained in the last two days, and a third a week or so ago, according to Howard Kay, a board member and tutor who presented the award that evening.

The two founders, Deming Cowles and Gail Crum, were presented to receive the award that evening. Crum thanked the support of their volunteers, as well as the local community, for making their organization as effective as it has been.

“Our main goal of our program has been to provide a better educated workforce and a more productive family unit to enhance the development of Lake Wales,” he said. “It takes a community to work together to improve itself.”

Public Servant of the Year

Ken Fields (City Manager, City of Lake Wales)

Fields moved to the city in 2013. Since then, he has served the city through government and higher education. Kathy Bangley, Director of Planning and Development, and recipient of last year’s award, considered him to be the prime example of a public servant, and thus worthy of winning the award.

“To be a public servant is to work for the common good,” she explained. “It is the ability to imagine and articulate the public value that can be supported and embraced by the community. Through his stewardship, we find ourselves on the precipice of moving Lake Wales forward as a united community with our collective future and prosperity in mind.”

Fields himself expressed humility upon receiving his award, as he felt that the honor should go towards the other city employees who assist in helping him run it in the best interests of the community each and every day.

“I couldn’t have been able to do it without their support,” he said. “It is not my award. It is the award that belongs to the 180+ employees of the City of Lake Wales, and we are going to do our best to keep this city moving forward, to make this city the best place you can live, to play, to visit.”

Community Leadership Award

Dr. Andy Oguntola (Director of Polk State JD Alexander Center)

As the Director of the J.D. Alexander Center, Dr. Andy Oguntola has more than 12 years of experience within higher education. Recently, he himself had received his doctorate.

He has also served on various local organizations, including Lake Wales Main Street, Lake Wales Charter School, Lake Wales Art Council, and Leadership Lake Wales.

Like many award winners that evening, Dr. Oguntola expressed nothing short of humility upon his part, as he mentioned how every other person in the room was more deserving than him.

“When you think of a leadership award, everyone is a leader,” he said. “I learned from everybody in this room…I feel like I don’t deserve this but I am thankful for it because everybody in here has made me better.”

Carl F. Durso Award For Excellence In Business (Small Business)

Giovanni Fazzini (Capo Security, Inc.)

When Fazinni started his security business in 2010, he started in his own house with his wife. Now their business has since grown tremendously, employing ten people and expecting to raise more than a million dollars this year.

The small business owner, aside from offering protection through home security, has also served his local community as a Rotarian, soccer coach, scout master, and as a past president of Rotary on the Ridge.

The success he has experienced over the past decade he attributes to “every single customer that gave us a chance, who came through the door and gave me a chance to earn their business.”

“Starting a company was very difficult…but starting a company in a community that you care about is very easy,” he said.

Carl F. Durso Award For Excellence In Business (Big Business)

Darren Potter (GrowHealthy)

When Darren Potter opened his medicinal marijuana dispensary several years ago, his 33-acre property across from the Lake Wales Airport grew 25 plants and employed a handful of employees. Their business has since grown with more than 6,000 plants and 92 employees.

Last year, he was sitting at one of the tables within the ballroom for the Gala when he commented to his friend how “insane” it would be if his business won the award. And now this year, he actually won it, he said.

Though he is honored to have won his award, he acknowledges that his success in business has been due to his hard-working employees and the support from the local community.

“None of this would be possible without the employees we have in Lake Wales…none of this would be possible without the support of our community,” he said.

Elderly Man Arrested for Domestic Violence

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Elderly Man Arrested for Domestic Violence

PCSO Press Release:

Leonard Olsen, who was arrested on May 7, 2019, by the Florida Highway Patrol, had a PCSO warrant for his arrest at the time he was arrested by FHP, for a domestic battery.

Deputies made contact with him by phone on May 7th, and during the conversation he agreed to turn himself in to the PCSO Northwest District substation on Wedgewood Estates Blvd in north Lakeland. While deputies were en-route to meet him, they saw that FHP had pulled him over.

After he was booked into the South County Jail, deputies served the PCSO warrant.

Below is the probable cause portion of the affidavit, and it is self-explanatory:

PRB_CAUS
On or about 04/30/19 during the evening hours the known suspect, Leonard Olsen, became upset with the victim, for taking too long to come to bed.  Once the victim was in bed the suspect began calling her names and blaring the music so she could not sleep.

The suspect then reached over and began choking the victim.  This action began causing the victim pain and restricted the victim’s breathing.  The victim was able to push the suspect away and they eventually were able to go to bed for the night without further incident. The following day the victim had a hoarse voice and had bruising on her neck.

On 05/05/19 during the evening hours the victim, arrived home from dinner with her daughter and grandchild.  The victim began changing into her pajamas and getting ready for bed.  The victim exited the bathroom and observed the suspect, Leonard Olsen, ripping apart the dress she had been wearing.  The suspect began calling the victim vulgar names and accusing her of having an affair.  Once the suspect was done damaging the dress he requested to know where her bra was located.  The victim did not initially give him the bra until he threatened to destroy every bra in her dresser if she not give it to him.  Once the victim gave him the bra she had been wearing he tore it apart.  The suspect then demanded to know where the underwear she had been wearing were located.  The victim told the suspect that she was still wearing the underwear at which time the suspect began violently pulling on the underwear causing the victim’s body to shake back and forth until the underwear came loose from the victim’s body. The underwear finally fell to the floor at which time the victim stepped out of the underwear.

Once the suspect had damaged all of the victim’s clothing which she was wearing he began yelling vulgarities at her and playing the music loudly so she could not fall asleep.  She advised that this occurred for several hours until the suspect fell asleep.

On 05/06/19 at approximately 0600 hours the suspect woke up and began slamming dresser drawers, turning the lights on and off, and turning on the music waking up the victim.  After not being able to fall back asleep the victim went into the bathroom and began listening to a motivational verse on her cellphone which was sitting on the bathroom counter.  The suspect walked into the bathroom and took the victim’s cellphone and placed it in his pocket.  The victim followed the suspect into the bedroom in an attempt to get her cellphone back.  The suspect reached out and pushed the victim causing her to fall onto the bed.  The suspect then straddled the victim placing one hand on her upper arm and one hand on her throat.  The victim was able to push the victim’s hand off her throat.  The suspect then placed his thumb in the victim’s mouth which she bit.  Once the victim bit the suspect he moved off of the victim.

The suspect then began blocking the bedroom doorway making it impossible for the victim to pass.  The victim asked the suspect to move repeatedly which he refused.  The suspect got in the victim’s face in an attempt to intimidate the victim.  The suspect then began telling the victim “Don’t put your hands on me”.   After a few minutes the suspect moved and allowed the victim to pass through the doorway.

A short time later the suspect left the residence and the victim called law enforcement to report the incident.

The suspect, Leonard Olsen, committed these acts intentionally, unlawfully, willfully, and against the victim’s will.  The victim and the suspect are married and have been for the past 47 years.  They have have three children in common.   The victim is also 69 years of age at the time of these reported incidents.

Charges

784.08(2)(C)…* 2 COUNTS F3 DOM VIOL-BATTERY ON PERSON 65 OR OLDER
787.02(2)(A).. 1 COUNT F3 FALSE IMPRISONMENT-DOMESTIC
784.041(2)* 1 COUNT F3 DOM VIOL-BATTERY BY STRANGULATION

Olsen is being held on $21,000 bond: $5,000 per PCSO domestic violence charge, and $1,000 per the FHP charge.

Four Local Women Honored At 28th Annual “She Knows Where She’s Going” Luncheon

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Four Local Women Honored At 28th Annual “She Knows Where She’s Going” Luncheon

Four Local Women Honored At 28th Annual “She Knows Where She’s Going” Luncheon

by James Coulter

An immigration lawyer, public education administrator, public school teacher, and executive director of Main Street Winter Haven were all honored during the annual luncheon fundraiser for Girls, Inc. of Winter Haven.

Girls, Inc. hosted their 28th Annual “She Knows Where She’s Going” luncheon on Friday afternoon at Polk State College, where they honored four local women who have made great contributions towards their community.

Founded in 1961 by local humanitarian Virginia Snively, Girls, Inc. (formerly Girls Club of America) serves to help young girls achieve their full potential as women through after school programs that develop them both academically and personally.

Many of the young girls within this program come from low-income and disadvantaged backgrounds. 55 percent identify as African American, 84 percent are from low-income households, and 62 percent are from single-parent households.

Despite their backgrounds, these young girls manage to overcome their personal obstacles and excel within their academic careers. Within the past school year, a high percentage of these girls attend school at a higher rate, receive higher grades and test scores, and receive fewer discipline referrals than their peers.

As Girls, Inc. seeks to empower young girls within the community, they also seek to honor women who embody their program’s core values and serve as viable female role models. This year’s award winners are as follows:

Julie Pope Award

Artie Renee Pobjecky

Born in Texas, Pobjecky received her bachelor’s from University of Central Florida and her jurist doctorate from Baylor University School of Law. She is the member of the state bar in Florida, Texas, and Pennsylvania.

Through her law firm, Pobjecky & Pobjecky Global Immigration Law, she has served as an advocate for many immigrants and have helped them achieve the American Dream of becoming United States citizens. She also serves as the immediate past chair of the Florida Lawyers Association, and has been involved with local organizations such as Girls, Inc.

“I am blessed every day because I help individuals achieve the American Dream,” she said. “For many of my immigration clients, success is not measured by the money in the bank, it is measured by the fact that they have escaped poverty or violence. For others, success is surviving another day. Knowing the financial and personal sacrifices so many individuals make to come to the united states, it keeps me grounded, and it motivates me to give back to my community and to help others in need.”

Ralph & Alice Thompson Award

Ashley Bell Barnett

Barnett received her master’s degree from the University of South Florida. After which, she spent five years in California and Texas. She later moved back to Polk County and began her career as an elementary and middle school teacher.

Aside from serving her community through her career as an educator, she also serves on many local boards and organizations, including the Polk State College Board of Trustees, Polk State College Foundation Board, United Way of Central Florida, Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center, and Leadership Polk.

She and her husband are currently raising their daughter, as well as a 16-year-old girl that they have brought over from Latvia following a humanitarian trip to an orphanage. Barnett said she felt moved to serve there, and she has since taken the young girl, Laura, under their wings to put through high school, and hopefully to college.

Barnett possesses the true heart of a servant. When asked to define her best giving moment, she replied that she could not narrow down just one instance, as every instance of giving and service has been a blessing to her.

“Every day is filled with countless opportunities to give,” she said. “It is my constant prayer that God allows me to see through his eyes, to break my heart for what breaks His, to listen with His ears, and to show compassion and empathy towards others and give myself freely, even though I may fail time and time and again. I truly believe you cannot measure one giving moment over another because you will have no idea how the seed of giving will bloom. A single act of kindness can pay it forward to move others, to change lives, to create impact that one can never anticipate.”

Virginia Snively Award

Qvonda Birdsong

A lifelong Winter Haven resident, Birdsong holds two master’s degree, having previously graduated from both Polk State College and Florida A&M University. Formerly a supervisor with the Department of Children and Family, she now serves as principal of Fred G. Garner Elementary School.

Aside from her career as an educator, she has also helped serve the young people of her community through her service as a Sunday School teacher and as a participant within many local organizations including the Winter Haven Pep Club, Boys and Girls Club, and Winter Haven High School athletics.

Her personal motto in life is that, “If I can help one person on my life journey, then my living has not been in vain.” Throughout her life, she has remained true to that motto through her service to the young people of her community, which she considers to be the highest honor.

“I believe the greatest feeling on this earth is knowing that you have shaped a young life,” she said. “I have the awesome opportunity of tapping into unknown territory…of unlocking the potential in a child, and it is such a wonderful feeling. It is like finding purpose in living.”

George Jenkins Award

Anita Strang

Strang currently serves as the Executive Director of Main Street Winter Haven. Through her organization, she has helped revitalize the downtown area by increasing business opportunity and transforming it into a cultural and social destination.

Her most shining accomplishment has been the revitalization of the Historic Gram Parsons Derry Down, which has allowed the local, historic location to provide a venue for fundraising and concert performances.

She has also given back to her community through her involvement with other organizations such as Florence Villa CDC Banquet Committee, Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce, Winter Haven Economic Development Council.

Having grown up in both the multiculturalism of the big city of Chicago and the small-town home setting within Alabama, Strang has been exposed to many life experiences that has inspired her to shape her own community into the best of both worlds.

“All these things have combined within me, and I think we should look at our community a little differently,” she said. “I consider myself lucky to have such a diverse experience, to be a part where I live a little bit better through volunteering, which seems like the right thing to do.”

Local Resident’s Journey with a Rare Form of Cancer

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Local Resident’s Journey with a Rare Form of Cancer

Local Resident’s Journey with a Rare Form of Cancer

By Allison Williams

Photos provided by Burton Family

Jessica Burton, a local resident was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2016. She was diagnosed with Chondrosarcoma on February 21, 2016.

Never heard of Chondrosarcoma? This cancer is grown on the bone as well as soft tissues. As the Burton’s have learned, the care method with this form of bone cancer is surgical removal.

Jessica Burton’s Story:

“I was first diagnosed with a large Chondrosarcoma on my right lower pelvis in February of 2016 while at my orthopedist office ALONE. At first I felt nothing but shock. I immediately called my husband and drove myself home. I had an appointment at Moffitt Cancer Center within two weeks and found out this type of cancer usually only responds to surgical removal.

On March 23, 2016, I had a lengthy 12 hour surgery called a Hemipelvectomy to remove the tumor by an amazing group of surgeons. The bottom portion of my right pelvis was removed and I lost some function of the muscles in my right leg. After 4 months of physical therapy I was walking/standing for short time periods without a cane and back to work on a restricted function, part-time basis.

I have an x-ray, MRI, CT, and a follow up every three months and by the six-month mark the cancer was back; this time on my bladder. We worked with Moffitt for six months to find out if there were any new drug trials for this type of cancer to avoid having a major surgery so close to the first one but none were available.

In January 2017, I had another major surgery and this time I lost my bladder. We knew this was a possibility but were hoping for a less invasive outcome. My surgeons also found a tumor on my right upper pelvis during surgery and removed it as well. After being discharged home I fractured my pelvis and was extremely limited physically.

By February 14, 2017 I was back at Moffitt due to my urostomy (new bladder) failing. I had tubes placed in both kidneys that had to stay in place for a total of seven months.

In April 2017, I was told the cancer was back…AGAIN. This time there were three tumors in my right thigh. I was exhausted at this point and so was my family but we kept fighting! I stayed at the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Tampa during radiation treatments which was an incredibly supportive and encouraging place where I made lifelong friends.

The worst part of this process was being away from my husband and two young daughters five days a week for six and a half weeks. This was extremely difficult emotionally for all of us but we survived!

We waited until July 2017 to remove the tumors in my thigh and have a revision of my failed urostomy. This was the longest surgery to date at 15 hours. I had a difficult time healing after this surgery, especially the area that was radiated.

After two months I required a muscle flap surgery of my right thigh for a non-healing wound. For an entire year I was primarily home bound but slowly yet surely I found my “new normal” and embraced it. By the time November 2017 rolled around I was extremely sick and hospitalized for infection. I had a tube in my kidney for another two months which meant the holidays were not what I was anticipating. This too passed but by October of 2018 I was told the cancer had returned for the fourth time in three years.

I was absolutely devastated, angry, sad and ready to give up. My surgeons agree that rushing to surgery is not the safest course of action for me at this time due to the many surgeries I have had all in the same area. I found out about a Physician specializing in naturopathic therapies who had helped a personal friend of mine during her battle with bladder cancer and decided to go in for a consult.

After researching and meeting with Dr. Minkoff my husband and I immediately felt like this was the right course of treatment for me. I am continuing treatment and follow up by my amazing physicians at Moffitt Cancer Center and also hoping to begin treatment with Dr. Minkoff very soon!

The problem is that because these natural treatments that have seen so much success are not the standard of care, it is not covered by insurance. We are currently working to raise money for this treatment.”

To learn more about the Burtons’ journey, watch their video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fur_7kzAhM&t=26s

Burton has had an incredible amount of support over the years throughout her journey. Her friends and family have remained close. Even members around the community have helped.

“Throughout our journey, there are so many friends and family members that helped us to the point that we could not have made it without them. Currently, I want to give a big shout-out thank you to our sweet friend Lori Rice. She really stepped up and helped us start our fundraising. Then she teamed up with our wonderful friend Chris Hazelwood and together they are tackling this large sum of money with us! Also, the community of Winter Haven (and further). We raised $25,000 in two weeks!

Now, we’re working on an amazing fundraising event at Grove Roots Thursday, May 23rd. For $50 you can come to the Taste for Life event to support the “Just for Jess” cause as we work to achieve our goal fundraising of $50,000. There will be several food vendors there as well as major silent auction items.”

The event will take place from 6:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Tickets here: https://centralfloridatix.com/events/taste-for-life

FHP Confirms Fatal Crash Shutting Down S.R. 60 East of Lake Wales In Polk County

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FHP Confirms Fatal Crash Shutting Down S.R. 60 East of Lake Wales In Polk County

TRAFFIC ADVISORY: SR 60 between CR 630 and Grape Hammock Road in Lake Wales is shut down for the next 3-4 hours at least, while the PCSO Traffic Unit investigates a three vehicle crash involving two pickup trucks and a sedan.

There is one confirmed fatality, and one other driver was transported to a local hospital.

It’s raining at this time which is also delaying our investigation.

Traffic heading westbound into Polk from Osceola is strongly encouraged to use an alternate route. Eastbound traffic inside is being diverted/turned around at CR 630.

Polk Soil and Water Conservation District Meeting Agenda

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Polk Soil and Water Conservation District Meeting Agenda

MEETING AGENDA

Polk Soil and Water Conservation District

Tuesday, May 21st- 4:00 pm EST

Polk State Lakeland Campus – Rm LTB 1124

3425 Winter Lake Road

Lakeland, Florida 33803

Joe Garrison, Chairman

  1. Call to order
  2. Pledge of allegiance
  3. Roll call
  4. Approval of March 19, 2019 Meeting Minutes
  5. Chair Report – Joe Garrison
  6. Vice Chair Report – Kyle Carlton
  7. Secretary/Treasurer report – Daniel Lanier
  8. Bylaw Review – Dr. Sharon Masters
  9. Public Relations Report
    • Monthly Meetings with Schools – Drew Pitts
  10. Old Business
  11. New Business
  12. Adjourn

29 Yr Old Lakeland Man Killed In S.R. 60 Crash

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29 Yr Old Lakeland Man Killed In S.R. 60 Crash

UPDATE to traffic fatality on SR 60 east of Lake Wales:

The roadway should be open soon.

The crash involved four vehicles, including 2 semis, which resulted in significant diesel fuel and oil on the roadway and debris that took some time to clean and tow.

Preliminary information indicates that around 2:45 p.m. this afternoon, a silver 2012 Volkswagen car being driven by 29-year-old Joshua Auguste of Lakeland was heading westbound on SR 60 just west of Grape Hammock Rd at a high rate of speed when it began to hydroplane, as it was raining heavily at the time.

The VW went into the eastbound lane and glanced off of a 2019 red Kia Sorrento. The VW rotated and  was then struck by an eastbound 1986 Kenworth semi truck pulling a trailer, causing significant damage and killing Auguste.

The semi exited the roadway and came to a rest in a ditch, with the trailer still in the eastbound lane.

Another semi heading westbound struck some debris from the crash and came to a controlled stop.

None of the other drivers were injured.

The investigation is ongoing, and no charges are pending.

Polk County School bus attendant arrested for child abuse

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Polk County School bus attendant arrested for child abuse

Polk County School bus attendant arrested for child abuse

 

On Thursday, May 9, 2019, Polk County Sheriff’s Special Victims Unit detectives arrested 43-year-old Juanita Tappin of Ridgeglen Circle East in Lakeland and charged her with 3 counts child abuse (F-3), and 3 counts abuse of a disabled adult (F-3).

 

According to the affidavit, the investigation began after a special needs child who rides the bus to Doris A. Sanders Learning Center reported to school staff that she had been hit by her bus attendant, Tappin. The school nurse documented two red welts on the victim’s face.

 

Detectives interviewed the victim and reviewed the bus video, which revealed Tappin striking the victim 11 separate times by popping her with a rubber band and hitting her on her face and neck. While reviewing the video, detectives also saw Tappin punch other victims, strike other victims with a hard plastic seatbelt cutter tool, and strike victims with a rubber band by snapping it on their faces and necks.

 

The victims are three disabled children and three disabled adults. The abuse occurred while the victims were riding the bus to school. 

 

Some of the victims’ disabilities hinder them from being able to report the abuse, as they are non-verbal.

 

Most of the students who ride the bus are non-verbal, and unable to elaborate on what they witnessed and/or were subjected to. Some of the students are strapped into their seats with harnesses, and unable to physically move away from Tappin during the abuse.

 

“This suspect will be held accountable for her reprehensible abuse against the most vulnerable of victims. In the video, the innocent children can be seen cowering in fear. She should never have access to children again.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

 

No more information about the victims will be released, per F.S.S. 119. The video will not be released, per F.S.S. 119.

 

During an interview with detectives, the suspect denied hitting the students, and said she was acting in a “playful manner.”

 

None of the abuse could be described as disciplinary – all of the abuse was intentional, malicious, and unprovoked.

Tappin has been booked into the Polk County Jail and is being held on no bond until a first appearance hearing at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 10, 2019. She will be housed at Central County Jail in Bartow.

 

According to Polk County Public Schools, Juanita Tappin is on paid administrative leave at this time. She was hired on January 27, 2014. There is no past disciplinary action in her personnel file. Her annual salary is $13,856.

“We count on our transportation staff to be courteous, professional and caring. Our students deserve peaceful rides free of aggravation and unkindness. The unacceptable allegations against this bus attendant are very troubling. If true, I will recommend that this employee be fired. We are conducting an internal investigation, and the employee has been placed on administrative leave.” -Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd

23 Yr Old Polk City Woman Killed On S.R. 33 North In Polk County

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23 Yr Old Polk City Woman Killed On S.R. 33 North In Polk County

Polk County Sheriffs Office Press Release

UPDATE to traffic fatality on SR 33 North in Polk City/Lakeland:

The roadway is open to traffic at this time.

Preliminary information indicates that around 4:20 p.m. this afternoon, a white 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe being driven by 23-year-old Martha Muriel of Polk City was heading northbound on SR 33 near Epicenter Blvd when for unknown reasons it crossed over into the southbound lanes, where it was struck nearly head-on by a 2016 Volvo semi-truck being driven southbound by 72-year-old Aubrey (male) Craddock of Plant City.

The semi driver, Craddock, was not injured. Muriel had to be extricated and was declared deceased. Both were the only occupants of their vehicles.

The roadway was closed for approximately four hours. The investigation is ongoing but no charges are pending.

Polk Museum Of Art Brings Together Lakeland Community Through Art And People

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Polk Museum Of Art Brings Together Lakeland Community Through Art And People

Polk Museum Of Art Brings Together Lakeland Community Through Art And People

by James Coulter

If you’ve ever gazed upon the urn collection of John Maschol, chances are you’d probably mistake them for artifacts from an ancient civilization; but not only did Maschol handcraft these urns himself, but he also created them out of wood. That’s how great he is at woodturning.

For the past 30 years, Maschol has been working his craft of woodturning, creating countless wooden art pieces crafted from a variety of different wood, from Native American wood to some wood from forests in far off countries.

As a retired structural engineer, he maintains a technical eye for his artwork. His art pieces are solid on the outside, hollow on the inside, but still maintain the same consistent thickness and artistic profile throughout.

Maschol has showcased his work for the past 25 years at various art shows, including the upcoming Mayfaire-By-The-Lake, the annual Lakeland outdoor art festival hosted by the Polk Museum of Art, which will be hosted this weekend on May 11 and 12.

For the past 22 years, he has visited the annual Lakeland art festival, and he has consistently done so for the past 7 years. He even managed to win awards in 2012 and 2017. By far, what has kept him coming back time and again has been the overall veneration the show and museum has for artists.

“They have a lot of respect for the artists, and the artists have a lot of respect for them, so it is mutual, and it is always good when you have an organization that respects the artists, that respects their work, and not just uses them to make money off of them,” Maschol said. “They are looking to create an enviroment where artists sell their artwork to patrons and share their work.”

Maschol himself has also frequented the museum several times, sometimes for inspiration, and other times simply to appreciate other people’s artwork. He likes the overall layout of the museum, with a somewhat open enviroment. He especially loves its affiliation with the Smithsonian, allowing it to showcase high-caliber artwork.

“It is a very classy enviroment going into the museum,” he said. “They have a wide variety of artwork…you get to see a good variety of work from the museum, and I think the architecture of the museum lends well to the artwork within its collection.”

Located in Downtown Lakeland across from the Lakeland Public Library, The Polk Museum of Art has become a real cultural staple within the local community and within Central Florida in recent years, especially due to its affiliation with the Smithsonian and recently with Florida Southern College.

Founded in 1966, the museum has been a nationally-accredited fine art museum since the early 1980s. Currently, it serves as a Smithsonian Affiliate and as a member of the Association of Academic Galleries and Museums. These affiliations allow the museum to access a vast and diverse collection of artwork and showcase it within its galleries.

Each year, the museum hosts at least 26 exhibitions. Most exhibits rotate two to three months, ensuring that visitors see something new and fresh with every visit, explained Diana Smith, Director of Membership and Marketing.

In 2017, the museum formed a partnership with Florida Southern College. This partnership in turn has provided the museum with additional funding, allowing it to better facilitate exhibitions with artwork that otherwise would have been unattainable, explained Smith.

“Like other museums, we struggle for adequate funding,” she said. “To secure these high-caliber exhibitions and big names that people really want to come out and see and recognize like Degas and Goya and Picasso, you have to put down some money for that; and for a non-profit, that can be difficult…so that partnership has allowed us to bring in high-caliber exhibitions to the community, and we are thrilled about that.”

Aside from additional funding, the FSC partnership also allows the museum to utilize the college’s resources and staff to help facilitate exhibitions and events. For example, one of their gallery talks hosted earlier this year on the artwork of Degas incorporated ballet performed by FSC dance students and coordinated by Erin LaSala, the college dance program director.

Being able to facilitate such elaborate events and exhibitions has allowed the museum to better flourish within the past two years, as attendance to the museum and its special events have nearly doubled during that time, explained Alex Rich, Museum Curator and Director of Galleries and Exhibitions, and Head of College Galleries and Director of Art History Program at FSC.

“With the museum and college working together, we have tried to raise the caliber of everything we do at the museum, enhancing the great work the museum has already been doing in past years,” he said. “Over the past two years, from my own experience, we have really been trying to raise the academic level of the experience within the exhibitions such that when visitors come to the museum, which is inherently an educational institution, they are finding ways to both enjoy the art and to come away having learned a lot more about it intellectually as well as amusingly.”

Rich has overseen many exhibitions and hosted many gallery talks and tours as the curator. As someone who has been able to work on the ground level, he has personally seen as the museum has better facilitated guests, through both education and entertainment, with its enhancements provided through the college’s affiliation, and he expects the museum to keep improving its overall quality in the near future.

“Our big goals for moving forward are to just keep going on this great momentum moving forward in the last many, many years,” he said. “Especially in the last two years under this affiliation, we are moving on an upward trend and I think gaining more and more respect in the larger community.”

One of the ways the museum helps to engage the local community with art has been its annual art festival, Mayfaire-By-The Lake, which will be hosting its 48th annual event this weekend. This year’s event will be featuring a new title sponsor, Citizens Bank And Trust, and showcasing 46 new artists.

One of the more regular artists is Mike Green, a graphic designer from St. Petersburg who specializes in bold lines, bright pastel colors, and Florida nostalgia. As someone who travels often, he often receives inspirations from the many sights he sees while on the road.

“I get a lot of my ideas from traveling,” he said. “I am geared more towards Florida pieces, so I try to give an old advertisement look to them.”

This year marks the ninth time he has visited Mayfaire. The biggest draw for him is being able to meet many old customers and providing them with his latest artwork. Though he has never visited the museum, he appreciates how it helps bring together artists and art lovers such as himself through events like this.

“It is great that they can help.” he said. “Quality wise, it is a really good show, with real quality work, and it is great that they can host it.”

The Polk Museum of Art is located at 800 E Palmetto St, Lakeland, FL 33801. The museum is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays (closed on Mondays) and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call 863-688-7743, or visit their website at https://polkmuseumofart.org/

Mayfaire-By-The-Lake will be hosted along the shore of Lake Morton in Downtown Lakeland on Sat., May 11 and Sun., May 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit their website at: https://www.mayfairebythelake.org/

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