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Rockin’ on the Chain 2026 Goes Above and Beyond Its 4th Year! 

Staff Reporter
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Rockin’ on the Chain 2026 Goes Above and Beyond Its 4th Year! 
Check Presentation WHHF and ROTC Committee

by James Coulter 

Three days. Two stages. Nearly 25 local bands and musicians. That was the outcome of this year’s Rockin’ on the Chain, the annual fundraiser benefitting Autism and other special needs. 

For one full weekend, this musical festival drew in hundreds of attendees by car, foot, and even boat to Tanners Lakeside in Winter Haven for an opportunity to have a good time for a good cause. 

Nearly 25 local bands and musicians graced one of two stages to perform some of their greatest hits, with acts including Twizted, Josh Blevins Band, Spankin Sadie, and Kai7en, whose lead singer, Tyler King, is a person with Autism himself. 

Joey Foley and TG Shepherd

This year’s event also saw the premiere of two popular musicians, Andy Griggs and TG Shepherd, the latter’s performance drawing in a record crowd on Sunday, according to Entertainment Director Joey Foley.

ROTC Supporters

“Bringing in the national artists add some spice to the event and brings in something a little different to those who participate on Rockin on the Chain,” he said. “We definitely turned it up a notch this year. We couldn’t be more blessed with the better group of artists that support autism and special needs and support this event from our local artists to our national artists.”

John Straughn with Andy Griggs

As the master of entertainment, Foley appreciates being able to see attendees enjoy their lineup of big-name entertainment, and he owes the turnout of such big crowds to the very people within those crowds as much as the performers themselves.

“The community support is amazing for this event,” he said. “The right people doing the right thing for the right reasons. And the people of Polk County showed up and showed out in rare form that we had an amazing weekend.”

Melanie Brown Culpepper, Director of Operations, has been assisting with the event since its earliest inception. She appreciates being able to not only assist in such a great fundraiser, but also seeing so many people within the community come together to make the event happen.

“It is a great thing to have everyone come together; it is my favorite thing: seeing the fellowship between everyone,” she said. “It is great to see how this community, all over the community, whether it be musicians or everyday people, business people, they were all coming to support special needs in Autism.”

Rockin on the Chain started four years ago as an outgrowth of a similar fundraiser, Rockin on the River, which ran for nearly a decade. John Straughn, event founder and chairman, appreciates how much Rockin on the Chain has grown since its inception.

This year especially saw a larger turnout than previous years, with Straughn citing an average 30 percent increase over the past few years. He owes the success to the promotion and marketing, whether on social media, through new sites like the Daily Ridge, or even by word-of-mouth.

“I think the word is getting out [that] this is a good event,” he said. “Everyone looks forward to it every year…and people come and have a good time. It is family fun, no one gets into trouble or out of line. We get everybody to come in by car, by boat, or on foot. Haven’t seen anyone parachute in yet, but maybe one day.”

Over the past four years, Rockin’ on the Chain has contributed a just over $196,000 to the Winter Haven Public Library, helping fund the creation of a sensory garden, as well as to Victory Ridge Academy and the Winter Haven Hospital Foundation. 

Rockin’ on the Chain 2026 proudly donated $64,161 in proceeds to the Winter Haven Hospital Foundation, supporting programs for individuals with autism and special needs. 

“Everything came together for a good time,” Straughn said. “We raised some good money in partnership with the Winter Haven Hospital Foundation, and that has helped our organization to partner with them a lot. So, I am pleased. The music turned out great. And we hope to do it again next year.”

This year’s Rockin on the Chain was discussed on a recent minisode of the Chattin on the Ridge podcast. Listen to the podcast here: https://shows.acast.com/chattin-on-the-ridge/episodes/minisode-32-rockin-on-the-chain-2026-recap

Come out and join the fun next year April 2nd, 3rd and 4th,  2027! 

Amazing ROTC Swag!
Tom Garthwaite is the President of Winter Haven Hospital
Sponsorship night
Hey Steve!
Raffles and Auctions!
#image_title
Thank you Jaime and Tim Bonifay for setting up a fun spot for the Kid Zone!! Sponsored by Mike Dean Pools.
Bounce house!
That’s a wrap for 2026 ROTC!

Florida Education Commissioner Stasi Kamoutsas Recommended as Next Polk State College President

Carl Fish
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Florida Education Commissioner Stasi Kamoutsas Recommended as Next Polk State College President

Press Release From Polk State College

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 — The Polk State College Presidential Search Committee convened its finalmeeting on Tuesday, May 12, and announced the selection of Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas as therecommended finalist to serve as Polk State College’s sixth president.

Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas is an experienced legal and policy professional with extensive experiencein education and public service at the state and local levels. He currently serves as Florida’sCommissioner of Education, a position to which he was selected in July 2025. Throughout the search process, he emerged as a candidate with a compelling vision for the future of Polk State College and a deep understanding of the College’s mission and impact across the region.

Kamoutsas will visit the College on June 3 to participate in meetings and forums with College students, faculty, staff and community members. Additional details regarding campus forums and opportunities to meet him will be forthcoming.

The Polk State College District Board of Trustees is expected to consider the Presidential Search Committee’s recommendation at its regular board meeting on June 3 at 4 p.m. at the Polk State Center for Public Safety.

The Presidential Search Committee was chaired by District Board of Trustees member Steve Lester and was comprised of the members of the District Board of Trustees, the President of the College’s Faculty Senate, Professor Anthony Cornett, and community members Grady Judd, Denise Grimsley, and Kelli Stargel.

“I appreciate the dedication and thoughtful work of the Search Committee through this very important process,” said Lester. “Anastasios distinguished himself as an inspiring, diligent, and highly capable leader with a clear vision for the future of Polk State College. We are confident that he possesses the experience, character and leadership necessary to guide Polk State into the future.”

Kamoutsas has held several leadership roles within the Florida Department of Education, including Chiefof Staff, General Counsel, Chief Litigator, Assistant General Counsel, and Legislative Affairs. He also served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Ron DeSantis.

Prior to his service at the state level, he served as Staff Counsel for the Dade County Police Benevolent Association and as an Assistant State Attorney with the Miami-Dade Office of the State Attorney.

Kamoutsas earned his Juris Doctor from Regent University School of Law, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Florida International University, and an Associate of Arts in Political Science from Florida State University. The committee’s recommendation followed a national search led by Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting. Over 100 applications were received from higher education leaders across the country, underscoring a strong interest in Polk State College and its future

Neighborhood Storytime: Free Monthly Program in Lakeland

Allison
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Neighborhood Storytime: Free Monthly Program in Lakeland

Join the crew at the Medulla Resource Center on Thursday, May 14 at 10 a.m. for the free event Neighborhood Storytime.

The event will feature the book, “What If We Had a Pet Shark?” By Deanna Chesley, a playful rhythm on using your imagination and wonders what life would be like to live with many different animals found at the zoo.

Neighborhood Storytime is a free, monthly program designed to bring families and young children ages 6 and younger together through the power of storytelling. Each session features a different book, along with a craft project and an activity.

10 to 11 a.m.
Thursday, May 14
Medulla Resource Center
1049 Parker Road, Lakeland

For more information call 863-647-4035.

*info provided by Polk County Parks & Recreation

Awareness is Key: 3 Steps to Help Recognize Stroke Signs and Risks for Better Outcomes

Allison
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Awareness is Key: 3 Steps to Help Recognize Stroke Signs and Risks for Better Outcomes

A stroke can happen to anyone at any age.

In fact, every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a stroke, with approximately 800,000 people experiencing a stroke annually, according to the American Heart Association, making it a leading cause of death and serious, long-term disability.

A stroke happens when normal blood flow in the brain is interrupted. When parts of the brain don’t get the oxygen-rich blood they need, those cells die.

However, many strokes may be prevented, treated and overcome by understanding the risk factors and taking steps toward managing them.

“When a stroke happens, every minute matters,” said Dr. Adrian Jaquin-Valdivia, a stroke neurologist at HCA Healthcare and American Stroke Association volunteer expert. “The faster someone gets treatment, the better the chance of saving brain function. On average, nearly 2 million brain cells die every minute a stroke goes untreated. Early treatment improves survival rates and reduces disability.”

Take control of your brain health with this information from the American Stroke Association.

Know the Warning Signs

Because strokes do not discriminate, knowing the signs is key. To help you recognize common warning signs and symptoms of stroke and take action in moments that matter, remember this simple acronym: B.E. F.A.S.T.

B: Balance loss – sudden difficulty with walking, dizziness or loss of balance or coordination.

E: Eye (or vision) changes – sudden vision loss or trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

F: Face drooping – one side of the face droops or feels numb; a smile may look uneven.

A: Arm weakness – one arm feels weak or numb or drifts downward when raised.

S: Speech difficulty – a telltale sign of a stroke is slurred speech or trouble speaking.

T: Time to call 911 – If someone is having any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call emergency services immediately to jumpstart care. Be sure to check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms started.

Explore the signs by playing the interactive, web-based B.E. F.A.S.T. Experience to see what stroke symptoms may look, feel and sound like.

Take Steps to Protect Your Health

Approximately 80% of strokes are preventable, according to the American Stroke Association. Everyday choices – such as eating well, moving more, not smoking and keeping up with routine health screenings, along with managing risk factors with the support of a health care professional – can help lower stroke risk.

Manage Risk Factors

High blood pressure is the leading risk factor for stroke, according to the 2025 American Heart Association/ACC Guideline for the Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults. Controlling blood pressure through regular checkups, at-home monitoring, following your treatment plan and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce your risk of stroke and support overall brain health.

Additionally, having a stroke or mini stroke, known as a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), increases the chances of having a second one. That’s why identifying what caused your stroke and reducing your personal risk factors can help protect your health and reduce the risk of another stroke.

To learn more about stroke risk factors and better understand the warning signs, visit Stroke.org/StrokeMonth, where you can also access stroke support services and subscribe to the Stroke Connection e-newsletter for the latest resources.

Winter Haven’s South Lake Howard Nature Park Continues Transformation

Carl Fish
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Winter Haven’s South Lake Howard Nature Park Continues Transformation

Construction continues at the South Lake Howard Nature Park expansion project in Winter Haven, as crews work on new recreational amenities, trail improvements, and stormwater infrastructure designed to enhance both the park experience and the health of Lake Howard.

Construction continues at South Lake Howard Nature Trail.

The project has been underway since 2024, with multiple phases planned through 2026. Recent work visible at the park includes playground installation, expanded boardwalks and trails, new parking and sidewalk improvements, and additional landscaping around the nature area.

The park, located off Lake Howard Drive SW, has long been known as one of Winter Haven’s quieter outdoor destinations, offering a boardwalk through wetlands, wildlife viewing opportunities, walking trails, and access to the Chain of Lakes Trail system. The nature park also serves a larger environmental purpose by helping filter and treat stormwater runoff before it reaches Lake Howard.  

Lake, Howard nature Trail in Winter Haven, Florida

According to the City of Winter Haven, the expansion project includes additional stormwater and wetland infrastructure intended to improve water quality while also creating additional wildlife habitat. Recreational additions tied to the project include expanded trail networks, picnic areas, a playground, kayak launch access, fishing areas, boardwalks, shade structures, and future disc golf elements.  

The project is being funded through a combination of grants, city funds, stormwater funding, and impact fees associated with new development. City officials previously noted that portions of the funding are tied specifically to stormwater improvements and environmental restoration efforts around the lake system.  

South Lake Howard Nature Park has become increasingly popular with walkers, cyclists, birdwatchers, and photographers over the years due to its scenic wetlands and wildlife. Birds commonly seen in the area include herons, egrets, osprey, and other native species. The park also serves as a gateway connection to portions of the Chain of Lakes Trail.  

What appears to be a juvenile Limpkin. One of the many birds and wildlife around the trail.

Some portions of the walking trail remain temporarily closed during active construction, according to signage posted at the site. Current city updates indicate work on parking, sidewalks, and playground features is ongoing as the multi-phase expansion moves forward.  

Wendy’s Dance Company to get new complex

Staff Reporter
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Wendy’s Dance Company to get new complex
New Vision

By Anita Todd

BARTOW – Wendy’s Dance Company is choreographing a beautiful new facility in a new location with fresh offerings for the students and families.

Wendy’s Dance Company founder Wendy Attix, who started her dance company about 30 years ago, recently announced the upcoming construction of the Elevate Performance Complex. The multi-purpose facility will be approximately 8,000 square feet and will include three professional dance studios; a fitness gym; a full cheer and tumbling gym; a performance boutique; athlete lockers; a study hall; and creative services including photography and a content studio.

Attix said the Complex is built on a simple idea, “create a space where children can grow, families feel supported, and the community can come together in a meaningful way.

“I want it to be special not just for the kids but for the families,” she said. “This is something that I put together from what I have seen has been needed over the years,” Attix said. She has seen parents walking around the studio for exercise and kids studying with their books on the dance floor and in waiting areas. There were extra clothes, backpacks and other belongings lying around that needed a designated space. So, when designing the complex, she included a fitness gym for the parents, a study hall (with supervised study time), and athlete lockers.

Students, families, and friends participated in a 10-day countdown to the big announcement made by Attix last month. Now, she is teasing the location of the new facility and plans to announce both the location and grand opening date soon. The cheer portion details are still being finalized.

Attix started dancing at a young age and continued through college. She spent her first two years at Florida State University, where she took dance courses. During her summer breaks, she held dance classes in her hometown of Fort Meade. The parents and kids loved her so much that they encouraged her to move closer so she could teach more often. So, she transferred to University of South Florida, where she was on the dance team and grew her dance business.

She started out teaching tap, ballet, jazz, and clogging at a Fort Meade studio. Over the years, the location has changed, and the number of students has grown. She and seven other instructors have added hip hop, contemporary, and tumbling to the list of dance styles originally offered.

“This is all such a blessing to me. I am overjoyed,” Attix said. She said she is humbled and thinks about how she can teach students not just dance, but life lessons as well.

“Are they a better person because they walked through my doors?” she asked. “I don’t look for thank you’s. I like to see how they blossom. I just want to make a difference.”

Until the new complex opens, dance classes will continue at the current location, including summer intensive classes. Several guest instructors will participate, including Jaliyah “Juicy” Kersten, Taylor Savaglio and Kinsey Hughey. Classes will be held July 14–31, with registration beginning June 1. The studio is located at 780 W. Main Street in Bartow. For more information, visit Wendy’s Dance Company.

Commissioner Santiago Will Not Seek Re-election to Third Term

Allison
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Commissioner Santiago Will Not Seek Re-election to Third Term

Polk County Board of County Commissioner Martha Santiago has announced she will not seek re-election for a third term on the commission.

Santiago, who was first elected to the Board of County Commissioners in November 2018 and re-elected in November 2022, said she is ready to begin the next chapter of her life. She is currently serving as the board chairperson.

“I have been blessed to accomplish many of the things I set out to do when I first decided to run for the county commission. I am proud to have served Polk County well and to have remained focused on the key priorities I set during my tenure, including ensuring our citizens’ safety, improving infrastructure, and supporting the county’s economic initiative to create jobs. It is now time to turn it over to someone else who also has a vision for what they hope to accomplish as a county commissioner,” Santiago said.

She shared she is looking forward to traveling more with her husband, Alex, and to spending more time with her adult children and her grandchildren.

Santiago, who began and has spent most of her career as an educator, is the owner of Leadership Consultants, LLC. She began her teaching career in 1978 and later became a school and district administrator for the Polk County Public School system. Santiago then worked at Polk State College where she served as a board trustee, Dean of Academic Affairs and Provost. Santiago earned her doctoral degree from the University of South Florida.

“My purpose in life is to serve others. I would like to thank the residents for trusting in me to serve as their commissioner for the past eight years,” she said. “I love Polk County and will continue working with local organizations and in the community to ensure Polk is the best county in which to live, work, and raise a family. Who knows what the next chapter will bring? I can’t wait to find out.”

Press Release by Polk County Government Florida

Alleged Intoxicated Customer Arrested After Disruptive Incident at Restaurant in Davenport

Allison
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Alleged Intoxicated Customer Arrested After Disruptive Incident at Restaurant in Davenport

On Saturday, May 9th at around 7:52 pm, PCSO deputies were requested to respond to Nagoya Sushi & Hibachi on Champions Drive in Davenport.

The restaurant staff report a disruptive customer who refused to leave.

A PCSO deputy arrived within just a few minutes and was told that the suspect appeared to be heavily intoxicated. He had fallen asleep repeatedly and become belligerent with customers and staff.

While interacting with the suspect, the deputy noticed him to be incoherent with slurred speech. He was lethargic, unbalanced, confused, and erratic.

The deputy asked the man for his identification, because he was being trespassed from the business. The man refused, multiple times.

The suspect was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and taken to the Sheriff’s Processing Center.

He was identified as 25-year-old William Hightower from Willow Creek, California, and he was charged with: Trespassing (M1), Resisting without Violence (M1), and Disorderly Intoxication (M2).

This Day in History May 11, 1981: Reggae Star Bob Marley Dies at 36

Allison
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This Day in History May 11, 1981: Reggae Star Bob Marley Dies at 36

The following is an article from History.com

On May 11, 1981, Bob Marley, the soul and international face of reggae music, died in a Miami, Florida, hospital. He was 36 years old.

In what would prove to be the next to the last concert of his tragically short life, Bob Marley shared the bill at Madison Square Garden with the hugely popular American funk band The Commodores. With no costumes, no choreography and no set design to speak of, “the reggae star had the majority of his listeners on their feet and in the palm of his hand,” according to New York Timescritic Robert Palmer. “After this show of strength, and Mr. Marley’s intense singing and electric stage presence, the Commodores were a letdown.”

Only days after his triumphant shows in New York City, Bob Marley collapsed while jogging in Central Park and later received a grim diagnosis: a cancerous growth on an old soccer injury on his big toe had metastasized and spread to Marley’s brain, liver and lungs. Less than eight months later, he passed away.

Nesta Robert Marley was born on February 6, 1945, in rural St. Ann Parish, Jamaica, the son of a middle-aged white Jamaican Marine officer and an 18-year-old Black Jamaican girl. At the age of nine, Marley moved to Trench Town, a tough West Kingston ghetto where he would meet and befriend Neville “Bunny” Livingston (later Bunny Wailer) and Peter McIntosh (later Peter Tosh) and drop out of school at age 14 to make music. Jamaica at the time was entering a period of incredible musical creativity. As transistor radios became available on an island then served only by a staid, BBC-style national radio station, the music of America suddenly became accessible via stateside radio stations. From a mix of New Orleans-style rhythm and blues and indigenous, African-influenced musical traditions arose first ska, then rock steady—precursor styles to reggae, which did not take shape as a recognizable style of its own until the late 1960s.

Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer performed together as The Wailers throughout this period, coming into their own as a group just as reggae became the dominant sound in Jamaica. Thanks to the international reach of Island Records, the Wailers came to the world’s attention in the early 1970s via their albums Catch a Fire (1972) and Burnin’ (1973). Eric Clapton spread the group’s name even wider by recording a pop-friendly version of “I Shot The Sheriff” from the latter album. With the departure of Tosh and Wailer in 1974, Marley took center stage in the group, and by the late 70s he had turned out a string of albums—Exodus (1977), featuring “Jamming,” “Waiting In Vain” and “One Love/People Get Ready;” Kaya(1978), featuring “Is This Love” and “Sun Is Shining”; and Uprising (1980), featuring “Could You Be Loved” and “Redemption Song.”

While none of the aforementioned songs was anything approaching a hit in the United States during Bob Marley’s lifetime, they constitute a legacy that has only increased his fame in the years since his death on this day in 1981.

Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation Places AED #93 at Women’s Care Center of Bartow

Allison
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Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation Places AED #93 at Women’s Care Center of Bartow

The Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation placed AED #93 at the Women’s Care Center of Bartow on April 30, thanks to a “pay it forward” donation from Bartow American Legion Post 3.

The AED placement is part of the foundation’s ongoing effort to place lifesaving equipment throughout Polk County and surrounding communities while also raising awareness about sudden cardiac arrest and the importance of quick emergency response.

The Women’s Care Center is a transitional living facility dedicated to serving women and their children who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability. The program provides a safe, supportive environment where residents can begin to rebuild their lives, with a focus on stability, personal growth, and long-term independence. Through services like case management, healthcare access, employment support, and life skills development, the center works to empower each family to transition into permanent, stable housing.

Rusty Music, Executive Director of the Women’s Care Center, has served in the role for the past 15 years. During that time, Music has helped expand programs and deepen the organization’s impact within the community, including the continued development of the Women’s Care Center.

Music expressed appreciation for the foundation’s work, stating, “We are very very thankful for all your work and dedication to the AED program! They truly do save lives. One saved a staff members of mines life a few years ago. They are an invaluable tool.”

Danny Blackford, acting commander of the Sons of the American Legion, said he has been a member of SAL for eight years and is a third-generation member of Post 3.

Blackford shared that Bartow American Legion Post 3 is celebrating a major milestone this year.

“Bartow is celebrating its 109 year anniversary this year. Our goal is to support veterans , their families and the community,” he said.

In addition to supporting veterans and their families, the organization continues to look for ways to give back locally through community partnerships and outreach efforts.

The organization chose the Women’s Care Center of Bartow because of its commitment to helping women and children throughout the community.

Blackford also praised the continued efforts of Melanie Culpepper Beilke and Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation for their dedication to providing lifesaving equipment and training throughout the area.

“Melanie and her foundation has and continues to have a great organization that we will continue to support because of her dedication people may have their lives saved,” he said.

He added, “CCF is a group whose only mission is to make aware and provide the necessary training and equipment to save lives. She is a wonderful example of dedication to her community.”

The placement of AED #93 represents another life-saving resource now available in the Bartow community and continues the foundation’s mission of making AEDs more accessible in public spaces where they may be needed most.

For more information about CCF, visit culpepperaed.com

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