Grove Roots Brewing Company Hosts Moonlight Market

By Allison Williams

Grove Roots Brewing Company is a local craft brewery and taproom right in Downtown Winter Haven.

Located at 302 3^rd Street SW in Winter Haven, this large open space poses a perfect environment to host the monthly Moonlight Market every fourth Wednesday of the month.

The summer passing showers did not stop the food trucks from setting up. Rick’s Bar-B-Q had their “2 go” food truck set up outside the entrance along with the Got Candy food truck.

Guests gathered inside to enjoy local beers provided by Grove Roots. Some guests sat back and relaxed at the large tables, while others jammed out to some live music.

Vendors set up tables inside the brewery.

The Makers Co. had a display set up at the event. The Makers Co. owner, Gina Smith hosts wood sign workshops and has a DIY craft studio. Smith started this business and has the help of her husband Darryl. She considers herself a “crafter at heart.”

“I love making things for others and teaching others and bringing out their creative side,” Smith said. “How I came to this idea of starting this business was when I attended a workshop with my coworkers and fell in love with the process of creating something beautiful that you could be proud to hang in your home or give as a gift. I also loved that it was quality time spent with your friends.”

The Smith’s offered $10 off to anyone who signed up for one of their workshops at the Moonlight Market event.

For more information, visit their website:

https://themakerscofl.com

Another vendor was Kay’s Creations. Owner Kay Teehan, a retired teacher from the Polk County School District, creates door décor wreaths.

“I found it very satisfying and when my workroom was bulging with wreaths and my friends and family had enough wreaths to last forever, I knew I needed to market them,” Teehan said.

With the help of her husband Larry, she finds it rewarding to be able to share her creative gift with the community.

“My door wreaths are all one-of-a-kind and reflect seasonal and holiday motifs,” Teehan said. ”I also create sports wreaths, wedding wreaths, and wreaths for special occasions. All my wreaths are treated with UV protection and scotch-guarded. They will last many years for my customers to enjoy season after season.”

Wreath Photos by Kay Teehan

Other vendors at the market included:

• Peacock and Pine
• Aura Accessories (Lutz, FL)
• Olive + Lemon Creations (Winter Haven, FL – Etsy)
• Petals + Glow (Plant City – Etsy)
• Gail K Benoit’s Art and Plants
• Bump Galletta (Lakeland)
• Plants and Pamperin’ (Lakeland)

The next Moonlight Market is set for August 22. Click the Facebook link for more information:

https://www.facebook.com/events/322929034857882/

For vendor information, email [email protected]

Anytime Fitness in Winter Haven Celebrates Five Years in Business

By Allison Williams

Photos provided by Anytime Fitness

On Monday the Winter Haven Anytime Fitness staff hosted a Hurricane Party to celebrate their five-year mark of being in business.

Jessica Spain, manager at the Winter Haven location was pleased with the turnout of the event.

“It was a good turnout,” Spain said. “The members were loving it. It was just a good day.”

The day was filled with excitement and activities for all to enjoy. There was a photo booth set up for members and guests to strike a pose in.

Throughout the day, people were invited to participate in various challenges. Brian Dyke, Regional Team Leader explained how the challenges worked.

“We had five different levels, category 1 through 5 for our hurricane party,” Dyke said. “When you got up to the higher level category, the higher the intensity of the workout so it was worth more raffle tickets.”

Those who participated in the workout challenges got an extra burn. Many participated in the challenge and then went on to their normal workouts.

Everyone who participated in a challenge received at least one raffle ticket. For those who pushed their limits and challenged themselves to the higher category workout challenges, they received more raffle ticket entries.

At the end of the day, the Anytime Fitness staff drew winners. Shane Davis won a prize basket. He received a “swag” basket with prizes including sunglasses, t-shirt, and towel among other goodies.

The other prize up for grabs was a basket filled with supplements including proteins, aminos and omegas.

To keep the fun going, a DJ from CMDJ based out of Orlando was spinning beats throughout the day inside the club.

The DJ helped pump everybody up who entered the gym. “It was super high energy,” Spain said. “The whole day was a good feel and good vibe in the club.”

With new and familiar faces entering the fitness center throughout the day, Spain was grateful for all. She wanted to focus on both member appreciation as well as community member appreciation.

There was a fruit tray set out in the morning for all to enjoy, and later staff members set up a taco bar. Custom-made Anytime Fitness LED flashlights were also given away.

To keep the five years in business and five categories of challenges theme going for the Hurricane Party, the club was offering a special for new members to join for only $5. Members who referred friends would receive a free month.

The sale still stands! Stop by Anytime Fitness in Winter Haven or call for more information. The sale officially ends Friday.

Anytime Fitness address:

710 Cypress Gardens Boulevard

Winter Haven, FL 33880

Phone:

863-280-6954

“We just want to thank the community for supporting us for five years,” Spain said. “If you want an awesome gym experience, we are it.”

Website:

https://www.anytimefitness.com/gyms/3278/Winter-Haven-FL-33880/

Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/AnytimeFitnessWinterHaven/

*** UPDATE ***

69 year-old Edwin Stensel was cooking inside of his kitchen when the fire erupted.  Stensel, who is on oxygen with a tank he carries around, was able to exit the residence as the fire intensified. Stensel, a retired veteran, suffered smoke inhalation as he exited the residence.  He was taken to a local hospital for treatement where he remains this evening in stable condition.

While on scene, responders heard the faint sounds of “meow” and began to find the source of the sound. A storage shed directly adjacent to the carport area of the home had numerous boxes and pallets inside. When investigators looked further, there was a box located with newborn kittens inside. It was determined the kittens were from a stray mother cat in the area. At this time, nobody has indicated they knew the kittens were there nor if the mama cat was known to anyone in the area.

Photo is the park manager holding the kittens after investigators found them. Polk County Animal Control took the kittens in their care. The mother was not  located. 

Winter Haven Fire Fighters Battle Blaze While Ammunition Inside The Structure Goes Off

Yesterday at 1:24 p.m., the Winter Haven Fire Department responded to 64 Palm Lane Dr. in the Cypress Shores Mobile Home Community that is located just off Hwy 92 in Winter Haven. The disabled veteran living in the home escaped the fire, but was transported to a local hospital for smoke inhalation.

When fire fighters arrived, there were rounds of ammunition located within the home that were firing off from inside the structure. Flames were coming from the front of the home as well as both sides. The intense heat was starting to melt a neighboring home’s siding and carport. There were two LP tanks on the outside of the structure, but the firefighters were able to keep the tanks from exploding. 

It took approximately 20 minutes for the fire to get under control. There were seven fire units that responded along with water tankers from the Auburndale and Lake Alfred Fire Departments. One firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion at the scene.

The fire is under investigation. No injuries to any other residents in the mobile home park and no other structures were damaged.

“The close proximity of these homes poses huge challenges to fire fighters,” said Police Chief and Fire Administrative Director Charlie Bird. “Our fire fighters did an outstanding job in protected neighboring structures as well as ensuring the two LP tanks did not explode.”